It usually takes between three to eight attempts before a smoker quits for good.

Smokers will typically go through several phases, each playing a decisive role in the long-term success of the attempt to quit.

Because we learn to be smokers gradually, typically when we are between the ages of 12 and 16, it is of important to think about the effect and importance of smoking. An understanding of the personal psychological role of smoking can make a difference during the trial of quitting.

Back to the process:

1. The pre-consideration phase.
This is when the smoker finds all the advantages of smoking, because there is no real desire to give it up.

2. Consideration phase.
Now the smoker is looking at ways to quit, but he is still ambivalent to it.

3. Preparation and action.
This is when the decision is made and the smoker is ready to give it a serious try, having looked into different ways and taken advice. A personal explanation of the advantages and disadvantages of smoking, possibly guided by a professional, often propels the smoker into the preparatory phase to establish what kind of help will support the attempt to quit. This phase lasts until the smoker can state that not smoking has become a way of life; on average after six months.

4. Maintenance.
Here the newly achieved tobacco-free lifestyle is being rehearsed. The ex-smoker tackles the difficult situations that occur, but be alert; this is the phase when things may go wrong. The hard work of quitting is forgotten, and the memories of the nice things about smoking will reassert themselves.

5. Giving in.
Since it is normal to try a few times before succeeding, the important issue here is for the smoker not to feel overpowered by helplessness, and define themselves as a slave to tobacco, but to look back to those methods that actually succeeded during the previous attempt to give up. These methods can be used again and normally with great success.

6. Success.
The worst is over. All ambivalence is eliminated and awareness of the psychological and social habits linked to smoking is so complete that all situations can be tackled without the need to smoke. However, ex-smokers should refrain from trying to become a social-smoker, at least for many, many years. This may ruin everything in well over 90% of the cases.

Personally it took me a whole year before I could say: I DO NOT SMOKE, and that was my third attempt. It was in 1977 and 25 years later I could start puffing on cigarettes again without getting hooked.

Ways to quit smoking:

Nicotine replacement as chewing gum or patches works for some, hypnosis and special videos and tapes for others. Some people are helped by herbal cigarettes, herbal nasal inhalers etc. Visualisation and changing habits can be effective too.

My own method:

I have for some years worked with a programme that has showed good results. My programme is a combination of counselling, ear acupuncture and reflexology. The programme goes over some weeks, with follow up sessions when needed.