The former is by far the most important - You will only stop smoking if you want to. Let's look at some ways to adopt the right mindset and make giving up easier.

Psychological barriers

Smoking is sociable, relaxing, provides feelings of pleasure and is a ritual that all smokers enjoy.

To give up you need to free yourself of this psychological dependence.

Here are some ways to get you in the right mindset.

1. Smoking is bad for you. Think about the fact that it can kill you and how your health will be in 5, 10 or 20 years from now if you don't stop.

2. Create a mental image of yourself as a non smoker with clear radiant skin and able to breathe properly again and think about yourself filled with energy and vitality.

3. Think of the money you will save and reward yourself by spending the money on other things that give you pleasure that are healthy.

4. Don't be afraid to seek support and share your experiences with other smokers. Humans are sociable beings and many of us like group support.

5. When you stop smoking take your mind off it by making your day more active.

6. Consider taking up sport or exercise to increase the feel good factor.

Exercise relieves stress, boosts energy levels and will keep your mind off smoking.

7. Embark on a detox diet for the same reasons as above - It makes you feel better.

8. Try cutting down for a week or two, to get your mind focused on the fact that you can live without cigarettes for periods of time.

9. If you can't manage to suddenly stop, don't beat yourself up about it, take one day a time.

10. The above will all help you adopt the right mindset and want to give up.

Now let's look at the physical dependence smokers have and how you can get this to the minimum level of discomfort.

Getting help with Nicotine cravings

The physical dependence is caused by the addictive nature of nicotine contained in cigarettes.

Nicotine withdrawal is unpleasant and causes smokers to feel:

Stressed, irritable anxious and nauseous.

These symptoms are severe for the first 3 - 5 days and will then pass within about a month.

You can overcome this with willpower but you don't need to.

Double Your Chances Of Success

You can USE Nicotine Replacement products (NRT) to help you.

You have a choice of gum, inhalers or puffers, patches or the drug zyban to choose from.

If you don't have the willpower NRT products will double your chances of success over smoking cold turkey.

Nicotine Is Good For You

Nicotine while addictive does you no harm and is actually medically proven to be good for you.

In its organic form it is found in many common foods such as vegetables, potatoes and tea.

It has a positive affect on mood, memory and concentration and taken outside of cigarettes in organic form is safe and non toxic and many companies are looking at using nicotine supplements not only to cope with nicotine withdrawal symptoms but to treat a number of illnesses from depression to obesity.

The first is on the market - Nicotine water which provides organic nicotine in water.

Originally marketed to smokers when they couldn't, or simply didn't wish to smoke, many people now drink it for its potential health benefits.

If you know nicotine is causing you no harm this will allow you to still take it and not feel guilty.

Do you really want to quit?

If the answer is yes you will.

To stop smoking is a lifestyle change and you need to make the change all on your own, you decided to be a smoker and you can decide not to.