Smoking

Ive never smoked. It was considered smart and fashionable in the 1960s when I was a young woman. I can recall a friend saying that it gave her "something to do with her hands" but I never got into the habit. I had a very good singing voice (still have) and was afraid I would ruin it.

My father smoked every day of his life and died a horrible death from lung cancer. Two other relatives died from the same.

My nephew (the one who helps me a lot) smokes and I wish he wouldnt because I worry about him. But hes an adult and its his decision. I dont nag him about it. Its not my place to tell him what to do.

I gave up many years ago and wish you all the very best with something that is so difficult. It was a very bad cold that gave me the incentive. I had tried many times before but this time I stuck to it. Cold turkey.

As suggested here, put the money away and get yourself something really nice. All the very best.

My dds 72 year old mil has recently been diagnosed with COPD, and gave up after a lifetime of smoking.
You can do this Sunny 🌞

I didn’t find it hard to stop smoking, I was pregnant so that helped but wasn’t a heavy smoker despite starting very young, which was BAD, which is not not good, but old time bad.

My mil was a heavy smoker for over 50 years. She decided to stop, and did so immediately . We took them out to a special birthday dinner a few weeks later. She sat in the midst of everyone smoking, but didn’t have a cigarette and never did again.

I know it’s hard but not always.

Well done you Sunny 🙂
I stopped smoking eleven years ago, before my first grandchild was born.
When I started smoking, it was the norm to smoke upstairs on a bus, at the back of a plane, in the cinema, it was almost like a badge of honour. It's not now, it costs a fortune, you can't smoke in comfort and it stinks!
I'm glad I stopped, so will you be

it's very difficult to give up.. so all power to you..

What I found helped was to actively think about the freedom that comes from giving up. I don't have to worry that I have not put out all my fags when I leave the house.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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 🎅.

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

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 🤗

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

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.

Absolutely well done to you ..... 👏

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.

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!

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

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.

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.