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Allen Carr's The Only Way to Stop Smoking Permanently
Author of the most successful stop smoking method of all time, Allen Carr here further exposes the traps of smoking and provides smokers with the motivation to break free forever.
This companion volume to Allen Carr’s Stop Smoking Now and Allen Carr’s Easy Way to Stop Smoking will help you:
• Achieve the right frame of mind to quit
• Avoid weight-gain
• Quit without dependence on rules or gimmicks
• Enjoy the freedom and choices that non-smokers have in life
• Quit without willpower
“I would be happy to give a medical endorsement of the method to anyone.” Dr PM Bray MB CH.b., MRCGP
Praise for Allen Carr’s Easyway:
“Allen Carr explodes the myth that giving up smoking is difficult” - The Times
“A different approach. A stunning success” - The Sun
“The Allen Carr method is totally unique.” - GQ Magazine
“His method is absolutely unique, removing the dependence on cigarettes, while you are actually smoking.” - Richard Branson
“I found it not only easy but unbelievably enjoyable to stay stopped.” - Sir Anthony Hopkins
This companion volume to Allen Carr’s Stop Smoking Now and Allen Carr’s Easy Way to Stop Smoking will help you:
• Achieve the right frame of mind to quit
• Avoid weight-gain
• Quit without dependence on rules or gimmicks
• Enjoy the freedom and choices that non-smokers have in life
• Quit without willpower
“I would be happy to give a medical endorsement of the method to anyone.” Dr PM Bray MB CH.b., MRCGP
Praise for Allen Carr’s Easyway:
“Allen Carr explodes the myth that giving up smoking is difficult” - The Times
“A different approach. A stunning success” - The Sun
“The Allen Carr method is totally unique.” - GQ Magazine
“His method is absolutely unique, removing the dependence on cigarettes, while you are actually smoking.” - Richard Branson
“I found it not only easy but unbelievably enjoyable to stay stopped.” - Sir Anthony Hopkins
484 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1995
252 people are currently reading
1120 people want to read
About the author
Allen Carr
408 books280 followersAllen Carr was a British author and the founder of the global Allen Carr’s Easyway method, renowned for helping millions overcome smoking and other addictions. Born in Putney, London in 1934, Carr began smoking at 18 during National Service and struggled with the habit for over three decades. A qualified accountant, he finally quit in 1983 following a revelatory visit to a hypnotherapist. The experience didn’t directly cause him to quit, but it led to two key insights: that smoking was simply a form of nicotine addiction, and that withdrawal symptoms were minor and psychological in nature. These revelations inspired Carr to develop a revolutionary approach to quitting, one that did not rely on willpower, scare tactics, or substitution therapies.
Carr’s philosophy centered on removing the smoker’s fear of giving up. He argued that smoking merely relieves withdrawal symptoms from the previous cigarette, and that the supposed satisfaction gained is merely a return to the non-smoker’s normal state. Through live seminars, books, and multimedia resources, the Easyway method encourages smokers to continue smoking while they reframe their beliefs, ultimately extinguishing their final cigarette with clarity and confidence.
In 1985, Carr published The Easy Way to Stop Smoking, which became a bestseller and was translated into more than 45 languages. The success of his London clinic led to the establishment of over 100 Easyway centers in 35 countries, offering seminars to treat smoking, alcohol dependency, sugar addiction, and even fear of flying. His method’s credibility was bolstered by independent clinical trials, including studies in Ireland and the UK which found it as effective—if not more so—than standard cessation methods. This led to its adoption by NHS-approved services in England.
A key element of the Easyway clinics is that all facilitators are former addicts who successfully quit using the method themselves. They must complete extensive training and become licensed members of the Association of Allen Carr Therapists International.
Throughout his career, Carr also co-authored a wide range of Easyway books addressing various addictions and behavioral issues, often collaborating with Robin Hayley and John C. Dicey, the current Chairman and Global CEO of Allen Carr’s Easyway. Dicey, whom Carr mentored, continues to lead the organization’s development and public outreach.
Carr died of lung cancer in 2006 at age 72, though he had not smoked for 23 years. He attributed his illness to second-hand smoke exposure during seminars. Before his death, he remained committed to his mission, challenging governmental ties to nicotine replacement industries and advocating for wider access to his method.
