I think I'm feeling motivated enough to try to quit smoking next week. How can I know if I'm really ready?

Aside from giving it a shot, that is.

I got bronchitis at the beginning of December, and went to the doctor and got antibiotics and a salbutamol inhaler. The drugs helped, but I’m still not feeling up to par. I’m coughing in the mornings and occasionally get that bronchitis-like short-of-breath feeling.

I think I’ve gotten to the point where, intellectually and psychologically, I know I have to quit. It feels a little different than it used to—I used to think “Yeah, I really have to quit one of these days”. Now I’m thinking “Yeah, I really have to quit… and soon.”

For years I’ve been planning to use Nicorette products when it comes time to quit. There’s a combo patch/gum system now which I think would help me; you use the patch, which releases a continuous dose of nicotine, and there’s the gum as well for those bad cravings. I am addicted—I’ve just finished guiltily smoking my first cigarette of the day. So I know I’ll need some kind of stop-smoking aid; willpower won’t be enough for me. I’ve been smoking for 17 years and it’s a part of my life now.

I guess I’m looking for input from former smokers. How did you know you were ready to quit? What advice can you give to a smoker who’s really feeling the urge to quit, but is physically dependent on smoking?

Thanks in advance for your help, Jellies.