No gimmicks, smart alec answers....need to hear from others that have quit smoking . What worked for u?

The best methods in my opinion is a reduction method. This means if you smoke a pack a day on the first day you remove 1 cigarette and throw it away (don't store it for a rainy day) Stay with that for a week and the following week remove 2 so on and so forth. This method has worked for many people.

It works because it SLOWLY reduces your bodies need for the amount of nicotine. I have found people that have cut cold turkey fall off the band wagon more as those who also use the patch or gum. Also helps for you to set up a time limit on smoking such as stop smoking 2 hrs before you go to bed etc. Remember when the day is done and you have cigarettes left you have to throw that pack away don't hoard unused cigarettes. While you will be wasting money throwing them away it's not near the money you would spend on medication, hypnotherapy etc. I hope this helps.

Like you I tried patches but got a burning sensation and a rash. My doctor told me to switch brands and to try them in different places, which I did. I find they burn less on my thighs and only leave a small mark when they are removed, and lets face it, this far outweighs the negatives of smelly clothes/house/hair, having to nip out of places for a cig and the health problems and guilt about second hand smoke. I stuck with the patches but also used the inhaler when cravings got relly really bad, it worked!! I was on AT LEAST 25 a day. The main cravings really do go with patches, best thing is to keep busy. if you are worried about putting on weight, do what my mum did and buy a massive bag of sugar free lollipops, they give you that hand-to-mouth satisfaction and action without it being a biscuit or crisps!! Also did you know that just by having nicotine in your system you burn an extra 200 calories a day? So the best thing would be to simply reduce your intake by 200 calories a day (around 2pieces of bread/1 choc bar/2bananas) otherwise 200 calories a day over a week is like eating an extra full days food a week and leads to the misconception that quitting smoking MAKES you put on weight. Also, I used to have a cup of tea, toast and then a cig first thing in the morning, I found it so hard to have tea and toast without the habitual cig, so instead of craving the missing part of my breakfast (the cig) I changed my breakfast to cereal and juice, it worked wonders, do this for as many of your normal cig routines as possible and it will really make those cravings easier.

I certainly wish you luck, but I too am a long term smoker that would like to quit for health reasons. I've heard that nicotine is more addictive than heroin, but I don't know. One time I almost made it...I started by only allowing myself 1 cigerette per hour. then every 2 hours and so on. I was down to 1 cigarette a day, but couldn't bring myself to throw it away. Then going out with friends to the bar, the next thing you know I was bumming smokes, and finaklly got a pack. Now I smoke 1/2-1 pack per day. So like I said...good luck!

Being in the National Guard I have heard a couple different stories. I have heard to run when you want one. But what about those that can't run? Others say chew gum. I always have people ask me for gum, and it cost about the same price. I have even heard of people that pinch themselves when they are fiending. I went cold turkey by being locked in a house for over a year. But when I had the chance, I was on it. You just have to find something that works for you. Sing a song, dance, read, anything to get your mind off of it. I hope this helps! Good luck