If you are looking for ways to stop smoking, then this article will help. In addition to providing you with proven ways to quit smoking, we also want to address some of the dangers associated with smoking. Although you might have some understanding that cigarette smoking is bad, most people are simply unaware of just how bad it really is.

Just as the Surgeon General warns, cigarette smoking has been shown to cause cancer. In addition to lung cancer, other forms of cancer that develop specific to smoking include larynx, cervix, mouth, pancreas, bladder, esophagus, and even kidney. Then, in addition to the increased risk of cancer, cigarette smoke can also lead to emphysema, wheezing, dizziness, nausea, and a lower level of energy and stamina. Obviously, none of this sounds good. We hope this will encourage you to stop smoking.

The main challenge when it comes to quitting smoking is getting past the dreaded urge to light up. Once you can resist this urge, you can gain more control in the process of quitting. This article provides a number of ways to stop smoking that actually work, many by getting you past the urges associated with cigarettes. We do not want to sugar coat the process because quitting smoking is hard but with determination and the right tools/resources, you can do it.

Start by reminding yourself that when the urge to light up a cigarette hits, it will only last about five minutes. Therefore, if you can control the urge for that length of time, you have already gotten ahead of the game.

Reminders - We suggest that you make a list of reasons you want to quit or are trying to quit and carry it with you everywhere you go. Often during the initial craving, we focus on nothing but taking a hit. By having an itemized list that you can read during this five-minute period, will help reinforce your goal.

Rewards - Ways to stop smoking also involve giving yourself a reward when you pass up the chance to smoke. For this, provide yourself with some type of reward important to you at the end of each week you have gone without smoking a cigarette. This might be a new outfit, dinner at a favorite restaurant, a massage, or literally anything. The reward does not have to be costly, just something special to you.

Preparedness - When trying to quit smoking, you know that you will have cravings. Therefore, you need to be prepared so when the urges arise, you do not cave in. For this, you might be sure to always carry a pack of gum with you, again, use your list of reasons for stopping smoking, and begin to pay attention to the reasons you are feeling the need for a cigarette. As an example, if you are sitting in rush hour traffic and start to feel stressed, wanting a cigarette, then you know that stress is one of your triggers. To combat the problem, buy a CD that you find relaxing, listen to a book via iPod, etc.

Support - When trying to quit smoking, you will need support of family and friends. Make sure they understand just how important it is to you to stop so when you call them, they provide ongoing encouragement. Of course, these need to be people who do not smoke!

Distractions - In our proven ways to quit smoking, we wanted to add distractions, which can be very helpful. If you find yourself at home wanting a cigarette, try to do something that will distract you, especially during the five-minutes of heavy craving. For instance, you might take a brisk walk around the block, water the plants, play with the dog, and so on.