Smoking is an expensive habit in addition to being bad for your health. For some people, however, even thinking about quitting feels overwhelming. If you want to stop smoking but you don’t know what to do, read on. There are lots of techniques to try if you really want to give up.

Create a list of reasons why you want to quit smoking, and read it every day. There are probably many reasons why you would like to quit ranging from the health risks, the unattractive smell, and the cost of cigarettes. Reading your list of reasons can help keep you on track when you get urges. Compile your own list, carry it with you, and read it every day as often as you need to.

Become a second-hand smoker. After you make it three weeks and have made tobacco freedom your new habit, you will still have cravings from time to time. You might not want to smoke, but just miss the lovely smell. Stand downwind of current smokers for a brief moment of nostalgic aroma and then move on.

Remind yourself of how gross cigarettes are. This will help you focus on quitting because you will think about how dirty they are. Avoid emptying ashtrays so you can see how much you’ve smoked and the terrible smell it leaves behind. You may also want to try filling a jar with the butts and ashes as a reminder.

Get a professional teeth cleaning or whitening. This is a two-fold way to stay motivated to quitting for good. First, you will see how much smoking discolored your teeth in the first place. Second, once your smile is sparkling white, you won’t want to ruin it by taking up smoking again.

When you decide to quit smoking cigarettes, throw away all of your ashtrays, lighters, empty packs, and other smoking paraphernalia. Keeping these items around can be triggering during your weaker moments, and removing them from your surroundings will make it easier for you to think of yourself as a non-smoker.

When you are trying to quit smoking, write a list of all of the reasons why you want to stop. Carry that list with you at all times. One of the best place to carry this list is where you used to carry your cigarettes. Whenever you catch yourself reaching for your pack of smokes, pull out the list, instead, and read why you want to break the habit.

Electronic Cigarette

Replace your pack of cigarettes with an electronic cigarette. Many former smokers have found success with these devices, which work by vaporizing a liquid that contains nicotine. When the user exhales, the cloud looks just like smoke, but it’s actually vapor. Using one of these devices can make it much easier to quit smoking, since it simulates the act so effectively.

After reading this article, you hopefully have some ideas about how to stop smoking. Choose one or two tips at a time to experiment with. If one tip doesn’t work, just try another. Sooner or later you’ll find something that can help you break your smoking habit for good.