If you are a smoker, chances are that you would like to quit and just don’t know how to do it. Don’t be discouraged, because the information and techniques in this article were designed to help people just like you. Use the tips in this article to help you along the way to becoming a non-smoker.

If you can afford to do so, try the new e-cigarettes. The “e” stands for electronic, and they are basically a nicotine-free cigarette that replicates the exact process of actually taking a smoke break. These “cigarettes” actually emit a mist that you inhale, but without the harmful side effects of nicotine.

Write down the reasons why you want to quit smoking. Post the list someplace where you’ll see it every day, to help keep you motivated. Include not only the reasons that directly benefit you, but also the reasons that quitting will benefit your friends and family. Being able to read your list every day will remind you of why you stopped smoking in the first place.

Take up exercise to help you quit smoking. Exercising is wonderful for both your body and mind. It can help you to focus on the positive things in life, and keep you from thinking about that cigarette that you so dearly want. It is also a wonderful way to meet healthy people. When you’re around healthy people, it might just make you want to stay healthy too.

See your doctor and ask him to recommend a stop smoking program or medication. Only five percent of people who attempt to stop cold turkey, with no help, succeed in their attempt to quit smoking. You need help to overcome the cravings and withdrawal symptoms that accompany any attempt to quit.

To stay motivated to quit cigarettes for good, use the money you save to reward yourself. Figure out how much money you will save by quitting in advance, and put the money you would spend on cigarettes into a special place. Every time you reach a minor goal, use that money to reward yourself with something nice.

When you quit smoking, clean your home thoroughly, if you smoked indoors. Clean your house and wash your furniture, so it doesn’t smell like smoke. This will help your home to feel clean and fresh, and keep you from smelling smoke each time you walk through the door.

Having a fixed date for when you want to be done with smoking can give you something to focus on. Deadlines often make it easier to achieve a task, and quitting smoking is no different. If you tell yourself that you must quit by a certain date, you will make a greater effort to do so.

Remember the following acronym forever: N.O.P.E. It stands for “never one puff, ever.” This will be a lifelong motto for you to follow, and it should be your mantra when you are tempted to have “just that one” cigarette. Even if you are out drinking with friends, remember to say N.O.P.E. to that puff!

To stay true to your plan to quit smoking, make up motivational note cards to read whenever you get a craving. Keep these cards on your fridge, in your car, in your purse or wallet and even in a drawer at work. Any time a craving strikes, read and repeat the message on the card like a mantra to refocus your efforts.

To clarify why it is so important for you to quit, ask the people you love to tell you how they think smoking has affected you. Just be prepared to hear unpleasant comments about how your car or clothes smell or more emotional confessions like how your kids worry about your health.

Use nicotine replacement therapies to help you quit smoking. The nicotine addiction associated with long-term smoking is strong. You are likely to get irritable, restless and depressed if you stop your intake of nicotine suddenly. Using a patch or gum or lozenges containing nicotine can help you to wean yourself off gradually.

Kill your nicotine addiction before you quit smoking. Talk to your doctor about any possible medicines they can prescribe that can make nicotine powerless over you. After you are on one for a while, you will find smoking having no effect on your mood. You will just stop because it does not do anything for you anymore.

To avoid unnecessary discouragement, tell everyone in your life that you are quitting smoking. This will prepare those closest to you for the mood swings that often accompany nicotine withdrawal. This will also alert other smokers that you do not want or need the temptation of them offering you a cigarette.

If you have already decided to quit smoking, you are probably wondering just how you will do it. Just remember to use the tips from this article and it will make your efforts much easier. Take it one day at a time, strengthen yourself with support and useful tips like the ones from above and you will find that becoming a non-smoker is within your reach.

Stop Smoking Advice You Need To Read was originally published on Spring