Teenage smoking is becoming alarmingly high and most of the teenagers continue smoking into adulthood. Precaution is better than cure and the best way to avert kids from getting into cigarette addiction is by proper education. There are also kids who get addicted and are not aware of the different methods to quit smoking. Children should be made aware of the numerous diseases caused by smoking and the advantages of quitting.

As soon as a person begins to quit smoking the body begins to heal. Within two hours the nicotine in the body begins to decrease. The levels of carbon monoxide in the blood begin to decrease only after twelve hours. Within two months the blood supply improves and in about three months the lungs begin to repair themselves. The sense of smell and taste begin to improve. In a few years the risk of developing heart attacks and cancer get back to normal. Cutting down on smoking is also not known to help as nicotine always tries to maintain its level in the body. Even if the number of cigarettes is reduced a person tends to take deeper puffs and thus maintains the nicotine level.

Anti Smoking Organizations suggest that a quitter should use the 4Ds to fight the urge to smoke. Firstly one must ‘Delay acting on the urge to smoke’ until the craving passes. Cravings are known to persist only for a small duration. ‘Deep breathing’ helps the quitter to relax and calm down. ‘Drinking water’ is another way to fight cravings. ‘Do something else’ when you get a craving. One must find a substitute and distract one’s mind when there is an urge to smoke.

Quitting smoking is no easy task but definitely possible.