Quitting smoking is not easy, but more than a million Americans find a way to do it every year. Once they have joined the 50 percent of adult smokers who have quit, they can enjoy all the benefits of being an ex-smoker, including:

The key to quitting is preparation. Unless fully prepared, many people are unable to stay smoke-free. Preparation begins with a firm commitment to quit smoking. People usually make this decision because they fear the deadly effects of smoking. Once they have made this decision, they should pick a date to quit and then talk with their physician about smoking cessation strategies and aids, such as nicotine replacement therapy. Smokers should not get discouraged if their first attempt at quitting is unsuccessful. It often takes more than one try.  Above all, people are urged to quit for good.