What did you do to help you quit smoking.?

Question

I know its easy to say just stop smoking. But we as smokers no its just not that simple. I would love to quit for the benifit of my childen and ofcorse my own health. Just wanting some helpfull hints in what others did to kick the habbit. Im not into patches and chewing gum but will only try these as a last resort. Thank-you.

Answer 1

I found that smoking, for me, was as much a mental habit as it was a physical addiction. When I first got up in the morning, I would have a smoke. When I finished a meal, I would have a smoke. When I got in the car, I would light up. I found that, many times, I was lighting up out of routine & habit more so than because of a physical craving at some points in time. When I decided to quit smoking, I decided I needed to spend the first couple of days in a completly different routine. I started over a 3 day weekend (no "car time" to & from work - no time at my desk smoking & talking on the phone). I needed something to keep my hands busy, so I got a wooden ship model kit and spent the weekend building it. I even altered my meal times just to avoid the routine I had been following for so many years. The first couple of days are the hardest but, if you can get through 3 days, the physical addiction should be pretty much stemmed. The psychological addiction, however, is more devious than you might think and lasts a long time. Even after 10 years there are times (sitting around a camp fire, for example) when the memory of how satisfying a smoke was still tempts me.



PS - When I finally quit, I didn't tell anybody about it right away. In previous attempts my family was trying to be supportive but, for me, it just added more pressure - not wanting to let them down if I failed. You can't quit for someone else - you can only quit for yourself - because it is what you want to do, for your reasons and on your terms.

Answer 2

Natural Quit Smoking Magic

Answer 3

I saw an ad on TV that scared the h*ll out of me and made me quit. It was about a woman with mouth cancer and she did look in extremely bad shape, and with her cancer ridden mouth the last line she said was 'Quitting is hard, not quitting is even harder'.

It just got to me. Every time you feel like a cigarette, go and give your kids a cuddle. Imagine that you are around long enough to see your grandchildren grow up and see great grandchildren. I don't know how much you smoke or the times in which you smoke e.g. after meals, talking on the telephone, having a coffee, but you might recognise these triggers and have some kind of plan. Take nice deep breaths, slowly drink a glass of water and look at those kids. Another thing is have you thought about some medications that curb the cravings? Apparently they work ok. Have a chat to your doctor. If you do slip up and have a smoke, don't beat yourself up over it. Just start again. Don't give up on giving up. I sincerely wish you all the best. Just keep telling yourself 'I CAN do this'.

Answer 4

my dad smoked my husband smoked my girl friends smoke so I guess I was just lucky not to be addicted I smoked and still do but only on odd occasions as it is becoming so difficult to do and so expensive. When I do smoke the odd occasional one it's like a kick in the head so I can't smoke more than one however even that is such a pleasant reminder of my misspent youth. The true reason that I have not continued is the expense. I am forever budgeting and saving for holidays, for antiques,for a new lap top, the list is endless and my income is very limiting. If you have not considered the importance of the cost perhaps that can be a start to motivating yourself in the right direction as it is no longer an accepted habit and is detrimental to your health. Why take any risks? The children will need you for as long as you live and they need you to be at your best health and also to set a really good example.............

Answer 5

Hi nzmade, I tried 6 times to stop smoking, from smoking nicorette plastic pipes, patches, reading a book, etc, but I always made one mistake, when desperate I would smoke one, and in a few days another, big mistake I was back to them in no time, even after stopping for 6 months.

Hypnotherapy's helped me and the realisation that if I smoke one it was the end, plus the encouragement of my 11 years old daughter and ... when I was very desperated I would smoke nicotine free or they call them "herbal cigarettes" as well, which they are not like cigarettes but personally they helped me a lot without getting the nicotine in my body.

Now I can proudly say that I have been a non smoker for 25 months. All the best.

Answer 6

I quit smoking on the 3rd of October 2005 (cold turkey from 1-1 1/2 packs a day or 40-50 cigarettes)



I bought myself an MP3 player from ebay and I started running



I now go to the gym very regularly and I dont even think about it anymore



The worst thing for me now is the smell of my clothes when I come home from the pub/club (enough to turn anyone off smoking)



good luck on quitting



hope this helps dude

Answer 7

I have been cigarette free for 12 days now. This time it's cold turkey.



Tried patches, completed the 12 week course then started smoking on my second day off the patches!



My theory is why prolong the withdrawals by slowly weaning yourself off nicotine? For me, this time, the fourth day was the worst. By the twelth day (today!) life doesn't suck without cigarettes as it did this time last week.



My doctor (who I may add has never been a smoker) looked at me and told me, "You know it's only will power". And you know what? He was right.



