I quit 2 years, 3 months ago after 27 years of over a pack a day. You can quit and not gain weight.
Drink lots of water, carry toothpicks, sugarfree gum, anything you can think of that doesn't have calories. I used the patch and wellbutrin/zyban and it really helped curb my appetite too. Go to
www.quitnet.com for support - it's free. Carry a toothbrush and toothpaste with you, brushing your teeth really removed cravings for me at least for a little while.
Go for walks when you want a smoke - remember you used to take 10 min breaks to smoke with no prob, you can take 10 min breaks to walk. Try walking up stairs and watch how quickly your lungs improve. I would walk real fast up the 2 flights at work and it was very motivating to see how quickly it got easier.
I guess the thing that helped the most is when I realized that it was the FIRST PUFF that meant the end of a quit for me. I only had to avoid the very first puff.
You'd have to gain at least 75 lbs before the weight was worse for your health than the smoking.
Good luck! More people in the US have quit than the smokers that are left, so it CAN be done!
Kim