If you'd like to give acupuncture a try, ask your friends and family to recommend practitioners, or visit the American Academy of Medical Acupuncture Web site, for referrals by state. You can also get a list of board-certified acupuncturists by phoning the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.

While no herb has been proven to replace nicotine effectively in the way that substitutes such as Nicorette do, chamomile and valerian may be able to ease your transition to life as a nonsmoker. The calming effect of these herbs can help you cope with stressful situations that might otherwise lead you to smoke. If your feelings are already on an even keel, the herbs make it easier to handle unexpected cigarette cravings without tumbling off the wagon.

On rare occasions chamomile may produce an allergic reaction in people prone to hay fever. Don't use valerian if you're taking other sedatives, as it may intensify their effects, including side effects. Keep in mind that the government doesn't regulate herbal supplements as strictly as it does other drugs, so quality and potency can vary from bottle to bottle. In rare cases, supplements may be contaminated with undesirable substances.