One should not diet while quitting smoking. That requires too much willpower and quitting smoking is difficult enough by itself. One should try to exercise and to eat a balanced diet. An attempt to restrict calories and lose the weight gained during smoking cessation should be postponed until there is no more craving for tobacco. Enrollment in an ongoing counseling program helps tremendously in the effort to quit.
Social support is also very important.
Smokers should let their family, friends and co-workers know that they are quitting. Nicotine replacement therapy has been available for several years now, first in the form of nicotine gum and later as the more effective nicotine patches. Nicotine replacement therapy is also available as an inhaler and a nasal spray. These products satisfy the bodies' craving for nicotine while getting out of the habit of smoking cigarettes and avoiding irritation to the lungs and carcinogens. The dose of nicotine is then gradually tapered down over several weeks until the person is finally off nicotine altogether.