I truly feel for you folks dealing with attempting to quit any type of harmful addictions. I lost my dad to lung cancer. It is the most painful way to die.. not that this information would be enough for anyone to quit.
A few things that I've observed. If you have friends that smoke and your trying to quit, either don't see those friends for a while or get new friends. I know this sounds harsh, but when your with a bunch of people that do something you want to quit it's much more difficult to do.
Another thing is smoking causes you to take very deep breaths, filling your lungs with smoke and expanding your chest. Most people in everyday life do not breathe very deeply. When you feel the need to smoke a cigarette, go outside and do deep breathing for the length of time it would take to smoke. You'll find out that you will probably get high from deep breathing the fresh air. Now there's a habit you can really sink your teeth into.
Personally I only smoked one cigarette in my life. Didn't like them at all. The first one was at 12 years old, my dad said that if I was going to smoke that I had to smoke in front of him. I was the oldest of 4 and my mom, brother and sisters were there. After the first puff I wanted to quit, dad told me that I started it that I had to finish it. I turned a brilliant shade of green. I never smoked again... neither did my brother or sisters. Obviously not starting in the first place is the better option.
I know that quitting is a tough road. Remember that it is a two pronged addiction - mental and physical. You must deal with both of these or you will not be able to quit. Using affirmations and positive thinking will help with the mental part. You must find a reward system that works for you. Negative methods do not work.
Then you must find something to do with your hands... smoking is an ingrained physical habit. Find something that works for you.
Good luck!
