How to Kick the Habit "The most important part for a person who wants to quit smoking is that the person is motivated and committed to what is a difficult process," says Dr. Michael Fiore, a cessation expert who chairs a U.S. government panel examining the best quitting methods for smokers. There is no quick fix. Nothing will automatically turn a smoker into a nonsmoker. All options require the smoker go through what is frequently a difficult withdrawal process. "It's like alcohol, you have to consider yourself potentially addicted for the rest of your life," says Fiore. It's either 100 percent of 0 percent. What is going to make the biggest difference is how committed you are.