The decision to quit smoking remains among the top New Year's resolutions each year.

In a recent survey by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, 77 percent of adult smokers in Massachusetts say they want to quit and the New Year’s holiday provides many of them with the fresh start needed to quit for good.

"Quitting smoking will be hard, but there are ways to make it easier," Judith Coykendall, program manager of the Tobacco-Free Community Partnership, advised.

Since Wareham has the second highest occurrence of lung cancer in the state due to the high rate of smoking in town, it is even more important for Wareham residents to try to quit for 2012, Coykendall said.

Al Piquette and Luann Smith, both Wareham ex-smokers, recommend that smokers do whatever it takes to beat the habit.

Piquette said he took it a half-hour at a time.

"My life has never been better," he said.

Smith quit when her dad died of asthma and emphysema. She said she and her two sisters decided to quit together.

It took Smith ten attempts, but she finally succeeded. Her advice? "Keep trying and don’t give up."

According to the Clinical Practice Guideline "Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence," smokers who get support and use "stop-smoking" medicines are more than twice as likely to quit for good as those who try to quit on their own.

Experts recommend the following steps to improve chances of quitting smoking for good.

1. Make a quit plan. Decide on a specific date when you will quit. If you’ve tried to quit before, use your past experience to think about what helped you the first time and what you’ll do differently this time. Visit makesmokinghistory.org to learn more about creating a quit plan.

2. Know your triggers. Triggers are certain times, places, people, or feelings that make you want to smoke. Common triggers include: stress, drinking alcohol, driving, and after eating a meal. Plan ahead to deal with your triggers.

3. Get support from family and friends. Think about who you want to tell about your plans to quit smoking. Ask them for positive support and encouragement. Think about how they can help, whether it’s going for a walk or calling you. If you’d rather they didn’t make a big deal of it, tell them that too.

4. Get help from a trained professional. Using counseling support or cessation medicines can make you twice as likely to quit for good. Ask your insurance provider what types of benefits you are eligible for or ask your pharmacist about over-the-counter stop-smoking medicines. You can also get free support through the MA Smokers’ Helpline at 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669).

5. Don’t give up. If you slip and smoke a cigarette after your quit date, it doesn’t mean you have failed. Many smokers have to try several times before they quit for good. Remind yourself of the reasons why you want to quit and keep moving forward with your plan.

A face-to-face local tobacco treatment program is offered at the Wellness Connection, part of the Greater New Bedford Community Health Center. Appointments can be made at 508-992-6553, ext. 419.  Also, MassHealth members can meet with a counselor and/or choose from many stop-smoking medicines for a $1 or $3 co-pay. Smokers with other health insurance should check with their insurance company to see what coverage is offered.

The Tobacco-Free Community Partnership, a program of Seven Hills Behavioral Health, is funded by the Massachusetts Tobacco Cessation and Prevention Program and serves as a resource for local coalitions, health and human service agencies, municipalities, and workplaces on tobacco intervention efforts.

Seven Hills Behavioral Health (SHBH) provides a full array of comprehensive mental health supports to both adults and children.