Quitting Tobacco Use

Why should I stop using tobacco?

The combined physical effects of diabetes and smoking can be crippling. Smoking increases the risk of diabetes complications, such as loss of foot, impotence, severe vision problems or blindness and kidney failure.

Together, tobacco use and diabetes make it twice as likely that you will develop heart or blood vessel disease.

The more you learn about the dangers of tobacco use, the easier it will be for you to decide to quit.

How can I stop using tobacco?

If quitting tobacco has become a high priority for you, set a date to quit. Write it on your calendar. Choose a date within the next month when you know you will be rested and relaxed enough to plan a special quit day:

• Do something you really like; Stay busy.

• Spend time with a friend, or alone, if it helps you feel more in control.

• Avoid other smokers and places that might make you want to smoke.

• Get some exercise or start a new hobby.

• Make a commitment: tell your family or friends about your plan to quit smoking.

Ask your doctor for assistance, if you need it. Nicotine patches and gum can help reduce the craving for tobacco. Many health plans have stop-smoking classes that you can attend for a small fee.

Get familiar with the negative things you say to yourself that make it hard to quit. Think positive thoughts to help overcome the negative ones. Quitting may be difficult, but you've succeeded at other difficult tasks in your life - you can do this too!

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