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Heart disease is the #1 killer of women in the United States. Middle aged smokers are 3 times more likely to die from coronary heart disease than non-smokers.
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Smoking & How to Quit

Share Your Story

Smoking & How to Quit Home > Tools > Share Your Story

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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Quitting was the hardest thing I've ever done. I'd been a heavy smoker for many years, I quit on my 8th try at age 33. It was painful every day for a couple of years, but I've been "clean" 10 years now, and I can honestly say my life is absolutely better that I could have imagined because of it. Stay with it - just make it one more day - because it is so precious. My car is clean, my fingers aren't brown, my headliner isn't burnt, I'm not "shunned", my finances are in order, my health is great, I can run and play, and I'll be able to smell smoke on my kids if they dare experiment with this beast, and that's only the beginning. Hang in there - it really does get better.

Anonymous from Nebraska

I have been trying to quit for 5 days now. I have cut down from a pack a day to 3 or less cigarettes a day. I have two small children that deserve a mom. I know I can do it; it is just so much harder than I could ever imagine. I have been smoking since I was around 14 and I am now 27. The cravings are terrible, but I am trying my best.

Rachael from Mississippi

Today is day 10! Not even a puff. I have been a smoker for 37 years, starting at the tender age of 13, and I am now 50 years old. What a wonderful trait to pass along to my four children. They all smoke! I think showing them my strength in quitting will eventually get to them and they will follow. One already has, he is my "buddy quitter", which actually has made it easier. I have painful cravings at least 1,000 times a day, but somehow have been able to fight them off. My mind keeps playing tricks on me, always trying to get me to break down for just "one more smoke". To all those people who are counting the hours or counting the days, weeks, months, or years since their last smoke, my applause for you all. It is absolutely the hardest thing I have ever done.

Sheila from Florida

I want to quit. I am now 40 going on 41. I put my first cigarette in my mouth while in fifth grade and had smoked a little bit after. As I got older I added more, then I smoked when I drank, and eventually I smoked full-time. Later I quit a few times for a couple years, but still bummed one here and there. Now for the past two years I have been single and smoking a lot, especially when I drink. I can work all day and not have one, but then at about 5pm I start craving one bad. My lungs feel tight, I am short of breath, I have had a cough for almost 3 months, and I have been on 2 rounds of anti-biotics. Now I also get asthmatic. I am scared but I still smoke. I think I am trying to kill myself slowly. What am I doing and why am I not living and taking the risk of being sick or dying? I think I am more comfortable getting out of here then I am living. It is sad; all my friends except for the smokers are worried about me. What is it going to take I ask myself, a close call?

Rose from California

I have been smoke free for two days. I know that this is not a long time, but it seems like an eternity. I hate the cravings, they are long, and all I can think of is puffing, but I am trying to quit for my son, so I can be here for his life, not just mine. My husband has quit too. He has had a cough for like 3 months and it is kind of scary. I have noticed since I have quit that I have had a slight cough, and I have never had one. I guess that is my lungs clearing out. It is really hard; I just hope that I don’t relapse. Your comments give me inspiration! Keep them coming!

Marti from Florida

It is now day 14 of my smoke free life. I did have only 1 smoke the other day - I borrowed from my lawn guy. I have to stay away until the urges slow down some. I have stopped smoking several times in my 22 years of smoking. I am tired of something running my life; I am in charge of my health and not a stupid cigarette. The physical withdrawals are all gone now, so it is all mental from here. You have to stay in a positive mood and keep telling yourself that it will get better with each day you stay smoke free. If you slip do not just give up and continue smoking, throw it away and continue your smoke free plan and you will be proud of yourself again. Stay strong people and enjoy your smoke free life. You are not deprived, you can smoke anytime you want too, but you chose not to smoke. Have positive thinking without the desperation in your mind. Keep up the good work! You can do it! I am so proud of you!

Donna from Texas

I have been a smoker for 31 years. Last week I had a heart attack and it has really opened my eyes. I knew that I had to give up smoking now or I might not make it through a heart attack next time. Doctors say I was really lucky this time but I wouldn't be next time. It’s only been 10 days since I quit, but this is one thing I have to quit for good.

Anonymous from Tennessee

I am 33 years old and quit smoking 28 hours ago. I lost my mom to lung cancer when I was 16. My children are 3 and 4. My son just asked me yesterday what happened to his grandma and I told him she died from smoking and he said well isn't that going to happen to you to? Who is going to take care of me when you're gone? If you leave me I will miss you very much. There is my reasoning for quitting! It's tough but, now it's time to stop thinking about myself and time to think about the kids. Good luck to all of you who make it, try and want to try. God bless.

Paula from New York

I started smoking when I was only 15. I am now 67 and have been smoke free for 4 months and 2 weeks. I was getting bronchitis way to often, my voice was nearly gone, had a sore throat nearly all the time. All this is great but now for the down side. I have been gaining nearly a pound a week and I am getting concerned about the weight gain. Some say its all in my head and that I am just eating too much. I have never had a weight problem before is this all in my head or have some of you gained weight as well if so, how did you resolve this issue? I am tempted to go back to smoking and lord knows I don't want to do that. Quitting was extremely difficult and is nothing I want to go through again. I still have the urge but not it gets better with every passing day.

Norma from Texas

Hello. I'd been smoking since the age of 14. I'm now 40 and pregnant for the first time. I've also been smoke free for 4 days now! My friends can't believe it! I am one of those people who really enjoyed smoking! I always said I'd never quit! But, I want to have a healthy baby and it's the best thing I could do for my baby! I congratulate all of you who have quit!

Arlene from Pennsylvania

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Content last updated September 28, 2006.

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