Smoking is an expensive habit that is harmful to your health.
Most smokers already know that it increases their risk of heart attack and is one of the leading causes of lung cancer.
But quitting is not easy.
It takes most smokers several tries before they are able to kick the smoking habit.
If you want to quit smoking, you need to get rid of all the cigarettes and smoking-related items in your home, at work and in your car.
If you don't do this, you will see them as a constant reminder to smoke.
Once you decide to quit smoking, be determined.
Don't think you can smoke just one cigarette and not want any more.
It is essential to have a support system in place to help you quit.
Tell your family and friends of your decision to stop smoking and ask them to support and encourage you.
Ask friends who smoke not to smoke around you so that you are not tempted to join them.
Try to keep yourself busy and reduce the level of stress in your life.
Keeping yourself occupied will help reduce the cravings for cigarettes.
Also, since many people smoke to help them deal with stress, reducing the amount of stress in your life can reduce the urge to smoke.
You might want to use nicotine replacement therapy, which is available in many forms including patches, gums and lozenges.
These products provide a gradual removal of nicotine from the system, allowing you to concentrate on breaking the physical habit and psychological aspects of the addiction without having to deal with the withdrawal at the same time.
Some alternatives that are becoming more popular with people who are trying to quit smoking are acupuncture and hypnosis.
If you decide to try these options, ask your doctor for a referral.
Quitting smoking can be one of the most difficult things you will ever do, but it will also be one of the most rewarding.
With all of the benefits that come from quitting, from improved health to the financial savings, your only regret will be not quitting sooner.