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Quitting smoking is one of the hardest habits to beat, so if you’re unfortunate enough to have become hooked on cigarettes you’ll know how it feels to want to give up but feel like you just can’t. But why is it so hard?

As we all know, nicotine, the main drug in cigarettes, is highly addictive. It has the opposing qualities of making you feel calm and happy, but at the same time also being able to focus better because you feel more alert. It’s no wonder the feeling becomes addictive, but as with any drug, the more you have, the more you need to get to the same feeling, so the need for more cigarettes increases with time. If you try to quit, you can feel less normal without the nicotine that you did with it, and this can last for a long time, which is another reason that it is hard to give up.

An addition is based on a habit – the need to do something or take something continually, and this habit infests your life. This may be because you have a cigarette when you are in a particular mood, or doing a particular activity such as going out for a drink. The places or times when you would normally have a cigarette are called triggers and this is partly why it is hard to quit – because the triggers remain but you have to ignore them.

Does this information put you off quitting? It shouldn’t do because you have already decided to do something about your addiction or you wouldn’t be reading this page. What this information gives you is the recognition that you might feel strange as the nicotine gradually leaves your system, but this isn’t because your body needs it, it’s because you’ve spent a long time tricking your body into feeling as if it needs it. And with the knowledge that you will be confronted by different triggers, you can recognise them and create coping mechanisms to deal with how you feel and not succumb to temptation.

On 1st July 2007 it became illegal to smoke in indoor public places in England including pubs, clubs and workplaces. This was one of the most controversial pieces of legislation for a long time and was widely debated at the time with ferocious opposition to the bill from pro-smoking groups. We’re now two years on from then, so what effect has the ban had in the UK?

The health effects for workers in places where smoking would have been commonplace such as bars and pubs have unsurprisingly been dramatic. Research carried out just 3 months after the ban in October 2007 indicated that employees’ exposure to second hand smoke had dropped by 95%. Before the ban the type of second hand smoke exposure workers in bars would have was the equivalent of smoking 190 cigarettes a year!

This was a great benefit of the ban, but many owners and managers within the hospitality industry experienced a more negative impact of the ban due to fewer customers leading to losses in income. One area which suffered in particular was membership clubs, which is a group that have vigorously fought over the last two years to have the ban relaxed for these kinds of establishments in particular, with the introduction of ventilated smoking rooms, but this is unlikely.

There were sensational statistics about the effect of the ban on people quitting smoking – one statistic said the number of quitters trebled in the nine months after the ban, and another said that 400,000 people chose to quit in the first year of the ban – if this continues into the future the ban could save 40,000 lives. Perhaps this is the reason you have chosen to quit, and if so there’s no better reason – who wants to be isolated from their friends by having to go outside every time you want to have a cigarette? This might be ok in the warm weather we’re having now but I bet it’s not an inviting option in the middle of winter. Smoking has become more of a nuisance now that it is banned in public places, and this can be an encouragement to finally give it up for good. Social smoking can be one of the more difficult aspects to give up, but when you’re next out with friends and you feel like a smoke, think of the conversation you’ll miss out on and the probability that at some point you’ll be getting very wet and cold just to keep up a habit that’s now a bit of a social outcast.

What is Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT)?
LLLT is the application of a “cold,” pure laser light to treat certain conditions. It has been used to successfully for many kinds of musculoskeletal injuries and conditions because it promotes healing and tissue repair. LLLT has also been found to be successful treatment for many patients for smoking cessation.

The laser light reaches through the skin to stimulate your nerve endings to produce endorphins. Endorphins are produced normally by your body and are nature’s own mood lifter and anesthetic. The endorphin production may relieve the physical withdrawal symptoms of quitting smoking and helps keep you from feeling anxious or “crabby.”

Is LLLT safe?
LLLT is a painless and medication-free treatment. It has been used in England, Canada and Europe for over 20 years with no documented adverse side effects. Laser therapy is respected by many physicians as a highly effective treatment modality. Stop Smoking Laser Center is currently participating in clinical research trials to gather more information on the effectiveness of LLLT for smoking cessation.

What parts of my body receive laser?
The laser is used on the ears, nose and hands.

Does LLLT hurt?
No. The LLLT is painless. In fact, most people describe an extremely relaxed feeling after the laser session.

How long does the laser session take?
A laser session itself only takes about 30 minutes, however you should allow an hour for your visit. Your condition will be evaluated by various methods, by asking you to complete a questionnaire about your smoking habits.

Will I gain weight?
Weight gain may be avoidable when quitting smoking with laser. The laser is applied to appetite suppression points during your session. Studies conducted in other countries have shown little to no weight gain with LLLT.

Are the results guaranteed?
Nicotine addiction consists of two factors: the physical addiction and the mental addiction. The laser session is designed to relieve the physical withdrawal symptoms. If you have smoked a pack a day for thirty years, this means you will be making a huge change to your daily routine when you quit. Even if you experience NO physical symptoms, you will still think about smoking. Therefore, while we can not make a guarantee, we will do everything in our power to ensure your success. Laser + education + YOUR COMMITMENT = a winning combination.

Are there any health conditions for which laser therapy is not recommended?
Yes. LLLT is not recommended for those who have tumors, active cancers, epilepsy, are pregnant or for those who are undergoing radiation or chemotherapy. If you have health concerns, consult your physician prior to joining our clinical trial.

What is the success rate?
The laser protocols used by Stop Smoking Laser Center clinical trials are based on those of a research program in London, England whose success rate was significant for smoking cessation. Stop Smoking Laser Center is currently participating in a clinical research trial to gather more information on the success rates in the United States.

