Smoking is one of the most controversial subjects of discussion. Just about every smoker has probably attempted to quit at some stage. TÜV SÜD experts give important advice that will help smokers to give up cigarettes and keep their New Year's resolutions.

There is no such thing as the perfect time to stop smoking. However, smokers who pick a specific stop date and then quit completely face better chances of success. Smokers willing to quit should start by getting rid of all smoking paraphernalia, as this may trigger constant cravings for cigarettes. Simply banning lighters, ashtrays, and cigarettes to a cupboard will not suffice; the best solution is to throw out everything associated with smoking. The trigger point is significantly higher if smoking paraphernalia has to be repurchased right before a "lapsed" smoker can light up again. Another important factor is to motivate oneself by consciously taking time and reflecting about each smoke-free day. As old habits die hard, however, they need to be replaced or 'overwritten' by new ones.

To avoid a relapse, tempting situations such as parties, etc. should be avoided at the beginning. The same applies to routines such as smoking a cigarette after a meal or before bedtime, which should be replaced by new customs to avoid relapsing into old habits. "If you gave in to temptation once, don't make the mistake of falling back into the old routine by thinking "what does it matter." Don't despair. Instead, analyse the situation that made you reach for a cigarette and avoid it in the future," explains Dominik Hammer, psychologist and addiction counselor at TÜV SÜD Life Service GmbH.

The body will initially respond with withdrawal symptoms. In addition to headaches, smokers may experience trouble concentrating and sleeping, as well as noticing shaking hands and excessive perspiration. In most cases, however, physical withdrawal symptoms remain minor. Smokers willing to quit can also try a number of nicotine replacement therapies, including patches or nicotine gum, which can be taken to counteract these effects. Withdrawal of the soothing and relaxing effect of nicotine may make many ex-smokers feel nervous and easily irritable. Exercise may offer a good solution. Physical exercise reduces stress hormone levels in blood, is good for health, and also prevents weight gain. After all, many smokers replace cigarettes with occasional snacks.

The body very quickly reacts positively to nicotine withdrawal. The risk of heart attack drops after only one day. After two days, the senses of taste and smell start to improve. Within three smoke-free months, pulmonary capacity increases by up to 30 percent. At the same time, the risk of lung cancer decreases drastically.

Companies may also benefit by motivating their staff to stop smoking. On average, the sickness rate of smokers is 30 percent higher than that of nonsmokers. Stop-smoking campaigns may also defuse conflicts among colleagues, as nonsmokers must often take over smokers' work during the famous cigarette break - a fact for which they frequently show no understanding. TÜV SÜD offers companies the "Non-Smoker At Last" stop-smoking program. This program examines the individual levels of dependency of all participants, looks at conscious and unconscious triggers for smoking, and develops appropriate motivation factors for giving up cigarettes. The program also creates incentives for breaking stimulus-response associations, and thus makes it easier to go without cigarettes. Professional coaching while quitting smoking proves to be even more effective than the method of picking a specific date on which to stop completely, and increases the chances of staying a nonsmoker in the long run. And this is what most smokers actually crave.

For more information, contact:
Heidi Atzler
TÜV SÜD AG
Corporate Communications
Westendstaße 199, 80686 München
Telephone: +49 (0) 89 / 57 91-29 35
Fax: +49 (0) 89 / 57 91-22 69
Email: heidi.atzler@tuev-sued.de
Internet: www.tuev-sued.de

TÜV SÜD is a leading international service organization catering to the strategic business segments INDUSTRY, MOBILITY, and PEOPLE. Approximately 14,000 employees are represented at more than 600 locations throughout the world. Optimizing technology, systems, and know-how, the interdisciplinary specialist teams act as process partners to strengthen their customers' competitiveness.