I quit smoking cold turkey, but I'm a rare exception the rule of addiction. Physically speaking, after 14 days, your body no longer needs nicotine. Then however, becomes the breaking with mental addiction. Find habits to replace smoking. For when you had a smoke break, have a relaxing cup of tea. It's not impossible, just hard.

I have smoked on and off for quite some time, too. The best way I found is to get shacked up with a girl that didn't like it (feel free to try a guy with my method). I knew that if I wanted to hang out with her I couldn't smoke and as it turns out, I liked her more than cigarettes. This is really just a different spin on what KnitsofLove says with finding a good substitute!

when i quit i went cold turkey. i DON'T advise ANYONE to quit this way. it was a pure unlivable hell. but i didn't have money for patches or anything. if you have the means, i hear the patch works well.

Health is the real wealth. You can paint only if there is a wall. You can enjoy life only if you have sound health. Think of your children, they may need your help for many years to come. You must live long for their sake at least. So stop smoking.