We all know the health risks of smoking, but that doesn’t make it any easier to kick the habit. Whether you’re an occasional smoker or a lifetime pack-a-day smoker, quitting can be really tough. Here are some tips that can help you to quit smoking.

Make a promise to yourself, set a date and stick to it. Whenever you find yourself in difficulty, say to yourself, "I don't want to smoke", and stick with this until the cravings pass

If friends or family members want to give up the habit you can suggest to them that you give up together. By doing this you create a group of people who you can rely on to quit.

One of the best things you can do to help yourself quit is to identify the things that make you want to smoke, including specific situations, activities, feelings, and people.

Keeping busy is a great way to stay smoke free on your quit day. Being busy will help you keep your mind off smoking and distract you from cravings.

Quitting smoking is difficult. It happens one minute…one hour…one day at a time. Try not to think of quitting as forever. Pay attention to today and the time will add up. It helps to stay positive.