Tackling the smokes your way
If you are a smoker, coming into a smoke-free gaol can be really hard. Here is what some people in gaol have said:
How does being smoke-free make you healthier?
- Your mood and feelings will improve You might be able to have less medication for mental health problems. Remember, if you stop or start smoking, you need to tell your doctor as your medication may need to change
- Less chance of having a stroke
- Less chance of getting cancer, like lung cancer, bowel cancer or throat cancer
- Less chance of heart disease or heart attack
- Your lungs will be healthier
- Your blood flow through your body improves. Poor blood flow can lead to problems in your legs and arms which may lead to amputation.
Good things about not smoking
- You can save money - a pack of 50 smokes costs over $50
- You can be a good role model for your family.
- Your kids won’t breathe in your smoke.
- You can improve the way you look. Smoking causes stains on your fingers and teeth, and makes you look older.
- You can improve your fitness.
- You can be healthier.
Tips to help you quit
- Work out what you like about being smoke-free. For example you may be able to breathe easier, save money, or be smoke-free around your kids.
- Work out your triggers. For example it may be drinking alcohol, hanging out with friends who smoke, or being stressed.
- Work out how to manage your triggers. For example practice deep breathing if stressed, ask your partner to quit smoking, keep busy to avoid thinking about smoking, practice calling yourself a non-smoker.
- If you slip up, how will you get back on track? Make another quit date, cut down, or see your doctor for help.
Tips to stay quit or cut down
- Try smoking with your other hand. This is not as enjoyable and can help you cut down.
- Break your normal smoking routine. If you smoke first thing in the morning, you can try waiting until after you eat breakfast to have a smoke. Or if you smoke when having a coffee, try to drink coffee without having a smoke.
- Hold something in your smoking hand. Try holding a pen or pencil instead.
- Make your home and car a smoke-free zone. This protects your kids and people visiting from breathing in the smoke.
Tips to stay quit on the outside
Leaving gaol can be a hard time to stick to your plans to stay smoke-free or cut down. If you slip up, it’s OK, you can get back on track.
- If you start smoking again, nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) can help you stop or cut down.
- If you are Aboriginal, ask your local Aboriginal Medical Service for free NRT.
- Talk to your doctor about NRT or medication that can help you quit or cut down.
- If you are on drug and alcohol treatment, you can ask the Drug and Alcohol service for smoking help too.
- Call Quitline on 13 78 48 - it's free and can help you quit or cut down.
- If you are Aboriginal, you can ask to speak to an Aboriginal Quitline worker.
- Quitline offers help in other languages. Ask when you call. Visit www.icanquit.com.au for information to help you stay smoke-free or cut down.