Everyone knows that smoking is a bad habit. It causes cancer, stains your teeth, lowers your immune system, and puts you at risk of a huge number of additional medical problems. But as you know, it’s no use telling this to a habitual smoker, because it’s not as easy as just quitting.

Most smokers have tried to break the habit in the past, but the nicotine in cigarettes is an addictive substance. When you stop smoking for a short while, your body craves it and it’s easy to cave in and light up to feel better.

The fact that you are reading this means you are committed to giving up cigarettes once and for all. And it is possible. No matter how hard you have found it in the past, there are millions of adults who have successfully stopped smoking. You just need to find the right strategy that works for you.

To get you started on your path to better health, here are four tips to help you finally break your nicotine addiction for good.

Take it slow

There are some people who have managed to go completely cold turkey and never picked up a cigarette again. But evidence shows that this is rarely the most effective way of quitting. The withdrawal symptoms and cravings are likely to be so bad you’ll be overwhelmed by the urge to smoke and there’s a good chance you’ll go straight back to your habit. Taking it slow and steady is often the best approach. Work out how many cigarettes you smoke a day or week and make a conscious effort to gradually reduce this number. If you smoke fifty cigarettes a week, cut this down to forty, and keep going lower and lower until you eventually stop. You’ll find this approach much more manageable.

Find healthier alternatives

Smoking a cigarette is one of the healthiest things you can do to your body, so if you can find slightly healthier alternatives you will be reducing the harmful impact while you try to quit. Switch your smokes for a vape pen from The Vape Mall instead, or experience with nicotine patches and nicotine gum to help you keep your cravings at bay.

Make yourself accountable

If you announce to the world your intentions to give up smoking, you will be much more likely to see it through to the end. Let your friend and family know that you are trying to quit. Not only will they be able to offer your support and guidance throughout the process, but sharing the information also makes you accountable. You don’t want to have to announce that you failed at your goal, so you have a higher chance of seeing success.

Don’t expect perfection

It’s human nature to slip up now and then, and if you cave in and have a smoke one evening, you shouldn’t see this as failure. Don’t let one mistake ruin all your hard work. Be kind to yourself and remember that one error doesn’t matter in the grand scheme of things. You can still continue on your path to better health as long as you stay focused and motivated. Good luck!