Stopping smoking

Well done Schnakie2 - I've never smoked but watched my OH trying to give it up more than once, the first time after a heart attack when a young, female doctor gave him an impression lecture right there on the ward.

He hasn't smoked now for almost 20 years and will often comment on how happy he is to have stopped.

*impressive not impression!

Well done! I quit smoking 21 years ago and it was very tough but I am so glad I did. Like you I saved the money I would have spent on smoking and used to treat myself to books, spa days, perfume, a beautiful summerhouse, weekends away. It is a shocking waste of money and very bad for your health. I read that book alongside nicotine patches. Well done again. 👏

When I was giving up I treated myself to a Utube video instead of a cigarette when I was craving. Took my mind off it for a few minutes.

Thanks for the responses so quickly!! I live alone and all my friends are smokers so I appreciate all of your comments.

Well done schnackie for your two weeks free of horrible cigarettes and for sensibly putting your cigarette money into your savings. My mil did the same. She couldn’t believe how quickly it mounted up. She hadn’t ever had savings so was rightfully proud of herself as you should be.

It’s hard if your friends smoke. You might need to keep a distance for a while because you don’t want to be tempted.

Most people smoked when I was young. I did too, not heavily, and stopped 50years ago now and am happy most people have stopped as it can be quite unpleasant.

A day at a time, you can do this.

Well done 👏👏👏👏👏👏

I gave up after 55 years of smoking. I haven't actually made a point of putting the money I would have spent into a savings account but I take great pleasure in looking at a reaonable healthy current account balance and enjoy being able to buy things I may have thought twice about before.

And I'm usually able to top up my regular saver account to the maximum amount every month so in a way that's my "fag savings"!

Nicotine is one of the most addictive substances on the planet and giving up smoking is incredibly difficult. I had a pretend cigarette that I used to smoke. A bottle of water that you can sip throughout the day helps, too as it replaces the physical aspect of smoking. You have to look at situations in which you would reach for a cigarette and avoid them. I’ve still got an Allan Carr cd that I used at the time and did find it helpful. I don’t think doctors surgeries are helpful because the people helping you usually don’t understand how difficult it is.

Well done Schnackie!

Now when you are tempted you can read all these encouraging comments to keep you on the straight and narrow 😊

I've never smoked, but I appreciate how addictive nicotine is. My OH smoked for nearly 60 years, but switched to vapes after knee replacement. However, after a few years of vapes, he realised he was vaping more than he used to smoke and decided to stop. A forthcoming trip, when he realised he was going to have problems with carrying vapes on flights (not allowed in checked in bags and often confiscated from carry on), was the incentive. He's now about 6 weeks off the vapes, but still feels the craving. But it is possible to stop - I really didn't think he would succeed.

These comments are so very motivating!! Today has been difficult but your words have been helpful. A bottle of water is a good idea, (I will add a drop of lemon squash) and could be a distraction from the mints. Well done to all of you who have been successful!!

AsMayBe70 says, nicotine is very addictive.
It’s nearly 50 years since I stopped smoking, but I love the aroma and could have one today (obviously I wouldn’t)😀
I did surround myself with non-smoking friends who helped me a lot.
Good luck and a great idea to see how financially well you will be doing 👍

Well done and now there's no turning back. You've done it. I stopped a few years ago after smoking on and off for 50 years, a ghastly thought!

I flirted with vapes for a while but to be honest I found them worse than cigarettes. They would catch me in the throat and it wasn't nice. I could never switch over to vapes, I really disliked them.

So eventually I made the decision to stop and just threw them all away. I had done it many times before but this was the final time. And I found it so easy once I had made the decision and they were gone. Just remember you too have made that decision and you won't turn back.

I am in the middle of reading Alan Carr's book on my Kindle, having smoked for 54 years. Well done Shnackie2, something to be very proud of so keep it up! I do so hope it works for me too. I am at the stage where I am so fed up and ashamed at being a slave to the dreaded weed.

When I quit, I plan on having my living room thoroughly de-nicotinised and redecorated with the money I save! It's the only place in the house where I smoke and I am embarassed when friends and family visit - they must notice the stains and smell.

AskAlice oh, I have the same living room as you do!! So horrible, there is nicotine on every single thing in the room. My dear landlord has redecorated every other room in the flat, but when he has offered to paint the living room, I tell him 'sadly, there is no point until I quit smoking'. I have been here 14 years and he will be so happy in the next year when I finally ask him very nicely, to do the living room!!

My brother in law was a very heavy smoker , up to 60 a day. Never thought he would,or could stop until one day he picked up the book by Alan Carr,I think it was called The easy way to stop smoking. He read the book until the very last page smoking as he was reading. Once he got to the last page he quit and never smoked another cigarette again.

I was a heavy smoker and had tried to stop smoking on so many occasions but I wasn't successful until I used the Alan Carr method. It worked for me and I haven't smoked for nearly 40 years. I'm fitter, calmer and no longer have sinusitis. I also don't stink of tobacco. It's a really good feeling to be free of the addiction. Please keep it up, we are all wishing you success.

Shnackie2, you are very lucky to have a landlord who lets you smoke in the house! Most these days specify "non-smokers only"...

And I can quite understand why. Smoking leaves its mark on furniture, carpets, light fittings and walls and seeps into the plaster.

We both gave up smoking 45 years ago after several attempts, we were living in Germany at the time so they were duty free, no way could we afford to smoke in England, it was hard but so worth it.
Well done Shnackie2 you’ve done the worst bit, keep at it, you’ll have enough saved to buy something you’ve always wanted, or go on holiday maybe.
The best part for us both was realising how much better food tasted and realising how much nicer everything smells.

shnackie2

When I quit I planned it with military precision. I gave myself a date I would pack up about a month ahead. During that period I cleaned a room at a time and got rid of anything smoking related, emptied handbags, pockets, drawers etc. as I did each room that then became a non smoking room. I did likewise in my car and summerhouse. I even cleaned out the panniers on my bike as they were a hiding place! 🤣 everywhere was clean and fresh and I sprayed each room with a beautiful spray. It worked for me anyway.

Well done for giving up the ciggies, Its 53 years since I stopped
I had stopped for a week, then OH and I went out at the weekend for a drink, a woman at the same table offered me a cigaret, I took it, and when I got home I was sick...I think it had more to do with the vodka, but every time I thought about cigs afterwards, I felt sick, I haven't smoked since. so good for you..

Well done shnackie. Its one of the hardest things I've done,but so so worth it. Keep going girl you've got this 💪.