I stopped by using Wellbutrin, a milder antidepressant than Chantix. My wife and I scheduled a vacation while over her birthday almost five years ago. I started the drug and smoked until the day we left two weeks later. It was ruff for a few days, but the trip and being in a nonsmoking hotel helped.
Once home it went relatively smooth and I stopped taking the drugs after a few months.
I also have decided that I am only suspending smoking. When I turn Eighty I fully intend to start smoking again. So, I have that to look forward to.
I quit with welbutrin almost 15 years ago. I got great advice from my doctor, who said ignore the pharmacist who will tell you that you have to stop smoking within 2 weeks. the reason wellbutrin is prescribed is that one of the side effects noticed by those prescribed the drug for depression was a decreased interest in smoking. Just start cutting out one of your habit cigs a day, like the one right after eating, the one you light when you get in the car, etc... either eliminate or put them off, then eliminate. after a month or so I was down from a pack and a half a day to just a couple. dropping the last few was relatively easy