With the ever-increasing price of cigarettes, and volumes of warnings that aim to increase the public's awareness of the dangers of cigarette smoking, you'd think it would be a no-brainer for smokers to just up and quit the habit cold turkey. However, being a former smoker myself, I know that this statement is neither realistic, nor fair.

Smoking is genuinely an addictive habit, not just mentally, although it certainly is psychologically addictive, but also physiologically, since nicotine is a substance that the body grows used to and craves, and when it is suddenly taken away, the withdrawal symptoms are anything but pleasant.

These withdrawal symptoms are the reason that many smokers never make it past a few weeks quitting the habit. It's also the reason that quitting smoking is so hard to do, especially the longer you've been doing it.

I've heard it all when it comes to the creative ways that men and women both will try to kick the habit. Some try the cold turkey thing, although this rarely works unless you have an iron will and are able to naturally cope with the symptoms of withdrawal on your own. Some people try cigarette alternatives, like herbal cigarettes, which are designed to help get rid of the nicotine addiction since they do not contain nicotine.

However, what some people don't realize is that herbal cigarettes are just as dangerous as smoking real cigarettes, and sometimes even more so, because they still emit carbon monoxide into the lungs and the body, and they also have carcinogenic chemicals that activate once the herbs are burned. One of the alternative cigarettes that is popular is reportedly an especially dangerous option, a tobacco and clove combination.

The cloves become extremely toxic when burned and inhaled into the lung tissue, with the potential to cause pneumonia and even pulmonary edema. They also happen to contain a lot more tobacco content than regular cigarettes, another reason to avoid them.

I'd say avoid herbal varieties of cigarettes all together if you can, even as a quitting mechanism, and instead opt for maybe a supplement or a patch to help you get through the rough patches, or try another alternative such as hypnotism. Hypnotism is one of my favorites. Self hypnosis has worked for scores of people to help them kick the habit once and for all.

It works by way of subconscious suggestion, on a subliminal level, and creates a strong desire to quit that is powerful because it comes from within your mind and is rooted in personal desire. This is one of the best ways to quit since it is truly all natural, and creates a desire beyond just a short time period of quitting that stays rooted in the subconscious for long after you've quit.

Of course if you ever feel yourself slipping and craving cigarettes again, you can always do "touch up" sessions of self hypnosis in your own home whenever you feel you need that positive reinforcement again.

Another popular alternative way to quit smoking currently are herbal supplements that are orally taken or adhered to the skin, in a patch form, that work sort of like a nicotine patch does, to transdermally (delivered through the skin) help you through your potential withdrawal symptoms.

The herbs are basically adhered to the skin via a patch which delivers beneficial ingredients through the skin to the blood stream, at time released intervals so you get the symptom control throughout your day, every day, to help ensure that your goals are reached.

Many people who are thinking of quitting smoking worry about the withdrawal symptoms, which include weight gain, irritability, restlessness, increased anxiety (although smoking actually increases anxiety, which many people don't know), inability to concentrate and many other unpleasantries.

In the end, no matter which alternative method you use to help yourself permanently give up the habit of smoking, it's going to boil down to a real concern for your health and well being, and a sustained desire to stay away from the potentially life shortening vice.

Only over time will you begin to see and feel the benefits of having clean, clear lungs such as, but not limited to, increased energy, better looking skin and teeth, and increased lung capacity, and that's what keeps you on the wagon!

Danna Schneider
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/alternative-ways-to-quit-smoking-this-new-year-674555.html

Are you tired of trying to quit smoking? Hypnosis can take you from failure to success. If you have tried every smoking cessation aid on the market, and are feeling frustrated after spending so much money on all the pills, patches, and sprays that are supposed to make it easy to quit, hypnosis just may be your answer.

You might be sabotaging your own success. Your frustration about not being able to quit might actually be making it harder for you to quit. Because the more stressed you feel, the more you want to smoke to handle the stress. It's a vicious circle. A stressful situation triggers the craving for a cigarette, which makes you feel like you have failed at your goal of stopping smoking, which makes you feel stressed…does that sound familiar?

So what's the antidote for too much stress? Relaxation, or course. And relaxation techniques are at the core of successful self hypnosis programs. The more you learn how to relax, the easier it will be for your to let go of your addictive smoking habits with as little pain as possible.

But a lot of people are skeptical of hypnosis. They think they're not hypnotizable, even though most people are. Or they mistakenly think that it's really just a matter of falling asleep, like taking a nap, or dozing off on the sofa while watching television. Of course, nicotine addiction requires a lot more than a few hours of sleep to cure. And hypnosis is not just a matter of falling into a deep sleep.

