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1 - I quit 10 years ago like Bill with a life altering incident. In '94 my dad passed away from Pancreatic Cancer. He was 74 years young and smoked pretty much his entire adult life. I had tried to quit a couple of time previous to this but had relapses after a short success. Both times I had tried to quit had involved a Hypnotist. This worked for short periods of time. The first was about 6 months and second much shorter. After my dads death I said I have to try again. Yup, hypnotist again. This time however I bought his subliminal tape and played it every night as I went to sleep. Boring? You bet, but 10 years later I am still smoke free, and I don't miss them one bit. As a matter of fact, I can't even stand being around folks who do smoke. They don't realize it, but they stink! (Comment this)

2 - I quit 20 years ago, cold turkey. I gave it up for Lent one year and figured if I could 40 days with the Lord's help I didn't need to go back and I haven't not once. NJ just past a law that took effect April 15, 2006 that bans smoking in all public places except cigar bars and casino floors. I don't care about the cigar bars because they are made for smokers but the casino floors should have been included. The more I read about how second hand smoke kills you just as if you were smoking the more angry I get at the people who still smoke. If they want to smoke take it outside or in the privacy of your home or car but don't smoke where it might effect someone else. The had a clause in the law that said people had to be at least 25 feet from any entrance that the public needed to use but they took that part out now because people where complaining that if they had to go outside at least they should be able to stay close to the door in bad weather. So you still have to walk through a hazy when entering a building but at least you can now go into a restaurant and not choke on the fumes. Smoking is bad for you in so many ways that if people really cared about themselves and their loved ones they would quit immediately. I stopped cold turkey with no problems, I smoked two packs a day for almost 22 years and I did not have any withdrawal symtoms so I can't say they are addictive, you can stop if you really want to, but that is the problem you have to really want to quit and then you can. (Comment this)

3 - I quit smoking fourteen months ago, yeah i think it is one of the two thing i really accumplished in my life, weight loss and quit smoking. what I think is everybody has their own excuse to smoke, yeah i have mines too. First when i was working in office administration, my biggest reason was "work load and tension" then when i was in real estate business i everybody in realestate arround me smoke so i accompany them and in last when i turn my career toward website business i was smoking coz I cant sit long infront of computer with out smoking and coffee.
So How do i quit the smoking, Honestly for me it was really simply. never used any medicine tape and patches etc etc. all i can explain it that it was the power of human mind.I quit smoking with in a month with out any harm.
Its the deal you made with yourself, It a promise that you made with yourself. and Just follow some easy and simple techniques to quit smoking. and i did that and since fourteen years i am smoke Free. (Comment this)

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5 - I agree with alot of the comments, here's my take.

I quit smoking after 8 years when I genuinely realised I did not want to smoke anymore. It simply became undesirable. I am not talking will power or mind tricks, but a simple leaning to not smoke. With some research and "out of the box" critical thinking about smoking, I think virtually every reason to smoke pales into another reason to quit. You then become emotionally switched on to quitting. If you are thinking about quitting, have a good think about what I just said, don't take the face value. An example: many "quit" places often mention how hard it is to quit because smoking has a relaxing effect, or "many smokers feel it relaxes them and helps them cope". This implies that you are sacrificing something that helps you cope and relax. But is that true?

I can only speak from experience and say that smoking did not so much relax me (although I assumed it did until I thought about it, because that's what everyone claims it...) but it certainly did dull my brain for a few minutes, like an anesthetic. (actual happening: poisons in bloodstram, brain starving of oxygen). After a few minutes my stress levels started going back to a slowly tightening violin string, which heightened to snapping if I didn't get my next hit.

Smoking brain deadening? Yes. Relaxing? Well yes, but in the same way as throttling yourself and sucking in chemical fumes. I have relaxed overall threefold since quiting.

That's just an example, I challenge you to have a good long think about each and every aspect of smoking. It doesn't have to be a mind battle for years, or months of medication and struggle. I'm 3 months down and while inner strength is required, it is a joyful challenge once you really feel that not smoking is far preferable to smoking... especially in the short term (I get hit with stress? A smoke would amplify it many fold, once the brief doped up period is over).

A few more random words: educate yourself about the addictive nature of nicotine and how it works. Take it each craving at a time. Beware the seduction of the psychological addiction: do not to let yourself get into the trap that you are missing out on something or sacrificing something. Challenge yourself when you can, practise giving yourself the real choice to smoke and re-evaluating your reasons. If you talk it through and abstain without resentment, you will naturally strengthen your resolve and find your "inner smoker" become less and less. Stay strong to your vision (once you have it) of all that you are gaining - chances are it's much closer to the truth. Good luck. (Comment this)

6 - Forgot to add: I came across this page randomly and felt the need to comment. But 3 months down, smoking urges or issues only come up maybe one a week, weakly. I havn't had to think about this stuff for a while, it's natural not to smoke now.

