If you have any doubts, let me reassure you. It is possible to quit smoking. Once you have made the final decision to stop smoking, it could add many years to your life.

These are some essential steps that have been proven to work over time as a method to quit smoking.

1. The first step is to make the decision you want to quit smoking in your own mind. If you must quit smoking, this is the most important step. Your next step will be picking a specific date; then stick to that exact date, making sure you do not make excuses.

2. Make sure you take the time to throw out all of your smoking paraphernalia. Throw out any ash trays, lighters, or secret stashes that may be spread over the house. The main concept is to simply remove smoking from your life. With that being said, make sure you have a number of activities ready. These can help to take smoking off your mind; usually these should be activities that are healthy for you such as walking, or easy stretching, or reading a great book.

3. Everyone knows that drinking water is important, and it is even more critical when you make the decision to quit smoking. You can opt for fruit juice or herbal tea instead of water. Slowly and steadily drink your beverage of choice. The idea of this approach is to take your mind off smoking by keeping it occupied and replacing thoughts about smoking by beneficial activities.

4. The forth step is choosing to be more active if your overall health and wellness allows that. It can be little things like taking a walk around the block, or making the choice to walk up a flight of stairs rather then using the elevator, or escalator. Here is a simple idea: The next time you visit the grocery store, park your car as far away from the entrance as possible. This will give you exercise in the form of a good brisk walk to the entrance. It could also save your car from getting dinged by parking too close to someone else.

5. Be proud that you have made this decision. Stay positive and think about all you are accomplishing now and what you will accomplish in the future. The feelings associated with withdrawal may be quite uncomfortable at times; this is typical. You should not let these moments of irritability or cravings distract you from the path to success. You have made the decision to quit smoking; now you should follow through with it.

6. Try not to put yourself in situations in which cigarettes are easy to obtain. Do something on the spur of the moment that is enjoyable and has nothing to do with smoking.

7. Do not let minor events in your life let you procrastinate from the most important thing for you health - quitting smoking. There will never be a perfect time to do what you need to do. There will always be problems and stresses in your life, but do it anyway: quit smoking now!

8. Give yourself a reward for each important accomplishment. You are saving money with every pack of cigarettes you do not buy, so use the savings to treat yourself or someone you care about to a night out. Naturally, the chosen activity should not be centered on smoking

9. Don't use junk food to try to satisfy the cravings you may experience. It is natural to need something to do with your hands and mouth when you quit smoking; prepare for this by having healthy nutritious snacks like fruit and vegetables around.

10. It is important to remember that tomorrow things will become easier than today, and the next day things will seem to be even easier. When you feel like having a smoke, think about what you have from not smoking and what you could loose by smoking.

One of the older expressions is, "Today is the first day of the rest of your life." I would like to make changes to this so that it now reads, "Today will be the first day as the rest of your life as a non-smoker -- breathe in deeply and enjoy the greatness of life".

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