It’ll soon be Stoptober, the NHS’ 28 day challenge for British smokers. Of course, anyone can quit any time – if they want to – but like National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo), it’s easier and fun to have friends on your side.
When I was writing crime thriller Up In Smoke, I hung out with smokers a lot. Mostly, they were happy with their habit. But, quite apart from the health risks, smoking is becoming increasingly costly and difficult (from 1 October 2015, if there are kids in your car, you’ll break the law by lighting up in the UK). So if you want to stop, here are 6 top tips! Don’t forget, not everything works for everybody, but one just might work for you…
#1 Get a buddy to support you. It’s a great way to build a good habit (it’s how I started writing!) or break a bad one.
#2 Vape instead. Nicotine with added caramel, chocolate, strawberry cheesecake flavours – whatever you like! Actually, I made the last one up – but you get the idea. E-cigs offer more variety than traditional gaspers and some of them look really cool. I love the old pipe styles; very Gandalf.
#3 Keep busy. You need spare time to smoke.
#4 Socialise with non-smoking friends. Arrange to meet for coffee, walks, cocktails, classical concerts… If you’re not hanging out with smokers, you’ll be less tempted to join them.
#5 Knit, crochet, write poetry on your smartphone – anything to occupy fingers that are itching to hold a cigarette.
#6 Just do it. That’s right, decide you’re not going to smoke any more. Bin your lighter. Strange as it may seem, willpower trumps just about any other method. It’s the basis for Allen Carr’s Easyway programme. His book costs less than a pack of 20 – check it out on Amazon.
Whatever you decide – good luck!
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I’m a writer of crime thrillers, of which my first was Up In Smoke, a tale of Big Tobacco, counterfeit cigarettes and activists sucked into a world of murder and deception. My latest book, The Bride’s Trail, features smokers, cocaine addicts and a missing croupier on the run from killers. You can find free tasters here.
