Stop smoking

QUITLINE

 

For a Quit Pack, information and support call Quitline

0800-778-778

You can do it. you are worth it!

Giving up smoking is perhaps the most important step you can take towards maintaining a good quality of life with COPD. Every cigarette you smoke adds more damage and will make your condition worse. It is never too late to stop.

gather support - many people want to help you

You may be surprised to know that there are many people and organisations out there that want to support your choice to give up smoking. Gather as much help as is necessary. Sometimes it is hard to do it alone.

  • For a Quit Pack, information and support call Quitline 0800-778-778 . The Quitline also offer Nicotine replacement therapy.
  • Your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist will have information on stopping smoking.
  • Your local affiliated asthma society, Cancer Society, or the Heart Foundation will know where you can find help, and provide you information on local programmes.

Plan your time well and think of ways to help yourself

  • Set a date to quit. Choose a time when you are not under a lot of pressure, but still busy.
  • Throw out all cigarettes, lighters and ashtrays.
  • Plan alternative activites for your most risky times
  • Find a quitting partner
  • Get help from friends and family
  • If you are a heavy smoker think about gum, patches or spray.

Remember the 4D's

  • Delay acting on the urge to smoke. Don't open a pack or light a cigarette. After 5 minutes, the urge to smoke weakens and your determination to quit will come back.
  • Deep breathe. Take a long slow breath in, breathe slowly out again. Repeat three times.
  • Drink water. Sip slowly, holding it in your mouth a little longer to savour the taste.
  • Do something else. Take your mind off smoking by taking action - put on some music, go for a walk or ring a friend.

Just one cigarette WILL hurt - that is the way most people go back to regular smoking. Find new ways to handle stress and difficult emotions. Thanks to the Quit Group (Cancer Society, Health Sponsorship Council, Te Hotu Manawa Maori) and the Health Funding Authority's Quit Book, on which this fact sheet is based.

Don't be afraid to ask others not to smoke near to you. Your family and friends will be keen to help you breathe clean air if you explain why. You can do it. Let's start today!