Tips for quitting smoking!

I’m approaching the six-month mark of being free from that terrible habit. This isn't my first rodeo; I've quit smoking plenty of times before. But unlike those previous attempts, this is by far my longest streak, and I can say with total certainty that I'm never picking up a cigarette again. For me, it was a mental shift—things finally clicked into place. I became genuinely aware of just how toxic this habit is and how deeply it’s embedded in society and in myself. Honestly, everyone has their own unique path to kicking the habit, and you're the only one who truly knows what works for you. Looking back now, it seems almost ridiculous that I didn't realize sooner how simple it actually is to walk away. The truth is, it’s hard to admit to yourself that you lack self-control and struggle to just say "no." Most people feel like they're losing a part of themselves when they quit, which is why they end up relapsing. In my case, that was the turning point: I realized I hadn't lost anything at all. It wasn't a part of my identity; it was just something I had forced upon myself and accepted as normal.

I haven't scrolled through the entire thread yet, but I figured I’d share my own experience. For the longest time, I was strictly a weekend smoker—you know the drill. I’d head outside with the guys in the evening, then find excuses at work like, "Hey, let's grab a coffee," just to sneak one in... damn, it adds up. Usually, I was burning through anywhere from half a pack to a whole damn carton a day. The funny thing is, I never actually smoked inside the house, so looking back, I was basically just playing games with myself for no reason.

So, how did I quit cold turkey? Well, my wife gave birth to our son, and from that exact moment on, I haven't touched a single cigarette.

Astaroth said:Do you want to quit smoking? I certainly do, but I just can't seem to pull it off. If anyone else here shares that burning desire to quit, maybe we could use this thread to support one another and swap stories. Right now, I’m going through about a pack and a half of ultra-lights; I’ve been at this for 15 years, and I am painfully aware of how much damage it's doing to my health, but the habit is just too damn strong. I actually managed to go two weeks without a cigarette once, but the cravings were absolutely brutal, and I eventually gave in. Still, if I did it once, I know I can do it again—it’s just a matter of strengthening my willpower and finding that spark of motivation. What have your experiences been like?

My old man finally kicked the habit after more than 20 years... and he’s been smoke-free for about five years now.

Basically, I know how incredibly difficult it was for him to break free, but he made it happen. I remember him using those nicotine gum things or something similar... and I think that actually helped him out. But honestly? More than anything, it was his sheer willpower that allowed him to walk away from such a nasty habit. 😁

I'm really proud of him! 👏 👏 👋

Benjamin Stewart82 said:Oh man, oh man...🙄 I quit smoking for a month, but then I just picked it right back up like nothing ever happened... I think I need to find something else to do with my hands instead of holding a cigarette while I'm sitting around—maybe grabbing a coffee somewhere. 😁 Also, maybe I should stop walking to those coffee shops entirely, because if I did that, I’d probably solve problem A at the same time. 😕 And finally, I really need to start hanging out with people who don't smoke; whenever someone lights up next to me, there's a pretty high chance I'll follow suit too... hmm... how on earth am I supposed to force myself to do all these things?

a. Maybe you're just making excuses because you can't keep your hands still! ;P
b. Trust me, you definitely wouldn't want to do that.
c. Personally, it doesn't bother me at all when someone smokes near me without bothering me; I haven't touched a cigarette in a year and three months now.

At the end of the day, all you really need to do is get your head in the right place and decide that you aren't smoking anymore. It won't be easy, but that's the only way you'll actually succeed... you can't just distract yourself with excuses about what to do with your hands and such...

Best regards...😉

Amy Smith said:a. You can't even hold a cigarette properly; ;P
b. Trust me, you wouldn't.
c. It doesn't bother me at all when someone smokes next to me without bothering me, and I haven't touched a cigarette in over a year and three months.

The only thing you really need to do is get your head in the right space and commit to the fact that you aren't smoking anymore. It won't be easy, but that is the only way you will actually succeed—by not lying to yourself about being restless or not knowing what to do with your hands and such.

Regards, 😉

How on earth did you see right through me? 😁

Benjamin Stewart82 said:How on earth did you figure me out so easily? 😁

🙂

Hey everyone!
Where can I pick up some Smoke Away tablets?

ana123 said:Hey everyone!
Where can I pick up some Smoke Away tablets?

Where are you located? In Canada, they carry them at TV shop stores.

You can always just order them online... www.smokeawayonline.com

They really worked for me and my partner. We haven't touched a cigarette in almost 8 months now...👋

Healthy lungs.

Lung cancer.

Lung Emphysema.

My colleague was only 38 when she passed away from lung cancer.
As for her lungs... she smoked a lot.

👋

🙂 😉 😎

Benjamin Stewart82 said:b. she should probably stop going out for coffee, because then she'd likely manage to tackle point a too 😁

Wrong. First, you quit smoking, and then—suddenly—even coffee doesn't hit the same way. Since last fall, I've been drowning myself in all sorts of different teas. Meanwhile, everyone else around me is sipping coffee and puffing away...

c. she should hang out with people who don't smoke; if someone lights up right next to me, there's a tiny chance I won't feel the urge too.

