Get ready to quit by picking a date to stop smoking. Before that day get rid of all cigarettes, ashtrays, and lighters in your home, car, and workplace. And, make it a rule never to let anyone smoke in your home. Write down why you want to quit and keep this list as a handy reminder.

Get support and encouragement from your family, friends, and coworkers. Studies have shown you will be more successful when you have help. Let the people important to you in your life know the date you will be quitting and ask them for their support. Ask them not to smoke around you or leave cigarettes out around you.

Learn new skills and do things differently. When you get the urge to smoke, try to do something different - talk to a friend, go for a walk, or do something you enjoy like gardening or going to the movies. Try to reduce your stress with exercise, meditation, hot baths, or reading. It's helpful to plan ahead for how you will deal with situations or triggers that will make you want to smoke. Have sugar free gum or candy around to help handle your cravings. Drinking lots of water or other fluids also helps. You might want to change your daily routine as well - try drinking tea instead of coffee, eating your breakfast in a different place, or taking a different route to work.

Get medication and use it correctly. There are medicines available to help you quit and lessen the urge to smoke. Nicotine gum and patches are available over-the-counter (OTC). Prescription medications include Bupropion SR (an antidepressant), nicotine nasal spray, nicotine inhalers, and nicotine patches. Your health care provider can help you decide what medication will work best for you. Don't forget to always talk to your health care provider before taking any OTC medicines, especially when you are pregnant or if you have heart problems.

Be prepared for relapse. Most people relapse, or start smoking again, within the first three months after quitting. Don't get discouraged if this happens to you or has happened to you before when you've tried to quit. Remember, many people try to quit several times before quitting for good. Think of what helped you and what didn't the last time you tried to quit - figuring these out before you try to quit again will increase your chances for success. Certain things or situations can increase your chances of smoking again, such as drinking alcohol, being around other smokers, gaining weight, stress, becoming depressed or having more bad moods than usual. Talk to your health care provider for ways to help avoid or deal with these situations.