Life After Cigarettes: Why Women Smoke and How to Quit, Look Great, and Manage Your Weight

By Cynthia S. Pomerleau

Women started smoking in huge numbers in the mid-20th century, thanks to massive campaigns by the tobacco industry. The result has been generations of smokers whose health has been compromised and whose lives have been shortened. This book helps women understand why they smoke, how to quit, and how to make sure they don't start again. Smoking cessation expert Cynthia Pomerleau emphasizes proven strategies that demystify this most potent and pervasive of drugs. She explains the effects of quitting, how to do so without gaining weight, and the use of support systems and the latest drug therapies. Featuring photographs and illustrations, the book is divided into four sections: What Every Woman Who Ever Smoked Should know (covering the why); Managing Weight and Looking Great (personal transformation after kicking the habit); Special Concerns (dealing with relationships, depression, and other causes for concern); and A Lifetime Perspective (inspirational tips for maintaining a smoke-free life). Additional readings and resources help keep readers on track.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Turner Publishing Company
• Release date: Dec 22, 2009
• ISBN: 9781630265328

Reviews for Life After Cigarettes

[crazysalad · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I enjoyed this book - it's readable, non-judgmental and could offer support/inspiration if you're trying to quit. I particularly appreciate the non-critical tone -- when I read that the author was not a former smoker, I feared that the tone would become judgmental, but she is very sympathetic to how difficult it can be to give up this addiction. The book is targeted to women who are concerned about weight gain after they quit smoking – I'd say about half of the book is dedicated to that. It's a real fear but since this isn't a concern of every women quitting, this book may not be for everyone. I do think that the other chapters are also strong, though, so I would recommend this book. Note that it's a thin tome – it's a small-sized book and about 150 pages.

[kcordes_6 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Life After Ciggarettes: Why Women Smoke and How to Quit, Look Great, and Manage Your Weight was a very informative book. It directly addresses the issue of weight gain when you quit smoking. I requested the book for my daughter who smokes and is afraid to quit because of the weight gain. I certainly wished I had this book when I quit smoking 18 years ago, maybe I wouldnt have gained all the extra lbs I have struggled to take off since. My daughter is currently reading the book now and I hope it will convince her that she can quit without becoming overweight.

[mmerose_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I don't want to discourage women from reading this book, but for me - past the age of joining my local senior center - it was a rehash of everything I already know or information I don't need.I would strongly recommend it for women who are putting off quitting because of the weight gain issue or who are just beginning the struggle to quit. But for those of us "of a certain age" who struggled to quit for many years, there is not a lot new here. Personally, there is only one pharmacological treatment option listed that I didn't try; I could easily quadruple the lists of telephone and web based help organizations; and I don't like her breezy dismissal of alternative methods for quitting like hypnosis or acupuncture. So do add it to your resources for quitting, but don't rely on this book alone.

[familyresourcecent_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Pomerleau has created a wonderful resource for women who want to quit smoking. It contains solid information, historical background, and focuses on weight gain and depression. The "quitting for good" chapter has great details on medications and other strategies for quitting. Add this book to your "quitting arsenal" if you struggle with the emotional aspects of quitting!

[hippypaul_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

As an RN and a recovering smoker I am always interested in material on how to quite the habit. It has been my experience that most of the “How to Quit” material is sadly lacking. This is not, however, true with Cynthia Pomerleau’s fine little book “Life After Cigarettes”. The main thing that sets this book apart from the others is the author’s willingness to talk about the elephant in the living room; cigarettes are an effective method of weight control. The weight gain that follows quitting is a major factor in the high remission rate of quitters. This is especially difficult for females in this culture of hyper body awareness.Dr. Pomerleau outlines a total program of diet, exercise and medication that are the tools for the lifestyle changes that are the basis for changing any major dependency. But most of all she provides insight into the process of going from being a smoker to being a non smoker. The book includes an extensive section of additional reading and resources. Overall this is a wonderful asset for the woman who wants to quit smoking and contains enough good general material to be of help to a male reader as well. I would recommend this to any smoker and especially to the women who smoke.A copy of this book was provided free by for the purposes of this review.