Quitting smoking can be difficult, especially if you have been smoking for a long time. It may take several tries before you succeed, but even if you have a strong addiction, it is still possible to quit. And even if you have smoked for many years, quitting smoking now can still increase your lifespan and improve the quality of your life.

The best way to stop smoking is to get help and to follow a plan. Medicine that reduces cravings for nicotine, such as bupropion (Zyban), varenicline (Chantix), or nicotine chewing gum, may also be helpful. For more information about how you can quit smoking, see the topic Quitting Tobacco Use.

If you are not sure about your readiness to quit smoking, use the tool Are You Ready to Quit Smoking?

Source: Shaw M, et al. (2000). Time for a smoke? One cigarette reduces your life by 11 minutes. BMJ, 320(7226): 53.