I did it! I am $2,860 richer because one year ago I quit smoking! (ETA: Thanks!)
Last edited Mon Apr 6, 2015, 02:06 AM - Edit history (1)
I can't believe I actually did it. This last year was a real mixed bag. There were some high points, including my finally being allowed to get married, but there were some real downers, including health issues all year and the death of my beloved cat, but I never smoked. Lord knows I was tempted; still am sometimes. The first month was HELL! I kept the last pack of cigarettes I bought, still unopened, on the table next to the door as a reminder.
I smoked since I was 16, though not heavily. By college, I was a heavy smoker, at least a pack a day and when I left college, I was up to 2 packs a day. There were times I smoked as much as 3 packs a day. For the majority of the time, I smoked 2.5 packs a day, until last year when I dropped to 1.5 packs. The price of cigarettes was about $5 a pack, $55 for a carton, which I bought weekly. I decided to quit when I got a chest X-ray and the doctor said my lungs were clear and it looked as if I had only been smoking for a few years. That was it! Talk about a "gift horse" and I had no intentions of looking it in the mouth. It took two weeks to wean myself off them, but I did it.
If you are thinking of quitting, make your plan and only share it with people who will be supportive and I don't mean they are just supportive of your quitting, but supportive of the process. If you slip, it is OK! Examine why you slipped and how you can conquer that challenge in the future. It takes strength and believe in yourself. Don't do it for anyone else, do it for YOU! You are worth it!
So, there it is...ONE YEAR...hopefully, I will have many more years more!
ETA: I wanted to say "thanks!" for all the comments, well wishes, and additional stories. I had no idea I would get this type of response, and because it was a weekend, I spent it with my husband with occasional computer breaks, but I was busy making dinner and watching documentaries. But, I wanted to express my thanks!
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I know it's not an easy thing to do.
That is just win/win all the way
Congratulations and great job! 
congrats!! 
It is nice not having to spend the money on something that does nothing but hurt me.
0mg isn't far away. 
I am so grateful that the vape pen was invented. It's a life saver.
I cannot even imagine trying to kick nicotine at the same time I'z trying to kick another addictive drug like alcohol ... I say this as someone who's kicked drugs ... sadly, more than once. No way could I do what you did. Congrats, that really is an accomplishment
Congratulations!
On 2/14, it was 34 years of being smoke-free.
Hardest thing I've ever done, too.
Cher
1 Year. Good On Ya.
It is really shocking how much money it was for just one year and that was after I had already cut back! But laughing really hard and not having a coughing fit, that has been so awesome!
It's an astronomical figure.
anyway very proud of ya.
As a former smoker I know how hard it is to quit those damn things. 30 Years cig free here.
This is indeed great news! A 
to you and I will share your advice with a friend who is trying to quit himself.
"Of course," said George smugly, "I never startied smoking to begin with." That's true, 'cause I had ALCOHOL! 
Seriously, this is quite a feat. Congratulations and much continued success!
I was smoking two packs a day. I'd said that when they made it to .50 cents a pack I'd quit but didn't make that milestone but when they went up to .60 cents a pack I did. Cold turkey, kept a pack with me just in case. At some point I did think that I really needed one but when I threw the pack out a year or so later it was still full albeit missing that corner of the packaging material. I pretty much used the same technique to quit drinking, Bought a bottle and put it on a shelf so I could see that I had some just in case I had to have a drink. After a while I guess my wife threw it out as I noticed one day that it was gone but by then so was the habit I had. And yes I do still have some of the money I've saved and if that isn't enough incentive to quit I don't know what is.
Congratulations on doing this BtA.
just couldn't resist
I am seriously impressed. I smoke as much as you did, though I never went over 2 packs a day. Last year I finally cut down but somewhere in that year, I went back up to 2. It's been a very stressful year. Part of it due to health issues that I, more than likely, wouldn't have if I didn't smoke.
I am sorry if I am asking something you already answered, but did you go cold turkey? (Weird expression. I love cold turkey)
Congratulations to you! I want to be able to post the same thing next year. Maybe even the married part. But I have to find someone first
I worked my way down. I first tackled my "triggers" like talking on the phone, driving, after meals, and the like. Once I got a few of those out of the way, it was easier. I also used a vapor cig, which really helps. You can also try patches and the like. The gum didn't work for me at all! Start with your triggers.
As for having someone special, stop looking....let them find you!
Solidarity!
[hr][font color="blue"][center]All things in moderation, including moderation.[/center][/font][hr]
I used Alan Carr's book and it was like a miracle for me.
Whatever it takes, I support anyone who wants to quit.
The hardest times for me are when I am around groups of people that are smoking…. a lot. This happened to me just last month and it made me really miserable (and mean).
Anyway, keep up the good work. You owe it to yourself.
So, I'd like to know what worked for you the best to help you wean off and stay off entirely. You'll be helping more people through me, so thanks in advance!
Sometimes it takes a while to stick. I quit every other day for two months before I quit for good. I've kept it up for nearly six years now. A friend of mine from an online forum(about.com/smoking cessation had numerous relapses and is now four years smoke-free. Practice makes perfect.
similar advice was given to me several years ago. it has been nearly 10 years. although i confess to still having momentary fantasy's of tasting tobacco, etc... i am so glad to be able to continue to resist the temptation 
do it for you and no one else - and only share your plan with trusted persons who will be supportive.
When I saw $5 a pack I wondered why you live because in my neck of the woods it's double that. I quit long ago myself and had a pack a day habit but it was only $2 back then!
Good on you!
Of course you did it!
Years ago, a friend of mine took me to visit her father in the hospital, he was dying of emphysema. I had been half-heartedly considering quitting but the sight of that poor man gasping for each breath did it for me.
You usually can't choose how you exit the world but if you can prevent that kind of prolonged suffering, it's worth the struggle to quit.
For all the other smokers who have tried to stop and failed, keep trying.
BtA 
eta: one thing that helped me was picturing my snotty brother saying to me "I knew you couldn't quit".
Honestly, whatever helps, do it.
I think most people don't realize the quitting process really is an individual journey. Sure, there may be certain things that one shares with others, but it comes down to what motivates you as a person.
Except my doctor who prescribed Wellbutrin. I didn't need the pressure of having dozens of people asking for daily progress reports.
One thing that helped me was snapping a rubber band on my wrist whenever I had a craving.
Thanks! I had problems with my service and couldn't get on the internet for weeks. Talk about withdrawals!
You're Strong!
I was talking to someone Friday about how important for her health and what a good investment for the future it is..
I can't stand it when I smell cig smoke fouling up the air.
That's wonderful!
You done good!
4+ years for me now thanks to DU's rec of ecigs!
It took me three tries but I finally quit in 2010.
(I'm in my third month of quitting -- it's not easy.)
It isn't easy. It took me about 5 months before I stopped having the urges to punch people in the throat when I was stressed. 
Usually, I'd just have a smoke and that took care of that urge.
