Quitting cigarettes was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do in my life.
I started smoking in my teens and quit a few times only to pick the habit back up eventually.
It was not until my mid-thirties that I was finally able to quit for good.
Perhaps my experience mirrors your own.
By sharing some quit smoking tips that worked for me, my hope is that you will be able to quit cigarettes for good as well.
Set a quit date and commit to trying to kick cigarettes starting on that day.
Giving up cigarettes was something I had in the back of my mind, but until I set a firm date it was nothing more than an occasional, passing thought.
Tell your doctor and get help from others.
My doctor was very helpful in terms of recommendations and tips.
My friends and family were very supportive and encouraging as well.
My doctor gave me advice on different methods, medicines and replacement products as well as numbers to call for support.
My health insurance provider sponsored a quit smoking workshop that I attended and met people from a local support group.
Asking for help opens doors to a wealth of quit smoking resources.
To deal with cravings, try a nicotine replacement therapy or ask your doctor if medication would be right for you.
Nicotine gum, patches or lozenges are sold over the counter and widely available for purchase online, at pharmacies and other stores.
They work by supplying the nicotine your body craves without the harmful substances you also get from smoking.
You slowly wean yourself off of the replacement.
Prescription medicines that do not contain nicotine, are also available to help fight withdrawal symptoms and nicotine cravings.
My doctor prescribed Zyban for me and I feel as though it helped a great deal.
There are side effects and warnings associated with Zyban and other quit smoking pills so make sure you discuss them with your doctor.
If you slip, forgive yourself and try again.
It took me several tries before I was able to quit smoking cigarettes.
You can do it so do not give up.
For a time, I felt powerless and destined to be a smoker forever.
I felt terrible for not being able to quit.
You have to keep trying, however.
Understand that nicotine is highly addictive and smoking is one of the most difficult habits to break.
Remind yourself of all of the benefits to quitting and keep on trying.
There are many reasons to quit smoking cigarettes and many ways to go about it.
Make a commitment to quitting.
There are many people willing to help so be sure to ask for it.
Fight your cravings in a healthy manner.
If that means eating a celery stick, going for a walk or using a nicotine lozenge instead of smoking a cigarette, do it.
  Most of all, do not resign yourself to being a smoker.
It might take more than one attempt and you may slip along the way, but you can quit smoking for good.