FAQs

Whether you're thinking about giving up smoking or have been smoke free for a while, you might have questions about what to expect, what to do about cravings and other situations you're facing.

Questions about giving up smoking:

What should I expect when I give up smoking?
You'll need to prepare yourself for some withdrawal symptoms. These begin almost immediately after you stop smoking, and are usually at their worst during the first few days, although they can continue for several weeks. You may experience any of the following: craving for nicotine, coughing, anxiety, irritability, restlessness, insomnia, mood changes, nervousness, and headaches.

What should I do the day I give up smoking?
Ask your family, friends and colleagues to support you in your efforts to stop smoking. Throw away all of your cigarettes, matches, lighters, ashtrays, etc. Keep busy on the day you give up. Exercise, go to the cinema, take a walk, get together with friends. If you decide to use a stop smoking aid that provides nicotine, start using it now.

Will I gain weight when I stop smoking?
Many people do tend to gain a few pounds during the first 8-10 weeks after they stop smoking. This is a very small price to pay for the enormous gains that you will make in your overall health and appearance.

If you continue to gain weight after the first two months, try to analyse what you're doing differently. Instead of reaching for high-fat sweet snacks, reduce your fat intake and choose healthy snacks and increase your physical activity to help burn off the extra calories. The exact reason for weight gain has not been established. Some studies have shown that the basal metabolism rate (the efficiency with which the body converts sugar and fat to energy) is increased by nicotine.

What if I slip up and have a cigarette?
If you've just had one or two cigarettes, it's not the end of the world, and you haven't necessarily erased the health benefits you've gained by stopping smoking. So if you slip up, discard your cigarettes, forgive yourself and then get back on track. Don't consider yourself a failure or punish yourself. If you've been using a stop smoking aid, don't panic, and keep using it.

If you've been smoking regularly again, don't be too hard on yourself. You've learned about what works and what doesn't, and you are more likely to be successful next time.

I've tried quitting before, but have always failed. Is my willpower just not strong enough?
Don't be so hard on yourself! The success rate for people who try to give up cold turkey is a dismal 5%. If you've tried before using willpower alone, you might want to consider using a stop smoking aid to increase your chances of success by lessening your cravings, irritability and anxiety.

General questions about stop smoking aids  -  click here

Questions about NiQuitin CQ lozenges  -  click here

Questions about the click 2 quit plan  -  click here

Questions about cigarettes  -  click here

Questions about NiQuitin CQ 24 hour patches  -  click here

Questions about NiQuitin CQ Mint Gum  -  click here