After you’ve given up smoking the goal is to stay stopped. No matter how long it’s been since your last cigarette, you may feel an urge to smoke, when you least expect it.
By quitting smoking you’ve changed your life for the better. Just 1 puff on a cigarette can lead you back to regular smoking.
It can often take people a number of attempts before they quit smoking for good. The more times you try, the better your chances of success. Remember that if you’ve tried giving up in the past, you’ve learned some valuable lessons you can use to boost your chances of success this time.
Stay positive. Remember, you’ll be stronger next time because you’ll know what to look out for.
Trying to stop smoking is a positive step and you should focus on this by:
What caused you to slip up? Think of ways you could have avoided smoking. Work on your coping skills, so you’re prepared next time you’re in the same situation. Try thinking of:
Write down what happened last time and what you felt went wrong.
Spend a little longer planning, and think about what really worked for you last time and what made you relapse. Think about how you’re going to keep on track this time. The preparation you do at the beginning really can make all the difference.
If you’ve had a cigarette or 2, don’t give up on quitting. Throw the rest of the packet away and continue your quit attempt.
If you’ve relapsed and are back to regular smoking, don’t feel too down. Set a new quit date, maybe in a week or a month – whatever is most likely to be successful. You can make this the time you quit for good and start enjoying all the benefits of being a non-smoker.
If you’re struggling with your quit attempt, Quit Your Way Scotland advisors can keep you motivated and point you in the right direction.
Last updated:
16 December 2022