Carr’s legacy continues through his clinics, books, and online programs, which have reached over 50 million people worldwide. His message remains consistent: quitting is not a sacrifice—it’s liberation.
Carr’s philosophy centered on removing the smoker’s fear of giving up. He argued that smoking merely relieves withdrawal symptoms from the previous cigarette, and that the supposed satisfaction gained is merely a return to the non-smoker’s normal state. Through live seminars, books, and multimedia resources, the Easyway method encourages smokers to continue smoking while they reframe their beliefs, ultimately extinguishing their final cigarette with clarity and confidence.
In 1985, Carr published The Easy Way to Stop Smoking, which became a bestseller and was translated into more than 45 languages. The success of his London clinic led to the establishment of over 100 Easyway centers in 35 countries, offering seminars to treat smoking, alcohol dependency, sugar addiction, and even fear of flying. His method’s credibility was bolstered by independent clinical trials, including studies in Ireland and the UK which found it as effective—if not more so—than standard cessation methods. This led to its adoption by NHS-approved services in England.
A key element of the Easyway clinics is that all facilitators are former addicts who successfully quit using the method themselves. They must complete extensive training and become licensed members of the Association of Allen Carr Therapists International.
Throughout his career, Carr also co-authored a wide range of Easyway books addressing various addictions and behavioral issues, often collaborating with Robin Hayley and John C. Dicey, the current Chairman and Global CEO of Allen Carr’s Easyway. Dicey, whom Carr mentored, continues to lead the organization’s development and public outreach.
Carr died of lung cancer in 2006 at age 72, though he had not smoked for 23 years. He attributed his illness to second-hand smoke exposure during seminars. Before his death, he remained committed to his mission, challenging governmental ties to nicotine replacement industries and advocating for wider access to his method.
Carr’s legacy continues through his clinics, books, and online programs, which have reached over 50 million people worldwide. His message remains consistent: quitting is not a sacrifice—it’s liberation.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
August 19, 2011
Poorly written, littered with typos (it genuinely doesn't appear to have been proofed), full of sweeping generalisations, often patronising, a bit sexist, contains endless dull golfing analogies... but it works.
Read
January 9, 2016This book is boring,dull, excruciating. But I finished it and stopped smoking.....
January 3, 2014
This book saved my life. Three months before I picked up this book I had read the Reader's Digest article summarizing the points Carr makes in this book. I attempted to quit smoking at that time but even as I was butting out what I had hoped would be my last cigarette I was crying because I knew in my heart that because I had started smoking no matter what the rest of my life would be miserable: I would either crave cigarettes for the rest of my life or I would start smoking again. Both were hell in my mind. At that time I prayed to God to cure me from my horrible addiction and I believe He sent me this book to cure me.
Three month later I had started again and was ready to quit again so I went looking for some help at the book store. I found two books: one was a pocket guide and the other was Allen Carr's book. I noticed on the back of Mr. Carr's book he wrote: Guaranteed to make you quit smoking with no withdrawal, no cravings and you will be a happy non-smoker for the rest of your life, so I thought, "okay, let's see what he can do" and I left the pocket guide in the store and walked out with Carr's giant book.
At first I was a little skeptical and thought he was a little full of himself and very verbose but at some point I just decided to give him the benefit of the doubt and trust him. It was, after all, a matter of life and death. I read all 600 pages of small print. The more I read the more ready I was to smoke my last cigarette ever. When I finally got to that page I smoked a few drags of my last cigarette through a Kleenex and saw the tar that came out of just two or three drags. I butted out the cigarette with less than half finished, taped the Kleenex to the wall for the three days it took for my body to kill that nicotine monster inside of me and never looked back. After those three days were over I never again craved cigarettes, I never felt withdrawal and last year I celebrated 10 years as a happy non-smoker. THIS BOOK IS THE CURE. READ IT. TRUST ALLEN CARR and join me on the other side.
Three month later I had started again and was ready to quit again so I went looking for some help at the book store. I found two books: one was a pocket guide and the other was Allen Carr's book. I noticed on the back of Mr. Carr's book he wrote: Guaranteed to make you quit smoking with no withdrawal, no cravings and you will be a happy non-smoker for the rest of your life, so I thought, "okay, let's see what he can do" and I left the pocket guide in the store and walked out with Carr's giant book.