The best thing for me has been to lift two fingers to my mouth, breathe in a big breath of fresh air (pretending to smoke without the smoke!). It looks silly, but it's proved helpful to me. And lolly-pops in the car (held like a smoke between my fingers!). Slowly sipping water after eating helped (and continues to). I think once you've smoked your always susceptable to resume, however I also believe the more practice you have with quitting, the better you'll get at it.



Another thing that's helped me is taking up sport. I really feel the benefits of not smoking (I can actually breathe in without it hurting this week!).



Plus I think the government gets enough money from all the tobacco I bought. Why the hell would I want to give them anymore with the purchases of 'quit smoking aids' and the GST on them? If the government really cared, they wouldn't sell tobacco. Guess they must be making more money from the sale of tobacco than they are spending on the cost smoking related illnesses in our health system.



Good luck - set a date and off you go!!! And yes, I felt life sucked without cigarettes, but that's the addiction. It doesn't last long. Don't feel deprived, just keep thinking your body's recovering (and you'll hopefully live longer which is always handy when you have kids, I have 4 myself!).



Whatever works hey! Plus a lot of will power! Good luck, and remember..the cravings soon pass! And you'll probably find, like I did, that you get a lot more done in your day - I used smoking as a form of procrastination.



That's it for me now! I wish you well...



Angela

Answer 8

Unlike, many smokers, it isn't just that simple. I have tried the patches which worked for a little while, but they kept falling off.

I am on my fifth attempt. My friends have all given up cold turkey. When the cravings came, they went for a walk which alleviated their cravings. I, myself have just purchased, Allen Carr's - Easy Way to STOP SMOKING. Which includes 2 C.D.'s. I have to say --- not bad. No wise cracks and very impressive. He is now an ex-smoker. You continue smoking while reading and before you know it you are smoking less.

Havn't finished the book yet, but I think by the time I have finished, I will be an ex-smoker.

Its probally some sublingual text hidden. Don't care if it works.

So simple. Try it. In most bookstores.

Answer 9

It is good that you are thinking of quiting smoking. I have smoked for more than 15 years and am smoke free for the last 6 months.



If you do not want to use nicotine patches and gums you might try hypnosis or a natural remedy or a combination of both. I used a natural remedy 'Crave-RX'. This helps in reducing nicotine craving and withdrawal symptoms.



People react differently to different methods of treatment. It worked for me. No harm in trying since it is harmless but effective.



For further information visit the following source.

Answer 10

Go to the doctors and get Zyban - they're an anti-depressant that has a side effect that effects your taste when it comes to smoking. They're a pill.



They don't work with everyone but they are fantastic - I was a hardened smoker who just loved a long drag. Now because I no longer have the receptor than makes them taste good, I would throw up if I had a smoke. That's after 20 plus years of smoking.



You go for it!

Answer 11

After I read the book "Allen Carr's Easy Way to Stop Smoking" I gave up fairly easily. You should be able to find it in second hand book stores. I liked it's non confrontational approach. Rather than focus on all the health issues it gets you to look at the reasons why you smoke and breaking those habits. He tells you to keep smoking while you're reading the book which I thought was a good approach as otherwise I probably would have been to scared to pick the book up. When I was reading the book I focused on the things that bugged me about smoking and I kept repeating them over to myself. For example I hated the smell in my hair and on my clothes and I hated the way it controlled me to the point where I couldn't go anywhere without my smokes.

My dad, brother and numerous friends have read the book and given up soon after.

Good luck, you'll feel so much freer after you've done it!

Answer 12

It is important to realise that there are at least 3 things to consider when kicking the habit; firstly nicotine withdrawal, which can cause pain and other symptoms, so slow reduction by means of patches or Nicorette, or other gum, is valuable in this. Secondly, there is the oral stimulation, which can be obtained by putting a short, blunt pencil, or a Honeyrose or other, unlit herbal cigarette in the mouth (throw away the lighter). Thirdly, it is a social act, and a ritual, which may be replaced to some extent by using worry beads, or playing portable electronic games (my cheap $60 Nokia mobile cellular has 3) some are just $5 or so; whittling, for men, and knitting, needlepoint, macrame, etc., for women. Hypnotherapy is estimated to be effective in about 85% of cases. Most people need more than one try, but don't fall into the trap of listening to that voice in your mind that says: "Just this once!" Recognise that it is the negative part of your mind, which would much rather avoid the difficulties involved in giving it up. Be advised that you may begin coughing, sometimes even worse than before, as the tiny hairs in your respiratory system, which had been adversely affected by the smoke, begin to carry out once more their function of removing deposited material from the lungs. It will soon pass, and should be regarded as a good sign, not as an excuse to go back to smoking again. Things to watch out for: 1. Trigger situations, like the morning cup of coffee, after a meal, after sex, or after a few drinks, when resistance may be lower. 2. Stressful situations, including parties, presentations and other social gatherings 3. Social pressure. You may feel "left out", when others join together to light up. Have plans in place to cover all these eventualities: what are you going to do and say when someone offers you a cigarette?: your instinct will be to reach out and accept, so be forewarned, and forearmed - DON'T LET IT HAPPEN TO YOU! Just say: "thanks, but I'm trying to cut down", so, if you fail in this attempt to give up, no-one will notice, and make some smart remark about it. If you don't manage to catch yourself in time, and your hand is on the way out, bring it round and scratch the back of your head, or your shoulder, or torso, somewhere. If you falter, don't use it as an excuse, just begin the process again. YOU CAN DO IT!!!

