Giving Up Smoking

[mustard-tree]

I am feeling quite chuffed with myself.  Early days I know, but smoke free since 1st January.

Funny thing is that it wasn't planned.

I had a really bad cough, and thought it wise to not smoke at the time.  A week later, the cough settled and I thought it was silly to smoke again and iritate it and make me cough again, so didnt bother.

Was quite surprised to discover that I didn't really miss it.  I kept busy and realised my smoking was more a habit than an addiction.

Some people would say get rid of all related products so you wont be tempted, but that doesnt work with me.  

If I dont have any, then I will crave it and want it,  if I have it in the drawer available, I dont want it.

So I have to keep some tobacco, tips, papers etc in the drawer.

Oddly enough, I havent told any of my friends, and nobody seems to have noticed that I am not smoking yet.

The longer it goes on, the more determined I am to keep it up.

[fallen-archie]

Well done, I have been smoke free for 20+ years and had a similar experience to you , I stopped midway through a pack and kept it for ages, never really had cravings but all I used to say to myself when temptation came calling was “ what do I get from smoking” phlegm and bronchitis yuk! At least you don’t have the pressure of going into a pub where everyone smoked and getting sucked in! Keep it up you will feel better and it is worthwhile.

[023mjc]

Well done Mustard.

I've tried numerous times and had all the treatments available but failed every time.  I also realised that with the treatments, tablets etc,  I no longer had an addiction, but couldn't break the habit of wanting to light up. 

The january before last I decided to try again, but rather than fail again I set my target lower.  I cut down from 25 a day to 8 or less.   8 is the max I allowed myself, with a vape in between - so a lot less smoking, but the habit still being satisfied.  Some days I only had 4 cigs, so I guess I averaged 6 overall.  

Total success with that - never went over 8 for the whole year.  So this year my max is 6.  Success so far.  Maybe in 5 years time I'll have weaned myself off them completely. So although I haven't given up, I too am feeling chuffed with my efforts, and I feel physically better too.

[*****sonny*****]

Well done. I have to admire those who can stop simply by deciding not to smoke anymore.

I quit 11 years ago after having caught the worst flu of my life. I slept for 48 hours and felt terrible for the next 3 weeks so found it quite easy to stop despite having 3000 cigarettes in the house. I used to fly to Spain every 3 months for a short holiday and bring back a supply of cigarettes.

Food tastes so much better so be aware you could put weight on. I hope you do keep it up, just think how much you will save. Can't believe the price of cigarettes now.

[Anonymous]

Not smoked now for 2 years. Quit cold turkey.  Didn't find it as hard this time as I thought it would be. I tried a few times in the past but didn't stop then. COPD is a pretty good motivator...................sadly. So maybe I was more motivated this time round.

[al**bear]

Well done Mustard -

I gave up about 12 years ago

I still have the still sealed 20 cigarette packet, that I bought to sit on my Monitor

As any smoker knows, you can sit with 100s of them in the House and not smoke,

but it seems to increase your need to get fags when You don't have any in the House.

Remember after about 6 weeks, you might get a week of deep craving,

as your body cries out for a smoke, one last time

[june-spoon28]

Well done to all who have quit, a vile smelly expensive and harmful habit. Blerghhhhh 🙁
I gave up 30 years ago when pregnant Oh 20 years ago cold turkey after a 60 a day smoker.

Believe me best thing ever you can do.

Tickles me how people can say its just a habit and not an addiction, of course it an addiction. ☺

[dark_castle1]

How are you getting on with your stopping smoking venture mustard ?

I was 40 a day until 23rd June this year and since then have not had a cigarette so fingers crossed I can continue with my endevours. I am not a non smoker, I am just a smoker that has not had a cigarette for a few weeks.

[mustard-tree]

Seven months now.  It was a lot easier as nearly all my friends are non smokers.

Only one does, and knowing I have given up, she always goes outside to smoke when she visits.

My friends have said that my flat has now lost that smokey smell, and my doctor is pleased with my efforts too.

[dark_castle1]

Well done mustard, you have done really well and long may it continue.

[mustard-tree]

Here is an update.   Just over a year now and still smoke free

Still get the occasional cough though

[astrologica]

Ah..well done Mustard!You should be very proud of yourself.👍And a big Well Done to all others on here who have managed to give up. Although I have never been a smoker, I appreciate how hard it must be to give up as I have had some family members who have tried...some successfully,some not. Think of all the cash you have saved too.....brilliant!!!

[bankhaunter]

Well done.

I had been thinking I needed to give up for some time, things were brought to a head when, back in the middle of September I had a mild heart attack and haven't smoked since.

There are times when I really fancy a smoke but for the sake of my blood pressure, it must be no.

[Anonymous]

Not smoked for over 3 years now.

Well done to all of you who have given up.

[chad13vb]

I understand you so much. I've tried to quit smoking for 2 years, and finally, half a year ago, I finally could to do that. Although I still smoke hookah, time to time, but it's not so harmful as regular cigarettes.

[right-then-petal]

😁Hello Mustard, Nice To See Your Still Around And Well I Hope

Smoked 40-50 A Day Then Went On To Vape And Still   On Vape

[chad13vb]

Vapes are really a cool thing, and great alternative.

[chad13vb]

Tlaking about smoking regular cigarettes, vapes and hookah. What do you think about hookahs from here ( iconhookah.com/hookahs ) ? Have you ever tried Honey Sigh hookahs, or maybe you even saw something like that on Ebay? I want to get the most profitable options to get some of those, for the restaurant of my brother.

[*knight-rider*]

i started smoking when i was 11 years old and i`m now nearly 59. i`ve tried half a dozen times to quit and have never managed to do it, the biggest problem for me, is the fact that i`ve always enjoyed every fag i`ve had, it`s not like it was just out of habit, which may have made it easier.

That said, for the past 5 years or so, i`ve been vaping and only smoke one fag a day now, which is first thing of a morning when i get up, after my cup of tea. Vaping is a bit harsh on the throat first thing of a morning so i still enjoy that one fag and then that`s it, i vape the rest of the day.

i actually only started vaping vecause of the price of fags, which depending on what you smoke, can be anything from £10 to as high as £20 per packet, i now only spend £21 a month on liquid to vape, which is a hell of a saving, in fact my 73 year old neighbour who was spending nearly £80 a week on fags has just started vaping herself and said she doesn`t miss the fags at all, which i said to her she probably would`nt, because she`s still occupying her hands and still getting the nicotine hit, which is what your addicted to, not the fag.