I just decided to quit smoking... Help?

Okay so long story short Im 22 years old, and embarrassed to say I have already been smoking for 10 years. I have never tried to quit before. The thought of quitting cold turkey scares me to death, but the thought of cutting down leaves alot of time for excuses not to quit to come up. I guess im afraid of the withdraw process mostly. I know im addicted to the nicotine, but I think im more-so hooked on the act of smoking, and the satisfying burn at the back of my throat. Can you offer any suggestions on cold turkey, or gradual, and what quitting smoking aids that actually work for someone hooked on that stupid throat burn? I have been smoking about a pack and a half a day, but today, first day of the cutback, have had 8.