According to the Indian Council of Medical Research, in India, over 6,00,000 men in the age group of 25-69 die due to smoking every year. Many more people are affected by passive smoking. These deaths are easily preventable through a few lifestyle changes like diet, exercise and stress management.

Different smokers need different therapies depending on their unique conditions. A common way to quit smoking is to join a stop-smoking program. Local NGO’s and other groups run these programmes for like-minded people who wish to quit smoking. These programmes give lots of ideas on how to quit smoking and stay quit. Smokers may be recommended guidebooks, videotapes and audiotapes to help them kick the habit.

If you are planning to quit smoking, pick a good time for rehabilitation. Don't try to quit when you're under a lot of stress or around a holiday. Different smokers have different experiences when they try to quit. Some may feel sleepy or very excited, light headed, nervous or irritable; while others might crave tobacco or sweets or have headaches. Regular exercise, morning walks, plenty of sleep, a balanced diet and plenty of water can give the process of rehabilitation a boost.

Nicotine replacement therapy is another tool of tobacco rehabilitation. It takes care of the nicotine addiction so that the smoker can work on breaking the habit. These products are designed to reduce cravings for cigarettes and relieve the withdrawal symptoms people experience while trying to quit smoking. Some forms of nicotine replacement therapy are nicotine chewing gum, nicotine patches, inhalers, nasal sprays and pills. These products produce less nicotine than is present in cigarettes, plus they do not contain tar and other gases.

Smokers may also have to go through counselling sessions with a specialist, drug therapies, yoga, meditation and social support. Some therapists who are helping tobacco addicts quit their habit may also use alternative therapies like hot baths, hypnosis, Reiki and acupuncture.