If you’ve started vaping nicotine, you may be reconsidering your decision in light of reports of vaping-related lung injuries, some of which are life-threatening.
Or perhaps you want to avoid some of the other negative health consequences of vaping. Whatever your motivation, we have tips and strategies to help you quit.
First, determine why you want to quit
Allow yourself some time to consider what motivates you to quit if you haven’t already. This is a critical first step. Identifying these reasons can improve your chances of success.
“Knowing our why can help us change any pattern or habit. Being clear on why we’re changing a behavior helps validate the decision to break that habit and gives us the motivation to discover a new habit or way of coping,” explains Kim Egel, a therapist in Cardiff, California.
Concerns about the health effects of vaping could be a major reason for quitting. Because e-cigarettes are still relatively new, medical experts have yet to fully assess their short- and long-term health effects.
Existing research, however, has linked chemicals in e-cigarettes to:
- lung and respiratory problems
- alterations in the brain
- dependable source
- organ worsening Trusted
If health isn’t a big motivator for you, consider the following:
- the money you’ll save by giving up
- protecting family members and pets from secondhand vape smoke
- the freedom from feeling agitated when you are unable to vape, such as on a long flight
There are no right or wrong reasons to quit. It all comes down to determining what is most important to you.
Consider the timing
Once you’ve determined why you want to quit, you can move on to the next step: deciding on a start date (or quit date, if you’re going cold turkey). Quitting can be difficult, so choose a time when you won’t be under a lot of stress.
In other words, starting in the middle of finals week or the day before your annual review may not be ideal. However, it is not always possible to predict when life will become hectic or complicated.
Once you’ve decided to quit, you can begin whenever you want. Just keep in mind that you may require additional assistance during stressful times. That is perfectly normal and nothing to be ashamed of.
Some people find that picking a meaningful day helps. If your birthday or another special day is approaching, quitting on or around that date can make it even more memorable.
To read our blog on “Vape lung has claimed its first victim, and the CDC is investigating,” click here