The stuff that we see on the popular media about people who have quit smoking is sometimes romanticized or worse, glamorized in order to perk the interest of the public. However, in order to quit smoking, stop the nicotine addiction or eradicate tobacco dependence, a smoker has to undergo several failures first and none of them can ever be considered romantic or glamorous.

Shaking off any form of addiction can be quite tedious, and yes, there are many instances where the person falls back into the habitual indulgence. However, for a person determined to quit smoking, stop being controlled by tobacco products and lead a healthy lifestyle, these failures can all be taken in stride.

The key to stop smoking is to continue working towards the ultimate goal of quitting altogether and in this case, lose the tobacco dependence permanently. Here are some unusual tips on how to quit smoking and stop the tobacco addiction altogether.

1. Write down the exact moments when you really feel the need to light up or you actually find a cigarette (cigar) between your lips. For starters, you could do a one day report. However, if you can make this a 7 day report, then so much the better.

This will take dedication and honesty on your part since this little activity entails you to be as detailed as possible. Most likely, you will find yourself looking at a long list of incidences and we are quite sure that this far more than you will ever anticipate.

Even 'light' smokers who claim that they only smoke occasionally find themselves surprised at just how much they puff on a daily basis. This is a far better gauge on how much you really smoke than counting how many cigarettes you have left in your pack.

2. Now, if you have completed your list, try to distinguish the reason why you find yourselves smoking at that particular time. Some people light up early to ease the coughing fits they have in the morning. Others smoke while waiting endlessly for the bus or the train. Most smokers would begin the habit after-meals or during a stressful situation. These are just some of the more common examples. If you are going to do your list, try to be as detailed and honest as possible.

3. When you have the time and the reason behind each puff, you may want to find other alternative 'actions' as opposed to smoking. You can use nicotine patches if you really feel the need for the chemical splurge. However, it should be noted that these patches only work for a small percentage of people. In fact, some of those who were trying to quit ended up having both nicotine patches and a lighted cigarettes on them.

Many people find some sort of 'comfort' with the 'actions' prior to smoking such as tapping the pack, putting the cigarette between the lips and finally lighting it. To some successful smoke quitters, they replace these set of actions with something that is totally different and more rigorous.

One man, I know of, would reach for a clicker, and clicked his way through until the 'need' to light up has passed. A lady friend of mine would grab pots and pans instead, preferring to make a culinary treat as opposed to standing outside smoking. Another one would make the motions of putting out a cigarette in order to convince himself that he had just finished one stick.

Whatever it is, you need to find a set of actions that work best for you; and continue performing these actions until you no longer have the need to really light up. You can use nicotine patches as an aid to help you get by, but use these sparingly and only when the need is hard to overcome. As you have read, to quit smoking, stop being reliant on tobacco products and stay healthy, you need quite a bit of strategies and approaches. It will take time but slowly and surely, you will be able to break your old habit.

I hate smoking. Yes, I used to be a heavy smoker but the harmful effects of smoking stop me. I managed to quit by doing the things I now share with you. I feel great and I smell much better than I used to.

Find out what you can do about your smoking habit at http://www.tipstoquitsmoking.net today!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Malcolm_Womoult