Quitting smoking can be a hard road, but one that is well worth it.
If you are ready, the following tips to quit smoking will help you to stop smoking once and for all.
Start by speaking with your doctor.
A doctor can give you options for prescription medication that may make it easier for you to stop smoking.
It has been shown that patients using prescription medication are two times as likely to stop using all tobacco products as those who try quitting without assistance.
There are also many over the counter medications and even herbs that can help with those nasty nicotine withdrawal symptoms.
Think about all the reasons you want to stop smoking.
Write them down on a list that you keep near you all the time.
If you feel the need for a cigarette, pull that list out of your chest pocket and read over it again instead of lighting up a cigarette.
Things like not feeling like a leper because you have to go to the designated smoking area, making your family happy and living a longer and healthier life should go on that list.
Empty your home of all ashtrays, lighters and cigarettes.
If you are determined to quit you will not need them ever again.
If they remain setting on your coffee table, they serve as a visual stimulant to remind you that you should be smoking.
Never hide a last cigarette in case you need a smoke.
You will always find a reason to light that cigarette up and it may lead to your starting all over again.
One of the most important tips to quit smoking is to set a "quit date" and stick to it.
Tapering off does not work for most people.
The cigarettes are there and too convenient.
You will pick the pace back up again.
Let a stressful situation arise at home or at work and you will be back at a pack a day.
Let people that care about you know of your plans to quit.
Make it difficult for you to start smoking without being caught.
This can help to motivate you to stick to the plan because you will be too ashamed to admit that you failed.
By the same token, you may want to avoid friends that still smoke for the first few weeks as the association may be too much for your will power to handle.
Remember, the first couple of weeks are by far the worst, so if you can make it through that then things will only get easier as time goes on.
Keep things you can put into your mouth handy is another of the crucial tips to quit smoking.
Gum, carrot sticks, cinnamon sticks, peppermints, soda straws or even toothpicks can help with the urge to put something in your mouth.
Smoking is a habit as well as an addiction and you need to replace both.