Quitting smoking can be very daunting, and people thinking of quitting need to go through several stages of contemplation before they are ready to face the associated physical and psychological challenges. It is estimated that up to 90% of smokers think they should quit, but only 20% are committed to quitting at any one time.
The factors associated with the decision to quit and the difficulty of continuing to not smoke depend upon your personal situation, experience, personality and support network.
Stages of quitting
1. Precontemplation: Precontemplation is when the initial thought about quitting comes to mind. You will usually set yourself a quit time within the next 6 months;
2. Contemplation: Contemplation is when you are seriously thinking about quitting in the next 6 months;
3.Preparation: Preparation is when you actually prepare for your quit attempt, which is planned to start within the month;
4. Action: Action is when a quit attempt is made ands lasts at least 24 hours;
5.Maintenance: Maintenance is when you are smoke-free for at least 6 months. This is the hardest step of quitting as you are most vulnerable to relapse.
Answers & Comments
Answer:
Quitting smoking can be very daunting, and people thinking of quitting need to go through several stages of contemplation before they are ready to face the associated physical and psychological challenges. It is estimated that up to 90% of smokers think they should quit, but only 20% are committed to quitting at any one time.
The factors associated with the decision to quit and the difficulty of continuing to not smoke depend upon your personal situation, experience, personality and support network.
Stages of quitting
1. Precontemplation: Precontemplation is when the initial thought about quitting comes to mind. You will usually set yourself a quit time within the next 6 months;
2. Contemplation: Contemplation is when you are seriously thinking about quitting in the next 6 months;
3.Preparation: Preparation is when you actually prepare for your quit attempt, which is planned to start within the month;
4. Action: Action is when a quit attempt is made ands lasts at least 24 hours;
5.Maintenance: Maintenance is when you are smoke-free for at least 6 months. This is the hardest step of quitting as you are most vulnerable to relapse.