Was one of your New Year's Resolutions to stop smoking? Did you keep at it?

If you did, well done! If not, don’t worry - you’ve got another chance next week as National No Smoking Day arrives on March 14th 2012.

Here’s a few hints and tips to help you on your way.

1. It’s a big step so build up to it. Pick a date to quit and work your way up to putting that final one out. March 14th would do! Use the time between now and then to work out other ways of helping yourself beat the cravings, and perhaps start to cut down as you get closer to the day. A couple less every day and you’ll be well on the way when you get there. Set a date – and stick to it. 

2 Take up a hobby. Anything that will get you active is good to get your lungs working, and thebestof Watford has some ideas in their events listing. Why not take up the Zumba craze that is sweeping the nation, or do your bit at a conservation event?

3. Why and when do you smoke? After a drink? After meals or a coffee? Is it just to release stress or calm down? Take the time between now and your quit date to work out what gets you needing a smoke, and thinking about what else you can do to combat it. Take a few days off going to the pub for example.

4. How much money will you save on fags? Make a note of how often you buy them before you quit and stick some money in a tin for every pack you don’t get. Then promise yourself an evening out, a present for yourself or even a holiday, paid for with the money you’ve saved.

5. Work out a punishment system if you are spotted having a smoke. Have a tin where you have to put the price of a packet in every time you have a single one. Then donate the money to charity at the end of the month. This isn’t your reward fund after all - you've still probably been spending money on sneaky cigarettes anyway! At least that way you can help out a great local cause.

6. Remember why you want to quit. Perhaps you’re sick of the smell. Mayber your kids are desperate for you to stop, or perhaps you just don’t want to be one of the estimated 104,000 people killed by smoking related illnesses including cancers every year.

From thebestof Watford, good luck giving up!