@barbaralee wrote:I started smoking at 15 and quit when I was 21, and it was cold turkey. After a couple of weeks it wasn't too difficult. I would suggest finding something to do with your hands, for a lot of people that seems to trigger wanting a cigarette... but exercising is what really pulled me through. I had to work in baby steps, though. When I first quit I would run half a block and be short of breath. The longer I didn't smoke, the easier it was for me to breathe while exercising, which was motivation enough for me.
Plus, people tend to eat more when they quit smoking, so exercising will hep offset that as well.
I personally used sunflower seeds to keep my hand and mouth busy 
@KingAdrock wrote:I was not implying you had that mindset Guardian, and I'm sorry I wasn't more clear. I was commenting that I have talked to several smokers and ex-smokers (elsewhere, not on this board) that held the view that the only "correct" way to quit is cold turkey. I've asked why, but I've never gotten a good answer. Usually I get an implication that using patches or gum is somehow "cheating" and if you use them you "Didn't really quit". Personally I'd never attack anyone's method of quitting, the only "correct" method is the one that works for you.
So the reason I brought it up was hopefully to get some insight as to why some people think this way. I admit I don't understand it.
Thank you for clearing that up and I was just trying to keep the peace honestly, much like our mod friend, except without the same authority That mentality is of course wrong, there is not such thing as all or nothing and anyone who chooses that may subconsciously be trying to make up excuses for failing down the line or not having the willpower to see it through. But it is a real option for many and does work and when I did it or my dad did it, honestly there was no mentality or reason behind it other than, I need to stop, so I am going to. Although I have friends who have tried and I have recommended to one to use the patch, it was the only thing that worked for him, I recommended the gum to another, it was the only thing that worked for him, I recommended exercise and swimming to one, it worked for him, and one just smoked less and less until he stopped, worked for him. Everyone is different and they need to find the best solution that works for them. When you are taking a step this big to change your life, there is no such thing as cheating, I say if you get your result, cheat cheat and cheat away baby, as long as you quit, I don't care how you do it. 
@KingAdrock wrote:
I have talked to several smokers and ex-smokers (elsewhere, not on this board) that held the view that the only "correct" way to quit is cold turkey. I've asked why, but I've never gotten a good answer.
So the reason I brought it up was hopefully to get some insight as to why some people think this way. I admit I don't understand it.
KingAdrock,
Here's my answer.
I did actually quit cold turkey quite a few years ago, and didn't smoke for 3 1/2 years. I was much younger, of course, could do anything I wanted to do, the world was mine for the taking. (Remember, folks? You were there, too!)
Then I made the mistake of buying a pack during an extremely stressful time. Wish I hadn't done that, haven't been successful at stopping permanently since, although I did have brief periods of "quitting" for several days or more. Then stress would kick in. Life is more stressful as we age, isn't it.
I was of the mindset (and, to an extent, I still am) that I can control any situation in my life, including smoking or not smoking. "Cold turkey" is control, anything less than that is not. No one wants to think of themselves as "weak", especially me! So I've continued to attempt various cold turkey methods, in spite of those repeated failures.
I've got to realize that control is results orientated. I've got control if I can quit smoking, regardless of the means used. When I can replace the word "control" with "control, even with outside help to achieve my results" in my brain, I'll be OK. Then, I will not have "failed" with willpower/self-discipline...I will have succeeded by controlling the RESULTS.
Hope I've answered this for you, but regardless, I've answered it for me, in my own head.
And thanks for asking. It helped me to clarify this, for myself.
UB-UP
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P.S. to Guardian --- When you're passionate about a subject, you'll sometimes get admonished...we're in the same "club" on these boards! 
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P.P.S. to Guardian --- You pretty much said the same thing ( about the failure mindset) in your post just above this, sorry, I didn't mean to replicate what is essentially the same answer.
