Overview

It's common for people to smoke a cigarette or two, once in a while, after quitting. Here are some ideas for getting back on track.

• Figure out why you slipped.

  Plan what you'll do the next time you're in that situation.

• Don't think of a slip-up as a sign of failure.

  It's common to have a few slip-ups. Don't give up. You're not a smoker just because you slip up a few times.

• Get support.

  Ask loved ones for help. Try a support group, a quit-smoking app, or a quitline that provides counselling over the phone.

• Don't smoke at all, and make it hard to smoke.

  Avoid places where you can easily ask for a cigarette. Don't buy a pack. If you're tempted to smoke, make yourself wait 2 hours.

• Remember past successes.

  Try to learn from past situations when you resisted temptation.

• Think about using a new treatment.

  If you're not using medicine or nicotine replacement, think about trying it. Consider starting a quit-smoking program or talking to a counsellor trained to help people quit.