This is the Doctor General Warning: Smoking is hazardous to your health. I am sure you have seen this warning in every cigarette box and cigarette advertisement.

Have you even taken it seriously? Do you ever give it a thought when you buy your cigarettes? My guess is that after having read it once, you do not bother yourself with it again. Why be reminded time and again of something you do not want to be reminded of?

Eventually, you will be confronted with a person with cancer, and when this happens, maybe it will be you. Cancer happens, and it can happen to someone close to you, or even you.

Why wait for this? You should start taking that first crucial step to quit smoking. After you have listened to the doctors, and personally start believing what they are saying, the next step would be to find a reason to quit.

This is the most important step because this is the step that will see you through to the end. If your reason for quitting is for your health, and fear of getting cancer, you will have to be sure that this reason will firm up your resolve and not let you waver. Other reasons for quitting could be family, a pregnancy in the house, or the need to cut back on expenses.

Once you have decided on your reason for quitting, visit your physician. Tell him of your intentions and ask for his advice. In most cases, your doctor will give you his approval and inform you what you need to know. For example, you will have to be ready to face the withdrawal symptoms. These can be quite an experience. You might end up going back to smoking if you are not mentally prepared for the worst.

Find a support group to help you when you are at your weakest point. Avoid places and people that will encourage you to light a cigarette. You have to know that there are these people who you think are your friends, but actually are not. They will goad you, tease you, scare you, and just pressure you to go with the flow. If your reason is not solid and your resolve is not firm, you might collapse under pressure.

Quitting the habit of smoking is very tough. It is, after all, a drug that you are addicted to. You have dangerous toxins inside you. It will be a painful process, but in the end, you will be glad you did it. It will make you mature faster and age more gracefully.