Preparing to Quit

So you took the decision, you're going to quit smoking. Now you need to take some steps that prepare you for quitting day:

Set a date: you need to pick a date for quitting day. Take a special date such as your birthday, new year, the 1st of the month, ... Choose a date that's within 2 weeks though, we don't want to procrastinate.

Write down the reasons why you want to quit and take them everywhere with you. When you get the urge to light a cigarette, read your reasons for quitting.

Tell your family and friends that you are going to quit. This makes it easier for them to understand your moods the first days of quitting. When they know, they can also support you and make you remember not to smoke when the time gets rough.

Find an internet support forum like the forum of stopsmokingcenter.net. Read the posts and make some posts yourself when you feel like it.

If possible, find someone to quit smoking together so you can support each other.

Talk to your doctor for help. He can advice you about possible stop-smoking aids, like patches, gum, ... Keep in mind though that recent studies showed that stopping cold turkey is twice as effective as stopping with medicine (more here).

Have a look at some alternative aids to stop smoking.

Make an appointment with your dentist and pay him a visit on one of the first quitting days. A cleaner mouth is a good reward.

Clean up your house the evening before you quit and throw all your smoking gear in the trash can. Don't save a package, that doesn't work.

Anticipate the challenges ahead like withdrawal symptoms and have a plan. Inform yourself (internet, doctor, books, friends who have quit, a support group, ...).

Identify your triggers.

Remember that the first 3 months of quitting are the hardest.