TIPS: What to ask yourself... How your doctor can help... Increase your chances of quitting smoking...

1. Ask yourself if you are really ready to quit. Don't try to quit without first making this decision.

2. Once you have decided to quit, your doctor can help. She should be very happy to help you quit smoking for a large number of reasons, including the fact that her life will be easier.

3. Working on other aspects of a healthy life, such as a healthier diet and stress reduction, could increase your chances of quitting smoking.

4. If you don't smoke, avoid smoke-filled areas - second hand smoke is a known carcinogen.

____________________

Click Here To Search Think Like A Doctor

Click Here To Learn How to Learn More

Like nearly all smokers, I didn't find it particularly hard to quit. I had done it dozens of times--sometimes for six weeks at a time... The hard part was not starting up again, especially during times of stress or at parties, etc. So, when I got serious about quitting (because I had small children and wanted them NEVER to start smoking), some friends and I formed a Stop Smokling Group. No, not the usual kind that never works, wher one person gets or loses a lot of money. In our group the deal was this: you pledged to all members of the group that 1) on your honor for the rest of your life you would not ingest ANY tobaccinous product and 2) if you did so, you would immediately turn over $100 in cash to every other member of the group. So, when any of us felt like taking that FIRST puff again after quitting, we knew it was immediately going to set us back $1,000 in cash. Twenty-five years later, some of us are perhaps a little disappointed that no one has caved in to the desire to smoke again: we could have used the money. And an unexpected but kinda nice side benefit is that we have discovered 10 other people whose word is their bond. How many of you know ten others persons you can trust?

-- Anonymous, July 23, 2000

I heard a psychiatrist once say that smokers often did so to repel other people, whether its annoying husbands or whatever.

-- Sam Bell, March 29, 2001

I tried to quit at least 8x's or more- but now that I am close to 50 yrs old I figure it is my last change- God Willing, I hope it was not too late. I am able to do things I had difficulity doing before, ex. Walking up stairs, house hold chores without geting out of breath. Fast pace walks, I would like to be able to run but I do have some difficulity with that. I did gain 10 lbs, I figure I can work on that later and it is better than looking slim in the coffin! I think volunteer work at a hospital w/smoking related ill patients would not only help oneself but also help the sick patients & bring some pleasure and company to their day. Are there any local hosp.in N. Andover, MA 01845 area?

-- Cynthia Doherty/72 Fernview/N.Andover, M, July 11, 2001

The little bit that I read on smoking isn't what I was looking for. Eveything that was in the article I had already known. The cure for quiting was always associated with a doctor. Can't you have any advice on quiting and not going to a doctor. Going to a doctor is just another way for them to get money and it really doesn't work. Once you get on the medicine it might work but then you either become addicted to the meds or you stop taking them and decide to smoke again.

-- Anonymous, August 10, 2001

I quit cold turkey. It was hell, but after a year I don't have cravings anymore. Sure, for FOOD...but I'm sure I'm a lot healthier with the extra 20 lbs. than still smoking. I used an artificial plastic cigarette made by a company named EZ-Quit. I found it on Quitnet.com, a GREAT support site. I used scare sites on the Web to remind myself of all the ugly, nasty diseases smoking causes. I chew a lot of gum and drink a lot of jasmine tea. After a year, I have finally weaned myself off the cheese crackers and onto salads, but I still eat a lot. I do feel better though and have saved a lot of money. Best advice I can give is get the artificial cigarette and keep looking at those scare sites on the Web.

-- Teresa, March 26, 2002

can it make ur eyes yellow?

-- Christina, April 5, 2002

I want to know the influence which smoking may have on nutritional status?

-- dietetic student, April 30, 2002

I'm at the doorway of stop smoking, its bad for my heart (having a heart condition), don't want to take the patch, want to do it cold turkey, but don't know if i can. I have only stopped twice in my life of 47 years, for both births of my children, I'm so afraid of gaining weight i can't aford to gain being 4 feet 7. I would like to hear from people who quit cold turkey.

-- Evelyn, June 17, 2002

I saved my last cigarette butt and put it in a plastc, Ziplock bag. It stays in my car(the hardest place for me not to smoke) and when I have a craving, I put my nose in the bag. The smell takes my craving away!

-- Linda, July 17, 2002

The thing that helped me is this: the people that make cigarettes are lining their pockets with the money you spend making yourself sick...REMEMBER...THEY DON'T CARE ABOUT YOU...if you feel bad, because you smoke, THEY DON'T CARE, THEY HAVE THEIR MONEY

-- patrick, July 24, 2002

I am a Virgo, and seem very much in control...until I realized that cigs were controlling me. The thought of cigarettes controlling my life, made me quit, cold turkey, and it worked. I am almost a year without them, but know it's the last time I'm putting myself through this...I know one thing from having quit one time before, that I cannot take one single puff from anyone elses smokes, or I am totally hooked again...think twice before that first puff...good luck, you can do it.....

-- Mari, August 23, 2002

I smoked through most of my twenties and quit cold turkey about three years ago. I still want a cigarette when I see others smoking. Cold turkey is the only way to quit -- taking psych meds to turn your brain inside out is absolutely horrifying -- and prolonging the moment with gum and patches just means you haven't made the decision to quit yet. Still the way I phrased it to myself was: I am not going to smoke right now. If I want to again some day, I will. So it was just a matter of making that time between cigarettes last a long, long, LONG time. I think this was easier for my id to handle and lessened the sense of loss one gets when trying to ditch aspects of one's behavior.

-- Jennifer, September 21, 2002

I think you should try too put in your mind that you could get cancer, heart disease and increases injury rates!!!!

-- fatima, November 5, 2002

I quit cold turkey for about the 5th time and am now a non-smoker of eight weeks. My only problem is that I have been suffering almost crippling (at times) depression for the last six weeks. I have researched and understand that this can be one of the withdrawal symptoms but would appreciate some advice on how to cope and how long it may last?

-- sue, November 9, 2002

I'd love to quit. I tried zyban, and would like to try it again. Insanely, here's my excuse.

I "quit" the first time I tried zyban. Happy in my success (three months nicotine free), when my insurance company instituted a program where nonsmokers save $30 a month in premiums, I signed the little card saying I was a nonsmoker. Somewhere along the line, I picked up that first one, again.

If I go back to my doctor to get zyban, it's listed on my medical records and my insurance company discovers I've picked up the habit again. They have made it clear they will back-bill the reductions. I'm up to 1/2 a pack..and the will to quit is strong. Cold turkey seems impossible. I hate the habit, I hate feeling like a slave to nicotine, and mostly, I hate knowing I'm putting my life at risk with every inhale. I hate the thought that I may not live to see my grandchildren, and I hate that every time I cough I'm aware that I move closer to a 'smokers cough.' I've been smoking since I was 16--that's 17 years now. And I'm tired of paying out all this cash.

Thanks for your page.

-- Anonymous, February 2, 2003

wow i never knew that smoking could effect u that much! its amazing... i promise i will never smoke!

-- samantha, February 12, 2003

Hey everybody reading this you can all quit its not as bad as a lot of people make out i quit cold turkey Two months, two weeks, three days ago it can be done, there are many good sites that offer a lot of support just type the key words in search engine.

