IS 2001 going to be the year you finally kick the habit?

There are 8.5 million smokers in Great Britain and more than two million of them will vow to quit smoking as their New Year resolution. It is one of the most popular resolutions, behind exercising more and losing weight.

The way to succeed, according to QUIT, the national charity that helps smokers to stop, is all in the planning, and finding support from healthcare professionals.

Nearly one in four smokers who have tried to quit smoking at new year blame lack of success on inadequate planning.

Peter McCabe, chief executive of QUIT, says: "Smokers who wish to give up smoking for the New Year should prepare themselves and identify their reasons for wanting to quit. They should begin by setting a quit date and enlist the help of family and friends. There has never been a better time to quit, as there is currently more help available than ever before."

Why is it so hard to quit?

The main reason why people fail to give up smoking isn't because of lack of willpower but because they are addicted. It is the nicotine they are addicted to. A report by The Royal College of Physicians it states that nicotine is as addictive as hard drugs such as heroin and cocaine.

That is why only three per cent of smokers who attempt to quit with willpower alone succeed.

Smokers wanting to quit need to seek help from their GP to overcome the nicotine addiction.

The number of people going along to their GP to get help with quitting smoking is on the upward trend.

Dr Chris Steele, GP and smoking cessation expert, explains: "Smoking cessation treatment together with advice and support will give motivated patients the best chance of quitting. In my experience, those who succeed at giving up smoking take their addiction seriously, visit their GP for professional advice and understand that motivation is vital, alongside preparation."

Smokers who do eventually give up the habit will improve their health almost immediately. The chance of a heart attack begins to fall within two days after quitting.

Countdown to Quitting leaflets are available from Quitline on 0800 002200.