Wrong again. If you REALLY want to quit, nothing is going to stand in your way.
But you actually have to make up your mind. It used to be that I’d catch a whiff of someone's cigarette out on the street, and I'd be practically racing home just so I could light one up. Now? Just the thought of it... God, seeing people walking down the sidewalk smoking looks so ugly...🙄 (They say former smokers are always the harshest critics 😁 )

Astaroth said:Do you want to quit smoking? I really do, but I just can't seem to make it happen.

I’m going to suggest something that might sound a bit weird at first glance, but if you look at it logically—specifically through the lens of biochemistry—it makes perfect sense. Nicotine has become such an integrated part of your system that when you suddenly cut it off, your body goes into overdrive looking for it. So, how do we trick it? Interestingly, back in 1964, a biochemist studying nicotine effects stumbled upon a simple yet highly effective strategy.
First, make up your mind and decide you've had enough ;-) Best done in the evening.
Grab some snack sticks (they fill you up without adding weight!)
In the morning, your body is going to come hunting for that nicotine fix. This is where you circle back to step one! Fill a glass with clean, LUKEWARM water (thirst plays a huge role here) and take small sips until the craving subsides (one sip, two sips, then pause). Then, go back to the beginning because once you trick your body the first time, it’ll try to react again. Use lukewarm water again (not cold). Next, hunger kicks in. Reach for the snack sticks.
Then comes the coffee and that intense urge to light up. More snack sticks. The key is to stick to the initial plan and keep deceiving your body. Meanwhile, your system is detoxing, and the craving for nicotine drops rapidly. When you feel the urge to smoke, reach for lukewarm water; when you feel hungry, grab the sticks. To stay hydrated, drink plenty of water or unsweetened juices. It's actually pretty wild—within just two or three days, you'll start noticing the "smell" of cigarettes. You're right on the verge of victory. Just stay disciplined and keep tricking your body while it cleanses itself. Cheers and good luck!

Heh, well, I have officially made it THREE DAYS WITHOUT A SINGLE CIGARETTE... my motivation feels remarkably strong this time around. Now, I just need to maintain this resolve. Wish me luck! 😉

Hang in there 👍

Benjamin Stewart82 said:Heheh, well, I’ve officially made it THREE DAYS WITHOUT A SINGLE SMOKE... honestly, my motivation is feeling pretty intense this time—now if I can just power through the cravings... wish me luck, everyone! Fingers crossed! 😉

👍

Just three more, then three more after that... and boom, just like that, we've got ourselves another non-smoker. 🙂

It feels suspiciously easy so far. It’s been four days and I haven't faced a single serious craving—actually, for the first three days, there wasn't even one single urge. Today, I even spent about five minutes contemplating a cigarette. To me, this seems highly suspicious... I suspect the real crisis will hit sometime after a week or two has passed... or at least, that's what a friend told me. 😁 Oh well... 🙄

A single, compelling reason is all it takes.
The first time I managed to kick the habit was back in 1992, prompted by the fact that my wife was facing pregnancy complications; I figured there was no sense in adding any more stress to the situation, so I stayed clean for four years. After that stretch, people kept nudging me to quit for good, but I lacked the willpower until my son finally made a heartfelt plea for me to stop. My last cigarette was on New Year's Eve in 2003, and I haven't touched one since—and if life stays kind, I never will.

Benjamin Stewart82 said:Yeah, honestly, things have been suspiciously easy so far. It's been four days and I haven't had a single serious craving (actually, for the first three days, there was nothing at all; today I even spent about five minutes thinking about having a cigarette)... it feels weirdly suspicious to me... I suspect the real struggle will hit somewhere around the one or two-week mark... or at least, that's what a friend told me 😁 ..........oh well .....🙄

Ugh, tell me about it. At the start, I felt like it was too good to be true, too. I'm on my tenth day now, and my main thought has just been wanting a cigarette. I was actually very close to lighting one up. The only reason I didn't was because I kept telling myself how stupid it would feel to throw away ten whole days of progress.
Hang in there, you can do this. 👍

I haven't seen this firsthand since it was many years ago, but my family still talks about it. My grandmother smoked for years... two packs every single day. Then, one day... at a family gathering... she just announced to everyone: "I'm done smoking as of today," and she never lit another cigarette. Anything is possible... but then again, she was one hell of a strong woman.

driftingheron42 said:I didn't see this happen personally since it was so many years ago, but my family still talks about it. My grandmother smoked for years... two packs every single day. Then one day... at a family gathering... she just announced to everyone: "I'm done smoking as of today," and she never lit another cigarette. Anything is possible... but man, she was a tough woman.

Did she drop dead from the shock right then and there???

👋

🙂 😉 😎

Emily Rodriguez8
Ugh, tell me about it. I felt the exact same way at first—it all seemed too good to be true. I’m on day ten now, and honestly, my biggest craving has just been for a cigarette. I was incredibly close to lighting up, but I kept telling myself how stupid it would be to throw away ten whole days of progress if I slipped up.
Hang in there, you can do this. 👍

I quit 17 years ago (I used to smoke 60-80 a day). To be honest, I could still light up today, but I’m terrified of the health consequences.
The hardest part for me is right after a meal. I mainly quit for my son; he was 13 at the time, and I realized I couldn't exactly ask him not to smoke while I was standing there with one in my hand!

It wasn't until I saw the X-rays and scans that I truly understood the damage—seeing those clogged arteries changes everything.

👋
🙂 😉 😎