Tobacco free at last!
@jewelenterprises (1996)
Australia
May 25, 2008 8:59am CST
Smoking is a really expensive habit
When I first started smoking I was only 16 years old, that was in the days when you could get away with smoking underage because they didn't enforce it, and kids were allowed to go to the shops and buy cigarettes for their parents anyway.
At that time you could buy cigarettes for about $1.50 per packet. I tried to quit heaps of times, especially after marrying a non-smoker.
I finally quit at the age of 22, I stopped taking the contraceptive pill one day and quit smoking the next. Two weeks later I was pregnant with my first child. Naturally I stayed off the cigarettes. I stayed off them for over ten years until I was going through my divorce then stupid me started again.
Anyway, 10 years down the track and I have finally quit again.
I'll confess that the main reason I have quit is the expense of it now. But I've been off them now for six days. I cheated a little in the sense that I am taking champix (chantix in the US) a quit smoking aid that is taken in pill form and attaches to the nicotine receptors in the brain to maintain the feeling of having had a cigarette while leaving you to deal with the physical habit. Still, I am feeling great, and very positive about quitting.
What are your stories of quitting smoking, how did you quit? Did you have help like nicotine patches, gum etc? Or did you just go cold turkey?
6 people like this
8 responses
@jenleestan (68)
• United States
25 May 08
Congratulations to you!!! My boyfriend smokes and has been doing so for a loooong time. He often talks about quitting and wanted to try the cherry throat lozangers that you suck to help quit. So I bought them for him. Needless to say that they are still stitting on the nightstand over a month later. I try not to nag and just be encouraging. I know that he will not quit until he is ready, but I just worry about him. Also, as you pointed out, it's an expensive habit.
2 people like this
@jewelenterprises (1996)
• Australia
26 May 08
Don't worry, he'll quit when he's ready. At least he is thinking about it.
As far as the expense goes... for many people it could mean the difference between owning their own home or not.
1 person likes this
@fotojunkie (115)
• United States
25 May 08
I have never smoked, but I just wanted to extend a hearty CONGRATULATIONS your way! You have accomplished something that is quite difficult. Good for you! Keep up the great work!
1 person likes this
@fotojunkie (115)
• United States
26 May 08
Hang in there and don't beat yourself up if you backslide a little. Just press on!! Good luck!!
@webeishere (36313)
• United States
25 May 08
I have tried vasrious things tyo assist me in smoking cessation but no luck yet. I am now on Cjantix and will set the smokes down this coming Thursday in hopes of finally kicking this nasty habit. I have smoked for 45 years now and have only been smoke free 5 and a half months at the longest. Mine is a mental addiction more than a nicotien addiction. So far no bad side effects from the Chantix.
HAPPY POSTINGS FROM GRANDPA BOB !!~
1 person likes this
@jewelenterprises (1996)
• Australia
26 May 08
My partner and I are quitting together grandpa Bob. She's like you, has been smoking for the last 45 years (started young) and she is having a harder time than I am.
The mental addiction is always the worst side of it, actual chemical addiction is only about 30% of the overall addiction. I keep finding that I reach for my packet which of course isn't there... but the main time I feel it is just after a meal and first thing in the morning.
But the chantix allows you to deal with the physical addiction without having to deal with the chemical addiction.
Good luck with it. Keep me posted.
1 person likes this
@lavmadog (75)
• Philippines
25 May 08
I quit smoking with much spiritual help, I should say spiritual because the decision to stop came upon joining a spiritual retreat for single parents last March 7, 8 and 9, 2008. Before the 3-night, 2 day retreat came, I took this chance to quit smoking and promised to my 2 kids that I will kick the habit. With lots of prayers and strong will power, I did it! Up to this day, I am nicotine-free.
1 person likes this
@jewelenterprises (1996)
• Australia
26 May 08
Strong will power is correct when one goes cold turkey like that. I hate doing it that way. Still, all the more power (and blessings) to you for both your faith and your strong will.
1 person likes this
@pergammano (7682)
• Canada
25 May 08
FIRST, of all ..CONGRATULATIONS..AND MORE CONGRATULATIONS! What a triump!
I quit smoking while carrying my son! He was born with health issues! I started smoking again!
Here's the laugh! I knew I must quit..(smoke-free environment for him)!
I made an appointment for Acupuncture (the rage of the day!) Couldn't get in for 3 weeks...but thinking I would reduce the problem, I actually quit on my own...did NOT smoke for those 3 weeks! Went to Acupuncture appointment...when over, I had the strongest, most over-whelming urge to smoke...yup...you guessed it I started again.
First line should read "what a triumph!" Sorry! Good on you!
1 person likes this
@jewelenterprises (1996)
• Australia
26 May 08
Maybe you should try Chantix, apparently it has a success rate of over 50%.
It's not cheap but then compared to the habit of smoking it's not expensive either.
Thanks for the congratulations anyway.
1 person likes this
@mtsandeep (1586)
• India
25 May 08
SMOKING !!!
This is the habbit i don't like in anyone. I am not a smoker. I have many friends of my age smoking. I have asked them to quit smoking. They all tell that , they wanted to quit but they can't. May be its addiction makes it difficult to quit. They tell that if they didn't smoke for a day, it is very irritating until they get a smoke
1 person likes this
@Gingermegs (64)
• Australia
26 May 08
Congratulations keep up the good work! I do not smoke and never have but my husband does and even though he has asthma and coughs and splutters a lot he still smokes. I just can't see why a perfectly sane man would put his life at jeopardy every day like that. He says that he has tried to give up but can't. I think that is a cop out and he is very selfish.
@tarikhidirfirat (15)
• Philippines
26 May 08
Good day!
I am not a smoker but my husband is really a smoker. In a day he can spend maximum of 3 pocket and in just 4 days 20 pockets he can consume. I really don't know what to do, he told me he want to quit smoking but it's too hard for him. what is the best way to quit smoking?is it self-discipline or is there a big reason why a person is smoking?