Other people are afraid that they'll do something embarrassing while in a hypnotic trance, like show up at work in their pajamas. But people don't lose consciousness during hypnosis. And they don't do anything that they don't want to do. Although it is true that some people are more "suggestible" than others, and can reach a deeper state of relaxation.

But more often, people are awake and aware of their surroundings. They are just very relaxed. The kind of hypnosis that quit smoking programs teach is designed so that anyone can do it, with a little practice. You don't need special skills, or magical powers. You don't have to be able to go into a deep trance. In fact, at least ninety-five percent of the world's population is completely capable of being hypnotized

Have you ever day dreamed? Or been lost in a really good book? Or done a guided meditation? That's what a hypnotic trance is like. Except that when you're using a self hypnosis program designed to help you quit smoking, you're in complete control of when and where you induce yourself into your trance.

If your program is on CDs or downloadable audio files, you can listen to it anyplace that you have access to a media player and a comfortable chair. Usually, you'll want to find a place that's quiet, and without harsh lighting. But even a quiet location isn't a strict requirement if you have a set of noise-blocking headphones or ear buds.

If your program is in printed format (a book or downloadable ebook), you won't even need the media player. Just find a comfortable and quiet corner with minimal distractions, and read the script to yourself. After a few sessions, you'll have it memorized, and you'll be able to practice your self hypnosis cues anywhere you choose.

And actually, that's the whole point of using a self hypnosis program to help yourself stop smoking. With enough regular practice, you'll naturally begin to use your own mental cues when you find yourself in the same kinds of stressful situations that used to make you reach for your cigarettes.

Joanne Fallwater
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/tired-of-trying-to-quit-smoking-hypnosis-can-take-you-from-failure-to-success-724075.html

As you know, giving up smoking is not as easy as it is. But you CAN give up smoking if you set your heart to. Most people are unable to quit the bad habit because they are not 100% willing to! Here are some quick fixes that will help you stop smoking altogether.

1. Start exercising. Exercising takes your mind off smoking and helps to keep you healthy and alert. When you exercise, your body will perspire and flush out those toxins that have accumulated in your body over the years. some people smoke because they feel that they have nothing to do. Exercising will be a good alternative. Some of us will also experience an increase in appetite once we stop smoking, so we tend to eat more. Exercise helps to keep your weight in control.

2. Brushing your teeth before you sleep. If you have the habit of smoking before you go to bed, try brushing your teeth before you retire for the night. It works for me. You will not feel the urge to smoke after that because you feel that there is a 'need' to keep your mouth clean and fresh. Or it could be partly due to the mint toothpaste that has the same cooling effect as the menthol in cigarettes.

3. Avoid situations that will trigger your smoking mind. If you have friends who smoke, avoid them until you feel that you can resist the temptation when they offer you a stick. Or if you lunch together with your colleagues who smoke, avoid hanging out with them after lunch. If possible, persuade your buddies to quit together. If you have a habit of smoking at certain places, avoid visiting them for now especially pubs.

4. Reminding yourself first thing when you wake up & last thing before you sleep. You can say things like 'Today is a brand new day & I am not going to spoil it with a smoke' or 'Tomorrow shall be the best day ever because I will not touch a stick'. By repeatedly reminding yourself everyday, you are putting new beliefs into your subconscious mind, which will become a reality over a period of time.

5. Reward yourself. Buy yourself a new gadget. Treat your friends to a nice dinner. Splurge on new clothes. Remember, you are spending money that would otherwise be spent on burning useless cigarettes. And when you see more & more luxury items entering your life, you know that you have made a wise decision to quit smoking then. By rewarding yourself, you tend to feel more positive and  giving up smoking will not seem as painful as before.

I hope you have found these few tips useful. It's the beginning of 2009 and I hope you have listed 'quit smoking' as one of your new year's resolution. Giving up smoking can be an intimidating process. But if you decide to quit smoking, you have to be serious and disciplined enough. Only then will you see results. All the best!

George Yeo
http://www.articlesbase.com/quit-smoking-articles/5-easy-ways-to-quit-smoking-720332.html

Say hello to "Steve."

Steve is a fictional character who has been smoking for more than 5 years…Steve would love to quit smoking, but he just never seems to get around to it…

A few months ago, Steve was talking a big game about how he wanted to finally quit smoking cigarettes. About how quitting smoking would be better for his health in the long run. About how much money he'd save if he were to finally give up the habit. And Steve WAS successful at quitting smoking. At least for a little while…HORRAY!

But now, the weekend is here & Steve's ready to party.