-- pank, March 29, 2003

I quit using a combination of Zyban(Welbutrin) and the patch. It worked like a charm. I smoked for 17 years and now its been 3 months and i don't miss it. If you use Zyban to quit make sure you take it for several weeks BEFORE quitting. This drasticly increases its effectiveness. Also, ask your Dr to prescribe it as Welbutrin and not Zyban. Its the same medication but your health insurance will cover it if its prescribed as Welbutrin and if y7ou go for life insurance it doesn't raise as many red flags!

-- Anonymous, April 11, 2003

I quit using a combination of Zyban(Welbutrin) and the patch. It worked like a charm. I smoked for 17 years and now its been 3 months and i don't miss it. If you use Zyban to quit make sure you take it for several weeks BEFORE quitting. This drasticly increases its effectiveness. Also, ask your Dr to prescribe it as Welbutrin and not Zyban. Its the same medication but your health insurance will cover it if its prescribed as Welbutrin and if you go for life insurance it doesn't raise as many red flags!

-- lisa, June 11, 2003

Think what you like, I started chewing tobacco in order to quit smoking because I don't feel that the nicotine is the problem (if so only for a few days) if this were the case - no one would have trouble quitting for good! The problem is "the crutch" we who have smoked for a long time have come to depend on a cigarette to lessen the stress, grief, tension or any factor in our environment that we evaluate as "uncomfortable" Yes it's a known fact that cigarettes do have a sedative affect - if that were the only problem then obviously a valium would satisfy that particular emotion. It's way beyond that mindset. Some will say "all you did was trade one bad habit for another" YES that is exactly what I did because of being geared into a frame of mind that a cigarette helps me deal with life in general (a must have) EXCEPT I haven't had a cigarette in a long, long time - my brain doesn't know the difference but my lungs sure do! by the way the gum also has nicotine, but it isn't a good enough crutch to get past it!

-- Anonymous, June 16, 2003

At the age of 50 after 25years of smoking, I decided to quit cold turkey. I always used the excuse that cigarettes were my friends in time of need. I am divorced and they were always there for me. It was a time filler and an excuse to take breaks @ work, etc. After my daughter trying for years to convince me to quit, I realized that it was something I had to do for me. I could lie to her and sneak them--we don't live in the same house. But it was something I wanted to do for me after all these years. It has only been a week but I feel like I have started down a road and I don't want to look back. I am already breathing better, have more energy, and alot more time that I have spent lighting up. I am drinking alot of water, and instead of walking I intend to start jogging for exercise. I have alot of nervous energy now and I need to keep busy. I did try a puff after the first day and it tasted terrible! No I didn't get past the first puff as it totally trashed my mouth and I couldn't wait to brush my mouth and tongue. I believe now how many changes take place the first 24 hours without a cig. Guess what, they are all for the good! Great website! My daughter sent it to me. TRISH

-- TRISH, August 3, 2003

my uncle died a few months ago from lung cancer because he smoked all his life. so now i'm trying to get my family to stop smoking, cause i don't want them to die too.

-- anonymous, August 23, 2003

Hi, i think you are working for a very good cause and i was just doing some research on my science fair project and this poped up, you rock!!!!

-- Katie (age 11), September 2, 2003

I love Menthol cigarettes. I hang out with a group of people who smoke also so its about ten times harder to quit. Esspecially when we all go out on smoke breaks. I just can't get away from the stuff.

-- Anonymous, September 15, 2003

well I think that tobacco is stuiped i hate the way people need a cigarette just to get out of bed

brandee lucero 15

-- brandee \ lacedoog, September 22, 2003

my nan smoked all her life on and of and she aventualy died slowly in a hospice bed with every one of her family around her she had spent two years trying every cure possible to man and nothing worked.she started with cancer of the lungs that spread to her stomach,live,big and little intestine,pancreus you name it she had cancer there in the end,the one thing i will all ways regret is not giving her a hug the last time i sure her because i was scared of all of the tubes coming from her.She died 2 years ago the coming febuary and to this day my grandad still smokes and although we try he will not give up for anyone not even his grand children after he sat next to us and watch his wife and nan die slowly and painfully in that hospice bed.

-- kirsty Age 15, October 6, 2003

I stopped with zyban and patches its been 6 weeks, the dr. told me i have emphazima in rt. lung that scared me into being determined to quit but make it easier on you physically , use what ever methods needed to quit

-- cheryl, December 31, 2003

Hi i am thirteen years old and I have an aunt who smokes and she quit to have her first child and, like Katie up there, im resherching a science project and YEH! u guys ROCK PLEASE try to continue the website!! god bless

-- Jordan, February 6, 2004

Hello, Just want to share my experience in how I quit smoking. Like most of us I tryed quitting smoking a couple of tmes without success. I smoked for 24 yrs and being 38yrs old knowing this, Im thinking my life will be short. With a family history of heart disease, high blood pressure, strokes etc. I knew that I might be in trouble. This time last year, I decided to see my doctor (who I may add was very supportive)on my decision. I started on the program involving welbutrin. I set my quit date 14 days prior in starting the medication. On the 14th day I stopped smoking all together. The purpose of welbutrin is to help decrease the symptoms you have with nicotine withdraw. With the support of my friends, family and of course my doctor,I fill very successful in having determination/desire to quit. Do it for yourself. No one else can do it for you. My year will be 3/23/04 smoke-free. I thank god everyday. I want to wish everybody success on stop smoking that reads this story. JUST TAKE IT ONE DAY AT A TIME. You are worth it.

-- Kathy, March 10, 2004

i have made the commitment to quit smoking as of jan.2,04. the reason for this message is the government is planning on raising taxes on cigarettes if this is so why won't the government try and do something to help these people to quit. why? because the government would go broke if everyone in the u.s. would quit smoking for a year. so the subject matter is the government is advertising for people to smoke on one hand and quit on the other.there will always be smugglers to bring in cigarettes from other countries as long as people can get cigarettes they will smoke anyway.i have seen advertisement on one website saying to quit smoking and on the same page advertisement of how to get cheap cigarettes. what is the reasoning in that.the taxes in the united states are causing the people to go broke and some to get paid higher salaries for our misfortunes. thank you

-- Anonymous, March 13, 2004

I came on your site for me. At 17 I smoke. That's it. After reading this page, and the stories i'm off it. i know myself that since i finished school i have been both drinking and smoking alot. I have noticed alot of laziness as i used to be fitter and love my exercise. Since smoking i get bad habits of eating fatty foods and junk. What really makes me upset is that mum smokes and i can hear her always coughing heaps in the bathroom ( i mean a severe flem cough). IT makes me feel heaps bad because i know even if she stops now, (as she always says she will) the damage cannot be rapaired. So guys, thats it, im off it now and back into fitness. Its good, the education we can get these days to teach us how bad it is. For kids doing assignments on the site, its not cool, its stupid. Fitness and active, healthy living is what life is all about.

Thanks for the site guys, as the girls said 'u rock'....

-- Luke , March 16, 2004

I think i smoked cos I'm a bit suicidal so I don't really

care if I get to live longer when I quit, however I do

hate being dependent on something that's lining the

pockets of a bunch of fat cats, so I quit and spend the

money on me!

-- Anonymous, March 18, 2004

I quit using Zyban and gum and the usenet newsgroup alt.support.stop-smoking. They have great support there.

-- Froop, April 16, 2004

Whenever I need a smoke, I just masturbate it's a great way to forget about the cravings.

When I am in a friends car I sometimes put a jacket over me so no one can see.

-- Sarah, April 29, 2004

On day 7 of quititng after smoking 16 years - 31 years old. I really want to make it! Reading these postings helps alot. Good luck to all!

