I'm working on this too. Been smoking for 8 years, .5-1 pack a day. Thanks for the encouragement folks. I'm especially concerned, because smoking helps me ventilate stress while trading. Since I've been trading less than a year, I know I need to kick this dependency before it becomes deeply ingrained. I started using the gum, and have gotten to the point where I can not smoke for several days, but somehow it just keeps creeping back. Psychologically, one thing that helps is to visualize tobacco executives laughing histerically around a boardroom as they introduce yet another additive to keep me feeding their cash cow like a jackass. .....smoking is also highly analogous to a losing trade. Holding my breath seems to help kick cravings too. You get a rush when you start breathing again, and you're blood is deoxygenated, so it actually feels a lot like a smoke.
Whatever you do don't trade while on Zyban, if you do be real careful! Zyban gives you "I could care less" attitude...nothing bothers you! You can experience heavy losses! Take a short break from trading (it's probably a routine for you (like me) to smoke, drink coffee and trade...need to break that routine) Good luck.... I am next (again)
Lots of good answers. I don't know if there is a "best" way to quit. I can only say what worked for me. I had quit a few times and went back. I finally decided to make it a mind game (based on other experiences....details unimportant). What I did was decide several months in advance what day I was going to quit. I think it was my birthday...could have been New Years (doesn't matter). What did matter was that I had 4 or 5 months to get my brain trained that on such and such a day, I was going to be a non-smoker. Given that amount of time, I actually dreamed about being a non-smoker. Thought about it every time I lit up. So what worked for me was being SO mentally prepared, that on "the day", I was emotionally ready. The physical addiction is strong, but I think the "emotional...psychological" aspect is even stronger. Anyway, that is what worked for me, and I haven't touched a cigarette since that day (around 1980 or 81). BTW, I was over a 2 pack a day smoker from 17-34. When I quit, I knew I had it beat when I could play poker and not have a smoke. Peace, and good luck. Kick the habit any way that works for you!!! (the smell of second hand smoke is now disgusting to me!) Rs8.5