Quit Smoking is the slogan of the hour. We all know that smoking is hazardous to your health. It has very severe ill effects, such as respiratory problems, lung cancer, breast cancer, bronchitis, emphysema, etc. It is thus the need of the hour that we should free ourselves from the clutches of this deadly disease. But it is not an easy task to actually quit smoking completely once a person has started it. Smoking makes a person its slave and he or she becomes addicted to its use.

It is difficult but not impossible to quit smoking. The most important attribute that a person needs to have to quit smoking is self-belief and persistence. It is difficult to stay away from smoking in the initial stages, but with the help of proper medical aid and strong will power - you can overcome the initial stages.

Here are 11 ways to kick off your journey and finally overcome smoking:

1. First sit down and write down why you want to quit (the benefits of quitting): live longer, feel better, for your family, save money, smell better, find a mate more easily, etc. You know what's bad about smoking and what you'll get by quitting. Put it on paper and read it daily.

2. Ask your family and friends to support your decision to quit. Ask them to be completely supportive and non-judgmental. Let them know ahead of time that you will probably be irritable and even irrational while you withdraw from your smoking habit.

3. Set a quit date. Decide what day you will extinguish your cigarettes forever.

4. Talk with your doctor about quitting. Support and guidance from a physician is a proven way to better your chances to quit.

5. Begin an exercise program. Exercise is simply incompatible with smoking. Exercise relieves stress and helps your body recover from years of damage from cigarettes.

6. Do some deep breathing each day for 3 to 5 minutes. Breathe in through your nose very slowly, hold your breath for a few seconds, and exhale very slowly through your mouth.

7. Have your teeth cleaned. Enjoy the way your teeth look and feel and plan to keep them that way.

8. Drink lots of water. Water is good for you anyway, and most people don't get enough. It will help flush the nicotine and other chemicals out of your body, plus it can help reduce cravings by fulfilling the "oral desires" that you may have.

9. Learn what triggers your desire for a cigarette, such as stress, the end of a meal, arrival at work, entering a bar, etc. Avoid these triggers or if that is impossible, plan alternative ways to deal with the triggers.

10. Find something to hold in your hand and mouth to replace cigarettes. You might try an artificial cigarette.

11. Finally, believe in yourself. Believe that you can quit. Think about some of the most difficult things you have done in your life and realize that you have the guts and determination to quit smoking.