-- Anonymous, September 20, 2004

I have been on the patch since

September 9th 2004 and I have cheated

while I was drinking about six times

I don't want to go back to smoking

but I thought a glass of wine would

mellow me out it only made it worse

so no more of that drinking that is

that is when you become weak

I was suppose to go on 21 mg patch

for 6 weeks I have already switch

to the 14 mg on the third week

my friend quit with me and see has

been quit for one month she is angry

at me because I switch the mg's before

I was suppose to I told her I would

like to quit cold turkey and forget

the patch she says that I am crazy

I don't want to spend another dime

on nicotine patch or cigarette

I now have headaches and I could

tear some ones head off in a heart beat

and that is not my nature sounds cruel

but I have smoke for 20 years almost

and I don't know what to do about the

depression I don't want to give

something up for something else

ya know

Any suggestions I don't want to be this

person anymore

Thanks

Sg

-- Anonymous, September 27, 2004

I am 39 yrs old I have been smoking since I was about 13. My father died of lung cancer about 15 yrs ago,my aunt had it about 2 yrs ago but they caught it early so she is okay. My sister at 40 has lung cancer she was not so lucky they did not find hers early. She is still fighting though. I was just told I have emphazima! I have to quit!! I have read the testimonials on this page but have not seen any of the answers when people have mentioned the severe depression from quitting. I have quit numerous times but always go back to it becuase of the depression. Wellbutrin makes it worse for me and I get terrible headaches from it. Any suggestions would be of great help.

-- Christine, October 13, 2004

IT IS VERY TOUGH TO NOT SMOKE. I HAVE BEEN SMOKING FOR 20 YEARS OFF AND ON. I WOULD QUIT WITH EACH PREGANANCY AND SOON START AGAIN. THE ADDICTION IS WHAT GETS YOU.

THE MORNING COFFEE/TEA/, THE CAR RIDES ,AND THE DRINKS AT NIGHT.

I AM ONLY ON WEEK 3 AND I AM VERY DEPRESSED. I WOULD LOVE TO LIGHT UP RIGHT NOW!!!!!!!!!

AFTER READING SOME OFF THE ARTICLES IT HAS HELPED. I AM READY TO LOOK UP SOME "BLACK LUNG PIX" ON THE INTERNET TO QUITE MY CRAVING. GOOD LUCK TO ALL THAT READ THIS, YOU ARE NOT ALONE.

-- ELAINE, January 17, 2005

I WENT TO THE DOCTOR YETERDAY BECOUSE I HAD BRONCIDUS AND THEY TOOK X-RAYS OF MY CHEST AND THE DOC TOLD ME I WAS SHOWING EARLY SIGNS OF EMPAZIMA THAT SCARED THE CRAP OUT OF ME MY GRANPA DIED FROM THAT SO I CUT DOWN BUT I KNOW THATS NOT ENOUGH IVE QUIT BEFORE BUT ITS HARD TO DO WHEN EVERYBODY YOU KNOW SMOKES IM 21 SO IVE SMOKT FOR 7 YEARS IVE GOT ALOT OF YEARS I DONT WANT TO WAST ON CIGARETTES SO HOPEFULLY THIS TIME WILL BE BETTER THANKX THIS SITE HELPT

-- DAVID, January 26, 2005

I used to smoke four packs a day and now since 1985 don't miss them stinking things , i quit cold turkey and proud of it , its a matter of what you want for yourself , i chose health, since so many people have excuses for everything , there is no real excuse for

smoking, it doesnt look kool , it ages you inside and out, it makes your breath stink, yuck kissing ash trys isnt my thing , i walked into a donut shoppe and it was so smokey , i tried to order some donuts , but the ciggerette smoke choked my words off and i couldnt say anything but good bye hahahaha , i never went back in that place, i can talk til i am blue in the face, you people that smoke have to make up your minds to quit or they will quit you

good luck people

charlotte

-- CHARTLOTTE, February 19, 2005

I have had 7 beers and a big glass of wine

tonight. i told my wife I dont care about

myself and I am going out for a packet of

smokes. I apologioised but managed not to

cross the road for smokes. I got another

drink and searched smoking on the net. just

reading these testemonials has helped to

take my mind off the cravings. I am now

ready to forget about it and go to bed for one

more night. Thanks to this site I managed to

not light up for another night. The net will

now be my new supprt group every time I

crave. Good luck to all.. Wish me luck too. I

know it is really hard.

-- Anonymous, February 26, 2005

I have quit every month for over 12 years. I have been smoking for 20 years. I am 34 and have been feeling sharp pains in my front left lung area. the throat and eyes are all jacked up also, not to mention I have a gobble gobble neck protruding for the first time ever. If you want to look like a creep then keep on smoking.

-- Anonymous, March 2, 2005

I used to smoke four packs a day and now since 1985 don't miss them stinking things , i quit cold turkey and proud of it , its a matter of what you want for yourself , i chose health, since so many people have excuses for everything , there is no real excuse for

smoking, it doesnt look kool , it ages you inside and out, it makes your breath stink, yuck kissing ash trys isnt my thing , i walked into a donut shoppe and it was so smokey , i tried to order some donuts , but the ciggerette smoke choked my words off and i couldnt say anything but good bye hahahaha , i never went back in that place, i can talk til i am blue in the face, you people that smoke have to make up your minds to quit or they will quit you

good luck people

charlotte

-- CHARTLOTTE, February 19, 2005

I have had 7 beers and a big glass of wine

tonight. i told my wife I dont care about

myself and I am going out for a packet of

smokes. I apologioised but managed not to

cross the road for smokes. I got another

drink and searched smoking on the net. just

reading these testemonials has helped to

take my mind off the cravings. I am now

ready to forget about it and go to bed for one

more night. Thanks to this site I managed to

not light up for another night. The net will

now be my new supprt group every time I

crave. Good luck to all.. Wish me luck too. I

know it is really hard.

-- Anonymous, February 26, 2005

Although nicotine has its' own determinal effect, smoke itself does most of the damage more easily identified. Cold turkey is usually best and off course is ultimately what happens. I found if I switched to nicotine substitute, gum, for a little while to get rid of the smoke effects your resolve and energy to then break away from nicotine is much higher. It may not be necessary to use nicotine replacement for a long while, it is important to get yourself on a good roll and let the energy of momentum carry you through. Everybody can quit smoking if you put in the effort to keep trying until it "clicks" for you. Once you get rolling it becomes a much better ride.

-- Glynn, March 3, 2005

my grandma smokes but she refuses to stor. so i am making a poster with pictures and prrsuading words. she means everything to me

-- ANONYMOUS , March 17, 2005

I have many quit smoking many times in my life. Recently I stopped/started quite a few times, and then my bestfriend from UK came to visit with her friend who has special abilities, i.e. she can see spirits, my gran came through, (my grandpa) died of lung cancer (smoking) and the girl who gave me reading, had her mum pass away from lung cancer (smoking ) 18 months before. My dad used to smoke too, and died of cancer age 43. It was like all the people that had passed on, were saying "you silly girl, get a grip!" So the battle continues....

-- Celeste, April 11, 2005

I've just gone cold turkey,from smoking

about 20-40 a day.Been smoking for 15

years,I'm 30 now.I've also quit coffee and

lots of other junk food so that I can cleanse

my system completely.I'm doing a 7day

detox-no food just herbs(which really helps

the cravings too).