At first I was a little skeptical and thought he was a little full of himself and very verbose but at some point I just decided to give him the benefit of the doubt and trust him. It was, after all, a matter of life and death. I read all 600 pages of small print. The more I read the more ready I was to smoke my last cigarette ever. When I finally got to that page I smoked a few drags of my last cigarette through a Kleenex and saw the tar that came out of just two or three drags. I butted out the cigarette with less than half finished, taped the Kleenex to the wall for the three days it took for my body to kill that nicotine monster inside of me and never looked back. After those three days were over I never again craved cigarettes, I never felt withdrawal and last year I celebrated 10 years as a happy non-smoker. THIS BOOK IS THE CURE. READ IT. TRUST ALLEN CARR and join me on the other side.
November 2, 2015
Very repetitive, however if you can bring yourself to read the whole book it does make sense as to why it is important that Carr repeats himself. I am happily smokefree now two weeks after reading this
January 24, 2014
The Holy Grail
IT WORKS! I'M FREE
I'd been recommended this book a substantial amount of times by my mother.
At the time i had endless excuses as to why i was hesitant in picking it up.
Firstly, like a vast majority of smokers I'm sure, were wondering what on earth a book could possibly have to say that we didnt already know, have tried - least of all make us successfully quit smoking.
Another excuse was the fact that yes, my mother may have recommended it to me, but she read it, quit successfully for 6 months (Which is an achievement in itself), but then fell back into the trap again. What kind of chance do i have, if my own mother couldn't succeed?
I however now know she did exactly what Allen Carr tells you NOT to do.
In order to successfully walk away a happy non-smoker after reading 'The Only Way To Quit Smoking Permanently' is to follow his rules, and to truly believe that was he's telling you, is the truth.
The final and probably most common excuse among smokers when becoming hesitant when being faced with the possibility of becoming a non-smoker is fear. Fear of failure, but also of succeeding. Which is probably why i smoked more reading this book then i usually do.
Now dont let what I'm about to tell you defer you from reading this 'Holy Grail Smoking Book', but it was quite a long read, took me over a week to finish. Now I've read longer books, and am quite a quick reader, but honestly i dragged it out, out of FEAR. It's also quite repetative, though you'll find there's a reason for this.
Whether you happen to be a
Heavy Smoker
Chain Smoker
Casual Smoker
Non-Smoker or
Ex-Smoker
- Read it. It's beneficial for all parties. It really opens our eyes to people with nicotine addiction.
Nobody wants to smoke, they're disgusting, rob you blind, cause health problems, the list goes on. People like me previously have the excuse of it being just a habit that stuck. It's not a habit, it's an addiction, There's a difference. Or that it's their crutch. The crutch is just an illusion caused by smoking. Non-Smokers dont have these problems.
Smoking causes the relief we supposedly feel when having one, not help it. It's all completely mental. It's not precious, and it doesnt relax you.
'WHAT SORT OF HOBBY OR PLEASURE IS IT THAT WHEN YOU ARE ALLOWED TO DO IT, YOU ARE EITHER NOT AWARE THAT YOU ARE DOING IT, OR IF YOU ARE AWARE, WISH THAT YOU DIDN'T, AND IT'S ONLY WHEN YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO DO IT THAT IT SEEMS SO PRECIOUS?? It's a lifetime of being pitied and despised by other people. But the very worst aspect of being a smoker is that it's a lifetime of otherwise intelligent, happy, healthy, attractive human beings, having go through life despising themselves, every budget day, every cancer scare, every time thier family give them that haunted look, every time they are not allowed to smoker, or are the lone smoker in the presence of non-smokers, feeling unclean or out and out stupid. But do you know what is the most pathetic thing of all? The great prize that we obtain for our slavery, the loss of health, money, and self-respect, is just an illusion. SMOKING DOES ABSOLUTELY NOTHING FOR YOU AT ALL'
I'm absolutely ecstatic to finally be free of cigarettes.
IT WORKS! I'M FREE
I'd been recommended this book a substantial amount of times by my mother.
