When quitting smoking it is important to do your research to find the best method that works for you. Quitting is a personal thing and there isn’t always a one size fits all answer.

There are however some quit methods that may give you a better chance of success…..

1) NHS Help and Support

From nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) products to e-cigarettes, there are plenty of options available to help you quit for good. Using these products in combination with support from local stop smoking services means you have an even greater chance of success. Smokers who give up using free NHS support are said to be 3x more likely to quit for good.

Help Me Quit is run by NHS Wales and will help you to find the quit smoking support that suits you best – whether that’s weekly group sessions in your local area or one to one meetings with a smoking cessation advisor. The service is tailored to meet your needs and you will be supported along the way with access to NRT and behavioural support.

2) E-cigarettes

The growth in the popularity of e-cigarettes has seen them become one of the UK’s most popular quit tools. They allow smokers to inhale nicotine in a vapour and do not burn like tobacco-cigarettes. Experts estimate that e-cigarettes are at least 95% less harmful than cigarettes.

They are popular with smokers trying to quit as you still get the nicotine, the hand to mouth gesture and the visual effect of the exhaled smoke without the other harmful chemicals contained in tobacco cigarettes.

E-cigarettes come in different models, with plenty of options, however it is important to make sure you’re buying your e-cigarette from a credited business that meets regulations.

Read our interview with some of Wales’ vape shop owners 

3) Understanding your habits

Smokers often struggle when trying to quit as the nicotine hit is gone but the daily habits and rituals are still there. As well as treating the physical addiction, in order to quit successfully you also need to address your patterns of behaviour and psychological addiction.

If you’re trying to quit – try changing your routine or finding alternative activities that don’t trigger the urge to light up a cigarette.

Read our article on smoking and the unconscious brain

Like we said at the start, there is no one size fits all method to quitting smoking and you might need to try a few different approaches until you find the option that works best for you.

Seeking support from a local NHS service however is proven to be effective, with smokers 3x more likely to quit successfully than if they go it alone!