You know the old joke: Quitting smoking is easy. I've done it a thousand times.
Although the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention acknowledges that quitting isn't easy, it offers the hopeful news that about half of all adults smokers have stopped.
To quit, the agency has a few tips.
First, you have to decide to stop completely, not just cut back on the number of cigarettes you smoke each day. Even those low-tar cigarettes aren't the path to quitting.
Second, write down the reason you want to quit.
Third, be aware that it won't be easy and that you'll just have to take it one day -- or even one minute -- at a time.
Finally, if you need help, get it. There are lots of organizations dedicated to helping smokers quit. Your doctor can be of assistance, too.
