I gave up smoking 7 weeks ago using the nicotine patches.
I used to smoke a packet a day (20) and stated off on the 21mg patches. So far I have found the patches to be very good.
The NRT course I choose is:
First six weeks on 21mg patch
2 weeks on 14 mg
2 weeks on 7 mg
I did consider the e-cig but decided the patches would be better for me as you just put it on in the morning and apply a new one each day. I think everyone has their own prefered method and as long as you are able to quit the nicotine drug that is the most important thing.
It is hard at first to kick the habit but as each week passes the easier it becomes.
The most important thing is to plan a course to slowly reduce your nicotine intake over a period of 3 months and then after 3 months you should be able to get by without nicotine.
Good luck all!