Not only does smoking affect the health of those that smoke, it affects those around the smoker who are surrounded by the second hand smoke. Quitting smoking can be difficult but it is a goal that many who conquer it are glad to be finished the bad habit - regardless of the difficult measures that it took to quit the habit.

Zyban is the number one prescription drug to help smoker's quit. It is in the family of antidepressants and is used for treatment in depression as well as aiding in the process of quitting smoking. Zyban may take weeks in order to become an effective aid in quitting smoking, and is often prescribed to be taken a week before quitting smoking. The pills are taken three times daily for the first three days, than once daily for two days.

The nicotine patch is available at the local drug store for about twenty dollars for a package of four to six patches. The patch is to be adhered to the skin and nicotine is introduced to the body through the transdermal backing on the patch. It is important to remember to avoid smoking while on the patch. Smoking while on the patch could create dangerous side effects.

Nicorette, the stop smoking gum can help control the cravings. Although it is a gum, Nicorette comes with indication to bite the gum twice, than chew the gum to release the nicotine into the saliva. This should be repeated every minute for thirty minutes and than a new piece of gum should be used. Nicorette works best when combined with other non-medical quit smoking therapy and comes in two dosages, two and four milligrams.

Champix is the newest prescription drug to assist in the quitting smoking process and is under the classification of smoking cessation therapies. Champix works within the brain to reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms that come with quitting smoking. Like Zyban, Champix therapy should be started one to two weeks before the actual quit date.

Many smokers choose to use natural methods to quit smoking. Herbs and supplements are available at many of the local health food stores. Herbs combined with therapies such as massage, hypnotism and acupuncture can supplement the herbal therapy in the quest to become a non-smoker.

Deciding on one method of quitting smoking is important. A smoker who is trying to quit smoking should not be doing so without consulting a health professional if using pharmaceutical intervention - and two smoking cessation therapies should not be used at the same time. Using two methods at the same time can cause dangerous nicotine levels within the body and lead to serious side effects.

Willpower is necessary, regardless of the medication or supplement chosen to quit smoking. Smoking has been a part of every smoker's lives and has become integral in their daily routine. With smoking cessation therapy and intent to quit smoking and be on the road to better health, a brighter, smoke free future can be in the horizon!

The effects of smoking on human health are serious and in many cases, deadly. Although the negative health effects of cigarette smoking cannot be debated, it remains the single most common cause of preventable deaths.Each year, over 430,000 people die as a result of a smoking related disease. Smoking harms nearly every organ of the body; causing many diseases and reducing the health of smokers in general.
Although generally the majority of smokers know that smoking is hazardous to health, only a small minority of smokers managed to kick off the bad habit for good and resist the urge to crave for nicotine. Quitting is hard. If you have tried to quit smoking, you know how hard it can be. It is hard because nicotine is a very addictive drugs sometimes it can be as addictive as heroin or cocaine.

1) Get moving :
Many people have found that including physical activity in their program to quit smoking has added a tremendous benefit to assist in quitting. There are many reasons for this: When people are more active, they gain confidence and like themselves more. They feel more energy, and are more capable of dealing with tension in their lives. With increased activity, the smell of tobacco actually becomes offensive. Whenever you feel the need to smoke after you have decided to quit, get up and move around instead. A brief physical activity can provide you with the lift that you may have received from nicotine.

2) Resist the urge :
The urge to smoke is always immediate, and it usually lasts for five minutes. This is when your body is running low on nicotine and craving takes place. If you can resist for at least 5 minutes, you're one step closer to success. During the five minutes take a deep breath and hold it for a few seconds and exhale AS IF you've taken a cigarette. Repeat this process a few times and have small sips of warm water. This will make you feel more relaxed. You'll see.

3) Chew something :
Put something in your mouth that has no calories, such as stirrer, toothpick, chewing gum, or something to substitute the cigarette.

4) Avoid Social Pressures :
In normal circumstances, we have develop a smoking pattern that in a particular place or situation, such as card games, partying, coffee breaks, poker games, you will tend to smoke. When you're fighting against nicotine, try to avoid such places.

5) Dealing with Tension & Negative Emotions :
A crisis occurs during your work or personal day, and one of the main reasons for you to smoke has been tension reduction. Try to deal with your negative emotions and use the tension reducing methods that we talked about earlier. Get away from the area that the tension is associated with. Take a walk, or go to another room. You may also find that nicotine gum will give you enough tension relief to get through.

If you are not completely confident that you can resist the urge to smoke after you have quit, it may be necessary to remove any visual reminders of smoking from your living and work areas. Throw away or give away those leftover cigarettes, get rid of lighters, ashtrays, matches, and anything else that could be associated with smoking. That should do the trick. I pray for your success.