Hints To Help You Kick The Habit

Summer is a great time to renew those New Year’s resolutions that got pushed aside by homework and tests.

Here’s some advice we found on About.com’s teen section on quitting smoking.

Don’t worry, we’re not going to bore you with statistics about how bad smoking is for you (since you’ve heard it all before). What we like about this advice is it’s practical and not preachy. Good luck.

Successful smoking cessation begins with a plan for quitting, much as a business begins with a plan. Here are some steps you can take in preparation for the Big Quit Day.

Be sure you want to quit smoking for yourself and not for other people. Make a written list of reasons why you want to quit smoking.

Set your quit date.

Girls should set their quit date to begin at the end of their period for best results.

Switch to a different brand now, one you don’t like.

Do not buy several packs at once.

Smoke in only one or two places, such as outdoors.

Take a walk every day to begin an exercise program.

Cut coffee consumption in half. (No, you won’t have to give it up.)

Practice putting off lighting up when you get the urge.

Stock up on nonfattening safe snacks to help keep weight off after you quit.

The day before the Big Quit, clean and put away your ashtrays - in your car, home or elsewhere.

Tell your family and friends you are quitting and enlist their support.

Remind yourself that you are doing the smartest thing you’ve ever done for yourself.

Do not feel like you are losing a friend. You are gaining years of your life.

If your smoking buddies don’t support you, be prepared to spend more time with your nonsmoking friends.

Believe in yourself.

This sidebar appeared with the story: WHAT’S YOUR ADVICE? What graduates should know

The Class of 2000 is about to venture out into that cold, dark world everyone has been warning them about for years. Last year, the Chicago Tribune column-turned hit song “Everybody’s Free (to wear sunscreen)” burned through the airwaves and plastered e-mail boxes as people ate up its simple advice.

Remember:“Don’t worry about the future. Or worry, but know that worrying is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubble gum. The real troubles in your life are apt to be things that never crossed your worried mind, the kind that blindside you at 4 p.m. on some idle Tuesday.”

And, “Don’t feel guilty if you don’t know what you want to do with your life. The most interesting people I know didn’t know at 22 what they wanted to do with their lives. Some of the most interesting 40-year-olds I know still don’t.”?

We’re not suggesting that this once-trendy song should be resurrected this year, but we are looking for advice for this year’s graduating class. What should they know? What should they do? What shouldn’t they do? Send your advice to Our Generation/Advice, 999 W. Riverside, Spokane, WA 99201. Fax (509) 459-5098 or e-mail ourgeneration@spokesman.com.