A different way to stop smoking

Quitting smoking  can be hard. Not many people can tell themselves one day that they are going to give up smoking and do it [by themselveson their own]. But the good news is that if you really want to you can - and there are a lot of people out there who want to help you. You will always be able to find a quit smoking program that suits you.

A lot of smokers have discovered that going 'cold turkey' just does not work for them, even with the help of nicotine patches, gum, fake cigarettes etc etc.  If you are one of them and are determined to stop smoking and have the will power, then try the gradual way.

Begin by smoking your first cigarette of the day an hour after you get up in the morning instead of first thing. If you find that too difficult, then make your second cigarette at least an hour after your first one. Usually within a week or two your body will have become conditioned to accept this, and you will no longer crave that first cigarette, then you should start to make the  interval between cigarettes longer. Do this deliberately. If you really crave a cigarette, wait at least five minutes until you light up and after a week or two make it ten.

Once you have got used to smoking less, stop smoking during the afternoon and then either the evening or the morning, whichever is most comfortable. Eventually, one or two cigarettes a day will be sufficient to satisfy the craving and from there it is only a hop and a skip to giving up altogether.

There are ways that you can make it uncomfortable to smoke. Start by not emptying ashtrays, you will be surprised at how much the smell of long dead cigarettes will put you off. Next do not allow yourself to smoke indoors.

It can help to avoid those places where you regularly smoke and spend less time with those colleagues you regularly smoke with. Let them know that you are kicking the habit and you may find that they will join you. Help and support is always good. You need to break the habit and to do so you may need to break other habits.It is common for people to use cigarettes as rewards ( I will finish this and then I will have a cigarette) then you should give yourself a different reward. (I will finish this and then sit down and look at a magazine/t.v. for five minutes, go out into the garden) - whatever floats your boat.

Setting up a mutual support system with a friend who also wishes to quit can help. Phone each other regularly to compare notes and be available if either of you need help so as not to break the rules regarding where in the system you are.

Finally, set a goal for when you do finally quit smoking. Calculate how much money you are saving and put this away weekly. You could use it for something you really want - a holiday or new clothes. A goal that is not directly linked to cigarettes will help.

Its never going to be easy to quit smoking,use any other help you can find. giving up smoking can transform your life in many ways. Unlike in years past it is no longer a sociable thing to do, in fact it is decidedly anti-social.