Answer 13

I was a pack and a half a day smoker when I discovered I was pregnant with twins. I gave up gradually during my pregnancy and I did it for my boys. I just kept thinking, "When I give them a hug or walk into a room I want them to smell Mum, not cigarette smoke. I want them to recognise me with their noses as well as the rest of them." Ask your kids if they like the smell of smoke. When I felt the urge to have a smoke, I'd eat something instead. Alternating between healthy snacks and what I like to call 'indulgence food' (all the lovely sugary things). just small portions. also, call the Quitline. Everyone has a different type of addiction, whether it be a habit addiction, boredom, addicted to the 'hand to mouth' action. There are so many types. The Quit line is also great to call when you're feeling urges and instead of acting on them , you call someone to tell them and they encourage you NOT to do it.

Answer 14

I tried everything to quit smoking and would you believe the only thing worked was I fell pregnant & when I realised I was then responsible for a little baby growing inside me I just quit cold turkey It's been almost 10 years now & I havent gone back! of course this may not work for you.

Answer 15

Remember that machine rolled cigarettes contain more chemicals as roll smokes do not stay a light so start off smoking Rollie's which is chopped Tobacco do this for a week or two to break the cycle of habit by rolling your own .Nicorette chewing gum spearmint is chew next and takes away routine to hand to mouth while being productive breaking the mental motivation of addiction .Its because the brain and lungs accepts the nicotine well brain fluid retains nicotine and know you now why its takes a year for brain fluid to filter through front membrane and out the nose .The brain filters itself through the front of the head through the membrane this is also why fluid from a runny nose should be tested as well .That curly white hair chasing Reno c through Queensland driving white vans and a neighbour of Lena's as they shouldn't have moved to north Richmond drinking at the pub and Enos c you shouldn't threaten children with a gun over you stealing another mans women.That hairy man in his yellow Toyota drove all the way to Queensland to standing out side a police station.

Answer 16

Well I am like you, in that, I don't believe it quitting with the aid of patches as statistics show that those people have a tendency to smoke again in the future. They are still having nicotine in another form. I quit cold turkey 3 years ago with the aid of www.quitnet.com and the support from everyone at that website. You can get out and exercise to take your mind off it.

Blowing bubbles is therapeutic as you are doing the slow exhaling and using your hands at the same time. I have young kids and discovered the bubbles therapy by accident.

Answer 17

My answer is unusual but it scared me out of smoking. My doctor at the time (I was 24 - I'm 47 now) suggested I visit a friend of his in a nursing home. The man was not old, but had laryngeal cancer from smoking cigarettes.



He had to have a tracheostomy to breathe. He also continued smoking. See slide 5 (or slide j) in the link below.

That's pretty close to what I saw. I also watched him clean the mucus out of the hole in his neck, watched as he gagged when he coughed and listened to him "speak" through this new "mouth" of his.



I quit after that.



Hope this helps.

Answer 18

i smoke and i am quitting i have redused the amout i smoke by over half and i did this by keeping my hands busy i have not had a smoke this morning. I also find that walking around with the smoke in my hand unlit that the hand to mouth action is making me not really wont 1 so i think in a week i will quit. i hope these things work for u also try any kind of chewing gum. THINK POSITIVE BELEIEVE U CAN QUIT AND U WILL

Answer 19

Being a past time smoker I found that you have to want to really quit before it will ever happen. I know from experience. For me this is the best answer I could give anyone wanting to quit smoking. So good luck and I know you can do it.

