Top tips for giving up smoking

Top tips for giving up smoking

Smokers looking to kick the habit must ensure they do not put too much pressure on themselves if they want to achieve their goals, one expert has claimed.

Each year in Ireland, thousands of people fall ill as a result of tobacco-related diseases, with one in every two smokers dying as a result of a smoking related disease, according to ASH Ireland.

Smoking is strongly associated with lung cancer, bronchitis and emphysema, and heart disease.

Rasheed Ogunlaru, life coach and motivational speaker at rasaru.com, said that anyone looking to give up cigarettes must do so for themselves, and "for the things that are really dear to you".

"You have got to have the right energy level to get that result - the drive has got to be strong enough for you to want to give that up," he explained.

Mr Ogunlaru also said it is important for smokers to know their own habits, and tailor the programme for giving up accordingly.

"Are you the kind of person who works best when you just stop something, or are you the kind of person where you slow down or moderate those kinds of things?

"And that is similar if you are looking to start something such as exercise - maybe it's going to be more realistic for you to do 10 minutes exercise a day than 40 minutes exercise a day - so know yourself," he added.

Finding another person who is quitting smoking, or even drinking, and taking on the challenge together can provide some extra motivation, while raising money for charity is another way in which people can find that extra boost to stop smoking.

"In order to make any change, you need to be on your own side, you need to be your own best supporter and you need to be doing it for you," Mr Ogunlaru concluded.