So feel sympathy for people who apparently feel cravings for years after (I'm sure you know a couple of people who like to say that). I'm sure some genuinely beleive they are missing out and are not aware that they are still victims of fallacies (eg it's a worthwhile relaxing hobby). But don't worry that you might be one of them, if you keep a good attitude you won't be. (Comment this)

7 - I quit smoking in January of 2005, so ALMOST a year and a half smoke free now. I started smoking when I was 13 and smoked for 13 years after that. I smoked through BOTH of my pregnancies. Do you hate me yet? I felt like I had to smoke. I didn’t want to quit. My youngest was born with very immature lungs. We spent most of her first year and a half in the hospital. She had pneumonia SIX times in her first year. I didn’t hold her until she was five days old because she was on a ventilator. Her doctor told me that her lungs were so bad because I had smoked throughout my pregnancy. I didn’t smoke around my daughter, I went outside, after she was born, but it was TERRIBLE that she was so ILL and I COULDN’T STOP!!! When she was a year and a half I finally decided to stop, weak of heart and soul. My daughter was so ill she had been hospitalized over a month and my son was staying with family as I camped out in the hospital with my youngest. For whatever reason, the reality that I had to quit in order to offer any possible health I could for my daughter (however late it was) and redeem myself in any possible way I could from mistakes made thus far with smoking. It was the BEST decision I have EVER made in my life. It was HARD but it was WORTH IT! My daughter has responded so well to her medication and has not exacerbated ONCE since I quit smoking. It doesn’t matter if you smoke outside, the smoke sticks to your hair and clothes and the people around you breathe that in. I have had to forgive myself for my choices with smoking in the past and I am rewarded with my own health and my family’s health! (Comment this)

8 - I am a little over 6 months quit after 27 years of a pack-plus a day habit. It is a very hard thing to do - this quitting. I do not feel any better physically, as a matter of fact I feel worse because I haven't learned to handle my stress in other ways yet and I started having panic attacks.
Also, my thyroid went kaput in the past couple months and I am just ramping up on levothyroxine. This is the 25th time I have quit since 1/1/01 and by far the longest. God willing, I will never take another puff. It still looks/smells/sounds good sometimes though.
Type 2, diagnosed Aug 2005. 1500 mg Metformin, 10 U Lantus, 50 mcg Levothyroxine (Comment this)

9 - I quit 01.01.04, so working on over 2 1/2 years smoke free. I just on the spur of the moment decided to quit. I knew it wasn't a good idea to smoke for many reasons and especially with the DMII.

I've done fine all this time but after some stress in August and earlier this month bummed a total of 4 cigarettes. I haven't inhaled at all and thought I was ok with that occasional one but discovered you can still absorb nicotine without inhaling and can also still get the cancers and everything else. So I decided that was a bad idea and not to do it again.

I want to encourage anyone who wants to quit, you can do it. It sucks, but it is doable and your health will thank you. (Comment this)

10 - hi
i smoked for 25 years, and quit at 2 1/2 packs a day, using a form of wellbutrin. i stopped for 6 1/2 years, then, with lots of stress started again 2 years ago. because i din't want people to know, i only smoked on the way to work, on breaks, on the way home, so never went over 1/2 pack. happy to say i've stopped again. the week before i started byetta, so about 2 weeks now.
people are talking about my son becoming an olympic long distance runner. i worked hard to get him to this point, and damned if i'm gonna die without seeing it! (Comment this)

11 - hi I am 29 I stoped smoking 6 months with nicuiting paches I heve used them for 10 weeks and it helped me
but now I am on the crises I just fell i want a fag
they reken 70% of smoking is habit and 30% your blod neded I vonder if that still continu with me as time goes by I dont no haw long I am going to last any advice from the long time smoking cuiters thanks
Astrit Reka (Comment this)

12 - Hi, My name is Gary Venvleek, Im currently 65 years old. I quit smoking 10 years ago after smoking 2.5 packs a day. I decided I wanted to quit after attending a quit smoking workshop. After seeing those pictures of what my insides must look like, I never wanted to pick up another smoke again. I had 4 left in my pack that day and I finished the pack and told my family that I was done. Your right the first couple of days going through withdrawl were hard but its all worth it now. I feel Healthier, which allows me to finally get through a whole game of tennis with my wife. Not to mention all of the money I have saved. Which I am using to take my family to Cuba for a week. All in all it was the best decision of my life, and if it wasnt for my family and friends support then I dont think I could have done it. (Comment this)

13 - astrit, Keep up the good work..:> I am 31 and have smoked since i was 13. I haven't had a cig. for 8 months now.You have to stay strong, And you will notice you will feel better and the cravings go away.Now i don't even think about it.I think i would puke actualy if i had one now.Again....keep up the awsome work and don't give in.Don't let the stresses in life starte you again,let other people stress but not you.