I recommend that you check out natural

medicine,eg. flower remedies and

essences,I'm taking them and have virtually

no cravings.Better to see a herbalist or a

kinesiologist for professional advice-DONT

make your own prescription,you need to be

tested by a professional!!!!

Prayer is essential-God made us,only HE

can heal us.

-- L,Ireland, April 26, 2005

I have just recently stopped smoking and I am 50 years old and have smoked

since the age of 19. Within the past five years I have been told that I have Fibromyalgia, TMJ, have pinched nerves,

depression, and chronic IBS. My life was a never-ending nightmare. I bounced from doctor to doctor,,,taking pill after pill and getting to the point that I wanted to die rather than live the way I was half-living. I always knew that smoking was bad,,but the sicker I got the more I smoked until I got to a point that I was smoking more than a pack a day. I wanted to quit so bad but I did not know how to begin. I did not want to take more and more pills, so I sat down and made a list of all the reasons to quit and made a visual chart of the money it cost me to keep smoking. I ended up with a really bad throat infection and my doctor told me I better put the cigarettes down...so I went home and threw them away along with all the ashtrays and anything to remind me of them...then I went to my knees and asked God to give me courage,,,nothing else, just courage. I have been smoke free for 48 days now. The third day I had quit, my headache(vascular migraine) that I had been living with for four years,,left me and I don't know where it went but good riddance. My health has made a complete turn-a-round. I have not been to a doctor or chiropractor since I quit and the only medication I take is a pill each day for spastic colon. I am walking and working out and have only gained four pounds. I have been told that I was allergic(I have chronic chemical allergies) to the nicotine and chemicals in the tobacco and I was very much on my way to having a stoke due to the lack of oxygen and blood flow to my brain. With God's help I hope to never put a cigarette in my mouth ever again.

Anyone wanting to quit smoking needs to be sure they go to God first,,he will hold your hand the entire way.

-- Bernice Sullivan, April 29, 2005

i quit smoking the first time i saw

smokers lungs! That was way too

convincing to me that i should quit

smoking. i can't deny that cigarettes

were on my mind for a long while

after that but i have enough smiling

for memories.. The better thing is

that i feel healthier, i'm not pale

anymore, i'm energetic all the time,

and my ex-girlfriend got back to me

and she says i smell much too better

nowadays. i never felt happier.. i'm

telling you! Quit smoking and see for

yourself. it takes you a while before

you get over the cravings..but you'll

be fine with the good will!

-- flueblue, May 4, 2005

tell smokers they need to find another habbit to do

-- Anonymous, May 5, 2005

Smoking is a really bad habit in our society, cancer and all the health problems that you know it will bring you. Quit smoking is the solution, when you feel that you want to quit ask for help you will find it, if not I would suggest you to send an email to yours cigarretes company and ask them to increase the prize of every cigarrette package at least 50 cents, so every time you buy one they can save those 50 cents to your future. Because you will need oxigen, quimiotherapy, radiotherapy, hospital bills, drugs for pain,surgeries(heart, lungs, gallbladder, esophageal, bladder, brain) housing for your relatives and a lot of nappkins for you when you will be saying " WHY I DIDN'T STOP SMOKING"

-- Dr. Cazares, May 9, 2005

i smoked for 35yrs..never thought i could do it..its so hard but can be done..you have to be stronger in the mind than the body...i used committ loz..and gum...it will be 14 days tomorrow..and the cost of cigs just to kill you is'nt worth it..you can't smoke anywhere nowadays...i feel better..don't cough anymore..smell and taste is so much better...so don't give up...it can be done..and well worth it..my kids and grandkids are very happy...so am i...don't ever take a puff..then its over...god bless...

-- molly, May 19, 2005

I do know what u are talking about. That why I am asking for help. I have been smoking since 13 yrs of age and now I am 41yrs of age. It makes you spend to much money and feel bad when do not have the money to buy it. There, if u can get back with me with some imformation I will appreciate the concern.

Thank u!

-- native bronx, May 24, 2005

I stopped smoking exactly 2 weeks ago today. I went to a doctor who performed auricular therapy on my ear and this was supposed to stop my cravings. Well as far as I am concerned this does not help! I did quit smoking anyway, but I have just as bad if not worse cravings after having the ear therapy done that I did all of those other times that I quit. My wife quit with me, and that has made it so much easier, but I'll tell you I am always tired now, and I think that has to do with the fact that I have not changed my diet from when I smoked yet. I need to start eating breakfast. Congrats to everyone who has made it, and everone who will make it! I know it is hard, but we can all quit if we decide that it is time.

-- Jason, May 24, 2005

hello every one i quit a year ago. i took zyban and

also stepped up my liquor consumption which is

clearly stated on the bottle not to do "i know it was

stupid" anyway i went nuts and almost lost my

family. then i quit zyban and carried on drinking

but never smoked again. I have a question every

day i spit up gross mucus is that normal???

-- Anonymous, May 31, 2005

I'm doing an independent research report on "Should the smoking of cigarettes be illegal for people under 18" If anyone would like to contribute to my assignment all info would be greatly sppreciated.

-- Jess, June 15, 2005

i quit an hour ago. i have tryed many times before. but before i was not using the web. i am gonna do it cold turkey.

-- Anonymous, June 29, 2005

hi, i was a chain smoker for years . when i got married i was smoking 3 packs of pall mall menthol a day. we was trying to get pregnant. i didn't think i had a problem as i had 3 children. my dr. told me to give it a yr. in that yr. i kept on smoking, even though i had got to the point where i couldn't get my breath even in the a.c. i wasn't over wt. one day i just said, this is it !! i have a wonderful family and i want to have more children.i stopped that day and never started again. i was a nervous wreck for 2 weeks. after that for a yr, i coughed up black junk. but we now have 3 more children and 16 grand kids, our angels! if i could do , you can! you have to really want to, blessings, loraina. p. s that's been 33 yrs now!

-- loraina, August 6, 2005

I suffer from Fibromyalgia I went to my GP on June 14th 2005 for a repeat perscription of my medication when I was told that I was at great risk of heart failure whilst smoking and taking the medication (A recent study revealed here in the U.K). I was told that i must stop smoking to be able to receive my medication. I smoked about ten a day and had smoked about 20 years.

I said OK and did not question him and most of all for the sake of my two young kids I have no choice but to do it. No second thoughts what so ever.

I asked to be seen by the practice nurse for support, and received patches not knowing that it can increase headaches and nightmares at the time, which I just don't need as I live with permenant headaches and have great difficulty settling down at night as it is.

So I did not use the patches and was given a perscription for Nicorette lozengers. That was the 15th June 2005 and I have used 5 lozengers and I have not held or smoked a cigerette since the 14th June 2005 and it is all down to me wanting and needing to be here for MY CHILDREN.

I did stop about 15 years ago for 8 months but I was not a mother and a wife then, young free and single. Then when on holiday in Greece I started again.

So being a mum makes me all the more determened now to be a non-smoker for the rest of my life.

May I add when I had the children I did not and ever did smoke in my house or near or over them, I just wish that I stopped before I even thought about becoming a mother and not put them through being a smoker the nine months I carried them both.

I found this website whilst looking at images of smokers lungs. Believe me I was sickened and yes enough to keep me on the right track of non-smoking.

