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Smoking & How to Quit

Share Your Story

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Have a helpful hint or motivating thought to share? Tell us your story. Encourage others. Share strategies for quitting smoking. This area is for you.

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At age 7, I was diagnosed with Asthma. "Coincidentally" my mother started smoking again about a year prior to my diagnosis. Because I always had breathing problems, I was very adamant against smoking. I'm not quite sure if it was genetics, peer pressure or just a nasty rebellious phase, but I started smoking myself at the age of 16. My breathing problems didn't seem to get any better or worse over the following years, so I figured that smoking had little effect on my health. I continued to smoke close to a pack a day for the next 8 years. I am now 5 days smoke free and have come to the realization that yes, smoking did effect my health. It took quitting to notice that I have likely outgrown my asthma, as I have not used my inhaler once since I quit! I was using it twice a day before. Even with the nicotine gum, I continue to have urges to smoke. Now when I have an urge, I time myself holding my breath. The progress keeps me focused. That and I have an amazing cheerleading group. Keep it up. Whatever it takes, keep on quitting. There are a million little tricks you can do, so keep doing them!

Anonymous from Washington

I had been smoking for ten years. I was at a pack a day, then down to 1/2 a pack, finally I got help from my fiance and I am now on my 8th day without a cigarette and I feel great. I have an appetite and I have the urge to exercise. Quitting was the best thing I have ever done. I would not trade it for the world. I wish everyone the best of luck.

Amy from Pennsylvania

Think about this one; you exercise, shower, fix your hair just right, bleach the teeth, put on the deodorant, perfume, makeup, jewelry, expensive clothes & shoes, carry the latest designer purse, weekly manicures/pedicures/facial, oh and let's not forget the cosmetic surgeries & touchups and then you go and fill your lungs up with highly toxic smoke & nicotine which in turn makes them dirty, black tar filled lungs! So remind yourself of this the next time you go buy the latest facial cream to reduce aging lines and wrinkles because you can delay them for free if you stop smoking. Pretty simple, huh? If that doesn't work then tell yourself that vices are for the weak and you’re stronger than that, so love yourself first and please stop smoking now!

Dawn from Florida

I am 35, and I have smoked since I was a teenager. I am on day 5 of smoking cessation, and it is getting easier each day. If I can do it, anyone can. I had a serious addiction, coupled with depression, and thought that it would be impossible for me to ever quit. I ran out of cigs 5 days ago, and I refuse to ever buy them again. I have saved 15 dollars and immeasurable health benefits.

Chris from Tennessee

I have been smoking for 13 years. At the age of 29, I decided to quit, because my breathing started to sound funny. A lady at work just started carrying an oxygen tank. I don't want to carry an oxygen tank all my life. Well this has been my 4th day of not smoking. It’s a hard thing to do, but it is just something that you have to do for yourself. To start a healthy life, you must eat healthy, drinking plenty of water, milk and juice, and exercise (30-60 min walk in the park is excellent) and quit smoking is a must. It’s been my 4th day, and I am praying that it will continue throughout my life, and I hope that all of you out there will too.

Josie from New Mexico

I was a 2 pack a day smoker for 33 years. I quit this past January. Smoking was my entire focus on a daily basis. I was a prisoner. If I had to go somewhere that I couldn't smoke then I would panic. I still crave cigarettes, I think I always will, but I will never smoke again because now I feel better physically and mentally. If I can do it, there is not a person in this world who can't. I am free!

Anonymous

I’m 33 and I had been smoking for 15 years, but I gave up smoking a year ago. I smoked 1 1/2 packs a day. I can’t stand the way cigarettes smell now, food taste so much better, and my sense of smell has improved. We can succeed. Best wishes to all.

Anonymous

I have been smoking for 30 years and have had many smoking related health problems for many years. I just recently had a very bad year sickness/wise ranging from pneumonia, bronchitis and the last - a very bad infection. The first week I went from a pack a day habit to 3 cigarettes a day. After those cigarettes were gone - I was so sick I just didn't buy anymore and decided I would try to quit that day. Well, I'm on my 12th day and it is still tough. I don't know if it is because I'm still sick or what but I'm wondering when I'm going to start feeling these "benefits" of quitting. Hopefully it will be soon. I enjoyed reading your experiences - very inspirational!

Anonymous

I've quit smoking twice before (that doesn't quite sound right, to quit before?). I quit for over two years the first time, and over six months the second. I'm now trying for the third time. I made it 61 days, relapsed, and now have three under my belt. I am not nicotine free yet (I'm in my last week of patches). I have wanted to smoke for as long as I can remember. I used to pick butts up and smell them when I was 5-years-old! I have realized that I will want a cigarette every day for the rest of my life. The trick is not giving in, and for that I need support. I just try to take it a minute at a time, if necessary. I also believe that nicotine replacement works much better than cold turkey. In the end, it's a matter of treating like any other addiction, working the steps, and forgiving yourself. I thank God for this day.

Anonymous

I quit 42 days ago! I’m so proud; I quit after going to the doctor with a bad cough. It scared me. I’m so much better now I’m not coughing at all! I’m so glad I’m doing this!

Michele from Tennessee

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Content last updated May 19, 2006.

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