how can I stop smoking?

The above two responders have a good plan for you. Try to remember what you thought were good things happening when you smoked were actually the poison(nicotine) working on you and those were actually negative effects.And once you have a few days under your belt try to remember what it was like when you smoked. You couldn't laugh without coughing. You couldn't go anywhere without making sure you have enough cigarettes. Do I have enough to get me through the night. What happens if I run out? I'd better buy an extra pack. It's a terrible addiction and one that will kill you. Don't doubt that for a second. The graveyard is full of people who said, "Oh that's not going to happen to me." or "I haven't smoked in so long it'll be all right to have just one.".

Enjoy the freedom from that crutch. If you need something to think of try this. We start out sucking on our mother's breast. Then graduate to a bottle and a pacifier. Smoking is just another pacifier. Have you not gotten past that?

God bless and help you.

Oh yeah, I forgot to tell you one thing. Nicotine is used as an insecticide on plants. Do you have any bugs in your lungs that need killing?

Ten steps to stopping smoking

The first few weeks may be tough, but you can do it. Follow these ten steps to stopping smoking - for good.

1. Make a date and stick to it. Draw up a plan of action, considering what methods are available to you.

2. Keep busy to help take your mind off cigarettes. Throw away all your ashtrays, lighters and tobacco.

3. Drink plenty of fluids - keep a glass of water or juice by you and sip it steadily. Try different flavours.

4. Get more active. Walk instead of using the bus or car, try the stairs instead of the lift. Exercise helps you relax and can boost your morale.

5. Think positively. Withdrawal can be unpleasant, but it is a sign your body is recovering from the effects of tobacco. Irritability, urges to smoke and poor concentration are common - don't worry, they usually disappear after a few of weeks.

6. Change your routine. Try to avoid the shop where you usually buy cigarettes. Perhaps you should avoid the pub or the break room at work if there are lots of smokers around you. Try doing something totally different. Surprise yourself!

7. No excuses. Don't use a crisis or even good news to be an excuse for 'just one cigarette' - there is no such thing and you will soon want the next and the next....

8. Treat yourself. This is important. If you can, use the money you are saving by not smoking to buy yourself something special, big or small, that you usually would not have.

9. Be careful what you eat. Try not to snack on fatty foods. If you do need to snack, try fruit, raw vegetables or sugar-free gum or sweets.

10. Take one day at a time. Each day without a cigarette is good news for your health, your family and your pocket.

You are brave and quitting show that you care about your health and the health of people around you.

Remember you can always call Quit line on 0800 00 22 00 for extra support.

Go to your local bookstore and buy this:

The Easy Way to Stop Smoking by Alan Carr

it's a very good book, and it will help. It explains the mechanics of why your addiction, and it will give you plenty of reasons and tips and tricks to help you break it.

Hypnosis has worked for a lot of people.