Once you've decided to quit, plan your strategy. The strategy you choose depends on the quitting stage you're in. 

Here are some quitting tips from the Department of Health and Human Services and the National Cancer Institute.

Getting Ready to Quit

1. Set a date for quitting. 

2. Notice when and why you smoke. Try to find the things in your daily life that you often do while smoking (such as drinking your morning cup of coffee or driving a car).

3. Change your smoking routines: Keep your cigarettes in a different place. Smoke with your other hand. Don't do anything else when smoking. Think about how you feel when you smoke.

4. Smoke only in certain places, such as outdoors.

5. When you want a cigarette, wait a few minutes. Try to think of something to do instead of smoking; you might chew gum or drink a glass of water.

6. Switch to a brand of cigarettes you don't like.

1. Get rid of all your cigarettes. Put away your ashtrays.
2. Change your morning routine. When you eat breakfast, don't sit in the same place at the kitchen table. 
3. Stay busy. When you get the urge to smoke, do something else instead.
4. Carry other things to put in your mouth, such as gum, hard candy, or a toothpick.
5. Reward yourself at the end of the day for not smoking. See a movie or go out and enjoy your favorite meal.

Staying BUTT-free

1. Don't worry if you are sleepier or more short-tempered than usual; these feelings will pass.
2. Exercise.
3. Consider the positive things about quitting, such as how much you like yourself as a non-smoker, health benefits for you and your family, and the example you set for others around you. 
4. When you feel tense, try to keep busy, think about ways to solve the problem, tell yourself that smoking won't make it any better, and go do something else.
5. Eat regular meals. Feeling hungry is sometimes mistaken for the desire to smoke.
6. Start a money jar with the money you save by not buying cigarettes.
7. Let others know that you have quit smoking-most people will support you. It's good to talk to others about your quitting.
8. If you slip and smoke, don't be discouraged. Quit again.