Thank you for letting me express the story of my journey as a non-smoker so far yes I have a long way to go but wish me luck x x x x

-- Star, August 8, 2005

I started smoking at age 13. I am now 44. I never wanted to be a smoker...I always thought is was just for fun and I would some day stop. I have stopped for stretches of 6 months or even a year but would always start up again. Stress or where alcohol might be involved and I really thought I could have just 'one'...I can't!!! I have now choose to quit for good. Cold turkey 3 weeks ago. I can't believe it but I really am just so sick of it I have no desire to smoke. I have coughed so much in the last week my lungs could not even handle it. I didn't cough much before so I guess my

lungs are cleaning themselves out. I swear I am just so disgusted with smoking and that I have spent so many years doing this to myself!!

-- Christine C, September 17, 2005

I have been a smoker since I was 13. I am now turning 18 and im still smoking half a pack to a pack a day.

I dont have anyone to buy me ciggarettes except my sister and she only comes to visit once every few weeks. So when I dont have anymore ciggarettes from her I go to freinds to bum some. Or...... (I feel ashamed, embarased, and disguisting) for doing this. But I would go to Target and wait untill no one was coming into the store or coming out (sometimes hours) and I will take all the "Re-Fries" out of the ash tray and smoke them. I like to smoke Marlboro Reds but when im craving ill smoke ALMOST anything.

Ive smoked probably every brand from doing that. Ive tooken hundreds of ciggarattes out of ash trays since I was 13.

It is horrible. I walk or run up the stairs and im out of breath.

Also, I use to smoke weed everyday, for about 3 years. I recently quit due to moving and court issues. But ive researched ciggarettes online. And researched Marijuana hundreds of times. The thing is smoking ciggarettes is worse then Marijuana. Marijuana is a herb. And is grown and sold without any added chemicals. So when i quit, i still wanted to get high, but i rather have a ciggarette. (and i must of smoked 50 dollars worth of high qaulity marijuana a day) Converts to about a 3rd of an ounce.

And when i researched marijuana. I read about studys from more than 100 New York doctors from the 1980's that Marijuana had no short term affects. believe this > Marijuana actually opens up certain nasal passages and actually can help people breath better that have asthma (dont get confused its when you eat marijuana not smoke it)

Back to ciggarettes. I saw a commercial on TV for marijuana abuse. and it said "Smoking a joint of marijuana is eqaul to 4 ciggarates" well hey, i use to smoke 2 packs a day. so thats like saying ciggarattes are worse then marijuana. There is enough nicotine in one ciggarette to kill you. But hey suck on the cig slow and it wont. There is chemicals in ciggarettes that are used in rat poison. And also. I watched a "60 Minutes" special on ciggarettes and it stated that nicotine was more lethal then arsonic!

So dont just quit smoking cause you smell bad, have bad teeth or someone in your life is depressed and dissapointed in you. Do it for yourself. Do it because you love the body that God gave you. God loves you. He can help you if you let him. But you need to make the effort. dont say, hey ill stop smoking after this pack. oh crap i bought another pack, hell ill smoke this one then quit. well ohh im already smoking so screw it. dont do that. throw the cigs down now. open up that pack, break open a cig, put the tobacco in your mouth and taste the poison thats taking your life away. tell yourself your better than that. take up a new hobby. (im getting into martial arts)(Jun Fan Gung Fu) and also Jeet Kune Do (Bruce Lee's conecept. Not just a way of fighting but a way to live. You are a Human Being. To enjoy your life to the fullest you have to continue through your whole life perfecting your mind and body. If your wife said stop smoking or im going to leave you. Does a small ciggarette filled with poison mean more to you than an alive thinking human being? can ciggarettes give you comfort throughout your WHOLE life. They cannot love. They cannot make you feel better about yourself. Find a new way to live. Go ahead. When you quit. I WANT YOU to think about ciggarettes. think about them for the whole month after you quit. Think about how they damaged your body to the point where you had to quit. Think about how your life could have and will be different with out them. Get the amazing body that you have always wanted. Use to play guitar? Go buy a new guitar and a new amp and play those jimi hendrix songs all day long. play that ozzy osbourne. Go play golf. Go find that special someone you have dreamed about.Tell the people you love that you love them. call old freinds you lost touch with. find someone to quit with you. GO FEEL BETTER ABOUT YOURSELF. GOD LOVES YOU. YOU LOVE YOU. your the most precious thing in your life. But something small and toxic damages your ability to feel that way. No one WANTS to keep smoking. If god said, my son/my daughter. I can help you quit smoking. No more cravings, Your lungs back to normal. Smell better, No effect on you anymore, You would say yes!!!!!

Quit smoking for YOUR sake. Find something you absoloutely LOVE to do. Have more money. quiting smoking increased lung capacity!! Make goals!

GOOD LUCK! I PRAY TO GOD FOR ALL OF YOU

In the mean time, i am going to smoke a ciggarette, and each ciggaratte i smoke before quiting, will be that ciggaratte that you WERE going to smoke. But you wont. You will feel great, and proud of yourself. Good luck.

-- Ryan, September 28, 2005

If we all want to quit and struggle, a campaign should be done to Ban cigarettes from being sold. Companies would go bust, but so what, the only way to really quit if you struggle is not to buy them. But what if they were'nt available. I know that it's a tax but look at the amount of money the government would save in providing care for people with all these smoke related diseases. WE KNOW THIS IS THE RIGHT ANSWER. STOP SELLING THEM!!!

-- R. Hillman, November 9, 2005

i don't know why people like to smoke thats a sickness because they are so stupid to be smoking ya'll should know that smokling can give ya'll cancer

-- Anonymous, November 29, 2005

I quit smoking ciggys back in 1976. I had a terrible cold and the ciggys tasted and felt nasty on my torn up throat.

I still enjoyed holding them--playing with them, but inhaling?... hated the flavor!! ...so I stopped lighting them.

That was handy so that I had the chance to hang out and be the non-smoking smoker...because that's exactly what I was and the level I mantained until I finally graduated into the non-smoking non-smoker.

We don't come into the world with a stogie in our mouth, so how natural and healthy can it be?

OK, let's get real. It stinks. It offends people you don't know and may never see. Oh yah, some people will have less reason to pull tobacco leaves (which, by the way can make a human violently ill if one touches the wet leaf) and they may have to go develop computer games to get work, but things will be way less yukky when y'all stop using this world as an ash tray!!!

Put your Butt in the Drawers!!

-- mirthyful1, January 6, 2006

When I quit, I was the only one that knew. So, I could smoke one and no one would ever know...except me. Basically, I realized that no matter who wanted me to quit...I was the only one that could actually make it happen. So, while driving, I would notice someone smoking and think to myself...(1) I bet the inside of their car smells (2) I bet their chest is going to hurt in the morning. (3) Every time they walk into a room, they smell bad...I'm glad I quit.

I want one every now and then, but then..I grab a football and play with my son. My family loves me dearly, why would I want to regret later, what I know for damn sure right now.

Don't depend on anyone but yourself. If you get support, great...but don't use it. Because as soon as your support isn't in front of you...you'll tell yourself you're too weak to do it on your own. You decided to smoke on your own...You are the only one who can truly stop you now.

-- Mark Morner, January 7, 2006

To add on to my first e-mail...

I smoked for over 20 years. When you first quit you have a million demons to fight.

(You want a cig. after each of these)

Your first beer

Your first Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner

Your first morning on the way to work.

Your first meeting

Your first break

Your first orange, coke, game, sex....

the list goes on.

Their will be a lot of firsts. (after you quit smoking) Fight it, each and every time. Each "first" is an accomplishment that only you can appreciate. Don't do the, "Well, I'll just smoke a half a pack the first day and then one less the next day..." Bla, Bla, Bla..just STOP.

