Smokers who want to quit told nicotine replacement therapy best

The most successful way of giving up smoking is to use nicotine replacement therapy, according to Dr Fenton Howell, spokesman for ASH (Action on Smoking and Health).

"There's a certain bravado about doing it for yourself without assistance but the evidence shows that nicotine replacement therapy doubles your chances of staying smoke-free," he said.

Smokers who want to quit should talk to their GPs about the treatments available, he said.

Trying to give up cigarettes without any support usually ends in failure and this deters people from trying again.

"If you have a chest infection, you don't wait for it to get better by itself. You take medication.

"If you are nicotine-addicted, it's the same thing. You should look at what's available," he said.

Dr Howell also encouraged smokers to contact the Irish Cancer Society's Stop Smoking Helpline (1850 201 203)

The society provides a free advice pack for callers. They include the four tips to remember when you get a craving:

1) Delay reaching for a cigarette for five minutes and the urge will pass.

2) Take a deep breath and relax.

3) Distract yourself with an activity.

4) Drink water, fruit juice, or any beverage which you don't associate with a cigarette.

Ms Norma Cronin, anti-tobacco consultant with the Irish Cancer Society, said people should not get discouraged if they failed on the first attempt.

"Relapses are part of the process of giving up. Just keep trying," she said.

Ms Cronin also advised people trying to quit smoking to be prepared for the withdrawal symptoms. "Remember that these symptoms are temporary and think of the long term benefits," she said.