Steve had a rough week at the office & he needs to take the edge off. Steve buys a 6 pack of his favorite beer at the local grocery store & he heads over to his friend Brian's house (Brian is also a fictional character)…

The music is playing, the beer is flowing & then Brian offers him a smoke. Steve just can't resist…

After all, the smell of the cigarettes can be so tempting to people trying to quit….& Steve he has so many fond memories that are deeply associated with smoking. In Steve's mind, smoking reminds him of all those good times…

Steve just feels he HAS to have a cigarette- all those good times are reloaded in Steve's brain. "Sure, man…why not?"

And now, Steve's smoking again…However, now he's now got all sorts of mixed feelings and emotions…

1. First of all, his body might be used to the familiar chemical effects that cigarettes are now being rekindled deep in his bloodstream. Steve's body isn't sure whether he likes this feeling or not.

2. Second, Steve might be experiencing some conflicting emotions internally. While the cigarettes have brought bring back the old feelings of celebration & the "You only live once" attitude, he's also keenly aware that he was trying to quit smoking & now he's seemingly not going to follow through with his decision…he feels like he's broken a promise that he made to himself!…but, at the end of the day, his decision to quit was for his own good, right?

3. And finally, Steve starts extrapolating his experience today to other areas of his life…He's thinking "If I can't make a decision & stick to it..what else won't I be able to complete? Is this the type of person I am? No, wait. I've completed other things in the past…it's just a cigarette…whew.." Steve thinks to himself. But really, what's he thinking is: "this is just silly."

Wow! Who'd ever think that so many emotions could be wrapped up in one little tiny pack of flimsy cigarettes?!

Ask any current or ex-smoker you know whether they've experienced anything like this in the past…However, you better take a seat. They may tell you all about these feelings & many more.

If you smoke (or recently quit), can you relate to this story or a similar one? Does Steve's story sound a little like deja vu all over again…?

For all the smokers reading this, Steve's story may sound all TOO familiar….However, there is good news…

The fact of the matter is that there are aids to stop smoking that are being sold in the market place. And people have invested money in stopping smoking products…And some of these products come with a 100% money back guarantee.

So, which stop smoking aid should Steve invest in?

The answer may surprise you! Click one of the links below to find out the answer right now:

Steve Hanson
http://www.articlesbase.com/quit-smoking-articles/can-steve-really-quit-smoking-736400.html

You’ve made the decision to quit smoking you say?  Make sure you really want to quit this time.  Decide you’re going to quit no matter how scary you think it will be or how much you think you’ll miss smoking.  Some people say “I really would like to quit but (you can fill in the words here)….”  It’s a definite decision to want to quit.  Your have to feel it!  Know it!  You have to be able to say honestly to yourself —yes, I can do this! 

Secondly, you need to consider that there may be difficult times in the beginning stages of quitting smoking.  But there may NOT be. How can I say that?  For me personally, I sort of sailed through quitting smoking.  After 28 years of smoking just about every day (that’s 10, 220 days!) I quit seemingly with little effort.   It’s true. It wasn’t difficult for me.  I’ll explain in a moment how it happened in my situation.  Oh, I remember how great smoking was!  And even though I didn’t think about quitting smoking hardly ever (because it was too painful to even THINK of giving up smoking), in the innermost part of me, I wanted to not be a slave to cigarettes anymore.  28 years was enough.

Lastly, and the most important in my opinion, is to incorporate some quiet time—whether it’s prayer, meditation or yoga—into your daily and/or hourly life.  I say this because you need to calm your mind down or it will be full of negative and scary thoughts about quitting smoking.  Personally (and this just sort of happened in my situation without any work on my part), the morning that became the first day of my not smoking ever again—I remember how there was a calmness about me (I really think it was Divine help if you were to ask me) that seemed to come out of nowhere.  When the thoughts started coming into my mind like “it’s time to have your cigarette now. It’s bedtime”, I wouldn’t let the sentence finish.  I would hear in my mind “it’s time to have your……” and I’d gently let my mind rise to a peaceful place and deliberately not finish the sentence.  I did this for days, then weeks.   Finally one day months later I realized I hadn’t thought of smoking for an entire day.

I also want to say that, know you can do hard things.  So what if it’s hard?  You can do it anyway. You must have realized by now that the difficult things in life are usually—or always—the most rewarding? But, hey, it wasn’t difficult for me and you could experience something similar to what I did when I quit smoking.

On a personal note, I can’t tell you what freedom I have, now that I’m a non-smoker and have been for 8 years.  I don’t have to plan where to have my next cigarette, sneak out so no one will see me because I’m embarrassed to be a smoker, pay the ridiculous prices for cigarettes, etc.  I still like the smell of a cigarette sometimes, but I will never pick one up to smoke again because the freedom is out of this world!

Linda Joy Allan
http://www.articlesbase.com/quit-smoking-articles/how-to-quit-smoking-732527.html