So you think social smoking is cool? Wrong. So you think social smoking is okay? Wrong again. You have to kick this habit to the curb right away!

Social smokers usually think that smoking casually is okay. But the truth is, smoking is smoking and that cigarette you’re puffing has the same bad effect whenever and wherever you smoke it. Social smoking cannot be an excuse nor can it be a way to appease yourself that you’re not actually smoking that much. The new year has come; take this as an opportunity to quit social smoking and become a healthier version of you!

7 Ways to Quit Social Smoking and Be Healthier

Do you know how nasty one cigarette is? One cigarette contains lead, formaldehyde, tar, arsenic, carbon monoxide, nicotine and many more. There are more than 70 carcinogens in a cigarette and it’s like willingly taking in poison for the body. Arsenic is even used in rat poison!

While people today would do everything they can to get rid of free radicals (stuff that destroys the antioxidants) in their body, you, on the other hand, are voluntarily taking it. You see, this is why it doesn’t really matter if you’re smoking every hour or smoking whenever you’re at party. When you smoke, you destroy your body.

Now that I got your attention, let’s take a look at these ways on how to quit social smoking:

1. Avoid Smoking Triggers

To be able to prevent your urge to smoke, know what causes this urge first. You have to be able to determine your trigger factors so you can avoid them. Could it be your party friends? The smell of smoke? Whatever it is, stay away from it!

2. Stay Away from the Party Scene

If it means that you’ll be socially isolated at first, so be it. You must stay away from any party scene because this will easily encourage you to smoke again. In parties, seeing other people smoke like there’s nothing wrong would also make you think that one cigarette won’t hurt. So, it won’t really be good for you.

3. Use a Smoking Replacement

You need a cigarette replacement. Well, this one will really depend on what you’re addicted to. If it’s the nicotine, you can always go for nicotine gums or patches. Let’s say you’re at the cafe with a friend and you feel the need to smoke, just chew the gum instead and channel all your smoking energy to it. Nobody said quitting is easy, but it can be done!

4. Get Support from Friends and Family

Now getting support from your friends and family is very important for people who want to quit smoking. In a party, a friend can discourage you from puffing and remind you of the goal you’re trying to achieve. And it’s not only the moral support we’re talking about there…quitting smoking is very tough and you’ll need all the emotional support you will get too.

5. Take Control of Your Habits

At the end of the day, only you can control yourself. Even if the people around you tells you to stop and you don’t want to, nothing will happen. There must be self-control and you must be able to control yourself. Stop going to parties, stay away from smokers, do not buy cigarettes…these are all things you can control.

6. Look forward to Health Benefits

A really good motivation and inspiration to quit social smoking is to focus on the health benefits. Your skin will look better. You can breathe easier. And you’ll have fewer cancer risks too. Being healthier is indeed a good goal to focus on. Just think about it, you do want to live life to the fullest right? Well, don’t let the bad effects of smoking slow you down!

7. Do it for You

And lastly, do it for you girl! Your friends and family can’t tell you what to do. You have to want to quit for yourself. You have to want to be healthier for you and not for anyone else. When you embrace this goal and really believe in yourself that you can do this and want to do this, nothing is impossible!

Need more help with quitting smoking? Check out these tips from MostAmazingTop5

Quitting social smoking won’t be an easy feat. If it was, there will be so many smokers who would’ve quit right now. But you can still consider yourself fortunate because you still have time to kick the habit in the butt and get healthier! Don’t worry, I’m sure your loved ones will support you all the way! We got your back girl!

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Featured Image via Medical Daily