Just do it! :> Regards
jay (Comment this)

14 - My name is Marsha I was on my way home listening to the radio when i heard that there was a study by pfizer for smoking. i thought what can i lose if it work that would be great. i have been smoking for 25 years a two pack a day. plus these people were going to pay me for my time. this was the best thing i every did i quit smoking, i pick a date aug 26 2003 tha t was the last time i smoke what ever i took for six week it work. i work for a store everytime i see people buying the gum to quit i have to tell them my story because if i can quit anyone can. even my family could not belive it . so what ever that was it work thanks clinic research in nashville tn and also pfizer group (Comment this)

15 - I found that the most succesful way to stop smoking for myself and with those I have helped is reaching that time when you make a commitment to quit. For me it must be a definite decision to stop, no matter means you might use to support your decision (Comment this)

16 - I quit smoking in November of 1997, so a little over 9 years ago. I had just gotten married. I worked all day long (had 3 jobs) and so I smoked all day long too. I realized one day I was smoking 3 packs a day!!! And I was only 20. I'm not kidding, I still can't believe it myself. I was getting headaches, not surprisingly.

One day I was sitting at home and I looked at my pack of cigarettes. There was only one cigarette left. I decided then that I didn't want to buy any more. My husband is a non-smoker and I didn't think it was fair to him. Plus I was tired of feeling sick. I smoked the last one and I haven't smoked since. My success is honestly due to this... I promised God I would never smoke again. And it's been easy to say no because I don't want to break my promise to Him. I've had dreams about smoking and many people I know smoke, so I'm not saying it was easy!!! Just yesterday I was so frustrated at work, I wanted to go downstairs and bum a cigarette.

But I know I will NEVER smoke again because of that promise. Thanks to the strength from God!!!

Melissa (Comment this)

17 - Another thing to do is to find an activity which occupies the mind or body. Go swimming - nobody wants to smoke while they are swimming. Slowly, as our body adjusts and translates the 'want something' feelings into something other than cigarettes, then the feelings begin to go away. We know its not a cigarette that the body really needs, because as soon as we've had one we still have the feeling, and want another!We will have a few bouts of feeling or even being short tempered. We must try to bite our lip, and control; ourselves. Recognise the short temper as being the removal of toxins which are trying to find a way out. They went in through the mouth, and they try to get out that way to. We must learn to keep our mouth closed, and force the toxins out the other way.

By David W (Comment this)

18 - marsha creson,

What was the study you were in? Did you ever find out?

Gail (Comment this)

19 - You know whats bad? I stopped smoking for 4 years, then i had 1 smoke at a party and was stuck again.
So now im at it with the whole trying to quit again.. But for me, it somewhat feels natural to smoke.. Even after not smoking for 4 years, i had 1 smoke and it tasted soo good and also felt so good. It just felt natural... Its wierd, but thats how it is... (Comment this)

20 - according to this page http://www.all-about-beating-diabetes.com/smoking-and-diabetes.html
Smoking and diabetes , death leading link
 (Comment this)

21 - I quit in January 2007 after my lung doctor told me I had to quit. That was the push I needed and I decided right then that I would stop. I tapered off gradually with some help from Wellbutrin. It took me a month and was the hardest thing I ever did but that was the good part. I NEVER want to go through that pain and suffering again!

Four months later I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and now realize it was the best thing I could do. I have the breath to exercise, I'm taking far less medication for my COPD and allergies and I feel better than I had in 30 years.

For me, the secret was having a reason to stop. Once the decision was made I knew I would succeed. This turned out to be great training for my type 2 because I had to make another (Comment this)

22 - I began smoking at 14. Cigs were 50 cents a pack. Smoked for 39 years. Tried to quit 20 times. Stress got me every time. My father died of emphysema. Still couldn't quit. At 53, I couldn't walk 100 yards without severe pain in my right leg. 90% PAD blockage. (Comment this)

23 - cont: "Typical smoker's blockage - you must have started young." says my doctor. 50% chance it would re-block if I quit smoking, 100% chance if I didn't. Patches, Wellbutrin, hypnosis - still struggled but finally just got tired of failing. Haven't smoked for almost 2 years. Stress is still difficult at times, but I can still walk. If I can quit - anyone can. If I had just quit years earlier .... (Comment this)

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Thanks. (Comment this)