At the time i had endless excuses as to why i was hesitant in picking it up.
Firstly, like a vast majority of smokers I'm sure, were wondering what on earth a book could possibly have to say that we didnt already know, have tried - least of all make us successfully quit smoking.
Another excuse was the fact that yes, my mother may have recommended it to me, but she read it, quit successfully for 6 months (Which is an achievement in itself), but then fell back into the trap again. What kind of chance do i have, if my own mother couldn't succeed?
I however now know she did exactly what Allen Carr tells you NOT to do.
In order to successfully walk away a happy non-smoker after reading 'The Only Way To Quit Smoking Permanently' is to follow his rules, and to truly believe that was he's telling you, is the truth.
The final and probably most common excuse among smokers when becoming hesitant when being faced with the possibility of becoming a non-smoker is fear. Fear of failure, but also of succeeding. Which is probably why i smoked more reading this book then i usually do.
Now dont let what I'm about to tell you defer you from reading this 'Holy Grail Smoking Book', but it was quite a long read, took me over a week to finish. Now I've read longer books, and am quite a quick reader, but honestly i dragged it out, out of FEAR. It's also quite repetative, though you'll find there's a reason for this.
Whether you happen to be a
Heavy Smoker
Chain Smoker
Casual Smoker
Non-Smoker or
Ex-Smoker
- Read it. It's beneficial for all parties. It really opens our eyes to people with nicotine addiction.
Nobody wants to smoke, they're disgusting, rob you blind, cause health problems, the list goes on. People like me previously have the excuse of it being just a habit that stuck. It's not a habit, it's an addiction, There's a difference. Or that it's their crutch. The crutch is just an illusion caused by smoking. Non-Smokers dont have these problems.
Smoking causes the relief we supposedly feel when having one, not help it. It's all completely mental. It's not precious, and it doesnt relax you.
'WHAT SORT OF HOBBY OR PLEASURE IS IT THAT WHEN YOU ARE ALLOWED TO DO IT, YOU ARE EITHER NOT AWARE THAT YOU ARE DOING IT, OR IF YOU ARE AWARE, WISH THAT YOU DIDN'T, AND IT'S ONLY WHEN YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO DO IT THAT IT SEEMS SO PRECIOUS?? It's a lifetime of being pitied and despised by other people. But the very worst aspect of being a smoker is that it's a lifetime of otherwise intelligent, happy, healthy, attractive human beings, having go through life despising themselves, every budget day, every cancer scare, every time thier family give them that haunted look, every time they are not allowed to smoker, or are the lone smoker in the presence of non-smokers, feeling unclean or out and out stupid. But do you know what is the most pathetic thing of all? The great prize that we obtain for our slavery, the loss of health, money, and self-respect, is just an illusion. SMOKING DOES ABSOLUTELY NOTHING FOR YOU AT ALL'
I'm absolutely ecstatic to finally be free of cigarettes.
March 10, 2012
This is a really innovative book designed to in a way reprogram you into not enjoying cigarettes any more so that giving them up is easy to do.
It's kind of hard to explain and it's like no other quit smoking thing I've ever read. In fact it tells you why most quit smoking books and advertisements actually make you want to smoke more! (I know they definitely had that effect on me.)
The book is very well written and easy to read, and has lots of repetition so you don't have to work hard to remember what he's saying all the time. It's really drummed into you which is helpful.
This book is a must-have if you smoke and wish you didn't. I never thought I'd not be a day-in-day-out smoker and it's been 9 years now and it actually was easy believe it or not. I smoked for 12 years (although not very heavily at around 12 or so a day) and thought I always would, I enjoyed it so much.
If you aren't sure, maybe you could get a copy at your local library for free to really make trying this a risk free trial?
Don't waste money on nicotine gum or patches that just don't help. Buy this book instead.
This is THE book for those with a rational mind that want to read about a clever and logic based approach to quitting. It is not in the least condescending and treats the reader like an intelligent individual.
Jodi Bassett, HFME
It's kind of hard to explain and it's like no other quit smoking thing I've ever read. In fact it tells you why most quit smoking books and advertisements actually make you want to smoke more! (I know they definitely had that effect on me.)
