If any one of the ways to quit smoking on the market that was 100 percent effective, there probably would not be any more smokers in the United States. However, each person's habit, or addition to nicotine is as different as the reasons they began smoking in the first place, making it difficult to find a one-cure fits all remedy. The one common thread among all the ways to quit smoking is that the smoker has to have the desire to stop before any of them will work.

Until a few years ago, smoking was considered a habit and behavior modification was one of the most popular ways to quit smoking. By participating in activities in which smoking was not possible, a person could get rid of the habit. It has often been said that a behavior has to be done consistently for 21 days before it becomes a habit, and not all of the activities could be sustained for the required three weeks.

Swimming or playing active sports not only eliminated the chance of lighting up but could also boost a person's overall general health. As one of the ways to quit smoking exercise is also most beneficial in other ways. While many states have passed no smoking in public laws to curb the dangers of second-hand smoke for non-smokers, it may also prove to be one of the ways to quit smoking if people spend most of their time in places where it is prohibited.

Legislating Behavior Does Not Work

In spite of the laws banning smoking in many areas, people still find a way to enjoy their vice, and if they cannot smoke indoors, they will brave the elements and move their smoking habit outdoors. Although, there is more of a focus recognizing smoking as an addiction, opening the door to finding new ways to quit smoking for more people.

Hypnosis has about a 45 percent success rate and new prescription medication has about a 30 percent chance of helping people kick the habit. Perhaps one of the most effective ways to quit smoking is peer pressure and pressure from family and friends, but again the desire to butt out is going to be a leading factor of success.

Nicotine patches, gum and other devices that supply reduced amount of nicotine have been used to as ways to quit smoking but their use on a consistent basis is difficult for some. Prices higher that cigarettes for some of these products also renders them questionable about being effective ways to quit smoking for many people.