1K0N
First of all congrats on your choise. I quit a 13 year old habbit on feb 1. and have stayed "clean" (a couple of weeks ago i was seen drunk as a mofo with a sig in my hand but i can't remember so it does not count imo).
Anyway... the health benefits comes very rapidly, and you are gonna notice it within the first week!. I thought i was in fairly good shape before i quit, but now i realise i wasnt. Its great and now i don't regret it al... its like a brand new lifel
I didn't use any aids to quit and i decided on a sunday that i would not buy another pack on monday so it was in impulse..not planned. I had a bad couple of weeks before the worst of the nicotine craving went away and it was not fun so prepare yourself for it (no pain, no gain) Belive it or not...the craving is all gone now, but i do miss them once in a while but not as much as i feared.
Good luck to you, it is worth it so don't give up if you decide to try!
Keep us posted and ill back you up anytime you need it