My Cigarette, My Friend
By Joel Spitzer

How do you feel about a friend who has to go everywhere with you? Not only does he tag along all the time, but since he is so offensive and vulgar, you become unwelcome when with him. He has a peculiar odor that sticks to you wherever you go. Others think both of you stink.

He controls you totally. When he says jump, you jump. Sometimes in the middle of a blizzard or storm, he wants you to come to the store and pick him up. You would give your spouse hell if he or she did that to you all the time, but you can’t argue with your friend. Sometimes, when you are out at a movie or play he says he wants you to go stand in the lobby with him and miss important scenes. Since he calls all the shots in your life, you go. Your friend doesn’t like your choice of clothing either. Instead of politely telling you that you have lousy taste, he burns little holes in these items so you will want to throw them out. Sometimes, he tires of the furniture and gets rid of it too. Occasionally, he gets really nasty and decides the whole house must go.

He gets pretty expensive to support. Not only is his knack of property destruction costly, but you must pay to keep him with you. In fact, he will cost you thousands of dollars over your lifetime. And you can count on one thing; he will never pay you a penny in return.

Often at picnics you watch others playing vigorous activities and having lots of fun doing them. But your friend won’t let you. He doesn’t believe in physical activity. In his opinion, you are too old to have that kind of fun. So he kind of sits on your chest and makes it difficult for you to breathe. Now you don’t want to go off and play with other people when you can’t breathe, do you?

Your friend does not believe in being healthy. He is really repulsed by the thought of you living a long and productive life. So every chance he gets he makes you sick. He helps you catch colds and flu. Not just by running out in the middle of the lousy weather to pick him up at the store. He is more creative than that. He carries thousands of poisons with him which he constantly blows in your face. When you inhale some of them, they wipe out cilia in your lungs which would have helped you prevent these diseases.

But colds and flu are just his form of child’s play. He especially likes diseases that slowly cripple youÑlike emphysema. He considers this disease great. Once he gets you to have this, you will give up all your other friends, family, career goals, activitiesÑeverything. You will just sit home and caress him, telling him what a great friend he is while you desperately gasp for air.

But eventually your friend tires of you. He decides he no longer wishes to have your company. Instead of letting you go your separate ways, he decides to kill you. He has a wonderful arsenal of weapons behind him. In fact, he has been plotting your death since the day you met him. He picked all the top killers in society and did everything in his power to ensure you would get one of them. He overworked your heart and lungs. He clogged up the arteries to your heart, brain, and every other part of your body. In case you were too strong to succumb to this, he constantly exposed you to cancer causing agents. He knew he would get you sooner or later.

Well, this is the story of your “friend,” your cigarette. No real friend would do all this to you. Cigarettes are the worst possible enemies you ever had. They are expensive, addictive, socially unacceptable, and deadly. Consider all this and NEVER TAKE ANOTHER PUFF!

Reproduced from “Never Take Another Puff”

Copyright © Joel Spitzer, 2003 This book or any portion thereof may be freely distributed in either electronic or print form so long as no charge is made for it, and so long as this notice remains with any significant portion of the work when distributed.

Quitting smoking, as I am sure you know, is a very tough addiction to kick. Unless you are totally committed to becoming smoke free, the chances of success are against you. You must want to quit and want to quit for yourself.

Even after the physical withdrawal symptoms are gone, which for most people is after three days of being nicotine free, the psychological cravings can go on for months. It takes perseverance and the belief in yourself that you can do it and that the rewards are priceless.

You probably are not ready to quit if…

• You dread that your quit date is approaching
• The thought of quitting makes you nervous
• You feel as though you would be losing your best friend
• You believe that you like smoking
• The thought of never being able to smoke another cigarette seems unbearable
• You don’t think you can do it.

You probably are ready to quit if you are..

• Excited about becoming a non-smoker
• Can’t wait to be smoke free
• Constantly thinking about the benefits of not being a smoker
• Looking forward to your quit date
• Anticipating high expectations of success
• Having visions of a smoke free life.

Preparing to Quit

Select your quit date. It should be no longer than two weeks out. If it is longer than that there should be a good reason, such as a special date or perhaps a vacation is coming up. If you are picking a date a month away because you are hoping you will be ready, you probably won’t be. Avoid a date that you know will be followed by times of stress or social activities where there will be smokers.

Write down all the benefits of being a non-smoker, then write down all the negatives of being a smoker. You will keep this list to remind you of all the reasons you want be to smoke free anytime you have thoughts about a cigarette.

Make a list of all your smoking triggers. All the things that you do that you associate with smoking. It could include certain foods, beverages, activities, places, or company. Then plan on how you are going to modify your behavior to avoid the temptations associated with those situations. An example might be; instead of smoking after meals, brush your teeth or go for a walk. . Keep in mind; you do not have to replace these actions forever, just long enough to get you through the critical first days.

Stock up on; water, fruit juices, hard candies, sugarless gum, celery and carrot sticks, cigarette length plastic straws, and fresh fruit.

Before leaving for your first laser treatment destroy all cigarettes and cigarette butts. Clean out and put away all ashtrays, at home, auto, and work. Don’t forget the garage or any other special smoking place.

UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCE SHOULD YOU HAVE CIGARETTES IN YOUR POSSESION AFTER TREATMENTS HAVE BEGUN. IF FOR ANY REASON YOU FEEL THE NEED TO KEEP AS LITTLE AS ONE, IT MEANS YOU ARE PROBABLY NOT READY TO QUIT.

No matter how long you’ve smoked…
No matter how many times you’ve tried to quit…
If nothing else has worked for you…
If you have a STRONG desire to be nicotine-free… try our advice for smoking cessation may help you reach your goal.

With our help become nicotine free – stop smoking and help purge the nicotine from your system quickly and ease you through the physical withdrawal symptoms..