I have never professed to be a world authority on quitting smoking. The following tips may not work for you, but they did for me over 10 years ago.

I have not had a cigarette since.

I could have started again after my horrific kidnapping experience but it would not have achieved a thing.

On the day you decide to quit smoking, destroy your supply of cigarettes by drowning them in water. Discard all your ashtrays.

When you feel the need for a cigarette, inhale the deepest lung-full of air you can, and then, very slowly, exhale. Purse your lips so that the air must come out slowly. As you exhale, close your eyes, and let your chin gradually fall onto your chest. Visualize all the tension leaving your body, slowly draining out of your fingers and toes. If you practice this, you'll be able to use it for any future stressful situation you find yourself in.

Next...

Over the next few days, drink LOTS of water and fluids to help flush out the nicotine and other poisons from your body.

Remember that the urge to smoke only lasts a few minutes, and will then pass. Keep in mind that the urges gradually become further and further apart as the days go by.

Eat foods like celery, apples and carrots. Chew gum or suck on cinnamon sticks. Anything to take your mind off the desire for that cigarette.

After dinner, have a cup of mint tea or a piece of peppermint or perhaps some gum.

Try to avoid coffee as this will only increase the desire to have a cigarette.

Tell your family, friends and colleagues that you are trying very hard to quit and that you might be grumpy for a few days. If you don't ask for support, you certainly won't get any.

Look in the mirror.

Tell yourself that you are no longer a smoker.

Tell yourself smokers smell terrible.

One very important golden rule...

When you crave a cigarette, practice all of the above. The urge will pass.

Good luck!

Yvonne Bornstein

It took Yvonne Bornstein twelve years to get emotionally past the trauma of her kidnapping, torture, rape and rescue to be able to finally tell her story. In January of 1992 Bornstein, a wife, mother of two, and businesswoman, found herself caught up in the political disintegration of the Soviet Union. Lured to a newly capitalist Moscow by a business proposition, Yvonne and her former husband were kidnapped, tortured and held for $1.6 million ransom by a group of Chechen rebels originally thought to be gypsies or members of the Russian mob. The kidnappers were later linked to Osama bin Laden?s al-Qaeda network.

Yvonne finally found the strength and courage to move beyond the tormenting memories of the experience, to once again find her way back to joyful living and happiness.