The Easy Way to Stop Smoking Book Summary - The Easy Way to Stop Smoking Book explained in key points
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The Easy Way to Stop Smoking summary

Join the Millions Who Have Become Non-Smokers Using Allen Carr's Easyway Method

4.1 (225 ratings)
12 mins

Brief summary

The book 'The Easy Way to Stop Smoking' by Allen Carr is a self-help guide that enables smokers to quit smoking without any willpower or suffering. It provides a fresh perspective on smoking cessation that focuses on changing the smoker's mindset and approach towards smoking.

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    The Easy Way to Stop Smoking
    Summary of 6 key ideas

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    Key idea 1 of 6

    Quit smoking by questioning what you gain by it.

    We’ve all heard many different theories on the best way to permanently quit smoking. Most tell you it’s a matter of willpower, or that it’s all about realizing just how bad smoking is.

    But the truth is that smokers do know how bad smoking is. Although all smokers made the initial choice to smoke that first cigarette, they never decided to become regular smokers or to never enjoy a meal without smoking afterward. Most tell themselves that they’ll eventually quit, but are afraid of actually doing so.

    So what is it that makes quitting so scary? It’s the phase of misery that we expect will follow, when we won’t be able to enjoy occasions like we used to, when we’ll miss the benefits of smoking that we loved. Those who have tried to quit and failed are even more fearful.

    But the EASYWAY to quit smoking is a method without suffering, without the need for an iron will, without withdrawal symptoms. No, it’s not magic! All you have to do is question the reasons why you smoke.

    Many smokers say it helps them relax or concentrate. The reality, however, is that smoking does neither. Those feelings of relaxation or concentration are illusory, and battling these illusions is at the core of the EASYWAY.

    To make the EASYWAY work, the instructions have to be followed dogmatically, without replacements such as nicotine gum. And, as with any quitting method, you’ll need to be willing to quit in the first place.

    This method will reward you with a new perspective. You will no longer envy smokers, but pity them. In the meantime, as you read these instructions, you should continue to smoke. That way your focus won’t be reduced by needing a cigarette. Next, we’ll find out why other quitting methods simply won’t cut it.

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    Key ideas in The Easy Way to Stop Smoking

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    What is The Easy Way to Stop Smoking about?

    The Easy Way to Stop Smoking (1985, 2011) isn’t just a book about giving up cigarettes; it aims to put smoking in a completely new light. Smoking is no habit and nicotine no hard drug; smoking is an addiction, but one that can be overcome with the right mindset. These blinks outline the necessary steps and address those questions that’ll arise on your journey to a life without cigarettes.

    The Easy Way to Stop Smoking Review

    The Easy Way to Stop Smoking (1985) is a book that can truly transform your life and help you quit smoking for good. Here's why it's worth reading:

    • It offers practical tips and strategies for quitting smoking that are easy to implement.
    • The book debunks common myths about smoking and nicotine addiction, providing a fresh perspective on how to break free.
    • Its supportive tone and empathetic approach make it a comforting and relatable read for anyone struggling to quit.

    Best quote from The Easy Way to Stop Smoking

    Smokers do not smoke for the reasons that they shouldnt smoke. The real problem is to remove the reason that they do.

    —Allen Carr
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    Who should read The Easy Way to Stop Smoking?

    • Smokers struggling to quit
    • People interested in the case for quitting
    • Those who want to learn why willpower alone won’t help you quit

    About the Author

    Allen Carr was a British author of self-help books that helped people overcome smoking and other dependencies, such as alcoholism. He himself quit after 33 years of chain-smoking, during which time he consumed around 100 cigarettes per day. After quitting, he publicized his method, the EASYWAY, and opened a chain of clinics to help people stop smoking with a money-back guarantee. He died in 2006 of lung cancer.

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    The Easy Way to Stop Smoking FAQs 

    What is the main message of The Easy Way to Stop Smoking?

    The main message of The Easy Way to Stop Smoking is that quitting smoking is easier than you think.

    How long does it take to read The Easy Way to Stop Smoking?

    The reading time for The Easy Way to Stop Smoking varies depending on the reader's speed, but it typically takes several hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.

    Is The Easy Way to Stop Smoking a good book? Is it worth reading?

    The Easy Way to Stop Smoking is definitely worth reading. It offers a fresh perspective on quitting smoking and provides practical advice for success.

    Who is the author of The Easy Way to Stop Smoking?

    The author of The Easy Way to Stop Smoking is Allen Carr.

    What to read after The Easy Way to Stop Smoking?

    If you're wondering what to read next after The Easy Way to Stop Smoking, here are some recommendations we suggest:
    • Allen Carr's Easy Way to Quit Emotional Eating by Allen Carr
    • The Alcohol Experiment by Annie Grace
    • Alcoholics Anonymous by AAWS
    • The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel
    • The 4-Hour Body by Tim Ferriss
    • Never Enough by Judith Grisel
    • The High 5 Habit by Mel Robbins
    • Zero to One by Peter Thiel with Blake Masters
    • Rewire by Nicole Vignola
    • Slow Productivity by Cal Newport