The power of calling yourself a non-smoker

You've battled some strong cravings and tough situations. That’s a real achievement! 

Stay on your toes, especially if you've had a few slip ups. It’s actually not uncommon to go back to smoking, down the track, after you’ve started to master the daily cravings. Stress or a crisis can hit, and often it comes out of the blue. Some people have a smoke out of curiosity. 

Once you’ve been quit for a few weeks: 

• If you can name it – “I’m a non-smoker” – you’re more likely to stay quit. 
• Focus on the good things about quitting: more money, more control, more time
• If you feel something’s missing, challenge how good a “friend” the cigarette was (most people find that the cigarette was quite a backstabber).  
• Revive a hobby or start something new: a new language, musical instrument, sport, blog, backyard project or craft
• Set up an emergency stress plan e.g. to call a friend or call Quitline or request a Quitline callback.
• If you feel like smoking, call it a memory rather than a craving