The National Clean Air Award

Disentangling the behavioural habits associated with smoking

The BBC looks at the issues of the rituals of smoking, with the behavioural associations being as addictive as the actual smoking. Below is an extract

“Every smoker and ex-smoker knows that the cigarette offers a prop with which to fidget, a ritual in which to become distracted.

Ann McNeill, professor in health policy and promotion at the University of Nottingham, says the routine of smoking usually becomes inseparable from the cravings when trying to quit smoking.

Smoking, she says is “very much a ritual - sitting down, lighting the cigarette, putting it to your lips. It turns into habitual behaviour that you get used to carrying out. Also, doing something with your hands in situations where you are anxious can play a role.”

“But the problem is that it becomes very difficult to disentangle that ritual from the dependence on nicotine. And that makes it harder to quit.”

Studies have also indicated that smokers display higher levels of anxiety than non-smokers, adds Prof McNeill. This suggests turning to cigarettes to relieve tension and stress actually makes matters worse. This is, of course, not to mention the tension and stress caused by smoking-related illnesses like cancer and heart disease.

Brian Jones, from the stop smoking charity Quit says the most important step for anyone wanting to quit smoking is to change his or her routine, so that every day does not become a series of reminders of what is missing.

“If you used to take a cigarette break, still try and have the same amount of time off - but do something different, or else you'll resent the fact that you can't smoke,” he suggests.

“Go for a walk instead of reading the paper with a cigarette. Or if you used to drink a coffee while you smoked, have a fruit juice instead.”

Source: BBC 7 June 2007
Link to article: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/6713305.stm