The addiction to smoking tobacco has long been compared to heroin addiction, and with good reason. As all smokers know, it is not an easy thing to quit. Even is someone has quit for years, they could easily be back to smoking tobacco after only a single puff on a cigarette. In fact, between 60 and 90 per cent of smokers who have quit smoking relapse within the first year of quitting.

What is it that makes smoking such a hard habit to stop?

Quitting smoking is hard on the body and brain. The first day without a cigarette is usually the hardest part of the entire quitting process. Your body is accustomed to a certain level of nicotine in the body. When you suddenly remove the supply of nicotine, the body starts experiencing withdrawal symptoms, which can include coughing, increased appetite, constipation, tightening of the chest, inability to concentrate, insomnia and depression. There is also an increased chance of getting a cold or flu during this period as the body begins to heal itself from the damage caused by cigarettes.

The good news is that these symptoms last only a few weeks. The bad news is that smoking’s addictive nature is both physical and psychological. For a smoker, there is a direct association between smoking and feeling good. It is also a habit that is incorporated in to their daily routine. This is why people often use alternative nicotine delivery systems, like electronic cigarettes, to help fight cravings. Aside from fighting withdrawal symptoms, electronic cigarettes simulate the smoking habit. This way, the smoker feels satisfied without all of the negative health effects of tobacco smoke.