As a smoker, you recognise just how hard it is to quit smoking. I bet you've said numerous times to your friends or family that you are going to quit smoking today or tomorrow or even next week with no success. Or I'm going to join a stop smoking program, and never do. People just don't realise that nicotine is a drug and it is habit-forming and its not easy to quit. After all the times of saying you will quit and you can't, because the addiction continues.

Let's take a closer look at the consequences of smoking.It is well known that it has an harmful effect on pretty much all of ones body parts. Its pretty obvious, but the highest risk is to your lungs as they are in direct contact with the smoke and chemicals, and they are affected most adversely. You know what's funny? Except that it really isn't, the most addicted smokers are usually well aware of the risk of lung cancer and still carry on smoking.

However, there's much more to it than that. Smoking can, and often does, adversely affect your hair, brain, eyes, nose, skin, teeth, mouth and throat, hands, gullet, respiratory system and lungs, circulatory system, liver, stomach, kidneys and bladder, male reproductive system, bones, blood, immune system, and your legs and feet.

Is that enough to be going on with? Just how precious is your health to you? Do you genuinely want to Stop Smoking? There are dozens, if not hundreds, of different programs on the marketplace today, and what works for one person may not work for another, and results can vary based on individual reasons for wanting to quit. Is it because of cost, illness, pressure from others, or do you just have the consummate desire to quit?

When looking for a quit smoking program, you need to consider the pros and cons and any warnings connected with each program, do they use medication, meditation, group or individual therapy, or just what is the basic method used to help you to break your dependence on smoking?

You'll be astonished at just how many different stop smoking programs are available on the market nowadays. The most important question to ask yourself is, do you genuinely and truthfully want to quit? If the answer is yes, then you, and only you, need to get a grip on your addiction. Find the program that feels right for you and go for it. It actually only takes a relatively short time period to break the brain's dependance on nicotine. It's the habits that are difficult. Then there are the triggers, such as when you are stressed, or happy, or other such occasions that compel you to want to smoke.

You need to develop great mental attitude, and self-confidence that you can quit this ugly addiction, and you will do it. Your health is worth it, and your life absolutely depends upon it.

Chris Haycock