If you have been thinking about quitting smoking, you need to get motivated to do it completely and successfully. It's very easy to relapse into the problem again because it's addictive in nature. However, the importance of quitting cannot be over emphasized because of the serious health concerns arising caused by this habit.

There are many ebooks that give good information on how to gradually stop smoking, such as "4 steps to stop smoking cigarettes", "10 steps to stop smoking successfully" etc.. Most of these ebooks will give you a set of motivational tips and programs that will help you successfully overcome smoking.  These books can be downloaded from the Internet. Generally, an ebook should cover the following four vital steps to stop smoking:

Step 1 - Set a goal for yourself. Plan how you are going to start quitting. Decide when you will stop and how you are going to reduce the number of cigarettes you will be smoking every day. Tell people around you about your intention, so that they support you and keep you on track to quit successfully.

Step 2 - Most often lighting a cigarette is a reaction to an event that's happening around us, which can be a celebration, a tragic event or something exciting. As part of the efforts to stop smoking, we should control our emotions during such event, so that the need for smoking can be controlled.

Step 3 - Use Nicotine replacement therapies, such as nicotine gum, nicotine sprays, nicotine patches during the quitting process so that you can cope with the urge to quit. This prevents you from lighting a cigarette.  With a physician prescription, you can take stop smoking drugs such as Zyban and Chantix.

Step 4 – Drink plenty of water everyday. This flushes out toxins from your body and keeps away the urge to light a cigarette. It's also vital to avoid fatty foods and alcohol as this aggravates the need to have a smoke, and substitute the need to smoke with healthy eating habits. Include more of fresh veggies and fruits in your daily diet.

Finally, opt for an effective counseling program. The need to smoke arises when you feel hunger, tiredness, fatigue or depression. Counseling can help you deal with emotions that make you want to smoke as well as emotions arising as you withdraw from smoking.