So when is the best time to quit smoking? Now of course! Studies show that people who give up on the spot succeed more than people who plan it. Makes sense right? But with more & more smoking bans happening across the world now is the best time to smoke that last cigarette.

But what's the best way to give up? Which method works the best? Patches, Hypnotherapy, willpower? All have worked well for people but what works for you could be completely different. You should decide on a technique and stick to it. Willpower obviously is the biggest component. If you have willpower you can do anything. Or so they say!

When I gave up I read a book by Allen Carr, the world renowned smoking expert. His best selling book works mainly on psychology. But it works surprisingly well. One thing that I did before I gave up was to smoke as many cigarettes as I could one after the other. Yes it was disgusting but doing this gives you a bad memory of cigarettes whilst you're giving up which makes things a whole lot easier.

Did you know in 1972 half of all adults in the UK were smokers? By 1990 this number had fallen to a third. At present just under a quarter OK UK adults are smokers. Less than half the amount as in 1972! Smokers may not know that giving up does more than lessen your chances of lung and heart dieses. It can make you feel more energetic and healthier, improve blood circulation. Improve your sexual health and fertility. And make you look younger! Then of course there's the passive smoking. Did you know that 17,000 children under five years old are admitted to hospital each year, due to illness caused by there parents smoking?

I know the facts are those that have been drummed into us by the media over and over again and sometimes this makes us want to smoke more! But the facts are still there and remember; the best time to quit up smoking is now.

I suggest you look at your diary or calendar and select a date in a few weeks time. Make it a day such as a Saturday where you'll be off work.

You can then plan toward this date, mentally preparing yourself for what is ahead. Stay focused and on track and don't allow anything to get in your way. Make yourself a promise that you will be giving up the cigarettes on that day.

Tell your friends and family, tell your boss, gather all your smoking equipment (cigarettes, lighters, ash trays etc.) into one place so you can dispose of all of them easily on the day you've chosen and then just take a leap of faith and go for it.

Wake up that day, bin all your smoking stuff and then go out for the day somewhere nice as a treat, where your mind will be kept active (and so off your nicotine cravings!).

Good luck to you