10 tips to kick your smoking habit

If you're a smoker with diabetes, quitting should be top priority. Smoking narrows your blood vessels, which can damage your heart; in some cases, it can lead to impotence and foot amputation. Here are some tips for when you decide it's time to take action.

When you don't have ashtrays, lighters, cigarettes or other tobacco-related accessories in your home, it will be all the more difficult for you to light up on impulse.

When your family, friends and co-workers know that you're trying to give up cigarettes, they'll encourage you and be less likely to put you in tempting situations.

• And when you know that you're accountable to everyone around you, you will be less likely to sneak away for a puff.

This may be the ticket if you need group support in banishing tobacco from your life.

• Often employers, health insurance companies and hospitals offer such classes.
• You can also ask your doctor for a referral, or check with cancer, heart health or lung health associations.

Banish ashtrays and make clear to visitors that they shouldn't smoke under your roof.

• It's your house — if you've made the commitment not to smoke, no one else should be allowed to smoke under your watch, either!

Nicotine patches can raise glucose levels.

• You'll want to check your blood sugar more frequently than you typically do to get a good sense of how the patch affects you.
• And never smoke while on the patch — nicotine can be toxic in large doses, and the combination of patch and tobacco could be deadly.

Don't give up! Most people have to kick the habit several times before they're finally successful.

• Your first three smoke-free months will be the hardest.
• While battling cravings, remind yourself that doing without tobacco won't always be this difficult.
• In the meantime, avoid alcohol, which will lower your resolve, and avoid other people who are smoking.

Pick a date in the near future when you won't have any major stress to deal with.

• If your daughter is getting married in three weeks, or if you're moving or changing jobs, push back your quit date until after the chaos has died down.
• The more stressed out you are, the stronger your cravings (and withdrawal symptoms) will likely be.

Hanging out with smokers not only tempts fate, it also hurts your heart.

• Persistent exposure to second-hand smoke still increases your risk of heart attack, according to the Canadian Cancer Society.
• If you socialize with smokers, do so in non-smoking establishments, where they can puff outdoors.
• If you live with a smoker, ask them to take the ashtray outside.

Tobacco's addictive, there's no getting around that.

• If better health isn't motivation enough, think about quitting for the sake of your loved ones.
• Whom will you miss, or who will miss you most, if you die more than a decade prematurely? Quit for them.

There are prescription medications on the market that may help you kick the habit.

• Some will reduce the kick you get from nicotine while alleviating withdrawal symptoms.
• Others will reduce cravings for nicotine, and even relieve symptoms of depression for some people.

As someone with diabetes, you're already at high risk of developing kidney disease, nerve and eye damage; smoking increases your chances of developing all three. These 10 tips can help you stop smoking as soon as possible.