Keeping Resolutions; Make 2005 the Year You Suc...

LONDON, February 22 /PRNewswire/ --

- With Photo

    Quitting smoking is a common New Years resolution but only around 2% of
people who quit this New Year will actually stop smoking for good. So what
can wannabe ex-smokers, who may be struggling to overcome their cravings at
this stage of their quit attempt, do to resist temptation and quit for good?



Staying strong

    To stop smoking is tough and for many people it takes more than one
attempt to quit. This doesn't mean you won't quit successfully, quitting
smoking is not easy - it is a learning experience and smokers need to
recognise their triggers for smoking and develop mechanisms to help overcome
them.



    Sue, who smoked 20-30 cigarettes a day for 12 years, has several failed
quit attempts behind her. Sue said, "I tried quitting before, but my heart
wasn't in it. I need to want to do it 100 per cent - and this time I do."
Turning thirty made Sue reassess her life, looks and health. The health
benefits associated with quitting smoking are well documented; however, as
with many other smokers health is not Sue's only reason for quitting. In
April 2006 she is getting married to her fiancé Norman and like many other
women she wants to have a fairytale wedding. She explains, "I don't want
photos of my wedding day with me smoking. My only decent photo from my
engagement party has me with a cigarette in my hand!"



    Sue previously attempted to quit using a variety of different methods
including going cold turkey and using a stop smoking aid. This time Sue
developed coping strategies for all aspects of her smoking habit. She has
used Thin Flex NiQuitin CQ Clear patches, to help overcome her physical
addiction and set up an individually tailored plan from www.Click2Quit.com.
This plan has been clinically proven to increase a smoker's chance of
quitting successfully by up to 26 per cent when paired with NiQuitin CQ, when
compared to using NRT alone. It is designed to help smokers understand why
they want to quit, when they want to smoke and offers friends and family the
chance to help keep their loved ones motivated by sending daily reminders or
helpful tips. Sue explains, 'I knew that for me, willpower alone wouldn't be
enough; I needed around the clock protection against cravings for cigarettes
and to know how to cope when they do happen. After all, they are a large part
of my adult life." It is important to remember that each craving for a
cigarette lasts just a few minutes and with a few techniques to help you get
through these, you'll be closer to becoming a non-smoker.



Tips for quitting:

    - List the reasons why you want to quit and remind yourself of these
daily (write them down and stick them on the fridge)



    - Dealing with cravings is hard, but they do pass. When a craving
strikes, try to distract yourself e.g. Listen to a favourite song, visit a
website maybe take a quick walk or a few deep breaths, until the craving 
subsides; www.Click2Quit.com offers lots of tips for beating cravings



    - Dehydration makes nicotine withdrawal symptoms worse so try to drink a
lot of water



    - Snacking on healthy snacks such as raisins, carrots or rice cakes can
help keep your mouth occupied and reduce the craving



    - When cravings hit, call upon the support of friends, particularly if
you know someone close who has quit smoking. Sometimes just talking can help the
urge subside



Why Quit?

    Stopping smoking is difficult but the benefits are almost immediate.
Perhaps the most noticeable change is in a person's appearance. As the oxygen
levels in the body return to normal and circulation improves skin will look
radiant and younger; lines will reduce, eyes look brighter and the dullness
associated with smoking will be banished. Smell and taste will also return to
normal levels, food will taste better, smells will be more intense and you
will enjoy more energy and breathe more easily.



    Like most smokers, Sue knew smoking was bad for her, but she was
surprised to discover that cigarette smoke contains more than 4,000
chemicals. By quitting successfully, smokers are allowing their bodies to
recover. Within one year of quitting, the risk of heart disease drops to half
that of a smoker's and within five years the risk of stroke is no different
to a lifelong non-smoker. Quitting also benefits family and friends as
passive smoking can cause headaches, asthma and chest problems as well as
problems in pregnancy and for children.



Smoking and Your Body

- After 20 minutes:

Blood pressure and pulse return to normal

- After 8 hours:

The level of oxygen in blood returns to normal

- After 12 hours:

    The body's level of toxic carbon monoxide declines, and returns to
non-smoking levels after 36 hours



- After 24 hours:

The risk of a heart attack is already decreasing

- After 36 hours:

Nerve endings killed by cigarette toxins begin to grow again

- After 1 year:

The risk of heart disease drops to half that of a smoker

- After 5 years:

Risk of stroke is no more than that of a lifelong non-smoker

- After 10 years:

Lung cancer risk is half that of a smoker

- After 15 years:

Risk of heart disease is no more than that of a lifelong non-smoker

Success!

    Most smokers are addicted to the nicotine hit they get from smoking,
which is comparable with addiction to 'hard' drugs such as heroin or cocaine.
It is widely accepted that to successfully give up an addiction help is
needed. In the case of smoking, smokers are twice as likely to successfully
quit if they use NiQuitin CQ (such as patches or lozenges), and a
personalised quit plan can further increase success rates. Just deciding to
quit smoking can be an enormous step forward. Each person's quitting attempt
is unique, but realising and planning for the physical and emotional trials
ahead can make the task much easier than it could be. Motivation and
willpower are essential to all successful quit attempts. For further
information on quitting smoking please contact either your pharmacist or GP.
Alternatively, call the QUIT help line on 0800 00 22 00 and visit
www.click2quit.com for your personalised quit plan.



Succeed with a little help from your friends

    A recent survey has shown that over 77 per cent of people would rather
tackle a challenge like quitting smoking with the support of another person.
Having a 'buddy' ensures support through testing times and can be the
inspiration needed to bring success. Sue's campaign aims to inspire and
support millions of wannabe ex-smokers this year by sharing her highs and
lows on TV as part of Real Quit. NiQuitin CQ understands that many of the
three million people6 who try to quit each year need more than just a product
and that the right support is just as important in ensuring a successful quit
attempt.



Are you up for the No Smoking Day Challenge?

    We are looking for long term smokers who seriously wish to give up
smoking and would like to take part in an exciting new project. If you are
interested please email [e-mail] or call 020 8392 8045.



60 Second Interview

    Sue Taylor, a 30 year old legal secretary working in the City of London,
is the face of the latest Quit with NiQuitin campaign, Real Quit and is
bravely sharing her quit attempt with the nation.



How long have you been smoking?

    I started smoking when I was 18 and have been smoking about 20 to 30 a
day ever since.



What made you start?

    I couldn't go on a school trip to Amsterdam and was tempted by friends to
try smoking as a consolation; it seemed cool. It was disgusting at first but
I carried on and eventually got addicted.



Why have you decided to quit?

    I'm getting married to my fiancé Norman in April 2006. I really can't
bear the thought of smoking on my wedding day. My only decent photo from my
engagement party has me with a cigarette in my hand!



Is this your first attempt?

    In the past five years I've made several attempts to quit. Unfortunately
my heart wasn't in it. I just couldn't see myself as a non-smoker and whilst
I knew I should quit I didn't truly want to. This time though I am determined
to succeed. I am using Thin Flex NiQuitin CQ Clear patches for my cravings
and have a Click2Quit plan to help me understand and overcome the more
emotional aspects of my addiction.



    What is it like sharing some of your lowest times with the nation through
the Real Quit campaign?



    It's tough, but when I see myself it scares me that smoking had such
control over me. It makes me even more determined to succeed.



Note to Editors:

    A high resolution photograph is available to the media free of charge
at http://www.newscast.co.uk ([phone]).




For further information, please contact Red Door Communications, Ken Griffin or
Rachel Bannister on [phone] or email [e-mail]