The cold turkey method is an effective way to quit smoking. Here’s how to fight smoking cravings you might experience.
Going cold turkey is one of the most effective ways to quit smoking successfully. Here’s how to quit smoking and staying smoke-free.
Display your quit motivations (e.g. family photographs, holiday posters) to strengthen your conviction to stop smoking.
Pick a suitable quit smoking day (e.g. birthday, New Year). That’s the day to stop smoking completely.
Gather battle supplies like mobile games, mints, and water to keep cravings at bay. Prepare mentally by coming up with strategies to avoid smoking triggers (e.g. replace clubbing with a movie).
Stay focused on your quit smoking day. One day before, trash smoking items like lighters, cigarettes, and ashtrays. On your quit date, establish your reason for quitting.
Persevere for 28 days, and you're five times more likely to be smoke-free. Keep recalling your motivations - you can do it! [1]
Join the I Quit Programme and remain smoke free for 28 days and you are 5 times more likely to quit smoking. You can nominate your loved ones as a supporter when you sign up for the programme. Validate your smoke-free status and redeem a HPB eVoucher* worth $50 at the 28th day milestone. Keep going and you'll also receive eVouchers* worth $30 and $20 at the 3rd month and 6th month milestone respectively!
*Terms and conditions apply.
1. R West and J Stapleton ‘Clinical and public health significance of treatments to aid smoking cessation’, Eur Respir Rev 2008; 17: 110, 199–204
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This article was last reviewed on 22 Nov 2023
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