Is quitting smoking one of your 2009 objectives?

Well… it’s not going to be easy. You’ll need good advice, preparation and support from friends and family to at least have a chance in a tough year like 2009.

However, according to the Mississippi State Department of Health’s Office of Tobacco Control, the most important element in the equation is to also seek professional help. The stats show that those who get professional help are twice as likely to quit tobacco for good.

Also, it is of paramount importance to have a plan and stick to it. Experts advise you to pick a day in advance in which you will stop smoking. That day should be within no more than a month so you will be less tempted to put it off.

After picking your “day to quit smoking,” you should tell your family and friends what your plans are and ask for their support. You will be more stressed because of the nicotine withdrawal. So having understanding friends around you is a key factor if you want to succeed.

There are several tricks that may help you get past this period easier. You should replace your cigarettes with carrot sticks, candy or gum, and learn some relaxation techniques. Probably one of the best strategies would be to reward yourself after making it through tough days by buying something nice for you with the money saved by not purchasing cigarettes.

The majority of smokers who try to quit fail in the first 24 hours. Nine out of 10 people break their resolution to quit smoking in the first few months, but most of them quit during the first day.

Many of them tie their resolution to an event such as the New Year’s Eve, but experts say that is not enough. After they quit, they are exposed to numerous temptations such as pressure from friends who smoke and a festive environment which is encouraging for smokers to puff a few.

Another aspect of attempting to quit smoking is the fact that the people most exposed to smoking are the ones residing in low-income households. According to a survey carried out by the American Legacy Foundation, the economic pressure is causing smokers to smoke more, said Dave Dobbins, the foundation’s chief operating officer. The findings are quite logical actually. During hard times, people tend to use things in their lives that give them immediate pleasure such as alcohol, tobacco or eating.

Another fact revealed by the survey is that smoking increased in women far more than in men. As much as 31 percent of women stepped up their habit of smoking, while only 17 percent of men did the same.