1. Talk to your doctor about healthy ways to kick the smoking habit. Your doctor can evaluate your situation and decide if prescription medication for smoking cessation is necessary. The withdrawal symptoms that come from quitting can be overwhelming, and for some people medication is required to get through the worst of the process. People who use prescription medication are twice as likely to stop successfully than those who decide to quit cold turkey.

2. Write down your reasons for giving up smoking. At the top of the list should be all the benefits you will gain from kicking your habit. It's a reality that when people decide to quit in order to please someone else, their commitment usually doesn't last long. Then list the other advantages of quitting, such as improved health, the money you'll save on tobacco products, and more. Be sure to carry your list with you everywhere.

3. This one is essential for success: Throw away all of the tobacco products and smoking-related items in your home. Included among these items would be lighters, ashtrays, and of course, cigarettes or cigars. If you don't get rid of these things and they're out in plain sight where they can tempt you, you may break down and decide to start up again. And don't tuck away one last cigarette, just in case you have a smoking emergency. During the withdrawal process it's very likely that you will need a cigarette, and the harder it is to get one, the more likely you'll stay on course. It's actually wise to make it difficult for yourself to stop smoking, because if you can overcome temptation without lighting up, you'll be more likely to reach your goal.

4. Mark a quitting date on the calendar, and quit on that day. Many smokers think that slow cessation is the best way to stop, but in fact this usually doesn't work. When packs of cigarettes, lighters, and ashtrays are around the house, it's just too easy to start up again. And like many people, you may automatically reach for a cigarette when you get stressed out.

5. Make sure the people who care about you know you're trying to quit. That way, if you slip up, someone who cares can catch you and set you straight. And the knowledge that someone may do that to you may stop you from lighting up a cigarette.

6. Find something you can put in your mouth to replace cigarettes. People use a variety of smoking replacements, like peppermints, cinnamon sticks, carrot sticks, toothpicks, and even drinking straws for this purpose.

You may think that quitting smoking is just a matter of doing it; however, gathering as many tips as you can find on kicking the habit can help you more than you realize. It's not easy to stop smoking, and the more support and assistance you have, the more likely you are to succeed.

And keep in mind that while many people turn to suggestions like these to help them stop smoking, even the most well-intended, knowledgeable person can struggle with the symptoms of withdrawal. Fortunately, a number of products are available now to help you quit; you just need to find one that is appropriate for you and won't damage your health in any way.