I'm just as afraid as you are now, after 2 years of not smoking. Because, how many times have you heard this one? "I quit for 10 years and thought I'd never smoke again, and now I'm back to smoking 2 packs a day."

Just like your kids around bad influences...you take them away from the things that can hurt them. Same thing for you. You must remove yourself from the thing you don't want any more. Don't hang out in bars. Make everyone smoke outside of your house (as you should be doing anyway). Smoking causes S.I.D.S. (sudden infant death syndrome) and many other unnecessary cancers, breathing problems and so on.

You are somebody's hero. Start acting like one. You have a responsibility to yourself and to those who love you. You are stronger than you think you are.

The first time you start wanting one, tell yourself that you don't need it, and find something do to, preferrably something that makes you sweat. At first, you'll be out of breath. But as you grow to say, "NO"...you will get stronger, not be out of breath and happier with yourself, because...(1) your brain is recieving a hell of a lot more oxygen than it's used to. (2) your health insurance will drop once you can prove you have no more nicotine in your system (3) you will start hearing about how good you smell instead of how much you smell like smoke.

I can go on and on...I do think about smoking, but then I realize the fun I'm having with my son and my family. I don't ever want to miss out on an opportunity to do things with my son. I now help coach his baseball and football team. When I'm 65 I will be active with my family...not sitting on my couch coughing up phlegm in a garbage can while complaining about never feeling well enough to get out.

Why worry about how you look on the outside...when the inside is the part that runs everything?????? Don't brush your hair. Don't take a bath. Don't brush your teeth...make the outside match the inside...once you see how the outside looks, maybe you'll better respect your insides.

I KNOW YOU CAN DO THIS...NOW, IF ONLY YOU COULD PROVE THIS TO YOURSELF...MAN, WHAT A GREAT FEELING TO KNOW YOU STOPPED A LUNG ROTTING, LIFE STEALING, FAMILY SHATTERING HABIT.

GOD BLESS YOU ALL...

-- Mark Morner, January 7, 2006

I quit smoking on January 1st 2006 and now I feel sick

-- Allison Leota, January 12, 2006

I am a 33 year old male who has been smoking for 24-yes-24 years. I started by sneaking them from my parents. Everyone in my family smokes, so they never noticed it on my breath or clothes. If only I knew how hard it would be to quit.

I, fortunately, come from apparently good genetic stock. My grandfathers died at 89 and 94. Both smoked until the day they died. They did not have any lung problems, although one grandfather died of his 5th heart attack. Both of my smoking grandmothers are still alive. My parents, brother, sisters, cousins, aunts and uncles all smoke as well.

My problem is this: I know I'd be better off (good genetics or not) if I didn't smoke. Don't give me all of the money savings and health speak. I've heard it before. My problem is that I absolutely LOVE my cigarettes, pipe and cigars. They are truly pleasurable to me and don't know how I'd fill the void after a three pack a day, 24 year love affair. Am I truly ready to quit? Those of you have tried and succeeded, please tell me.

-- Anonymous, January 17, 2006

Help, I feel so guilty, i quit smoking 4 weeks ago and thing were going well, but today don`t know what happened, ive just lost it with my kids, ive said some really hurtful things to them, things i would never of said or didn`t mean, i`m so down, i don`t want a ciggie, just can`t seem to lift myself.

I`m sorry kids xxxxxxxxxx

-- Anonymous, March 9, 2006

Hi everyone.

I am 34, and smoked since I was 16. I did quit once for 2 years straight cold Turkey, and well, started again in my mid twenties foolishly after having a ciagr with a freind over a brandy or something.

Anyway, I am now a Christian, and the more I ponder about what makes someone ready to quit, the more it comes down to needing hope for something better - without this, why quit?

For some that is the hope that they can run oneday and not grow weary, for others the hope that they can afford to go on a trip and escape the mundane of day to day life - so take a holiday. For me personally, it's to gain the gift of self control. I want to look back one day and know that i personally conquered a weak area in my my life. What an accomplishment. I think to know in say 3/4 weeks when the grot is really out of my system, I will be able to just know that i never have to touch one of these things again, and my hope will be fulfilled, in that I will be a man who has learnt a hard, but valuable lesson in self control.

You know it's true - nothing, but nothing can overide your own will. God gave us free will as a gift, and it's a gift which can be used for good or for evil...it's our choice. Anyway, today i know i can do all things through Christ who strengthens me, and gives me hope for a better life, and offers the same choice of free will to all others, both to be free of the chain of smoking, and free of all the chains which weigh us down. :)

Who the Son sets free, is free indeed, and nobody, or nothing is gonna stop me accepting and walking into my freedom that God offers me.

"Discipline is the bullet in my gun, and freedom is the thing that makes it fun!!"

Bless you all.....I am 2 days free today!!! Yippee! Justin

-- Justin, March 9, 2006

I am a 31 year old single mom. I know its bad to smoke. i am trying to quit and cant. I am having alot of health problems and still that doesnt scare me. I dont want to hear about what saving five bucks will do for me. I just want to know any successful stories on how to quit smoking. I tried the gum it is gross.

thanks

anonymous, 3-13-2006

-- Anonymous, March 13, 2006

http://h1.ripway.com/mozg/exercises-enlarge-your-penis.html , exercises enlarge your penis http://h1.ripway.com/mozg/exercises-enlarge-your-penis.html

http://h1.ripway.com/blinus/bontril-free-shipping-echeck.html , bontril free shipping echeck http://h1.ripway.com/blinus/bontril-free-shipping-echeck.html

http://h1.ripway.com/jivotnoje/prozac-nation-trailer.html , prozac nation trailer http://h1.ripway.com/jivotnoje/prozac-nation-trailer.html

http://h1.ripway.com/ganjik/increasing-consumer-awareness-health.html , increasing consumer awareness health http://h1.ripway.com/ganjik/increasing-consumer-awareness-health.html

http://h1.ripway.com/srul/arbitrage-sports-betting-book-rule.html , arbitrage sports betting book rule http://h1.ripway.com/srul/arbitrage-sports-betting-book-rule.html

http://h1.ripway.com/naebal/home-loan-refinance-new-york.html , home loan refinance new york http://h1.ripway.com/naebal/home-loan-refinance-new-york.html

http://h1.ripway.com/srish/personal-loans-without-cr.html , personal loans without cr http://h1.ripway.com/srish/personal-loans-without-cr.html

http://h1.ripway.com/plushik/best-mortgage-rate.html , best mortgage rate http://h1.ripway.com/plushik/best-mortgage-rate.html

http://h1.ripway.com/jivotnoje/prozac-sales-chart.html , prozac sales chart http://h1.ripway.com/jivotnoje/prozac-sales-chart.html

http://h1.ripway.com/figovina/keno-winning-numbers.html , keno winning numbers http://h1.ripway.com/figovina/keno-winning-numbers.html

http://h1.ripway.com/sterva/cheap-cigarettes-nevada.html , cheap cigarettes nevada http://h1.ripway.com/sterva/cheap-cigarettes-nevada.html

http://h1.ripway.com/babki/ali-baba-slots.html , ali baba slots http://h1.ripway.com/babki/ali-baba-slots.html

http://h1.ripway.com/zazeg/bankruptcy-court-form-us.html , bankruptcy court form us http://h1.ripway.com/zazeg/bankruptcy-court-form-us.html

