If you are not sure whether or not a person can really quit smoking, let me promise you that anyone can do so. By deciding to stop smoking, you could live for many more years.

Here are some very important steps that have proved to work over time as a positive aid to help you stop smoking.

1. To start you will need to make up your mind and stick to the decision. If smoking is something you need to quit, once you have completed this you have now passed the most important step. Afterward, you will need to choose an exact date, then make sure you promise to stick to that specific date, making absolutely no excuses.

2. Make a special time to throw out all your cigarette paraphernalia on a certain date. If there are ashtrays around, throw them out; if you have lighters, throw them out; if you hoard a private stash of cigarettes or tobacco, get rid of them as well. The entire concept is to take smoking out of your life.

With that being said, make sure to have some fun activities lined up. If you don't want to do healthy activities such as jogging or biking, try playing video games or read a book you enjoy.

3. Everyone knows the importance of drinking water, and that becomes even more important when you make the decision to stop smoking. In the case you do not care for water as a drink, have a drink of fruit juice or a cup or herbal tea. When you drink it go slow and steady. Your goal should be to have your mind on something other than smoking, replacing those thoughts with something more positive.

4. Based on your overall health and wellness, make the choice to be more active. It can be little things like going on a walk around the block, or making the choice to use the stairs instead of going on the elevator or escalator. Here is a easy tip - on your next outing to the grocery market, park your car at the very end of the parking lot, instead of close to the front doors. This way you can have a nice walk and maybe protect your car from damage by others.

5. Have a positive attitude about what you have set out to do and take pride in your decision. You will experience some unpleasant withdrawal symptoms, but this is a normal and an expected part of the process. Don't allow the inevitable cravings or bouts of irritability deter you from reaching your goal. You've made the decision to quit smoking; now it's time to put your choice into action.

6. Turn things around, and do not go out to places where cigarettes are easy to get. Decide to do something without planning, but it needs to be something without smoking.

7. Stop putting it off. Don't find excuses to keep you from improving your health by quitting smoking. Each of us faces problems in our daily lives and we cope in different ways, but these should not be used as an excuse to put off your decision to quit smoking.

8. Give yourself rewards for doing important things. Each pack of cigarettes that you do not purchase means you are saving money, so go out with a friend, or someone you love for a night out. Obviously, pick an activity that does not resolve around smoking.

9. Don't count on junk food to satisfy your cravings for a smoke. When we quit smoking, our hands and mouth are left without their customary activity; you can be ready for this and fix up some healthy fruit and raw vegetable snacks.

10. Keep in mind that tomorrow will be easier than today, and the next day will be even easier. If you have the urge to smoke a cigarette, keep in mind what you have to lose by smoking, and all the benefits you gain by quitting smoking.

"Today is the first day of the rest of your life," is an oft-repeated expression; I'd like to alter that to say, "Today is the first day of the rest of your life as a non-smoker, breath deeply and enjoy the treasure of life.