it's mental power

anyway, here's my take on quitting smoking: it depends on how much of a smoker are you. In Australia for example, there's a guideline on when a nicotine product is required or not. if you are a light smoker, then it is quite possible for you to quit based on mental power and maybe family motivation alone. getting married, having kids, found a new gf who doesnt like smoker is a good motivational factor that is found to be working.

if you are heavy smoker on the other hand, the usage of nicotine patches might be needed. Most of the time it is assisted therapy as well, as to keep track on the smoker's progress (number of ciggies smoked a day, total dose of nicotine needed a day etc). usually pharmacists will be dealing with this, to ensure a successful therapy. Those who is serious in quitting (and i highly recommend to do so), i suggest visiting a health professional to get a good regime, and not just simply purchasing nicotine patches without any aim.

whatever research that is, throw it away. nicotine is a chemical that makes you addicted to something and in this case, smoking. be it men or women, addiction to smoking is basically because addicted to nicotine and not to smoking itself. It is other substances in cigarettes that is harmful. If nicotine is harmful, why do we have nicotine patches? nicotine products are used to assist in smoking withdrawal by eliminating the bad substances within the ciggies, yet doesnt remove the nicotines from the smoker's body because abrupt cessation means withdrawal symptoms. of course, nicotine patches is not meant to be taken for life and as such, gradual reduction of amount over a period of time is usually the way to go. Hence, my suggestion on a regime from doctor/pharmacist as i mentioned above.