The book is very well written and easy to read, and has lots of repetition so you don't have to work hard to remember what he's saying all the time. It's really drummed into you which is helpful.
This book is a must-have if you smoke and wish you didn't. I never thought I'd not be a day-in-day-out smoker and it's been 9 years now and it actually was easy believe it or not. I smoked for 12 years (although not very heavily at around 12 or so a day) and thought I always would, I enjoyed it so much.
If you aren't sure, maybe you could get a copy at your local library for free to really make trying this a risk free trial?
Don't waste money on nicotine gum or patches that just don't help. Buy this book instead.
This is THE book for those with a rational mind that want to read about a clever and logic based approach to quitting. It is not in the least condescending and treats the reader like an intelligent individual.
Jodi Bassett, HFME
December 24, 2017
Bu konuda daha iyi kitap yok.
Sigaradan kurtulma kitabi için uzun sayılabilecek bir kitap. Lakin hepsini okuyunca gerçekten aklınızda sigaraya dair hiç bir yanılgı ve illüzyon kalmıyor. Kitabı anlayarak okuduğunuzda sigara içmeye devam etme ihtimali yok!:)
Sigaradan kurtulma kitabi için uzun sayılabilecek bir kitap. Lakin hepsini okuyunca gerçekten aklınızda sigaraya dair hiç bir yanılgı ve illüzyon kalmıyor. Kitabı anlayarak okuduğunuzda sigara içmeye devam etme ihtimali yok!:)
April 22, 2016
Yipeeee!!! I'm a non smoker!!!
February 8, 2025
Banger
October 21, 2010
I didn't think it was possible. If you smoke or you quit but miss smoking, read this book and you will be cured.
May 19, 2024
This book saved my life
Allen Carr has saved more lives than any doctor alive. His writing style is simple and entertaining. His resolve about Addiction is nothing short of Genius!
Both his Smoking and Alcohol books are great. They have improved the quality of my life and better understanding of myself. I have no doubt I will live decades longer as a result of reading these books.
Allen Carr has saved more lives than any doctor alive. His writing style is simple and entertaining. His resolve about Addiction is nothing short of Genius!
Both his Smoking and Alcohol books are great. They have improved the quality of my life and better understanding of myself. I have no doubt I will live decades longer as a result of reading these books.
January 3, 2021
I really do believe that Allan Carr should be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his stop-smoking books and work. This is a follow up for his 'Easyway' book, intended for people for whom the original Easyway failed for some reason. Personally, I failed to quit the first time I read Easyway, but knew it was my mistake, and I reread it and studied it the second time and succeeded. That was more than 10 years ago and I haven't smoked since.
I took up Stop Smoking Permanently (SSP), because I could see the applicability to other substances, and wanted to try the method on coffee, as caffeine has been causing me anxiety, disrupting my sleep, and costing me money, to say nothing of the health impacts of a snowballing addiction.
I was successful for about 10 months of each of the past 2 years, but Caffiene got me again, so I made the effort on this tomb. SSP is much longer than Easyway, and by the end I wondered if it was all necessary, but the final chapters on alcohol and heroin helped me adapt my thinking about the method to caffeine, so I would say I was totally fine reading the final quarter of the book. That despite being ready at the 3/4 mark to set myself free. I am only 3 days free, but already feel much better.
I have also read Allan Carr's Easyweigh to lose weight. Although it has some fundamentally different features (you need food, but you don't need drugs), the essential message about social brainwashing is similar. I still have a few extra pounds, but found it supportive of better eating. I might re-read it to tool up my fresh ideas from SSP to apply to sugar. Carr talks repeatedly about sugar (and chocolate), and I am a zealous adherent to his position that refined sugar (sucrose and fructose) is essentially a poison (it's extreme palatability does not change that). We are all in a fly trap who harm ourselves by trying these 'social' vices. Sound a bit extreme? Not at all. Life is complicated and there is no substitute for intelligence. Fortunately Carr's messages are quite easy to understand, and easy to follow, as long as you don't sabotage yourself. Quitting poison is not only easy, it is pleasurable.
Read this author.