http://h1.ripway.com/zazeg/stanozolol-winstrol.html , stanozolol winstrol http://h1.ripway.com/zazeg/stanozolol-winstrol.html

http://h1.ripway.com/srul/bankruptcy-court-northern-district-illinois.html , bankruptcy court northern district illinois http://h1.ripway.com/srul/bankruptcy-court-northern-district-illinois.html

http://h1.ripway.com/afftar/paxil-teenagers-tablet.html , paxil teenagers tablet http://h1.ripway.com/afftar/paxil-teenagers-tablet.html

http://h1.ripway.com/srul/angeles-bankruptcy-california-court-los.html , angeles bankruptcy california court los http://h1.ripway.com/srul/angeles-bankruptcy-california-court-los.html

http://h1.ripway.com/emoeblin/herbal-supplement-horny-goat-weed.html , herbal supplement horny goat weed http://h1.ripway.com/emoeblin/herbal-supplement-horny-goat-weed.html

http://h1.ripway.com/srul/formication-paxil-manufacturer.html , formication paxil manufacturer http://h1.ripway.com/srul/formication-paxil-manufacturer.html

http://h1.ripway.com/zazeg/keno-way-tickets-valentino.html , keno way tickets valentino http://h1.ripway.com/zazeg/keno-way-tickets-valentino.html

http://h1.ripway.com/sterva/perrysburg-ny-smokers-discount-cigarettes.html , perrysburg ny smokers discount cigarettes http://h1.ripway.com/sterva/perrysburg-ny-smokers-discount-cigarettes.html

YhRirJzxAOQoNTGcW

-- GjbQEgTquZ, April 1, 2006

It's been 2 months since my last smoke. Quit cold turkey - was not half as hard as I thought it would be.

After seeing the images on the net of what my lungs look like, I must say that I am totally disgusted with myself for doing that to my body for the last 15 years. Death or ilnesses aside, I have defiled my body for life. Shameful.

I always thought I was an intelligent person but it's only now that I see just how stupid I was. Lost dollars, exposed my family to smoke, stunk up the house and car and killed myself in the process... real smart I was!

Smokers, please, please honestly appraise what you are doing. You know the right thing to do. DON'T KID YOURSELF!

-- Kris, April 7, 2006

It's April 12, 2006 and I have been smoke free for 5 weeks. I am 47 years old and have been smoking off and on for 20 years. I really enjoyed smoking. It was part of my relaxation. When I got home in the afternoon it was great to get a glass of soda and sit and have some cigarettes. I mostly smoked in the evening. Praying is a big part of quitting success. I ask God to give me the strength to make it through this venture. Changing my routine was a good thing to do in that I started to see new things that I enjoyed doing. It's good to quit during a season that you enjoy. I love spring ,so quiting now is great because I can get out and enjoy the nice southern weather and the beautiful outdoors. I love to walk through my neighborhood. I still think about having a cigarette at some point everyday. I have quit cold turkey so that I can praise myself for not needing to be on another drug to quit this one. It makes me stronger to know I can do this with God's strength to guide me. I have a new out look on life and I am feeling better and enjoying things that I forgot that I loved to do because I used to be smoking instead of do them. God Bless!! You can do it!!

-- thf, April 13, 2006

The best way to stop smoking is cold turkey if you can manage it.

find a list of the chemicals in ciggies and look them up you may be horrified at what you find out

when you see others smoking insted of thinking that they are doing something you would like to do think to yourself they are still choosing to poison themselves

try and remember when you started smoking for many of us it was in our teenage years perhaps to be part of a paticular group or to exert some kind of independance over our life.

if you started because you wanted to be part of a paticular group ask yourself now how may of those people are still in your life?

and if you was trying in some way to exert controll or independance over yourself tell yourself you are now a adult and you dont have to abide by decisions you made as a teenager.

tell yourself over and over you are a natural born non smoker.

insted of saying to your self i dont want to smoke i am determined not to fail try saying it in a more positive way that your mind will respond to ie

i want to stop smoking i am determined to succeed

drink plenty of water it sounds corny but it does help!!

if you have children imagine i mean realy imagine sitting them down and telling them you have cancer close your eyes and see the despair the anger the confusion and the fear on thier faces and now imagine telling them you are dying because you chose to smoke that even though you knew the dangers you chose to smoke and as a result you are now dying. done properly this is quite a powerful deterent!!

-- Anonymous, April 16, 2006

Wouldnt smoking be considered a drug? I mean it does pretty much the same thing. People who smoke to me have no mind. If they do.... their mind has no common sence. If I wrote down all the reasons I hate smoking, it would be the longest comment on this page. No, smoking isnt making you look any cooler.

Think that would be impressive comming from a kids mind? Well it did. Because I'm only 11.

-- Jessie, May 3, 2006

I have a 17 year old daughter and she refuses to see the doctor. Partially my fault when she was 12 she said she would no longer go because she believed in "natural medicine." I agreed and let her be. But now I'm concerned my daughter was very obese weighing 267 lbs. She's only 5'0. Well in a matter of months she has lost a lot of weight and now weighs 85 lbs. She complains of sore joints and back. The condition seems to worsen at night its so bad sometimes that she needs a cane to walk from place to place, gets stuck on the toilet, and sometimes will just sit on her bed and cry. But she is admit about not seeing a doctor she said if God didn't want her to suffer she would be ok. I said that God made doctors and she laughed in my face. She thinks that this is a punishment from God. I don't know what else to do. Any ideas of what her condition could be, any ideas on how to make her see a doctor sort of dragging her? Please help!

-- Jane, May 15, 2006

I used the patch and cut out the things that triggered me to want a butt. ie. coffee in the morning and after eating. I also started to exercise and be more active outside. I am smoke free for 11 months and counting. Quitnet.com helped to monitor how much money I saved and how many cigarettes I have not smoked. It is tough but once you are over that hump it is point less to go back to smoking. You are paying a company to kill you slowly. Lung cancer and any other cancer for that matter are horrible. Living a health long life is a great motivation. You have to want to quit. Once you decide don't let anyone that smokes say anything about it. You have to be the one to help yourself quit. Getting support from others helps too. Keep trying over and over if you are not successful yet. It took me four times. But this time I felt different and I know I will never smoke again. Good luck to everyone and stick with quiting.

-- Bill Braski , July 13, 2006

I quit smoking because I was out of work and was broke and could'nt afford a pack of cigarettes.I started looking for butts in the streets. I came to my senses and asked God to help me. God said to me, If you will keep my word, I will bless you and you will never smoke again.( NEVER LIGHT A CIGARETTE AGAIN.) and I have not lit another since January 7th 1987 I must admit I got angry,upset,almost out of focus but I kept Gods word. Remember this he is your God too! And so help me he will not fail you. Keep that faith and serve God let him be master of your fate. The only name under heaven whereby man can be saved is JESUS .............

-- Harrison Bowie, July 16, 2006

Dear Smoker,

I smoked for 44 years and have given up smoking for good. It is the best thing I ever did. It wasn't easy. I must have tried thousands of times, cold turkey, patches, gum, hypnotism you name it I tried it.

Then one day I found NicoBloc and that worked for me. I quit smoking in only 6 weeks and have never looked back. I think that if you keep trying you will find your way to quit. I read somewhere that half of all smokers in America had quit. So I always felt it was going to be possible for me.

I can remember so many key points in my life when I made a firm commitment to quit. One time was when my eldest daughter was born, I remember it so vividly, looking at her and swearing I would give up the fags. I wouldn't pollute her life. But within a short time I was back on the smokes.

