This is going to be a bit long but maybe it'll help someone...
After smoking about a half pack a day for about 8 years I just quit in mid May so 2 and a half months smoke free for me now!! Here's how I did it and my thoughts on the process involved to actually succeed without going back (that's my goal anyway so far so good).
First how I did it - basically I started off by switching to the shorter cigs and gradually instead of smoking less cigarettes I smoked less of the cigarette. Makes sense? So if you have 10 cigs a day keep having those 10 cigs a day but gradually smoke less and less of each of those cigs.
I came to the point where I'd literally take 2-3 drags off the cigarette and throw it out (no not like a joint just regular 3 drags). Finally one day I was just like fuck this and quit cold turkey. If you get to this point where you're only having a few drags it will probably slowly become less and less appealing to you - that was my experience anyway.
First 2 days were hell but not nearly as bad if I had never cut down (I've tried to quit cold turkey numerous times before so I can compare). After 2 days it just got easier and easier but probably took a solid 2 weeks before I stopped thinking about it so much.
Here's the thing I think any smoker has to realize before they can actually succeed. You have to WANT to quit...and I mean really want to quit. Not the I want to quit but damn it's sooo good I don't think I can see my life without ciggys. Kinda hard to explain unless you've actually quit but I'm sure some of you will understand. It's just this feeling you get when you're ready to accept it as a fact and know it's your time to stop.
I tried to quit a good 5-10 times in the last few years and always failed for this exact reason. I'd lay off for a few days, week or even a month and ended up going back because deep down I just wanted to smoke and could not really see my life without it. Nope not this time. I'm done. Never having another one again and I feel GOOD about that fact. That is key.
I gained around 10 lbs in about a month so that's also something to keep an eye on. Try replacing dirty snacks (like chips) with fruits and veggies. It's kinda hard at first because you just want to eat everything in sight but you get over it after a few weeks.
The stress thing, I know that's a big one...the ciggy always relaxes you when you're pissed off. Makes you feel ooh so good. Well here's the thing, the fact is the only reason it makes you feel calm is because you're addicted and you NEED it, simple as that. I actually feel a lot LESS stressed and am more calm now that I've quit. I know it's hard to imagine but trust me on this.
Also a note to non-smokers. Please DO NOT try and convince a smoker to quit by telling them how bad it is. Yes THEY KNOW. It's not some secret that only non-smokers are aware of. A smoker may be stupid for smoking but they're not that stupid not to realize how bad it is for you. It only makes things worse for the smoker because it pisses them off and all they want to do is escape to their little cigarette world. Shut the fuck up already. If you really want to help then help by umm I dunno, saying you'll support them when they're ready, getting them a guide or help book, etc. I swear I've wanted to punch people in the face so many times when they made dumb comments about smoking.
Fuck champix, read about the side effects...it's hit or miss with this thing and if it's a miss you can fuck yourself up pretty bad.