With the credit crunch in full effect and the radical increase in price of cigarettes - not to mention the legion of horrific health risks - it's easy to see why every day, more and more people decide to stop smoking. However, it's a notoriously difficult task: as well as the physical cravings, there are a wealth of psychological aspects to take into account - not the least of which is that although you may have quit, a lot of your friends might not, meaning you still smell it and see it, which can really compound the difficulty that you will experience.

One of the advantages of the modern era, however - especially with people now knowing just how harmful cigarettes are - is that there is a wide range of methods and products available on the market to help people to make the change and stop smoking. From hypnosis sessions to mobile phone applications, there is probably a method which will fit every one, every schedule and every budget, whether you would prefer personal sessions or to get the help you need on the train to work in the morning.

This flexibility is the true advantage of the modern self help market, particularly when it comes to helping people stop smoking as not every method works for every person. Some people, for example, may struggle with finding a reputable hypnotherapist in their area, but may be tech savvy enough to own an iPhone or iPod Touch which will support the interactive applications available from the iTunes Store. There are also many other options available such as audio CDs or downloads which are compatible with almost any MP3 player, as well as books and support through the NHS, so the old excuse of not being able to stop smoking because 'it's too hard' really doesn't hold any water anymore.

Of course, none of these methods will help an unresponsive individual to stop smoking. All the help in the world won't do the job for you if you haven't already decided that you really want to quit, but it is possible for even the most resolved mindset to crack at times, which is why a support method such as hypnotherapy, whether in personal or downloaded form, is such an effective tool. It will help you to alter your mindset and give the support you need to make the positive change that you want to make as opposed to going it alone and hoping for the best.