Really, do we need to repeat this? Nothing about smoking is good for you. The free-radicals in smoking, cause premature aging, destroys the cells in your lungs, promotes heart disease, promotes cataracts and cancer. It can contribute to back pain too because it dehydrates the spinal discs.

Smoking cessation courses or acupuncture can help. Nicotine patches or nicotine gum/mints work for some people. Smoking is an addiction—nicotine is addictive. So it’s tough to stop cold turkey. Plan ahead to stop smoking by changing your routine. Drive home from work a different way and refuse to take a drag of that cigarette while in the car. Post reminder notes on your computer screen, on the TV screen or wherever it is you historically have smoked. Put a plan in writing to use the money you save from not smoking to take that dream vacation or to buy something you’ve wanted for a long time.

Most people smoke when they drink, even though they don’t always drink when they smoke. So some people find that it’s easier to quit smoking if they eliminate drinking, particularly during the first several weeks.