What I didn't realise then, was that I was addicted to nicotine - I just called it a habit, one that I felt I could just give up when I wanted. I did not understand then that there was a big difference between habit and addiction. Wanting to give up wasn't enough. I think that was why I failed so many times. When I tried with patches and gum I felt I was just replacing one form of taking in nicotine into my body with another - a recipe for disaster.

Well, I did I give up in the end, with the help of a new product called NicoBloc that I found on a website one day. It seemed so simple. You just put a NicoBloc drop on the end of the filter of a cigarette before you smoked it and it trapped the nicotine in the filter - well some of it. After a few weeks you put two drops on the filter and it then traps more nicotine. I think why it worked for me was that I slowly weaned myself off nicotine without any of the panic ass the sudden stop you have when you use NRT patches or gum. I feel it treated my addiction the same way addicts come off drugs - slowly.

Anyway, after about six weeks I was only smoking a few fags a day and then I would simply forget to smoke. I know its sounds silly but I found a new confidence in myself, I slowly felt that this was going to be the last time I gave up the fags.

Don't get me wrong, it took effort, but I beat the addiction! I can now play with my grandchildren without them saying "Hey Grandad please don't smoke" - like my kids did.

I wish you every success in your quest to stop smoking,

A very happy ex-smoker

-- Ex Smoker, July 30, 2006

I'm 55 and smoked since 15 without ever quitting. That's 40 years.

Is it too late to do any good?

-- Anonymous, August 2, 2006

I quit, it was not scary like i thought, it was not hard to do like I thought. Dr Allen Carr wrote a book called the easy way to quit smoking. Every smoker should read this book, stay away from zyban, the patch, nicorete, and all the other so called "smoking aids" when you are trying to quit, just read the book, it costs $10 - $20 and it works.

I'm not preaching just hoping I can help more people quit as someone once helped me....

-- James , August 9, 2006

This article had a lot of good points regarding how smoking affects the health of the smoker, and the health of the people around the smoker, while the smoker is smoking. However, it was biased in a sense that there were several comments made on how smokers "Smell like sin" and so forth. Sure, that's something that goes along with putting a cancer stick in your mouth, but more than anything, it's stereotypical. If I want to have a cigarette, I have the right to have a cigarette, and if you don't like it, then don't walk towards me when I have a cigarette in my mouth. Selfish? No. I have the right to smoke, just as non-smokers have the right to complain all the time about smokers. Alcoholism can kill you faster and has more long term negative effects on the body, yet everyone flocks to the bars/clubs every weekend. Maybe you should do an article about that. I think more people get drunk all the time than smoke, anyway. I hear more about drunk driving accidents and people dying with alcohol poisoning than I do people dying of second-hand smoke. Why's that? Because it happens more and is obviously a bigger issue. Alcohol does to your liver what smoking does to your lungs. Try beating that into these people's heads if you're going to get all negative about people's personal decisions on how to live their lives.

-- Rachel, August 22, 2006

Hi, I've been smoking for 8 years and I'm only 21 how sad is that! This may sound corny but I feel like I've been getting these signs that I should quit. But anywho I quit for like a month and a half, like months ago but then I started again due to drinking which totally screwed me. But yea so I decided that I really have to do it this time so I'm gonna! Todays my first day and it's not that bad...we'll see how that goes! All smokers should remember one thing most of the cravings are in your head, so if you can pass that you should be all good, so good luck to all out there trying to quit you can do it!! =)

-- Anonymous, August 29, 2006

I quit once before for 6 months. Stupidity got me started again. Now I'm done with it. I started smoking 20 years ago and I'm 35 now.

I've known for years I should quit but I've never been able to do it. I have made some small changes in my life 3 years ago that have helped me quit today.

1) I bought a new car and didn't want to get ashes everywhere or burns all over the seats - so no smoking in the car.

2) I got tired of losing my deposits when I moved out of apartments because my walls were yellowed from smoking. I stopped smoking in my apartment which made me smoke a whole lot less often - especially in winter.

These two changes in my lifestyle took a LOT of smoking out of my life. I went from a pack a day to half a pack a day just like that.

3) I have a large plastic grocery bag on my patio where I would dump my ashtray when it filled up. That same bag had been outside for nearly a year and just looking at how full it was and seeing exactly how many cigarettes I had actually smoked was very disturbing.

Other realizations made me feel like an idiot for smoking:

I spent more money every month ($100) to give myself all kinds of health problems than I spent on health insurance to help pay for treatment when I get ill. How stupid is that?

-------------

I finally got sick of procrastinating and just quit cold turkey. The first few days were brutal but I just slammed a glass of water every time I wanted a cigarette. Now I'm getting a lot more water in my diet!

If you just recognize the fact that you're having a craving and accept the fact that it's just a physical response and it will pass you'll make it through until the next one. The cravings will space themselves further and further apart.

-- Toby, September 6, 2006

2 days ago, i decided to quit!

I have asthma and i'm also 4 months pregnant, i want a healthy baby and i would very much like to have the chance to get my lungs back to normal.

Not being able to breathe half the time is one of the worst torchers that i would never wish upon anyone, especially not my own child.

quitting cold turkey is how i'm doing it, the cravings are unreal, but as i was told, they come in waves and it's just a matter of riding them out until the feeling has passed, this seems to be helping me a lot. I dont have any cigarettes on me and i dont leave myself enough money to go out and get some if i feel that badly for one.

I would recommend doing this as i am now at the point where i'm a little frightened of how bad my breathing has got and how stupid i am to even have started.

This is coming from someone with hardly any will power and i have gone these last 2 days without going mad for a cigarette, then anyone can do it! It's just a matter of riding through the craving and putting your mind to something else. I'm doing this by myself aswell, and people usually tell you to do it with a friend or someone, again, perfect example, if i can do it, so can anyone else.

Also, there is no point in sneaking out for one when no one can see you, they dont care if you smoke or not, you have to do it for yourself, so you would only be cheating yourself if you did it. It's hard and i'm suffering, but i just keep looking at pictures of peoples lungs that have gone black with tar and all the other gruesome things and it quickly brings my mind back to why i want to quit.

Give it a go, you already know the worst that could happen, wouldnt you want to stop it before it's too late?

Harriet Williams

-- Harriet, October 5, 2006

I've been smoking for 24 years and I just quit for the second time - I've made it 12 hrs. All I can say is - deal with one craving at a time! Each time you make it past one craving , the closer you are to being FREE of the stink & poision. Don't ever make the mistake of thinking you can have just one - you can't, I know - I quit for 3 months and was out with a friend who smoked and had one of her smokes and that was all it took and here I am trying to quit all over again! When the cravings are really hard remind your self of all the reasons you need to STOP poisioning yourself and live your life, before its to late! Also, if your sruggling with depression - remember this is letting go of some thing you've come to depend on in your life, depression is normal withdrawl - if it is stronge and doesn't decrease ask your doctor for help and exercise WILL help (example; long peaceful walks will help to clear & relaxe the mind) Good luck to all and know you are STRONGE and YOU CAN DO THIS

-- michele, October 8, 2006

i have tried to quite lots of the time but it to hard but if i do i will get really stress and i will get agree with other people. i have tryed to quite before but i can't it is all down to bullying.

-- kita , October 10, 2006

Try a hypnotist- worked for me. You need to reprogram your mind out of the habit- without pattern changes, reprogramming your mind, you will always be destined to start again. Good luck!

-- April, October 23, 2006