Even though we know that thousands of people die every year from smoking-related illnesses, there are still thousands more who light up every day.

If you’re one of them, but you want to quit, there are several ways you can help yourself and hopefully say goodbye to cigarettes forever.

We’ve found three suggestions which should, along with willpower, enable you to quit for good.

Get motivated

Most of us need a good reason to do anything and quitting smoking is no exception. Think of why you want to stop, and keep that thought in mind whenever you feel the urge to light up.

Maybe you want to be healthier; don’t want to expose your partner and children to secondhand smoke; hate the way cigarettes damage your skin and make your hair and clothes smell; want to lower your chance of getting lung cancer or heart disease; or just want to save money.

Make a list of all the reasons why you want to stop smoking, and let that be your motivation, especially on days when the urge for nicotine is strongest.

And don’t give up trying to quit. Even if you stop and start again, keep trying until you can give up cigarettes for good.

Consider nicotine replacement therapy

It can be hard to go cold turkey when you want to give up smoking, so you could consider nicotine replacements which are a gentler way to wean you off your addiction.

Nicotine withdrawal can cause some unpleasant side effects including mood swings, headaches, or low energy levels and these can make you think it’s not worth it, but nicotine replacement therapy can curb these urges.

Nicotine gum, lozenges, tablets, and patches are also said to improve your chances of success, especially when used alongside a quit-smoking programme.

Get help and support

If you tell your friends, family, and other people you’re close to that you’re trying to quit, they can encourage you to keep going, especially on days when you’re struggling.

Consider joining a local or online support group or forum, where you can get help from other people who are quitting too, along with a range of information on what works to make it easier, so you know you’re not alone.

Try not to be around people who smoke and avoid places where you would normally light up such as a pub, club or party, especially when you’re in the early days of quitting.

It might also help to downline an app for guidance and encouragement such as ‘Quit Smoking – Quit Now’ which uses data from the Word Health Organisation to demonstrate how much your health is improving over time, or ‘LIVESTRONG My Quit Coach’ which features progress charts, a pocket coach, and inspirational quotes to keep you going.

Finally, try to stay positive and remember that stopping smoking is a process, but if you’re determined and focused you will get there in the end, and the benefits will be worth it.

Sources: WebMD / Sheerluxe / NHS UK