I took up Stop Smoking Permanently (SSP), because I could see the applicability to other substances, and wanted to try the method on coffee, as caffeine has been causing me anxiety, disrupting my sleep, and costing me money, to say nothing of the health impacts of a snowballing addiction.
I was successful for about 10 months of each of the past 2 years, but Caffiene got me again, so I made the effort on this tomb. SSP is much longer than Easyway, and by the end I wondered if it was all necessary, but the final chapters on alcohol and heroin helped me adapt my thinking about the method to caffeine, so I would say I was totally fine reading the final quarter of the book. That despite being ready at the 3/4 mark to set myself free. I am only 3 days free, but already feel much better.
I have also read Allan Carr's Easyweigh to lose weight. Although it has some fundamentally different features (you need food, but you don't need drugs), the essential message about social brainwashing is similar. I still have a few extra pounds, but found it supportive of better eating. I might re-read it to tool up my fresh ideas from SSP to apply to sugar. Carr talks repeatedly about sugar (and chocolate), and I am a zealous adherent to his position that refined sugar (sucrose and fructose) is essentially a poison (it's extreme palatability does not change that). We are all in a fly trap who harm ourselves by trying these 'social' vices. Sound a bit extreme? Not at all. Life is complicated and there is no substitute for intelligence. Fortunately Carr's messages are quite easy to understand, and easy to follow, as long as you don't sabotage yourself. Quitting poison is not only easy, it is pleasurable.
Read this author.
February 15, 2012
I smoked for 24 years and tried a few times to quit and it was so awful that I decided I'd rather be happy and smoke than miserable and not.
I noticed this book one day and decided to give it another try. I read the book and still when I neared the ending I didnt feel like it was going to be easy. However I completed the book and EASILY quit smoking! I really do mean easily! I wasn't cranky, the withdrawl pangs were barely niticable and I wasn't cramming myself with junk food.
If you smoke and want to quit, or even if you don't want to quit, get this book! You will be so happy you did.
Thank you Allen Carr you have changed my life!
I noticed this book one day and decided to give it another try. I read the book and still when I neared the ending I didnt feel like it was going to be easy. However I completed the book and EASILY quit smoking! I really do mean easily! I wasn't cranky, the withdrawl pangs were barely niticable and I wasn't cramming myself with junk food.
If you smoke and want to quit, or even if you don't want to quit, get this book! You will be so happy you did.
Thank you Allen Carr you have changed my life!
November 6, 2014
This is a terrible read but after 22 years of smoking I quit.. and have not had even a drag in 3 years.. so I highly recommend and getting to the end is painful but it works
November 11, 2017
If the first bookm doesn’t help then this is the one that gets you really thinking about the psychology of your habit. It worked for me & money spent on it was my best investment to date
September 21, 2018
THANK YOU!
This book helped me become a permanent non smoker. To anyone considering a cessation hesitate no further and buy this book.
This book helped me become a permanent non smoker. To anyone considering a cessation hesitate no further and buy this book.
January 17, 2020
Quite repetitive but 2 days smoke free after reading this book so well worth a 5 star rating
June 8, 2021
True, its repetitive, but it gets the job done!
October 3, 2023
I think this book is very effective at what it set out to do, and I find myself mostly in complete agreement with all of its major points, however I docked a single star, giving it 4 out of 5 rather than the full 5 stars for a few pieces of inaccurate information throughout the book.
Regarding those inaccuracies, they are mostly minor, but Allen does make a rather large mistake when he compares nicotine withdrawals to alcohol withdrawals, and says that they too are psychological in nature, rather than physical. He downplays the physical dependence on alcohol, when alcohol withdrawals can and do in fact kill people who have gone through the process cold turkey.
That aside, Allen's other points throughout the book are on the whole generally correct. In particular, I think two of his points make up the crux of what the reader needs to realise in order to successfully quit and stay off cigarettes:
1) You should identify as a non-smoker, rather than as a smoker trying to quit.
2) You smoke because you're addicted, not because of anything particularly enjoyable about nicotine. The "relief" after a cigarette is the relief from your nicotine withdrawal symptoms, not cigarettes relaxing you.
