One thing to consider is that you have developed a series of habits that don't just include puffing a cigarette. When I went to quit, I noticed that I had a mental connection to the action of putting something in my mouth associated with the craving for a cigarette. In order to help distract my mind, I transitioned to eating a baby carrot, broccoli floret, chewing a piece of gum, or taking a drink from a bottle of water. It helped me, and when my wife went to quit I recommended the action to her.
She ended up having to rely upon Nicorette gum to help her quit, since she was most certainly addicted to the nicotine as well as the "habit" of smoking.