Are you ready?

The decision to quit smoking isn’t made overnight. Before conquering their dependency on tobacco, most people go through five stages. On this page you can determine which stage you’re at in your efforts, according to your degree of motivation. Click on the statement that best expresses your current frame of mind.

“I smoke and I don’t want to change anything”

You smoke – and you like it! There’s no question of your quitting smoking right now. If this is your situation and you’re browsing this site all the same, we hope this visit will encourage you to begin considering a smoke-free life.

“I’m thinking about quitting smoking”

It’s the stage of “I really need to...” You’re no doubt thinking of quitting at some point over the next six months. You know that the advantages of quitting smoking outweigh the drawbacks, but still you hesitate taking the plunge.

It’s time for you to get information about tobacco, in order to fuel your motivation. You have to ask yourself certain questions – and find the answers, of course.

The questions you have to ask yourself are the four W’s – W for “why.”

Why do we smoke?
Because it tastes good, it keeps you awake, it keeps your hands busy, or maybe it keeps the weight off. Everyone has his or her reasons. When you understand why it is you smoke, you can identify the reasons for quitting and how you can succeed in doing it. For clues, consult “Smoker profile” in the “Getting ready” section.

Why change?
If you smoke, it’s because you like to smoke. It’s the same for everyone! It’s a habit we like, and it’s a difficult one to break. Our advice: take a sheet of paper and on the left side make a list of the advantages of smoking, and on the other side list the disadvantages. We bet there won’t be much in the left-hand column...

Why now?
No doubt you’re wondering whether it’s the right moment. The truth is, when someone is truly motivated and ready to butt out, there’s no better moment than right now. You should never put off till tomorrow...

Why try again?
Like a lot of people, you can no longer count the number of times you’ve tried to quit smoking in vain. On average, it takes ex-smokers four tries and sometimes more. Take advantage of the opportunity to analyze your past attempts, try to see what was missing – and read our section “Getting ready.”

“I’m getting ready to quit smoking”

You’re at the planning stage. Your goal: quit smoking over the next few months or the next few weeks. Start changing your habits right now! Delay smoking that first cigarette of the morning, reduce the amount of cigarettes you smoke in a day... It’s time to prepare the ground!

Do you have to quit overnight?

Some people can do it. Studies show, however, that the chances of success are greater when someone prepares for it.

If you haven’t already done so, make sure to get the support of a sponsor or a teammate and to put together a toolkit to help you see it through . Think about a rocket getting ready to take off into space: it’s your countdown that’s started! What to do? Here’s our 6-point strategy for getting properly prepared.

• Learn to see yourself as a non-smoker.
  Begin right away to think about D-Day. Imagine yourself on the road to victory after several tobacco-free weeks. See? You’re already proud of yourself!
• Increase your degree of motivation.
  Evaluate all the advantages of stopping now. Think about the money you’ll save, your newfound freedom, your skin, your breath, and that cough you’ll be rid of for good.
• Begin talking about it with your close circle.
  By sharing your intention to quit smoking with others, you’re making a personal commitment. This can also help you find your sponsor or teammate, if you don’t already have one.
• Circle the “D-Day” in your agenda.
  The more you think about it, the easier it is to get motivated. The important thing is to set the date on which you’re finally going to take action.
• Get information on the different smoking cessation aids.
  For some smokers, the use of cessation aids like patches, nicotine gum and lozenges, varenicline or bupropion can increase the chances of success in a significant way. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about it. Together, you’ll see whether these aids suit you, and they’ll guide you in how to use them.
• Visit the site regularly and register to the Challenge
  Make the most of the free and exclusive support tools, such as your personal file on-line, the « Jean Coutu to the rescue » kit and the I’m Butting Out! encouragement e-mails.

“I’m quitting smoking”

Here’s where you butt out! In the beginning, it’s not easy. You have to struggle against physical and psychological dependency, which can be as strong as the dependency caused by hard drugs, including the most powerful. Deciding to take action is that much more of a tribute to you!

If you’re ready to take action immediately, above all don’t waste any of your motivation. Head without delay to the “D-Day and after” section.

“I’ve quit smoking. I want it to stay that way!”

Our encouragement and our tools will give you a good helping hand to carry on.
It takes between six months and a year before you can consider yourself a non-smoker. Maybe you’ve already reached that point, or you’re getting close? Whatever the case, other smokers are undergoing the same experience as you. They need your help!

You can submit a testimonial: it will help future or new ex-smokers reach their goal.