Consider Treatment Options
Your treatment options range from nicotine replacement therapies, to counseling and support groups, to hypnosis or acupuncture, and a combination of treatments. The American Lung Association reports that the use of replacement therapies, counseling, and alternative health greatly increases a person’s chances of smoking abatement success.

Nicotine replacement therapy products such as Nicorette chewing gum and Nicoderm skin patches are designed to placate the physical withdrawal symptoms by gradually reducing the amount of nicotine in the bloodstream. They work to break the habit of smoking and double your chances of quitting for good. Inhalers and nasal sprays are also available by prescription.

If you think your problem is more a psychological one, consider the various smoking-abatement clubs such as twelve-step groups, local church groups, and Internet communities. The twelve-step group, Nicotine Anonymous , is based on the principles of Alcoholics Anonymous and is supported by contribution requiring no dues or fees. The Anonymous programs are spiritually based and consist of a group of people who get together once or twice a week to share their experiences, offering each other hope and encouragement. These programs are usually listed in the local community newspapers.

The Internet also offers smoking cessation support. There are a number of courses that you can join for a fee and gain access to group discussion boards, chats, and advice columns twenty-fours hours a day. Personal stories from those who have already quit or those who face similar challenges provide insight that science cannot. Such group settings have proven invaluable to those wishing to maximize their chances of success.

Acupuncture and hypnosis are also excellent ways to deal with both the physical and psychological sides of the addiction.

Acupuncture helps to cut the cravings and alleviates the withdrawal symptoms. It is known for its ability to stimulate the nervous system which can release natural chemicals into the bloodstream that help the body to heal itself naturally.

Hypnosis deals more with the mind’s ability to refocus its energy away from the desire to smoke and towards other activities. The hypnotist creates a light trance in the mind of the smoker and offers mental reinforcement that replaces the urge to smoke. This exercise is especially valuable for those who may lack the willpower to quit.

Reward Yourself
Once you start to achieve your short-term goals, it is very important to reward yourself. One’s success is often reliant upon making the difficult part of achieving one’s goal a positive and pleasurable experience. If you find smoking rewarding in itself, find an alternative activity that can serve as a reward. For example, if you like to smoke after dinner, treat yourself with something else. Perhaps you can hop on your bike and go for a quick ride to take in the beauty of the trees or to notice a group of birds chirping atop a telephone pole. Stretch. Call a friend. Eat a piece of dark chocolate. Do anything you like, but don’t smoke.

Make a list of things or situations that make you happy or that you find relaxing and pleasurable.

Anything. If you enjoy doing crossword puzzles put it on your list and later buy yourself a new book of crosswords. With the money you will save by no longer buying cigarettes, you will be able to buy yourself better things. Make some of your rewards short-term so that you can reward yourself early on in your quitting process. Also, set up a few long-term rewards so that once you finally quit smoking, you can reward yourself for every week, month, and year you no longer smoke.

Create a Concrete Plan of Action
When will you attend your meetings and why? How often will you access your smoking-cessation web site? How much are you saving? When exactly do you expect to reward yourself? What will you do when you crave cigarettes? By having a specific plan and by knowing exactly how much you are spending and when you think you should no longer rely on nicotine replacement therapy and such, you will feel more grounded in your progress.

It’s most important to have a system in place to deal with moments of weakness. When you feel your will to quit smoking losing its force remember your list of rewards and honor yourself by steering away from the cigarette.

Certainly, it’s very likely that you will gain a bit of weight if you go for the cheesecake instead of the cigarette. This is normal — do not fret. A little bit of weight gain is harmless in comparison to the risks associated with smoking. Just make sure you do not overdo it and continually reward yourself with physical or mental activity rather than just food. Do not use food for the same emotional reasons as you have used smoking.

If you find that you cannot stop eating dinner because you do not feel satisfied without a cigarette afterwards, try a new “meal-is-over” cue such as a cup of decaffeinated coffee or tea, a glass of cold water with lemon, a tooth brushing, or a short brisk walk.

