It has been widely reported in the press that President Barack Obama is an occasional smoker who has tried unsuccessfully to quit. Regardless of your political views, I think we can all agree that we want our president to be healthy. Here are my suggestions for how he can stop smoking:
- Acknowledge that trying to quit “cold turkey” isn’t going to work.
- You tell us that you are not a quitter, but this time we want you to be one! And remember, quitting “cold turkey” has the lowest success rate of any course of action.
- Tell your wife and family that this time you are committed to stopping.
- Think of it as the most important campaign promise you have ever made.
- Seek professional medical help from a physician trained in diagnosing and treating tobacco dependence.
- You have surrounded yourself with experts. Why should you treat this any differently?
- Work with that physician to make a plan and set a timetable.
- You tell us that we need patience and a plan for the economy. Now you can have one for stopping smoking.
- Admit to yourself this will take effort but can be painless.
- You frequently remind us that the economic road ahead is long and fraught with frustrations. Think “U.S. economy” and this recommendation becomes clear.
- Start the treatment process and stick with it.
- You quote Sir Winston Churchill a lot. Remember one of his more famous lines: “We shall never surrender.”
- The first step is to find out how addicted you are.
- It’s easy and only takes a few minutes. Take the Nicotine Addiction Test and get your results immediately.
Actually, that’s advice I would give to anyone who wants to quit. If you know of someone who has tried and has been unable to stop smoking, have that person call (650) 833-7994.
Sincerely,
This page last updated Oct 19, 2009