Basicaly I met a gorgeous girl - but she also has slight Asthma and so I always had to smoke away from her (go ouside, leave the table, etc). Which I didn't like doing and I really wanted to give up.
It was really hard though, tried all the patches, etc - didn't work.
But I found the secret ...
Change your environment, and go somewhere else. That is, remove the usual daily trigger events that make you want to light up.
For me it was going home to Christmas a year ago. I had load of holiday left so took two weeks off to see the folks. I simply stopped when I arrived. I didn't have the stress of work and was outside my usual environment.
I didn't cut down or anything (I don't believe that works) I just stopped overnight - 20 per day to nothing.
Don't get me wrong you still need will power but it makes it easier when you're somewhere different. But I think you've got the right outlook - you wanna see your kids grow up, etc. Personally I just think if I get to spend just one extra day on this planet then it's worth it.
All those who smoke who have go that "just don't care" attitude make me feel so sorry for them. And I can say that because I did used to smoke and I did used to have that attitude. I was so stupid!
Now, I still have cravings occasionally, mostly when I'm pissed - but after a year I can handle it and always feel good about it the next days. Also, I can now drink like a fish - the hangovers are much easier to handle
Anyway that's another addiction
So ... if you can afford it, book a holiday to somewhere totally different from where you live and give it a go.
Couple of other things have happened since I gave up
- More energy. This doesn't happen immediately but kind of builds up over time. Its only when you look back that you realise.
- Can taste food much better (seriously). It makes eating a whole different experience
- You don't stink. Now that I'm a non-smoker I can't believe how much smokers stink.
Good luck mate