1. Make a list of reasons you want to quit. Just start writing. Reasons will come to you. Don't want to stink anymore. Expensive. Health. (To name a few)

2. Make another list of reasons you do like to smoke, the benefits you feel you get from smoking. Think about this list. Is there anywhere else you can get those same benefits?

3. Make a list of anticipated benefits. No more feeling self-conscious when you kiss or hug someone. Cleaner house. Cleaner car. You'll think of more.

4. Do some small practice quits. See if you can not smoke during one whole phone call. Try not smoking in your car, your bedroom, at the computer. Think of some easy cigarettes you could do without. The last one before bed maybe? Or postpone your first one as long as possible in the morning.

5. Every time you smoke a cig, make note of the time, what you were doing, how you felt, etc. This is a lot of trouble, and if you make yourself do it every time you smoke, pretty soon the idea of smoking AND keeping a record of it makes you want the cig less and less.

This exercise also gives you a better idea of what your personal triggers are and what smoking does for you.

6. Go to the Tools section of this web site. Check out all the quizzes and questionnaires. See what kind of smoker you are.

7. Go to the Library. Read all the facts you can find about smoking and quitting.

8. Follow some of the links to other informative sites.

9. Hang out here and read the posts every day to get an idea of what others are going through. You'll find something every day that will help you.

10. Post your questions and concerns here. If you think driving is going to be a problem, ask us about it. Someone will have a suggestion that will help you.

11. Lay in a big supply of candies and gum and straws and pretzels and carrot sticks. Get everything you will be needing for the next month from the convenience store because you will be in danger of buying smokes if you enter their doors.

12. Go to the nearest Barnes and Noble or public library. Look up the smoking cessation section. Buy or borrow all the books you see that appeal to you. Read them. Immerse yourself in quitting information. Pretend that your upcoming quit date is the day of the big final and you have to study for it. By the time your quit day rolls around, you will be armed with perhaps more information than you'll need.

All of these exercises are designed to put you in control. Right now cigarettes are in control. They drive you to stand in the cold, run out to the store at midnight, and avoid places like a nonsmoking friend's house or a movie or sitting in the no smoking section of a restaurant.

You can try all of these suggestions or just the ones that appeal to you. Consider them all though. You have to get organized to get control.