Prolonged use of cigarettes can be habit forming. The chief culprit for this dependence formation is believed to be the presence of nicotine. It is an addictive alkaloid produced by and found in the leaves of tobacco plants. The nicotine content on each tobacco plant is fairly high, as it makes up about four percent of the weight of the plant itself. After being processed, the leaves get to retain about seven to twenty milligram of nicotine per stick. And as the average smoker takes in one milligram of nicotine per stick, it reinforces the body's dependency to the alkaloid. The question in every smoker's mind is: How can I stop smoking?

It is difficult to stop smoking. It requires a lot of will power to stay away from lighting a cigarette. It's bad enough that you have to muster up a tremendous amount of drive to stay away from smoking, you also have to go through the various withdrawal symptoms like anxiety attacks, nicotine cravings, irritation, and an inability to concentrate to name a few. But with the help of modern science and research, there are now a lot of different ways to quit smoking.

Here are six successful ways to stop smoking:

lStop smoking aids. This doesn't mean that you can depend on smoking aids to get you through quitting the smoking habit. Smoking aids do nothing more than release small quantities of nicotine into the bloodstream. Smoking aids are good in satisfying the nicotine craving with the dangerous tar and poisonous gases found in cigarettes. However since it still has nicotine, there is a tendency for the smoker to drop smoking but get hooked on the smoking aid.

lHypnotherapy. This is considered a moderately effective way to let go of the smoking habit. The willing smokers agrees to be subjected to a hypnosis session. During session the therapist will use the method of auto-suggestion to give the smoker will power to quit smoking.

lAlternative therapies. Various alternative treatments have been discovered to help smokers with their nicotine cravings. Among these therapies are: aromatherapy, acupuncture, acupressure, yoga, and meditation.

lWillpower. It takes no less than sufficient will power to get you through the smoking habit. It is nothing but a state of mind, a very difficult state of mind to achieve at that. People who have very little will power may find it difficult to stop smoking. Just remember that if you put your mind to it, you will be able to quit. It also helps to have supportive family and friends around you to encourage you in your fight to quit.

lCounseling. Sometimes even the strongest of will power falters. It is during these times that you would need professional help to back you up on your cause. Counseling is very important for behavioral support. It helps boost up your morale and bring you back on track to your fight to stop smoking.

lMedications. Doctors prescribe certain medications to help smokers quit the habit of smoking. These are either sedatives or relaxants that help control or calm the nerves. This alleviates the discomfort brought about by withdrawal symptoms.

Smoking may make men look macho and women look sophisticated and classy. But there's more to it than just looking cool. It is important to know that cigarette smoking may become habit forming and addictive before you even start on your first stick. After all, starting is easy, quitting the habit is the hardest part.