Seventy percent of the 46 million Americans who smoke want to quit. But successful quitting rates are dismal. Smokers usually try to quit several times before permanently kicking the habit, and smokers who don't participate in a smoking cessation program fail 95 percent of the time.

But don't despair. Each year about 1.3 million smokers do quit. Since 1965, more than 40 percent of all adults who have ever smoked have quit. And research shows that with good smoking cessation programs, 20 to 40 percent of participants are able to quit smoking and stay off cigarettes for at least one year. There are a lot of different ways to give up smoking, but research shows you'll have the best chance of quitting if you take the following steps: Take time to prepare yourself mentally; get support and encouragement from people around you or professionals; learn new skills and behaviors to help you cope without cigarettes; get medication and use it correctly; and prepare yourself for difficult situations and setbacks.

Ready to give quitting a go? Here are the answers to the questions you'll need to succeed:

1. Why should I quit?

2. Why is it so hard?

3. I want to quit. What's the first thing I should do?

4. Should I taper or quit all at once?

5. It's getting close to quit day. What should I do?

6. What medicines are available to help me quit?

7. How can I get social support while I am quitting?

8. What is withdrawal, and how do I quench cravings?

9. I quit. How do I avoid a relapse?

10. Where can I find out more about quitting smoking?