I would normally not re post my own comments but I feel squirbel has given me the green light so here you are:
I have been a smoker for four years. I started at three-plus packs a day (stressful job) I broke up with my girlfriend and came out of the closet, releasing my stress and reducing my intake to one. For two years the most faithful relationship I had was to a man named Joe Camel. Every once in awhile I’d date a human that didn’t approve of smoking which motivated me to “quit” for the duration of our relationship. The moment we broke up I’d be back to my first love.
I even listened to my friends and loved ones warning me of the dangers of cigarettes. I looked at the photographs and autopsies of those that have succumbed to lung cancer, and for a brief time this would give me the motivation and determination to overcome my addiction – of course I would always return to smoking in the end.
It took another two years for me to realize that I would never have victory over this if my motivation was in others.
I had to do this for me and that journey of self-discovery brought to light certain questions that were very difficult to confront. Now every time I light up a cigarette I have to remind myself that I am making a self-destructive statement: “I am not worth living.” Therefore bringing my insecurities to light. Once you start to make your vice/addiction/issue personal and stop relying on external motivation, you will find that it becomes a self-analysis with painful, but ultimately, victorious experiences.
I want a cigarette right now but there are a lot of realties I have to face before I can light up or a lot of truths I have to deny, about myself, before I can enjoy it.
Also here are some links to earlier variations of your question that contain a lot of helpful advice:
http://www.fluther.com/disc/7289/how-can-i-quit-smoking/
http://www.fluther.com/disc/6245/how-does-someone-quit-smoking/
http://www.fluther.com/disc/3559/how-can-i-quit-smoking-for-good/