On the first point, I very much agree with Allen that there's an error made by many people trying to end an addiction to something, where they continually identify as someone addicted to that thing. Identifying with an addict trying to quit is like continually sitting and trying not to think of a pink elephant - far less likely to work than simply thinking about/identifying with something else: like being a *former* smoker or *former* addict.
On the second point, while I don't think it's impossible to enjoy smoking, I do think if you take a look at yourself or anyone you know who smokes, you'll discover people light up and smoke their cigarettes almost entirely unaware. They do so to stave off the withdrawal symptoms they're already experiencing, and often even in the middle of their cigarette they're thinking about the next one rather than enjoying the current one.
These points and the others he makes in the book may sound relatively minor, but realising that you genuinely don't *want* to smoke, and aren't just a smoker trying desperately to resist the next cigarette, can make quitting a breeze.
I found it easier to quit after reading this book, and I imagine many others will too. Do take some of the things he says with a pinch of salt, as some info is outdated or slightly inaccurate, but the overall message and ideas are great.
Regarding those inaccuracies, they are mostly minor, but Allen does make a rather large mistake when he compares nicotine withdrawals to alcohol withdrawals, and says that they too are psychological in nature, rather than physical. He downplays the physical dependence on alcohol, when alcohol withdrawals can and do in fact kill people who have gone through the process cold turkey.
That aside, Allen's other points throughout the book are on the whole generally correct. In particular, I think two of his points make up the crux of what the reader needs to realise in order to successfully quit and stay off cigarettes:
1) You should identify as a non-smoker, rather than as a smoker trying to quit.
2) You smoke because you're addicted, not because of anything particularly enjoyable about nicotine. The "relief" after a cigarette is the relief from your nicotine withdrawal symptoms, not cigarettes relaxing you.
On the first point, I very much agree with Allen that there's an error made by many people trying to end an addiction to something, where they continually identify as someone addicted to that thing. Identifying with an addict trying to quit is like continually sitting and trying not to think of a pink elephant - far less likely to work than simply thinking about/identifying with something else: like being a *former* smoker or *former* addict.
On the second point, while I don't think it's impossible to enjoy smoking, I do think if you take a look at yourself or anyone you know who smokes, you'll discover people light up and smoke their cigarettes almost entirely unaware. They do so to stave off the withdrawal symptoms they're already experiencing, and often even in the middle of their cigarette they're thinking about the next one rather than enjoying the current one.
These points and the others he makes in the book may sound relatively minor, but realising that you genuinely don't *want* to smoke, and aren't just a smoker trying desperately to resist the next cigarette, can make quitting a breeze.
I found it easier to quit after reading this book, and I imagine many others will too. Do take some of the things he says with a pinch of salt, as some info is outdated or slightly inaccurate, but the overall message and ideas are great.
July 23, 2023
Unlike others, it took me a few months to digest the book entirely. One night, I came to a realization that was mentioned 100 times in the book - that smoking (or addictive drugs/habits) offer absolutely nothing. Once I have clearly understood it, I lost all desire to smoke.
Here's the basic idea of why smoking (or alcohol/caffeine etc) offer absolutely nothing. States of smokers can be categorized into 3 states.
1. Non-smoker relaxed state.
2. Smoking induced lesser agitated state.
3. Smoking induced greater agitated state.
Non-smoker relaxed state is something no smoker can ever attain because smoking causes agitation. Greater agitated state is when smoker cannot have a cigarette and is so miserable ready to do anything to end the suffering.
When you smoke, you go from a greater agitated state to a lesser agitated state. Why is it a lesser agitated state? Just ask yourself, are you actually relaxed when you smoke? Your heart rate is around 130 and your blood pressure is through the roof. Your body is going through misery and pain whenever you smoke. This is why it's a lesser agitated state and not a relaxed state.
So, why is lesser agitated state relaxing? Perception! Feeling worse vs feeling bad kind of scenario. Feeling bad is better than feeling worse- this is why you crave to be in a lesser agitated state of having a cigarette compared to a greater agitated state of not having one. In the end, does it really matter if you are in greater agitation of not smoking or lesser agitation of smoking? No. You are still in agitation all the time 24x7!
