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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that 70 percent of smokers want to quit - but a much smaller percentage actually succeed. Quitting smoking is hard work, but the benefits of quitting far outweigh the difficulties. Once you’ve made the decision to stop smoking, you will find that there are many ways to go about it. Picking the best way for you will make your chances of success better.

Many smokers decide to quit “cold turkey," meaning they quit all at once and with no help from pills, patches, programs, etc. An alternative to this is to quit smoking gradually by cutting back on the amount you smoke over a period of time. Both of these methods can work, but both have their drawbacks - some people may find quitting “cold turkey” is too stressful. People using a gradual method may need to set definite goals or determine a quit date to ensure that they eventually go smoke-free.

For smokers who feel they need some help quitting smoking, there are many options to try. Nicotine substitutes help smokers handle nicotine withdrawal and cravings, and are appropriate for all smokers except pregnant women and people with heart or circulatory problems:

Nicotine patches
Nicotine gums or lozenges
Nicotine inhalers and nasal spray
Non-nicotine pills, like Zyban®

Another option is to get involved in a smoking cessation program. These programs are designed to provide support and encouragement during the quitting process. The programs can be used along with other methods to increase your chances of success. The American Heart Association offers these tips to people who have decided to quit smoking:

Pick a quit date and mark it on your calendar.
Tell friends and family when your quit date is.
Keep sugar-free gum, hard candies, and foods like carrot sticks handy for when cravings strike.
Decide on the methods you’ll use to quit, and sign up for any programs you plan to use.
Practice saying, "No thank you, I don't smoke."
Set up a support system to provide you with encouragement.