According to the American Lung Association, more than 480,000 deaths occur each year in the country alone due to tobacco use and exposure to second-hand smoke. Sadly, people are aware of the innumerable health risks that arise out of cigarette smoking and yet, many choose to ignore it. For those who are willing to make the change in their lives, some of the most effective ways to quit smoking for good would help you to battle the urge to smoke are listed below:

Patience
The urge to smoke usually lasts only between three to five minutes. Allow it to pass so that you don’t fall back to the habit.

Breathe
Breathe into the count of four and breathe out to the count of six. Visualize the imagery of fresh air filling the lungs.

Hydrate
Drink enough water or juices but slowly (sip by sip) to get over the craving.

NRT
It is advisable to use nicotine replacement therapy. More often than not, people underestimate how nicotine-dependent one is. While going cold turkey without the help of NRT is one approach, studies have shown that only 5% of such quit attempts are successful.

Alternative therapies
There are several other effective ways to quit smoking for good. Electronic cigarettes, tobacco strips and sticks, hypnosis, magnet therapy, acupuncture, cold laser therapy, yoga, and meditation are some of them. While e-cigarettes are not supposed to be marketed as an aid to quit smoking, it is widely known to be used by people as the first step to quitting the habit. It hasn’t been proved that e-cigarettes help to quit smoking but ongoing studies have found them to be less addictive than cigarettes, and smokers are more likely to quit smoking eventually than those who have not tried e-cigarettes. Yoga, in particular, is known to bring about a lot of positive changes because it works in the autonomous nervous system of the body. Eventually, cravings for cigarettes automatically come down (organically).

Non-nicotine medicines
You should consult your doctor before opting for this. However, this kind of intervention is known to provide a lot of relief. Bupropion is a tablet that is usually taken for 12 weeks. However, if you have successfully quit smoking around this time, it can be further used for three to six months to reduce the risk of relapse. This medicine acts on the chemicals in the brain and reduces the nicotine craving along with the withdrawal symptoms. Varenicline, on the other hand, reduces the pleasure one derives from tobacco use, by working on the nicotine receptors in the brain. This is also used for 12 weeks and can be continued if you have successfully quit smoking. Consult your physician for this.

If you have tried to quit before, think about what helped you in the process of quitting and what did not. You should pay more attention to the ‘what did not’ part so that you do not end up repeating your mistakes.