Answer 20

Personally, I never started in the first place. My Dad could take it or leave it just as easily and my Mum only gave it up (cold turkey) when it almost killed her. But a gentleman I know went to a quit smoking seminar and began carrying in his pocket and nibbling on cinnamon quills.....it seems to have worked.....that was 4 yrs ago and he is still smoke-free after a 2 packet a day habit....Good luck, your kids will appreciate you quitting. Patty

Answer 21

The way i did it was just so stupid but it worked. Me and my bf was having an arguement once about smoking (we both smoke).. i told him that he didn't have the will power to stop.. and he said the same to me. So i stopped cold turkey to prove a point that i could do it better then him (yes i know its stupid)



Now i haven't smoked in three months and he still does.. Now that i think about it it wasn't funny at the time but its funny now.



When my friend wanted to quit she found someone to quit with her. Like when you diet you find someone to diet with for support. It worked for her cause she and her friend haven't smoked in over a year.



I would suggest not trying my method but i wish you luck

Answer 22

I smoked the last two cigarettes in the packet threw it away and never touched one since. It is very hard to get past he first few weeks wanting to drag on a *** but i found if you were eating a lolly it helped to give up in the end. I feel a whole lot better for it and I am not so light on in the wallet.

Just work out how much you spend on cigs in a week and multiply by 52 weeks.

$70.00 x 52 = $3640.00

Answer 23

One thing that helped me, although it sounds goofy, I put up positive notes of encouragement to myself on the mirrors in my bathrooms and bedroom. Things like: " I am proud to be a non-smoker"; My clothes and hair smell great!"; and my favorite: "There are better ways to die." Everytime I looked into a mirror I would repeat these words and it helped me. My sister is hooked on a web site called:Quitnet and she swears that without going on that site 2 or 3 times a day, she would still be smoking over 2 packs a day. Also drink alot of water and try to take a short walk when the cravings get bad-like after meals or early morning with coffee.

Good luck, you can do this, you are smarter and stronger than you think and you know smoking is stupid, and there are better ways to die.

Answer 24

Here's a good tips.

Set a date line when you want to stop.

Take it slowly. Reduce it day by day.

Tell your friends and family that you wanna quit so they dont offer you cigarette.

Chew mint chewing gum when you feel like smoking.

When you have stop smoking dont ever take onther puff.

Answer 25

hi dear,

smoking makes a inner coating inside abdomen, and on its depletion it demands smoking,

if u r serious to stop smoking you have to be affirmative,,

you may analyse your habit by

1:what you get out of smoking ?

2: do u harm others by creating bad odour smoke?

3:is it at all required for day to day work

4: do your children like it or hate it

5: would u like 2 c your children smoking someday

6:does smoking makes u healthy

7:do u get relaxation on smoking

if not then think of negative points of smoking, watch the people who do not smoke at all ,do not open mouth every now and then for eating ,drinking and smoking.

our body do not require many things for life .

u can start by reducing the no of cigars and try to change your daily routine.

get up in early morning, c the rising sun and natural beauty, inhale with long breaths in open air in front of rising sun and feel charged, take breakfast ,lunch and dinner on time ,

sleep early , do work as much as possible, when u r unoccupied do some good work , play with children , read some book, watch the nature, do some gardening, cleaning of almirahs,stores,rooms,c ur photos of young age,watch flowing crystal clear water , have a feeling that by smoking u pollute the beautiful atmosphere, think your body and mind is made to serve others and being useful for the society and to serve with full efficiency u need to be physicaly strong and this is possible by quitting bad habbits,do some yoga (pranayam if u can understand ,devote 5 minutes time for relaxation : lie down in free cloths ,with free hands and legs with palms upside , close eyes ,watch your own breath, c it coming inside and going out, feel that the incoming breath reaches upto toe from head, imagine a rising sun near a flowing river with singing birds,beutiful trees, flying birds, moving boat and find your self there and feel the natural energy, come back on your body and again observe breath,

do this daily,before sleeping take a oath that from tomorrow I am going to reduce smoking, its bad , its bad for others, its bad for children , its good to say it bye,may god help me,I am a good child of god, he will help me to get rid of smoking,

not to be unoccupied even for a second, do what ever u can do in free time, do not meet persons who offer u cigars, make new friends who are non smoker, drink plenty of fresh water, avoid heavy and non veg for some days, it will help you .thanks for your question.

bye

d.s.

Answer 26

Just see how long you can go without a smoke - then when you are dieing, have one, then start over. You should be able to go longer and longer until you just don't need one.

Answer 27

In short, I quit for my boyfriend. He hates it, knows how stupid it is, and is very happy with my decision to quit. I don't light up again because I don't want to disappoint him.

Answer 28

try avoiding it. start a habit or hobbie that will get your mind off it.





good luck!