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Smoking

(107 Posts)
Sunny82z Tue 19-Dec-23 21:03:46

I am sure the sensible grans on this site have never smoked, I am afraid I have and have now, I hope, given up. I am on day seven of not smoking, it hasn't been easy. Perhaps somebody else may be trying to quit.

rosie1959 Tue 19-Dec-23 21:09:12

Good for you I am thinking about it but about as far as I have got if you keep going at two weeks it will get easier. Good luck

Smileless2012 Tue 19-Dec-23 21:14:11

Oh well done Sunnysmile.

I'm not thinking about it rosie but maybe one day.

Wheniwasyourage Tue 19-Dec-23 21:28:04

Well done!! I have never smoked, but I know that it is not an easy thing to do to stop - I believe it is a lot easier to go cold turkey and come off heroin! Good for you to have done seven days. Very best wishes for continuing success.

Primrose53 Tue 19-Dec-23 21:40:02

I stopped smoking nearly 19 years ago. Never had a puff since.

You have to really want to do it. To be truthful giving up was so awful that the thought of smoking again and going through quitting again kept me on the straight and narrow.

Sunny82z Tue 19-Dec-23 21:45:20

Thank you so much for your comments and thoughts. One of the Rolling Stones that was addicted to heroin said giving it up was a lot easier than giving up smoking. Thanks again.

Patsy70 Tue 19-Dec-23 21:48:08

Good luck with giving up smoking! I smoked for over 15 years, about 20 a day! I gave up, completely, at age 35, and have not smoked since. If I can do it, so can you. 🤞

Germanshepherdsmum Tue 19-Dec-23 21:56:27

I stopped smoking in 1976 - having asthma, should never have started. But even after all these years I still occasionally crave a cigarette, though I would never give in.

Theexwife Tue 19-Dec-23 22:03:54

I am a smoker, I still like smoking so have no plans to give up.

Well done you, keep focusing on the positives and find something to do with your hands.

VioletSky Tue 19-Dec-23 22:05:59

I have quit smoking and it was the best thing I ever did

Just remember that you will never be a non smoker, you are an ex smoker and it only takes 1 to become hooked again

So stay away from situations that cause temptation

And always remember, cigarettes do not relieve stress... They lied to you... The only stress they ever relieved was the stress the addiction placed on your body

Siope Tue 19-Dec-23 22:12:06

Well done. I gave up ten years ago, and am delighted to be free of it. Just keep taking one day at a time, and if you do lapse, don’t think it means you’ve started again, just go back to not smoking as quickly as possible.

I found it better, if I was offered a cigarette, to say ‘I don’t smoke’ rather than ‘I’m giving up’ because it would then be too embarrassing to backtrack 🤣

Good luck, and lots of respect - you can do it!

MayBee70 Tue 19-Dec-23 22:15:31

My ex husband once said that he thought nicotine was the most addictive substance on earth and I think he was right. I was only an occasional smoker till my marriage broke up and I realised that I was smoking every day out of loneliness. I stopped when my first grandchild was born because I didn’t want to go near him with nicotine on my clothes. I’d be thinking of the next cigarette while I was smoking the first one. I had a pretend cigarette so I had something to do with my hands. Bottles of water so I could sip on something. It was all association and triggers. Used to listen to a Paul McKenna stop smoking hypnotism tape. Only after I’d stopped did I realise how horrible my house smelled as did I.I don’t think that non smokers realise how hard it is to stop but it is doable. I wish I’d never smoked but I can’t turn the clock back now.

Serendipity22 Tue 19-Dec-23 22:15:44

Absolutely well done to you ..... 👏

Summerfly Tue 19-Dec-23 22:18:08

That’s really impressive Sunny. You’ve done the hard bit. I stopped over twenty years ago. If I can do it anyone can. I took it day by day and ticked the days off, then weeks etc. and put the money I saved in a box. You’ll be amazed at how much you’ll save.
If you struggle, come on here. You’ll get all the support that you need.

BlueBelle Tue 19-Dec-23 22:27:05

I haven’t smoked for 50 years now watching a young smoking friend of 32 years old going through lung cancer it’s not good, it’s really not good
There is so much help out there now please take it if you can and stay strong
Well done Sunny

V3ra Tue 19-Dec-23 22:54:29

Just worked out it's 40 years since I gave up, wow! Started at 14 though... 😳

Apart from the health benefits, it would be the money that would be a deciding factor for me to give up these days.
So to keep the motivation going I'd suggest you keep a record of how much you would have spent each day, week, month... and decide what you're going to treat yourself to: takeaway? new coat? spa day? short break?

Well done Sunny82z on your first week as an ex smoker 🤗

Sunny82z Tue 19-Dec-23 23:17:57

So much good advice, thank you, today has been difficult but, day eight tomorrow. Thank you all for your support.

Shelflife Wed 20-Dec-23 09:08:57

Well done Sunny! it must be very difficult, I watched my father cough throughout my childhood. He always said to me " never light up" He died aged 70 from breathing related health issues. Left my mother a widow for over 20 years and missed 9 GC. I took his advice and have never had a cigarette. I applaud you for your strength and determination, good luck - you can do it I feel sure. Think of all the money you you will save ! Have a wonderful smoke free Christmas 🎅.

wetflannel Wed 20-Dec-23 17:59:59

I finally gave up 14 months ago with the help of vaping which I have now quit as well. It is without doubt the hardest thing to quit, but having COPD I knew I was seriously pushing my luck. Believe me it get's easier so congratulations on quitting.

Sunny82z Wed 20-Dec-23 18:05:37

Thank you all for your kind support and advice. Day 9 tomorrow.

silverlining48 Wed 20-Dec-23 18:10:29

I gave up nearly 50 years ago, most people smoked then, the dangers weren’t really known. An expensive and risky habit, so well done, keep going, you know it majes sense. A day at a time indeed - day 9, bring it on. You CAN do it.

AreWeThereYet Wed 20-Dec-23 18:15:19

Well done 👍 I can't even remember how long ago it was I gave up, but I agree it was one of the most difficult things I've ever done.

Have no real tips for you other than as someone else said, stay away from temptation. And don't turn 'giving up smoking' into a disease and spend the rest of your life thinking about how you are going to deal with it. Keep your mind diverted onto more interesting things so you're not always having to battle with the thought of having a cigarette. Good luck.

silverlining48 Wed 20-Dec-23 18:18:21

My mil smoked all her life but decided one day to stop, and she did. I was surprised at her sticking to it especially when she was out with people smoking.
What she did was to put aside the money she woukd have spent on cigarettes and as her pot filled she realised just how much it cost her every week/ month/year, and she never smoked again.

Sago Wed 20-Dec-23 18:19:12

Well done!
I gave up over 20 years ago and it was so hard but really liberating.
If you can quit smoking, you can do almost anything.

henetha Wed 20-Dec-23 18:21:51

I gave it up many years ago thank goodness. Could not possibly afford it now.
I think the first two weeks are the worst, so you are half way there.. good luck.
I hope you achieve it. Just think how much healthier you will be and how much better off.