Whether you're going to stop naturally which I recommend or using medication of some sort. It's important that you stay focused and plan before you quit smoking.

Why? I hear you ask.

Let me tell you why...

I tried to stop smoking once a few years ago. It was the first time I had tried. I didn't plan or prepare, I just decided I was going to quit. I believed the hype about patches so I just brought a couple of packs to do me the week and smoked my last cigarettes that night. In my mind it was, 'I'll quit from Monday', I'm sure you've all done that even if it wasn't with stopping smoking. Maybe it was something like 'I'll start the diet Monday' or 'I join the gym on Monday'. Why's it always Monday anyway?

Getting back to the story. Monday morning came and I was confident I would succeed. I stuck a patch on and went to work. Through out the day I felt bored and anxious. I carried on for another day but at lunch time I just cracked and had to beg for a cigarette off a work mate.

I only went for a day and a half and this wasn't down to will power but not planning and preparing myself. I could have planned for the boredom and anxiety making sure I had something to keep me busy. I could have also planned to keep away from other smokers so I couldn't get a smoke.

Here are a few things you should plan for:

Boredom

Anxiety

Cravings

Been near other smokers

Stress

Drinking

Some of these can easily be overcome. Boredom can be overcome by keeping busy. Stress and Anxiety can be overcome by doing exercise (I found this to help greatly). You also aren't likely to be near other smokers when exercising. Try and keep out of the pub because when drinking your more likely to have a smoke and you'll also be around other smokers.

To calm your cravings I recommend you try hypnosis like I did when I finally quit smoking for good.