Faced with the seemingly insurmountable task of how to quit smoking many people just bow their heads and acknowledge defeat before even starting. However, with advances in technology as well as discoveries in herbal medications and smokeless cigarettes, most people are able to find a means or a method to quit smoking that fits within their lifestyle choices and their current abilities.

Tobacco smoke contains over 200 known chemicals that cause cancer in animals and one of the most powerful addictive drugs known – nicotine. For some people it is the very act of smoking that gives them pleasure and reduces their stress but for most people it is the chemical rush that fills their lungs and feeds their cells which keeps them coming back for more.

Almost all people who smoke recognize the effects that smoking has on their lungs and body. You don’t have to go very far to learn that smoking decreases the amount of collagen produced in the skin which leads to premature aging, causes destruction in the lining of the lungs and increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke. And those are only the big problems that individuals who smoke can face.

Unfortunately, knowing the risks and the probabilities does not negate the intense physical need that the body acquires for nicotine. It is this physical addiction, as well as the emotional tie, that must be fought in order to become smoke-free.

The real question of how to quit smoking is one that must be answered on an individual basis. While government agencies and research scientists have identified specific emotional and psychological steps that should be taken in order to increase the chances that your attempt at quitting will be successful, the real act of quitting must be a decision that is made on an individual basis. In other words, quitting smoking will never be successful until the individual who smokes acknowledges the risks and actively seeks the benefits of removing this negative influence from their lives.

At this point, physicians are able to offer several different medications which can help ease the pain of withdrawal from the nicotine. Some of these medications are administered through patches while others are pills that the individual takes each day. Some of these medications help the individual over the withdrawal while others are a deterrent because the individual will become very physically ill if they smoke while taking the medication.

Most people will find that seeking the support of one or several individuals while going through this process will increase their success rate. There are smoking cessation support groups that can be found both off-line and online, paid and free. One choice over the other is not specifically better but rather the choice should be made on the individuals particular circumstances and lifestyle choices. In either case, support should be sought in order to get over the known challenges which will happen in the coming weeks and months.

Once an individual has determined that they want to quit smoking and they have found a support mechanism to help them continue in their efforts it is time to determine which particular smoking cessation program will work best for them. There are medications that can be tried, smokeless cigarettes which are an option for achieving success through the age old method of cold turkey.

Interestingly, researchers have found that individuals who quit smoking by going cold turkey are more apt to be successful than those who rely on a medication, patch or other crutch. At this time researchers are unsure if the reason behind this factor is that those who quit cold turkey may have a higher level of motivation than those who desire to quit smoking but requires the assistance of more supportive mechanisms.

Most individuals who attempt to quit smoking will find that they will “fall off the wagon” at some point or another. This means that they will smoke one or two cigarettes in the process of quitting. Unfortunately, some people believe that because they have now smoked one or two cigarettes they are back to smoking and may quit their attempts to quit. This is a rather unfortunate circumstance because most researchers and psychologists agree that it is not uncommon for someone to go back to a coping mechanism which has worked well for them in the past but which they are now currently trying to leave. This does not predict in any way whether or not an individual is able to be successful in their attempts to stay away from smoking permanently.