How do you know you have officially quit smoking??

[COGENT]

I smoked for 6 years. I was travelling around Europe and while in Edinburgh, Scotland I decided one day I didn't want to smoke anymore... haven't had a drag since. It was tough for a long while but it got easier.

You absolutely can never have another drag. Personally I think you've quite once you go to a new years party (or something like it) and turn down an offer to go for a smoke even in a drunken haze. Once you get to that point you're good to go.

[Pinner]

Originally Posted by habernac

I was never a heavy smoker, 10 a day max. Unless I was drinking.

The old lady next door to me died last January, cause: CPOD, and she only smoked 2-3 smokes a day.

Quiting smoking is the single most important thing you can do the improve your health.

My Dad was on his deathbed in ICU once a year for 3-4 years strait from respiratory (CPOD) problems. He quit because he had a breathing tube down his throat for two weeks and that was enough to get the monkey off his back. (nicotine addiction)

That was four years ago, he hasn't been in the hospital since !

They can't operate on his cancer because of the CPOD, (they can't put him under) so the nicotine addiction (smoking) is still responsible for his death.

Quit smoking people ! It's gross anyhow ! Get that monkey off your back

[WilsonFourTwo]

Originally Posted by Cecil Terwilliger

Honestly, if every day for the rest of my life is a struggle I'd just assume keep smoking. Obviously it hasn't been very long without a smoke for me but I definitely don't feel like if I kept this up that in 2 years from now I'd be craving a smoke every single day like people claim.

It's not that it's a struggle, it's that the craving never entirely goes away. There will always be moments when you think "Gee, this is where one would be nice". Those moments decrease in frequency though. At this point (8 months in), I might get a craving every couple of weeks. They last 20 seconds and go away.

The only fear is that you eventually give in. For addicts of any stripe, one always leads to two, two leads to ten, ten leads to the lifestyle.

Want my advice kid? Stop now. First 96 hours are the worst.

[SeoulFire]

Originally Posted by Cecil Terwilliger

For the guys that say it is lifelong and that they crave every day: How long and how much did you smoke?

I've smoked for about 5 years or so. I smoke about 4-8 cigs a day.

I've had a really bad cold/cough in the last week and felt so horrible I've had 3 smokes in the last week and haven't had one in 4 or 5 days. I've been feeling a little bit of an urge but I figured now is as good a time as any to quit.

Honestly, if every day for the rest of my life is a struggle I'd just assume keep smoking. Obviously it hasn't been very long without a smoke for me but I definitely don't feel like if I kept this up that in 2 years from now I'd be craving a smoke every single day like people claim.

The smell and thought of smoking again disgusts me - there is no struggle for me.

[habernac]

Originally Posted by Cecil Terwilliger

Honestly, if every day for the rest of my life is a struggle I'd just assume keep smoking. Obviously it hasn't been very long without a smoke for me but I definitely don't feel like if I kept this up that in 2 years from now I'd be craving a smoke every single day like people claim.

Looks like it varies with all the responses here. My Mom quit 30 years ago, she isn't bothered by cravings anymore. Maybe I have more of an addicitve personality, who knows?

[Pinner]

Originally Posted by habernac

Maybe I have more of an addicitve personality, who knows?

When was the last time you had a puff, be honest

[Russic]

My in-laws are just coming off Champix. Incredible little drug. Father in law did great and doesn't even care to have one ... my mother in law hated the pills though and got a little down.

Good luck to everybody trying to quit.

[Reggie Dunlop]

I quit via Champix two years ago.

I'm actually shocked that I don't miss smoking.

[CaptainCrunch]

I've quit for stretches here and there, but I always seem to come back to it, because I don't have a healthy outlet for my anger.

I also realize that smoking is more then just the craving, smoking is a event problem as well.

That first and last smoke of the day are huge, its not that I physically crave them, I've just associated them with waking up and winding down.

The after meal smoke.

The smoking and drinking, just feels natural.

Smoking a cigarette after sex, you don't crave anything after sex except for more, but it just feels like the right combination.

[SeoulFire]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

I've quit for stretches here and there, but I always seem to come back to it, because I don't have a healthy outlet for my anger.

I also realize that smoking is more then just the craving, smoking is a event problem as well.

That first and last smoke of the day are huge, its not that I physically crave them, I've just associated them with waking up and winding down.

The after meal smoke.

The smoking and drinking, just feels natural.

Smoking a cigarette after sex, you don't crave anything after sex except for more, but it just feels like the right combination.

I don't think non-smokers can appreciate the association of these events. The closest thing that I can come up with is for them to try and walk away from a duece without wiping.

[Pinner]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

I've quit for stretches here and there, but I always seem to come back to it, because I don't have a healthy outlet for my anger.

That's a pile of BS, smokers have no shortage of excuses, grow a set and try Champix !

Get all your blood work done, and ask for the prescription.

[habernac]

Originally Posted by Pinner

When was the last time you had a puff, be honest

had a couple last year

[SeoulFire]

Generally hate this but fyp.

Originally Posted by Pinner

That's a pile of BS, smokers have no shortage of excuses, grow a set and just quit! If you lack the fortitude then perhaps a chemical crutch like Champix can help

Get all your blood work done, and ask for the prescription.

[MacDaddy77]

The smell of it makes me sick. In my line of work I am quite ofter in peoples homes signing documents and whenever I am in a house where they smoke inside I don't even bother to witness the documents. I wait until I get in my car tehn take them to the local coffee shop and witness.

I can't believe the ##### we puit our bodies through. I am now training for a triathlon this summer (big improvement from not being able to take the stairs at work!!)

[dissentowner]

I have been off and on for 15 years. Last time I quit I used Thrive lozenges, they did the trick perfectly except one problem, they are pricey and they were a bigger addiction then the cigarettes and damned if I could get off them! I just went back to smokes, cheaper than the lozenges but I really loved the lozenges. If I could afford it I would just gobble those lozenges and never smoke again.

[Pinner]

Champix works great, I have no idea why you would discourage it Seoulfire ?

What is your motive ?

[Pinner]

Nicotine is the addiction, towner.

[Huntingwhale]

You can tell that you have fully quit when you no longer crave one when you drink. It's true. I know lots of people who claim to have quit, but as soon as they get drunk they start lighting up. I smoked for almost 6 years and knew I was done when my cravings dissapeared even when I drank.

[Kybosh]

I understand that it is sometimes helpful to replace one addiction with another. Might I recommend taking up food and Jesus to work towards becoming a morbidly obese Christian?

[SeoulFire]

Originally Posted by Pinner

Champix works great, I have no idea why you would discourage it Seoulfire ?

What is your motive ?

I am neither for nor against people using it. I guess I was just being a smart-ass in that cold-turkey would be more appropriate with growing a pair than chemical aids. Acupuncture, laser, whatever means necessary is all good in my books.