Interactive Tool: Are You Ready To Quit Smoking?: What Does Your Score Mean

Content provided by Healthwise

What does your score mean?

Your score will appear as one of the following:

• Not ready. You are not considering quitting for a variety of reasons. You may believe that smoking will not harm you, or you may rationalize your behavior.
• Thinking about it. You may have mixed feelings about quitting. In this stage you acknowledge that smoking is a problem, but you are not ready or not sure you want to quit. For example, you may want to quit but believe that you cannot quit because of past failures.
• Preparing. You are motivated to quit smoking and are making small steps toward that goal. In this stage, it is important that you gather information about how to quit so that you understand what you must do to make this major lifestyle change.
• In the process. This is the stage where you are actively taking steps to quit smoking. You will need willpower to prevent starting smoking again. Congratulate yourself for taking this step.
• Have quit. To maintain your current nonsmoker status, you must continue to successfully avoid temptation. This means anticipating situations in which you might slip up and avoiding those situations. It may take years before the temptation to smoke leaves and this change is truly established.
• Have relapsed. If you start to smoke again, don't be discouraged. It doesn't mean you can't quit for good. For most people, it usually takes several tries at quitting before they finally quit. Think of quitting smoking as a process. Learn from this experience at trying, and you will be one step ahead.

Last updated:	October 11, 2007
Author:	Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS
Reviewed By:	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine, John Hughes, MD - Psychiatry
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Pat Truman, MATC