Giving up cigarettes is a frightening thought for many smokers. Non-smokers, who have never picked up the habit, find this hard to understand. Quitting smoking takes a courage, conviction, and untold amounts of family patience and support. Smokers may quit many times before they quit for good. Relapses should not be seen as failures.

The following methods are the most effective ways of quitting:

At once (cold turkey)

Going cold turkey means stop smoking completely on a certain date. This is the method that works best. Most ex-smokers, especially those who were addicted to nicotine, quit smoking this way. You should try this method first. Go on to other methods only when this doesn't work.

Gradually

This can be done either by the postponing or the reducing method. Either way, you should start smoking fewer cigarettes 7-14 days before quit date. On your quit day, you shouldn't be smoking at all.

The postponing method means that every day, you delay the time you smoke your first cigarettes a little later until you can go through the whole day without smoking. You can also delay lightning up by a few minutes, each time you have an urge to smoke until you can do without cigarettes completely.

The reducing method may mean smoking fewer cigarettes each day until you are no longer smoking at all. Use a tally sheet to help you decide which cigarettes to cut out first (i.e. those you can do without). The reducing method can also mean smoking less of each cigarette every time you light up, for example only finishing half or a quarter before putting it out.

Nicotine replacement therapy

The use of a nicotine patch can help lessen withdrawal symptoms experienced when you quit cold turkey. The nicotine in the patch passes through the skin into your body to help reduce your urge to smoke. This allows you to concentrate on dealing with the other aspects of smoking.

Nicotine replacement therapy is also available in other forms like gum, nasal, spray, lozenge, and inhaler. The overall dose they provide is typically only one-third to half of that from cigarettes. This, coupled with the absence of toxic tar and harmful gasses of cigarettes smoke, gives the reassuring safety profile.

Nicotine patch and gum are now available without prescription, making them more accessible to smokers who need help. Nicotine inhaler is available only on prescription, so ask your doctor for advice. Depending on your particular circumstances, your doctor may suggest nicotine chewing gum or a nicotine patch to help you stop smoking.

As conclusion, Kicking the smoking habit isn't easy, due to the addictive nature of nicotine, but it can be done. Once you make the decision to stop, set a particular day to quit. Mark it on your calendar and tell your family and friends so they can offer their support.

Next, make a list of reasons why you want to quit. Whatever your reasons, this list will provide motivation as you work on getting accustomed to life without cigarettes. When the day arrives, throw away all your cigarettes, lighters, and ashtrays and take things one day at a time.

Try to prepare yourself mentally and physically. The first ten days you may feel tired, irritable, and develop headaches or a cough. You may also have problems concentrating as your body goes through nicotine withdrawal.

These symptoms usually only last about two weeks. To help alleviate them, drink plenty of water and exercise to flush the nicotine out of your system. Get plenty of rest and avoid drinks with caffeine and alcohol. Try to keep a busy schedule, and at the end of the day, reward yourself. Quit smoking now!