Harm+Reduction

**Harm reduction in tobacco use refers to any action a smoker takes to reduce their smoking behaviour. Harm reduction includes attempts to lower the risks by reducing the amount a person smokes. A smoker practicing harm reduction may begin to reduce their risks by seeking out more information about their tobacco habit. This is an important first step in a harm reduction plan as a decision is made to change the behaviour. As a tobacco user seeks out more information about reducing risks their behaviour they also educate themselves about the health risks that are involved with the behavior. This also creates an environment to learn about techniques others have used and options that are available to help the process. Awareness is an important step in gaining control over smoking and addictive behaviour.**



**__Ten Tips for Cutting Back on Your Smoking__**
 * 1) ===Decide to make your car; home and office smoke free zones. Move ashtrays and cigarette lighters to a designated smoking area outside. ===
 * 2) ===Smoke half of a cigarette only and discard the rest, change to a brand that you don’t like. ===
 * 3) ===Lengthen the time between cigarettes and smoke only on the hour or the half hour. ===
 * 4) ===When experiencing craving try gum, sugar free snack or mints. ===
 * 5) ===Think about when you want a cigarette is it with coffee, after a meal or when you are bored. ===
 * 6) ===Change your routines and go for a walk instead of having a cigarette. ===
 * 7) ===Drink lots of water and fluids. ===
 * 8) ===Find some stress relieving exercises, yoga or deep breathing. ===
 * 9) ===Use professional supports such as your doctor or a helpers smoke line. [[image:ssw-2011-elephantintheroom/clean_air_sticker.jpg width="351" height="214" align="right"]] ===
 * 10) ===Enlist support from friends and family. ===

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