Smoking is No Longer an Option
You have taken a new step into a life as a non-smoker. You must get rid of all cigarettes and paraphernalia and live as if you never smoked. Realize and celebrate your new life without cigarettes. Congratulations!

I noticed a drastic difference in my health and how I felt about myself. When I later lived with a smoker, I realized how much a smoker alters his or her surroundings. I am glad that I quit. Now I feel better about my health, my surroundings, my life, and myself.

I originally believed that smoking was merely an innocent personal vice over which I had complete control. Certainly, we all have the personal power to make a choice over whether or not to smoke a cigarette, yet this is not always so easy, no thanks to withdrawal symptoms and the like; and whether smoking is just an innocent personal vice is a judgment call.

Some people have died due to their smoking habit and others have lived through their nineties with a smoking habit. Some have suffered with throat cancer after having never smoked a cigarette; others have raced in the Tour de France after smoking a cigarette at the starting line. Certainly, I played soccer and jogged three miles twice a week while a smoker. Yet, whenever I cut back on my smoking, I always noticed a drastic difference in my performance and enjoyment of my sport. This is what inspired me to make my own judgment call. I decided that I could live a healthier, cleaner, and more satisfying life if I quit smoking.

Here are some steps to help you kick the smoking habit:

First Establish an Official Quit Date
It’s an excellent idea to give yourself a deadline that is at least a few weeks from your decision- to-quit day. This way you can anticipate your first “cold-turkey” day after having tapered your smoking down to a minimum and perhaps after having enlisted your friends and family as supporters for your great lifestyle change.

Quitting any addictive habit consumes an enormous amount of mental and physical energy. If you know you are going to experience any major life changes or stresses such as moving, taking an exam, starting a new project at work, getting married, etc., you may want to put your official quit day off until you are on vacation or until you know things will become more settled. If you feel you have the will to quit at any time, then go for it!

Mentally Fuel
After having set a date, you must fuel your mind so that you can make it through the first few weeks without turning back from your decision. The first week is the most difficult. You will most likely experience serious withdrawal symptoms that will cause you to doubt your decision. Before this happens, it’s imperative that you make an official list of personal reasons to quit smoking.

Here are some reasons you might want to quit:

* Smoking increases your risk of cancer, cardiovascular disease, and stroke.
* Smoking decreases lung capacity.
* Smoking causes emphysema.
* Your children have problems with asthma, ear infections, pneumonia, and bronchitis caused by second-hand smoke.
* You know that once you quit, you will add an average of five healthy years to your life.
* You want to avoid prematurely aged and wrinkled skin.
* You are a woman planning to have a baby.
* Smoking is no longer considered cool.
* You are going to spend thousands of dollars on new wallpaper and wish to keep it clean.
* You wish to increase your lung capacity in order to run faster.
* And You intend to become a happier, healthier, and fitter person.

After listing your reasons for quitting, put them somewhere you know you will see them regularly. The list will serve as a daily reminder of your commitment to a cigarette-free life along with your reasons for quitting.

Gather Social Support
Tell your friends and family about your plans to quit and tell them that you need their support. Some friends and family members might give you a hard time and others may wholeheartedly support you. Simply ignore the nay-sayers or politely tell them that you would really appreciate their support on this matter, they will get the picture.

At first, ask your friends not to smoke in your presence nor offer you any cigarettes. Once you make it past the initial stages of quitting, the temptation to smoke will wane and it will become easier for you to stick with your plan.

Determine Whether Your Habit is More Physical or Psychological
Once you know understand the source of your addiction, you can better assess your various treatment options. You know you are physically addicted when you experience physical withdrawal symptoms such as restlessness, irritability, sleep disturbances, dry mouth, increased appetite, and headaches. You are psychologically addicted if you feel the compulsive desire to smoke when dealing with emotional stress, negative feelings, or situations. Anxiety, boredom, loneliness, social discomfort, and work stress are all psychological reasons for smoking. Often, the reasons for smoking are a combination of both weighing heavier to one side or another.