Quitting Smoking

Frequently asked questions

• Is smoking really that bad for me?

  Tobacco smoking remains the single most preventable cause of ill health and death in Australia. It contributes to more deaths and hospitalisations than alcohol and illicit drug use combined¹.

  • Tobacco smoke contains many toxic chemicals and at least 69 cause cancer¹.
  • Around 40% of smoking related deaths are due to lung cancer and 27% to COPD². Smoking also contributes to worsening of asthma and is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and stroke.
  • Tobacco smoking kills more than 15 000 Australians each year, more than AIDS, traffic and other accidents, murders and suicides combined³.
  • About 50% of all persistent cigarette smokers are killed by their habit – 25% while still in middle age (35-69 years). On average, cigarette smokers die about 10 years younger than non-smokers⁴.
  • Stopping smoking at age 50 halves the hazard; stopping at 30 avoids most of it⁵.
  • You don’t have to be a statistic – there is help out there. Remember, it might take you a few quit attempts to finally quit for good, just don’t give up.
• How will I cope with cravings & withdrawal?

  Everyone is different when it comes to withdrawal symptoms. The best way to cope is knowing what to expect and how to deal with them. Some symptoms can include:

  • Nicotine craving
  • Increased appetite
  • Depression
  • Restlessness
  • Poor concentration Irritability or aggression
  • Disturbed sleep
  • Feeling light headed

  Cravings are often triggered by specific situations, so it’s useful to identify your triggers and plan coping strategies. For instance, if you always smoke after dinner, you could clean your teeth straight away, wash the dishes or go for a walk. Anti-smoking medications will reduce both cravings and withdrawal symptoms. Craving and withdrawals are a common part of quitting, but they become less frequent and weaker as time goes by. The most important thing to remember is that withdrawal symptoms are temporary – they will disappear once your body stops being dependent on nicotine.

• What if I slip up and have a cigarette?

  Mistakes are part of the quitting process. The best thing you can do is learn from the slip up to improve your future quitting attempts. While the process will be difficult, it is important to remember that even reducing your smoking to 1-4 cigarettes per day will cause you to have significantly higher risk of heart attack and lung disease compared to people who don’t smoke.

• Will I gain weight?

  1 in 5 people who smoke will lose weight when they are quitting smoking. For those that do gain weight, the average weight gain after quitting is 2-3kg. The best advice is to eat sensibly, exercise regularly and focus on your main goal – quitting smoking.

• How much money will I save from quitting

  A great incentive to quit smoking is to think about how much money you’ll save, not only on the cost of cigarettes but on related costs like medical, dental bills and higher insurance premiums. For example, if you quit smoking a pack of cigarettes a day you are likely to save around $6,500 per year. You can find out exactly how much you will save through the icanQuit cost saving calculator.

• What are the treatment methods?

  Finding your own strategy for quitting is important as different methods suit different people. Choose a quitting method you feel comfortable with that suits your lifestyle needs, that way you’ll feel more in control of your quitting attempt. Going cold turkey works for some people, but research has shown that the most effective way to quit is to get some ongoing support from a health professional, such as a doctor, nurse or pharmacist, using a combination of counselling and medication. At Lung Foundation Australia, we support proven, registered, therapeutic quit-smoking methods and medicines, and most importantly, we recommend having a strategy. This strategy would include clinical counselling together with nicotine replacement therapy or other evidence-based forms of pharmacotherapy. Know your reasons for quitting, talk to a doctor, know what to expect, and get help along the way. You, along with many others, can quit together.

• Where can I get support?

  There are many organisations and support groups that are committed to helping people quit smoking, don’t hesitate to reach out. Call the Quitline 13 78 48 or visit quitting methods for more information. For many people, when the initial feeling of achievement wears off, it can start to get harder to resist the temptation to resume smoking. Speak to your health professional for assistance and support so you can stay focussed. Visit coping strategies for some useful information on coping with withdrawal symptoms. You can do it! Talk with your GP or pharmacist first.

  • Call the Quitline on 13 78 48
  • Get a free Quit Pack
  • Sign up to QuitCoach
  • Use patches, gum or medication

  You can also call us for more information and guidance on 1800 654 301.