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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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Quitting smoking in 1989 was the most valuable gift I ever gave myself. My dad, 1 uncle and 2 aunts quit too late. I have 7 brothers and sisters who won't quit. Give yourself the gift of life.

Nana Sue from Connecticut

One of the most important things I was told was that the hardest thing isn't quitting, it's deciding you want to quit. True. I decided to quit when my partner was in the hospital with his COPD for the third time last year. What I did was go online for all the information I could get, and decided to use the lozenge as a quit aid, with lollipops as a backup for my hand-to-mouth habit. I just didn't want to take the chance of being on oxygen, of being as sick as this man I loved so much, had been for the last few years. I used the online program included with the lozenges, and told everyone who would be proud of me that I was quitting. He has since passed away, but I had his support, as well as many years of love, for which I was very grateful. I got the urge to smoke when he passed, but with encouragement from those who cared about me I have nearly finished a whole year as a non-smoker. I keep lollipops and hard candy (and the lozenges, in case I get really desperate) to pop in my mouth when I get the urge to put a cigarette there.

Angie from California

I have been able to quit smoking by using the gum. It has helped me a great deal. I quit several times before going to the gum. What was happening to me was I would quit smoking and then when I started up again I smoked more than before. The gum has been my salvation. I think of all the things I don't miss, but what I miss the most is my friends and family. I don't think I had one non-smoking friend. Sites like this are great, I am glad to have the encouragement that knowing that even after smoking for 25 years; I can still recover some of the good health that I lost.

Freedom from Arizona

Hi! I am going on my second day of being smoke free. And I have got to say it's not easy. It's a moment at a time. I started smoking when I was 17 and I am now 32. I've quit smoking many times before. The first was when I was pregnant with my son and a few times since then. After I had my daughter, 5 years ago, I was medevaced again to the hospital. The doctors couldn't figure out why my body would be in such high stress but when they were told that I was a smoker, they put a patch on me and I was ok. I didn't go back to smoking for a long time, but then the stress of life got hard and I went back to smoking. It seemed easier at the time then to deal with the stress and the depression. Each moment that I feel like wanting a smoke, I remember that I'm pregnant and I will read all of your comments. My husband comes home soon and he's a smoker too. I hope that the promise we made each other of no more smoking will work. So far it has for me. Thank you and good luck to you all!

Allison

Just want to say congratulations to all. I myself quit smoking May 13th; don’t know what took me so long, I feel great. I also had a bad cough and could not stand the smell of cigarettes in my hair. The cravings lasted less than five minutes. I'd time them and when the buzzer went off I'd all ready forgot about it. I felt I was a slave to the cigarette, so I decided to take a new journey in my life one that I'm in control of. Your mind is very powerful. I wanted to experience each craving, anxiety, feeling head on, knowing that I'm in control now I can deal with any situation that comes along.

MJ from Texas

Hi! It is 4 a.m., as you can imagine, I could not sleep. For those of you who wrote your comments, I have to congratulate you. The interest of looking at this page reveals a person who seeks some kind of help. Throughout the years I have read, heard, and seen horror stories linked to smoking, diseases and death. And even though I knew how dangerous it was and all my friends and loved ones who urged me to stop, I kept on smoking. I did not know why. I really do. And as some of you say, it takes no social status or level of education, it affects us all equally. I am seeking the courage to stop. Trying to throw my inner fears away, trying to understand myself, scaring away my insecurity and my fear to failure. I believe that what I have to do is to really believe I have a mission in this world; I have too much to give and so much to do. I cannot waste my life in some stupid fear to fail! Thank you, I will start right away and whenever I feel I am failing, I will read your success stories and inspire myself with them. Thank you!

Anonymous from Michigan

I've smoked for 45 years, was smoking 3 packs a day hacking most the day and wheezing. My kids would say they could always find me in a store because of the hacking. No one in my family smokes, so that meant no smoking when I visited, and I always dreaded going anywhere that I couldn't smoke. I enjoyed smoking. But I hated the smell in my hair and always washed my hair every night and if I was going somewhere I would wash my hair again. Well, I stopped smoking Jan 8th and it is now May 28! But there is not a day that goes by that I haven’t thought of a cigarette and wanted one so bad that I am tempted at times. I sure would hate myself if I were to light one up. I love the idea of not having to shower before going to the dentist and bed at night without smelling like nicotine, but I still have the cravings, sometimes really bad. I sure hope I soon quit thinking of one. Maybe because I have smoked for so long, it will take just a little bit longer to quit the cravings. Oh, I know I say I am tempted, but I won’t! I didn't quit this long to just start back up. I'm not trying to prove anything to anyone. I just want better health and not smell like a cigarette anymore. Thanks for letting me get this off my chest, I needed it!

Bella from Ohio

I have tried numerous times to stop smoking; however I never given it a true effort. I am 36 years old, and was always to ashamed to smoke in front of family members. My husband quit a few years ago, and was always on me to stop. I hated all the nagging, however, I wasn't really sure I wanted to quit. Over the past few months I've noticed a lot more coughing and hacking first thing in the morning. On Saturday, I awoke, smoked a cigarette, crushed the rest of the pack, and threw the remainders in the trash. I told myself that would be the last one I'd ever smoke. I then got in the car, and went to visit my grandfather and grandmother. The first couple days weren't bad, since I would never have smoked in front of them anyway. It's been 6 1/2 days and I am nicotine free. I know the cravings now are psychological and I will not give in. One day at a time.

Anonymous

I have smoked for nearly 15 years. Before I had my son (who is now 5) I was up to 3 packs a day. I quit for my pregnancy and then began smoking one pack a day. Last October, I had surgery on my knee and had nothing to do but sit around and I found myself smoking nearly 3 packs a day again! 2 days ago decided to quit. I had no plan. I still have ash trays in my house. I am choosing to not smoke, and see how long I can go. I am taking it 24 hours at a time. I know it is bad for my health and I am a mom and I want to see my son grow up and possibly even have another baby. I am tired and I am cranky and I am smoke free for now. I know it is worth it, but I don't know if I can do this. I tell myself, even if I slip up, defeat is only momentary.

Willa from California

I am 58 and quit about a month ago. I have quit before but took it up again in the last two years. I was under so much stress and suffer from anxiety and depression. It hasn't been easy but I try not to be too hard on myself. I've gained weight but I tell myself one day at a time. Get the smoking thing under control and then the next step is weight loss. I was a closet smoker so I'm amazed at all the time I have now. I don't have to keep perfume and mints in my purse to cover up the smell. I no longer have to make phony trips to the market so I can smoke in the parking lot or sneak in the alley behind my apartment and hope the neighbors don't see. It's a struggle and maybe we all have to get through it in our own way but the great thing is we all can get through it!

Barbara

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Content last updated June 12, 2006.

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