More than 90 percent of former smokers quit on their own, by throwing away all their cigarettes, by gradually cutting down, or by first switching to a less potent brand. One characteristic of successful quitters is that they see themselves as active participants in health maintenance and take personal responsibility for their own health. Often they experiment with a variety of strategies, such as learning relaxation techniques. Exercise has proven especially effective for quitting and avoiding weight gain. Making a home a smoke-free zone also increases a smoker’s likelihood of successfully quitting.