That's all you need to understand about smoking. This is my interpretation of why smoking and drugs offer nothing. Going to lesser agitated state from a greater agitated state is not relaxation even though it might feel like it. The true relaxation/ freedom/ ending of suffering is removing the sole source of extra agitation entirely in the first place- ie., never smoke again which is easy because now you know it clearly offers nothing!
Here's the basic idea of why smoking (or alcohol/caffeine etc) offer absolutely nothing. States of smokers can be categorized into 3 states.
1. Non-smoker relaxed state.
2. Smoking induced lesser agitated state.
3. Smoking induced greater agitated state.
Non-smoker relaxed state is something no smoker can ever attain because smoking causes agitation. Greater agitated state is when smoker cannot have a cigarette and is so miserable ready to do anything to end the suffering.
When you smoke, you go from a greater agitated state to a lesser agitated state. Why is it a lesser agitated state? Just ask yourself, are you actually relaxed when you smoke? Your heart rate is around 130 and your blood pressure is through the roof. Your body is going through misery and pain whenever you smoke. This is why it's a lesser agitated state and not a relaxed state.
So, why is lesser agitated state relaxing? Perception! Feeling worse vs feeling bad kind of scenario. Feeling bad is better than feeling worse- this is why you crave to be in a lesser agitated state of having a cigarette compared to a greater agitated state of not having one. In the end, does it really matter if you are in greater agitation of not smoking or lesser agitation of smoking? No. You are still in agitation all the time 24x7!
That's all you need to understand about smoking. This is my interpretation of why smoking and drugs offer nothing. Going to lesser agitated state from a greater agitated state is not relaxation even though it might feel like it. The true relaxation/ freedom/ ending of suffering is removing the sole source of extra agitation entirely in the first place- ie., never smoke again which is easy because now you know it clearly offers nothing!
October 12, 2020
I read the EASYWAY and it really worked well but for some other reasons, I was back into the pit. This time, reading the ONLYWAY helped me understand almost all the traps of this little monster. Consequently, your defences against Nicotine goes strong.
When the defences fade away, there is a chapter at the end which you have to read and you will be back with full power.
Strongly recommend this book to quit smoking the easy way. No misery, no missing and no craving.
When the defences fade away, there is a chapter at the end which you have to read and you will be back with full power.
Strongly recommend this book to quit smoking the easy way. No misery, no missing and no craving.
January 29, 2025
4 years not smoking as I write this.. Carr is definitely not a great writer, the book is filled with typos, is boring and repetitive, bit sexiest (few decades old) it works though and can help quitting for good..At least it worked the first time and kept me off the ciggies for a few months then I slipped and it worked again for a slightly shorter time and then I had to read it almost weekly cause I kept relapsing. Eventually paired it with other techniques I quit for good.
May 31, 2019
A broad discussion on the psychology behind this particular type of addiction; it appears to be cognitive-behavioral in nature, rather than the more abstract theories of mind - it may also be of use outside of the realm of theory to those who want to better manage their smoking problem by better understanding it (increasing metacognition).
November 22, 2019
Known to flourish indoors, this plant grows fat, resinous colas when hydroponics are employed. A cousin to the indica-dominant Big Bud cannabis strain from Amsterdam, BC Big Bud is a mostly sativa hybrid with potent cerebral effects https://nobullshitseeds.com
October 29, 2019
If you don't think that we're right for each other
Well I'm a hustler and a player and you I'm not a stayer,
I know you wan draw card say me just can't perform.
krunker
Well I'm a hustler and a player and you I'm not a stayer,
I know you wan draw card say me just can't perform.
krunker
September 12, 2020
Helps to quit in many ways, been a happy non smoker for more than 6 months now. Also written so poorly that you’ll be sure to quit, knowing that you’ll have to bear through this piece of bad writting again, if you start smoking again.
June 27, 2019
I quit smoking Feb 10/2019. Still quit after smoking for 26 years. It's all a mind game. Excellent book even though the writing is horrible, the ideas are simple yet genius.
August 3, 2019
Did the job!
December 28, 2019
An excellent book for those looking to stop smoking. Please read and suggest to friends who smoke. Together we can stop this needles malady!
September 24, 2020
read all the way through 5'th chapter. lost patience and went for a cig. author just repeats himself about how great is his technique and bla bla. it's like a 5 chapters long foreword...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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