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It is estimated that 90% of a person's addition to smoking is in the brain and only 10% based on the actual chemicals found in a cigarette. Whilst some of the chemicals create a 'need' in the brain it is by using our brain (usually through willpower) we overcome the addiction.

Which means that, as it is mostly brain based, psychology can help. We can use psychology to help lesson addictions, to create new thought patterns and to disassociate our cravings from certain actions (such as needing a smoke when having a beer or glass of wine).

The Psychology of Quitting Smoking
Whilst a lot of the techniques used in quitting smoking require in depth knowledge of psychology, or access to an expert, there are a few tricks that you can use to make quitting easier on yourself without having to go to those extremes.

The most common and effective of which is the technique of association. Specifically you want to associate giving up with rewards to encourage continued resistance to smoking, and you want having a smoke to be associated with negative aspects of life.

The best way of doing this is by using the reward system. And whilst many try this simply as a 'common sense' approach they usually make things too difficult or miss the point (not using negative aspects for example).

It is important that you start slow. Set realistic goals with small but enjoyable rewards. Give yourself a bottle of wine for going a few days, or a new top or some sports tickets for going a week or two.

A big reward like a holiday for not smoking for 6 months is great – but it is the short term that our brain often works in, so start short term and eventually look at setting up a long term reward as well.

DON'T forget the negative. It is important that you think of smoking as a negative aspect. So if you do fall off the wagon force yourself to tidy the shed out, or to clean all the drains. Anything you HATE doing.