Hey Mark,

I quit smoking 25 years ago, right after my daughter was born. I had tried hundreds of times before that, but it didn't work. I finally got serious and went through an American Lung Association course. It wasn't just scare tactics.

They understood most people need their cigarettes when they are under stress. And, to a smoker, stopping smoking is just about the biggest stress factor you can get.

So, the program was based on the AA program. You never really quit, you just don't have one this hour, or this morning, or today, and the next hour, afternoon, or next day you'll decide if you want to smoke or not. It reduced the stress.

I also smoked with coffee, so I stopped drinking coffee for a while. I also smoked when I drank, so stopped drinking. I didn't tell myself I would never drink alcohol again or drink coffee again, only for today.

After a year of not smoking, I still miss the smoke, miss the relaxing feeling it gives, and when I think I might was a smoke, I just say "not today".

It worked for me when I stopped hanging around smokers and got positive reinforcement from my friends. I dumped those 'friends' that thought I was stupid in stopping.

I STRONGLY recommend American Lung Association. I didn't use any chemicals, but don't have a problem with ANYTHING that works. Find out what will work for you.