Are you ready to make some big changes?

If you've already made some minor adjustments in your smoking routine in order to make smoking a little inconvenient, good work.

Now it's time to make major adjustments to set the stage for your quit day.

Here's what you have to do: Get rid of everything that you associate with smoking. That's right, say goodbye to your favorite lighter, ashtray and coffee mug. Put them in a place (preferably the trash can) that makes them inaccessible to you. (If you can't part with that mug, give it to a family member to hold for safe keeping until you've kicked your habit.)

This may be difficult, like saying goodbye to an old friend. Your life may feel a bit empty without the comforts of smoking, its paraphernalia and rituals. But you can do it. Use this hurdle as a practice run for your quit day.

Create an inventory of the items you need to trash. Think of everything that you use as part of your smoking routine (everything but the cigarettes and matches, that is). You can use this list to begin eliminating smoking from your life.

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