Smoking is no longer the socially acceptable habit that it once was. As such, everybody has now has their own opinion on the best ways to stop smoking. I think it is important to not suffer from an overload of information and just take the time to research different methods to find out which will work for you.

The main methods can be broken down into several key categories:

• Nicotine Replacement Therapy
• Willpower Method (cold-turkey)
• Cutting Down
• Hypnotism
• Other

Is one method enough to succeed, or is a combination of methods better? I think it really depends on each individual, so in order to find out what the best ways to stop smoking are, one needs to consider each method for its advantages and disadvantages.

Nicotine Replacement Therapy: This consists of using alternative devices to cigarettes to deliver the body the nicotine it is craving, reducing the amount of nicotine delivered over time, eventually reducing that amount to zero and being free. This method is the one recommended by a lot of doctors and many people attribute quitting to NRT. It is definitely regarded by many as one of the best ways to stop smoking. NRT can be further divided into subtypes:

-Nicotine Gum, this is chewed every few hours to fight off nicotine urges, is popular because it can be chewed indoors and is inconspicuous.

-Nicotine Inhalers, inhaled more frequently than the chewing gum is taken, is popular for being a similar delivery method to a cigarette.

-Nicotine Patches, these are a more "passive" form of nicotine replacement and are equally unnoticeable (even by the wearer in some cases)

Willpower Method: This method consists of cutting nicotine out of the system entirely, it is popular for those who want to kick the habit as quickly as possible and get nicotine out of their systems. People who succeed with this method feel that NRT can prolong the body's addiction to nicotine and would rather forget about cigarettes all together. It is less popular than NRT these days because most people feel the methodology is too hard. It is still one of the best ways to stop smoking though, because it only takes 3-5 days for 90% of the nicotine to leave one's body, and many people feel they can handle that.

Cutting down: This is similar to NRT for gradually reducing the body's reliance on cigarettes over time until the number required reaches zero. It is seen by many as less healthy than NRT because cigarettes are still smoked during the process, yet it is seen as more manageable by others as cigarettes can still be enjoyed while the body and mind adjusts.

Hypnotism: This is a less popular method, but still makes the list of best ways to stop smoking because of its growing popularity and relatively high success rate. The method is based on using psychology and suggestive language, as well as more in-depth methods, to change the smoker's perception of smoking in order to make it less appealing. Neural Linguistic Programming is one form of Hypnotism becoming more prominent as one of the best ways to stop smoking.

Other: Some other popular methods include self-help books, quit smoking books, clinics, medicines, and support groups. Each has their advantages and disadvantages, so the would be ex-smoker would be wise to research all before finding what the best ways to stop smoking are for them.

While attempting to quit smoking, there are some things to consider regardless of the method adopted. Determination, commitment and perseverance are all a common trait that ex-smokers possess and will be needed. The good news is, even if one method fails a smoker, they are no worse off for having tried, they just need to try again until they find the best ways to stop. Smoking doesn't have to be their master if they are willing to keep trying.