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- Quitting Smoking
- Quitting Smoking: Temptations and Cravings
Content Map Terms
Mental Health & Substance Use Categories
- Mental Health
-
Well Being
- Notice: Savour the Moment
- Belly-Breathing
- Five Ways to Well-being
- Connect: Build Positive Relationships
- An Active and Healthy Brain
- Keeping an active and healthy mind
- Keep Learning: Open Your Mind
- Keeping Good Mental Well-Being as You Age
- Social Connections
- Depression in Older Adults
- Preventing Elder Abuse and Neglect
- Mental Health and Well-Being
-
Substance Use
-
Alcohol Use
- Alcohol and Aging: Getting Help
- Alcohol and Aging: Know the Facts
- Alcohol and Aging: More Information
- Alcohol and Aging: Your Health
- Alcohol and the Human Body
- Alcohol and Youth
- Alcohol Sense Videos
- Drinking and Disease: Risks for Men
- Drinking and Disease: Risks for Women
- Drinking and Your Health: Why Moderation Matters
- Drinking, Driving, the Law and Young Adults
- Excessive Drinking and Your Body
- Green Light Alcohol Combination
- How the Human Body Processes Alcohol
- Moderate Alcohol Consumption and Low-Risk Drinking
- Red Light Alcohol Combinations
- Risks and Health Effects of Drinking Alcohol
- Risky Drinking
- Yellow Light Alcohol Combinations
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Parenting and Substance Use
- Building Kids’ Resilience
- Keep Having Conversations with Adult Children
- Keep Having Conversations with Kids
- Using Conversations That Teach Resilience: Adult Children
- Using Conversations to Teach Resilience: Kids
- Using Conversations to Teach Resilience: Teens
- How to Get Back on Track after Conflict
- Setting a Healthy Example for Your Kids
- Setting a Healthy Example for Your Teens
- Practicing Good Listening Skills with Teens
- How to Start a Conversation with Teens about Opioids
- Explaining Alcohol to Young Adults
- Opioids and Adult Children
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Alcohol Use
-
Quitting Smoking
- Tobacco Use
- Why is Using Tobacco So Addictive?
- Seniors and Tobacco
- Quitting Smoking: Dealing With Weight Gain
- Smoking: Health Risk for Family Members
- Interactive Tool: Are You Ready to Quit Smoking?
- Making Positive Changes in Your Life After Quitting Smoking
- Quitting Smoking: Temptations and Cravings
- My Reasons to Quit Smoking
- Quitting Smoking: Getting Support
- Quitting Smoking: Helping Someone Quit
- Quitting Smoking: Preventing Slips or Relapses
- Nancy's Story: Quitting Smoking Takes More Than Willpower
- Nate's Story: Sick of Smoking
- Quitting Smoking: Coping With Cravings and Withdrawal
- Interactive Tool: How Does Smoking Affect Your Lifespan?
- Interactive Tool: How Much Is Smoking Costing You?
-
Resources
- Alcohol & Drug Information Referral Service
- Anxiety Canada
- British Columbia Schizophrenia Society
- BC Mental Health & Substance Use Services
- Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research
- Canadian Mental Health Association - British Columbia
- Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention Centre of BC
- Crisis Line Association of BC
- Early Psychosis Intervention
- Family Smart
- Fraser Health Authority - Mental Health and Substance Use
- First Nations Health Authority – Mental Wellness and Substance Use
- British Columbia Responsible & Problem Gambling Program
- HeretoHelp
- Interior Health Authority – Mental Health and Substance Use
- Jessie’s Legacy
- Kelty Mental Health Resource Centre
- Kids Help Phone
- KUU-US Crisis Line Society
- foundrybc.ca
- Mood Disorder Association
- Northern Health Authority – Mental Health and Addiction Services
- Toward the Heart
- Vancouver Coastal Health Authority – Mental Health and Substance Use
British Columbia Specific Information
The BC Smoking Cessation Program helps eligible B.C. residents stop smoking or using other tobacco products by assisting with the cost of smoking cessation prescription drugs or nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) products. For more information about the program, including how to get started, visit BC Smoking Cessation Program. For information about the health risks from smoking, tips on how to quit, an overview of smoking cessation aids, and more, see our Quit Smoking health feature. For more tools and resources to help you quit smoking and remain smoke-free, visit Quit Now.
Topic Contents
Topic Overview
The best way to cope with a strong temptation to smoke is to quickly remove yourself from the situation that is causing the temptation. Don't worry about "how it will look" if you leave a party, wedding reception, or public function to avoid the temptation to smoke. You have an important reason for leaving.
When you cannot remove yourself from a difficult situation, or when the temptation to smoke is triggered by something other than a place or event, consider what you can do, think about, or tell yourself that will help you cope with the temptation. Use some activity to distract yourself for about 20 minutes.
- Do something different.
- If drinking alcohol tempts you to smoke, choose a non-alcoholic drink.
- Call a friend to get support.
- Get moving. Take a walk or jog.
- Practice relaxation techniques. See the topic Stress Management for some relaxation techniques.
- Occupy your hands. Try knitting, reading, or working a puzzle.
- Take a hot bath or shower.
When you are tempted or have the strong urge to smoke:
- Try to stay away from places where cigarettes are easily available.
- Remind yourself how hard it was to quit in the first place and all the effort you have put in so far. Do you want to throw that away?
- Give yourself time to let the urge pass. Tell yourself you will wait 20 minutes and see if the urge is still there.
- Think about the benefits of not smoking, such as health, pride, and cleanliness.
- Think about the negative effects of smoking, such as harm to your family, yellow teeth, and shortness of breath.
- Imagine the immediate harmful effects of smoking. Picture the smoke going into your lungs and leaving the ash and tar in your lungs. Picture the harmful chemicals entering your bloodstream.
- Tell yourself that you really do not want to smoke.
- Tell yourself that you only need to keep from smoking one day at a time.
- Imagine yourself celebrating your first full year without smoking.
Related Information
Credits
Current as of:
October 28, 2021
Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:
Adam Husney MD - Family Medicine
Brian D. O'Brien MD - Internal Medicine
Kathleen Romito MD - Family Medicine
John Hughes MD - Psychiatry
Christine R. Maldonado PhD - Behavioral Health
Current as of: October 28, 2021
Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:Adam Husney MD - Family Medicine & Brian D. O'Brien MD - Internal Medicine & Kathleen Romito MD - Family Medicine & John Hughes MD - Psychiatry & Christine R. Maldonado PhD - Behavioral Health
This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Learn how we develop our content.
Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.
Important Phone Numbers
If you or someone you know needs help, call one of the numbers below:
- 9-1-1 if you are in an emergency.
- 8-1-1 for non-emergency information on how to access alternatives to toxic drug supply and substance use services
- 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433) if you are considering suicide or are concerned about someone who may be.
- 310Mental Health Support at 310-6789 (no area code needed) for emotional support, information and resources specific to mental health.
- Kid’s Help Phone at 1-800-668-6868 to speak to a professional counsellor, 24 hours a day.
- Alcohol & Drug Information and Referral Service at 1-800-663-1441 (toll-free in B.C.) or 604-660-9382 (in the Lower Mainland) to find resources and support.
Featured Website
Looking for help with mental health and substance use? Start here wellbeing.gov.bc.ca
Find over 2500 service listings related to mental health and substance use supports, as well as many informational articles to support you on your pathway to wellbeing.