The best way is the way that works for YOU. Some people use NRTs, some use pharmaceutical drugs like Chantix, some quit cold turkey. But our first step was to educate ourselves on the addiction. And that's done by simply reading. The more you know about the addiction and your relationship to it, the better prepared you'll be. The stronger your preparation, the more likely your success. If you haven't yet studied the quit plan here, do. It's a great tool. Simply click on My Quit Plan (upper right) and start going through the material on there. When you understand WHY, WHEN and WHERE you engage in smoking, you'll begin more able to change your behavior.
A couple of things to keep in mind along the way: humor will help alleviate some of the craving angst, and the way the journey progresses has a lot to do with how you perceive it. You can see it as a mountain impossible to climb or as a fun, empowering challenge. You'll enjoy it a whole lot more if you aim for the latter type of thought.
I smoked a pack and half for over 35 years. I tried to quit several times. Support and education are what made THE difference in my last quit, now 12 years ago. Stick around. And smile. You've got a whole bunch of people on your team who have been there and know exactly what you're going through. Chin up and have heart!
