Frequently Asked Questions About Smoking Cessation
On this page
- Why quit?
- What is the first thing to do once I’ve decided to quit?
- What medication would work best for me?
- How will I feel when I quit smoking?
- Will I gain weight?
- I’ve tried to quit before and it didn’t work. What can I do?
- What if I don’t have time to quit?
- What should I do if I need help?
- What kind of activities can I do when I get the urge for a cigarette?
Q: Why quit?
A: Quitting is worth it! No matter what your age or how long you've smoked, quitting will help you live longer. The US Surgeon General has stated, "Smoking cessation (stopping smoking) represents the single most important step that smokers can take to enhance the length and quality of their lives."
Ex-smokers enjoy a higher quality of life with fewer illnesses from cold and flu viruses, better self-reported health status, and reduced rates of bronchitis and pneumonia.
For decades the Surgeon General has reported the health risks associated with smoking. Benefits apply whether you are healthy or you already have smoking-related diseases. In 1990, the Surgeon General concluded:
- Former smokers live longer than continuing smokers. For example, people who quit smoking before age 50 have one-half the risk of dying in the next 15 years compared with continuing smokers.
- Quitting smoking decreases the risk of lung cancer, other cancers, heart attack, stroke, and chronic lung disease.
- The health benefits of quitting smoking far exceed any risks from the weight gain or any temporary withdrawal symptoms that may follow quitting.
More Interesting Smoking Facts
Q: What is the first thing to do once I’ve decided to quit?
A: Call the Tobacco-Free Campus hotline at 650-724-1598! We have a trained behavior change specialist who will work with you to develop a plan that will help you quit smoking. The plan you develop together will include discussing your smoking habits, calling your doctor for any necessary prescriptions and setting a “quit date” in order to set yourself up for success!
Q: What medication would work best for me?
A: There are a variety of medications on the market to help people quit smoking. Now is a good time to review all your options and discuss with your physician.
Some of these options include:
- nicotine patch (pharmacy)
- nicotine gum (pharmacy)
- nicotine nasal spray (prescription)
- nicotine inhaler (prescription)
- nicotine lozenge (prescription)
- Zyban (prescription)
- Chantix (prescription)
Q: How will I feel when I quit smoking?
A: You may experience withdrawals for a few days while your body adjusts. There are many strategies and medications you can use to help with any uncomfortable feelings you experience during the quitting process.
Q: Will I gain weight?
A: Any weight gain can be kept to a minimum by adopting a more balanced lifestyle which would include nutritious food, movement and fun! The average weight gain is usually less than 10 pounds; however this modest weight gain should not distract you from your main goal – quitting smoking!
Q: I’ve tried to quit before and it didn’t work. What can I do?
A: It takes most people about three times to quit. Don’t give up! Learn from your past successes and pitfalls. Take a few minutes to develop strategies to overcome those pitfalls the next time you should cross them.
Q: What if I don’t have time to quit?
A: If you’re tight on time but willing to do the work independently then pick from either the Individualized or Web-based program options described below.
Q: What should I do if I need help?
A: Call the School of Medicine Tobacco-Free Campus Hotline: 650-724-1598
Q: What kind of activities can I do when I get the urge for a cigarette?
A: Give yourself a break and enjoy some of the many activities on the Stanford campus. Here is a partial list of Stanford specific activities to divert your attention while you’re giving up smoking.
- Study the Rodin Sculpture Garden outside the Cantor Art Museum http://museum.stanford.edu/view/rodin_garden.html
- Check out the latest exhibit at the Lane Library http://lane.stanford.edu/
- Treat yourself to a chair massage at Stanford Hospital. To schedule an appointment, call Guest Services, (650) 498-3333.
- Donate blood http://bloodcenter.stanford.edu/donate/
- Attend a lecture http://med.stanford.edu/events/
- Visit one of Stanford’s special gardens:
- Arizona Cactus Garden http://grounds.stanford.edu/points/gardens/arizonagarden.html
- Enchanted Broccoli Forest http://campus-map.stanford.edu/index.cfm?ID=05-540
- Take a deep breath and take in the view at the top of Hoover Tower http://www.stanford.edu/dept/visitorinfo/tours/2_8_hoover.html
- Pump it up at the Arrillaga Family Recreation Center. Admission is free to all Stanford students and employees. http://gostanford.cstv.com/facilities/stan-arrillaga-rec.html
- Tee off at the Stanford golf course. http://stanfordgolfcourse.com/
- Attend various campus events:
