It’s time to quit smoking. You know it’s slowly killing you, and your loved ones have been voicing their concerns for years now. You want to be around to see your kids graduate and move on to have kids of their own without being on oxygen or having a major operation every year. But where do you start with quitting?
The first thing you need is a serious will to quit forever. Think about all the damage you’re potentially doing to your body. You’re increasing your risk of developing lung and heart disease, cancer, and other ailments. Your lungs can’t process oxygen the same way and your heart is working twice as hard just to keep you on your feet.
Luckily for you, today’s cessation landscape is far brighter than it’s ever been. With hundreds of tools and resources available, many of which are free, and dozens of smoking alternatives, you can finally ditch cigarettes and adopt a healthier lifestyle.
Here are five tools and alternatives that can help you successfully quit smoking.
1. Tobaccoless Chew
First on our list is tobaccoless chew. What does this have to do with smoking, though?
While most smokers don’t dip, some have left behind smoking to adopt the practice of dipping, but without the tobacco. Tobaccoless dip is a product that provides a dose of nicotine in a format that looks, feels, tastes, and smells like the real thing. The only catch is that there’s absolutely no tobacco in it!
Tobacco contains thousands of harmful chemicals and toxins, including formaldehyde (embalming fluid), butane (lighter fluid), and even arsenic (rat poison). When you smoke, you’re inhaling these chemicals, as well as nicotine. The nicotine is what keeps you hooked, but the chemicals are what cause cancer and death.
Tobaccoless chew, like the varieties from Black Buffalo, respect the feel and tradition of tobacco while offering something that won’t cause you to inhale rat poison. Making the switch can help you slowly remove nicotine from your life without killing yourself in the process.
2. Nicotine Gum
Nicotine gum is another popular tool in the cessation toolbox. Gum releases nicotine into the body via the mouth’s many blood vessels, so it’s a slow-release that keeps nicotine in your body for an extended period of time. Oh, and since it’s not tobacco, you won’t be exposed to those nasty chemicals and toxins.
Smokers usually choose nicotine gum for its affordability and convenience. The gum is more discreet, and can be taken anywhere. It’s also a bit more affordable than a cigarette habit, so you can save money while you quit, too. The average yearly cost of smoking is about $3,000, but that’s just in cigarette costs. That doesn’t account for medical bills, damage to property, and your home or vehicle’s devaluation because of the habit.
Nicotine gum can provide a buffer between cigarettes and the end goal of quitting nicotine altogether, but results can vary. Also, I never said it would taste good…
3. Cessation Apps
Cessation apps are some of the best modern tools available to smokers. Not only can you track progress, set goals, and acknowledge milestones, but cessation apps also provide a bridge between you and the cessation community. Many apps allow you to connect with other users in a social media-type platform, or offer Facebook groups you can join. Being part of a community increases the chances you’ll actually complete your goal of quitting.
We need support for something as challenging as breaking a nicotine addiction. Nicotine is one of the most addictive substances on the planet!
4. Lozenges
Lozenges are another tool you can use, and they certainly taste better than nicotine gum. Lozenges aren’t as popular, but they’ve been known to have success. The lozenge will take around 20-30 minutes to dissolve, and will provide a short burst of nicotine to keep you from smoking.
Lozenges come in many flavors and varieties, so you’ll have plenty to choose from. The gum usually only comes in a few flavors, if any—and they don’t taste all that great, either.
5. The Patch
You’ve probably heard about the nicotine patch at some point. This discreet, easy, and affordable cessation tool has helped thousands of smokers leave the habit behind for good. You can put it just about anywhere on your body and cover it up with clothing, and it will release small amounts of nicotine into your boy throughout the day. This is a good way to slowly reduce your dependency on nicotine by reducing the amount you receive each day.
Many smokers start with too little nicotine, which can cause intense withdrawal symptoms. Quitting cold turkey has the least chance of success, so many turn to the patch instead.
The Bottom Line
Remember that there are other resources we didn’t get to in this article. CBD gummies, like those from Verma Farms, can also help you quit smoking, as can nicotine replacement therapy and injections. Be sure to research all of your options before making a decision.
Leaving smoking behind for good can feel like a mountain coming off of your shoulders. You’ll be saving much more than just a few hundred dollars per month. You’ll save your personal health, possibly some of your relationships, and your mental health, too. With so many options available today, why wait? Now is the time to quit for good.
