Nearly 50% of Brits who try to quit smoking last a week or less – the 5 ways to quit for good
SMOKERS who give up cigarettes as a New Years' resolution last 53 days on average before giving up, one study has found.
New research shows nearly half of smokers who try to quit manage to last only a week or less before taking up smoking again.
The study, conducted by Yonder Consulting and commissioned by Philip Morris Limited, found that nearly a quarter of smokers lasted just a few days.
It found that 85 per cent of smokers had tried to quit smoking in the past with 25 per cent having tried to quit two times and 15 per cent trying three times.
The most common reason smokers gave for being unable to quit was a lack of willpower with 52 per cent saying they didn't have the motivation.
Another common reason for not stubbing the fags out was stress, with 48 per cent saying they couldn't give up because of this.
Despite the rise in popularity of product such as vaping and heated tobacco around 13 per cent of those surveyed said there was a lack of alternatives, with eight per cent saying the availability of quitting aids was a major factor.
The results of the survey were taken from 1,684 adult smokers in the UK.
The research questioned smokers in every region and found that February 23 is the average day smokers will give up on their resolution to quit.
GIVE UP FOR GOOD
It also found that the average length of time a smoker waits before attempting to quit again is 216 days.
Christian Woolfenden, Managing Director of Philip Morris Limited in the UK and Ireland said the best choice any smoker can make is to quit nicotine use altogether.
He admitted though that the new research proves how difficult it is to give up smoking for good.
Mr Woolfenden added: "We are approaching the peak time of year when many smokers will abandon their attempts to quit.
"Unfortunately, many who try to quit do not make it this far and last less than a week before smoking again."
So how can you pack in the cigarettes for good? Here are five ways to quit.
1. Think of the money
The coronavirus pandemic has created a financial burden for many people and smoking is an expensive habit to have.
Calculate how much you spend on smoking each day, then work out what you spend a month and then what you spend on smoking in a year.
Think about what else you could spend that money on, a trip away or you could even put it towards your savings goals.
A pack of 20 cigarettes costs around £14 in the UK.
People who consider themselves "average smokers" have around five cigarettes a day.
Taking this into consideration, the average smoker would spend £1,277 a year on cigarettes.
This works out as over £100 a month.
2. Consider a nicotine replacement
The NHS says one way to help stop smoking is to introduce a nicotine replacement.
Guidance from the NHS states: "Cigarettes are addictive, and self-control alone might not be enough for you to stop entirely.
"Give yourself a better chance of success by using nicotine replacement therapy (NRT). This is available on prescription from your GP, from your local stop smoking service or from a pharmacist.
"You could also consider trying e-cigarettes. While they're not risk-free, they are much safer than cigarettes and can help people stop smoking."
Mr Woolfenden said with almost seven million smokers in the UK there is still more work to be done when it comes to educating people on alternatives.
He added: "People who want to quit need access to the facts about smoke-free alternatives, like e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products, which are a better choice than continued smoking."
3. Get help
The key thing to remember here is that you don't have to go it alone when it comes to stubbing out cigarettes.
You can always ask your GP or pharmacist to help and they will be able to advise you on the best course of action to take.
There are also dedicated helplines and websites that can give you assistance.
The NHS Better Health site has a range of resources.
4. Join a local support group
Due to the coronavirus pandemic you might find that many support groups are now meeting virtually.
The NHS says that speaking to others in the same position as you can help you quit.
The NHS says your're four times more likely to quit smoking if you have the help of your local support group.
To find your nearest group, click here.
Joining a support group can also help as over half of those surveyed admitted that if they take up smoking again after quitting then they have to hide it from their friends and family.
Having people you trust around you and who are going through the same experience as you can be helpful.
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5. Prepare mentally
Last year over 300,000 Brits quite smoking amid coronavirus fears.
If you want to quit you're not alone.
Smoking is a powerful addictive drug which is why it's hard to give it up.
Read more on the Scottish Sun
Author of best-selling The Easy Way to Stop Smoking, the late Allen Carr, said: “There is absolutely nothing to give up… there is no genuine
pleasure or crutch in smoking.
"It is just an illusion, like banging your head against a wall to make it pleasant when you stop.”