Quitting Smoking

Well after 13 years or so the time has finally arrived for me to quit. I have the patches and the inhalator and was just wondering if you had any top tips that helped you quit that I can try.
Cheers.

I used different methods in the past, and then after a few years would start smoking again.

I have found the only way to stop smoking has nothing to do with patches, tablets, medications etc.

If you can convince yourself to stop and ou have a convincing enough reason you will stop.

Pills and the like supposedly lessen the cravings and withdrawals.


In my view it doesn't, it is all in the mind. I will stop again some day, but if I don't have the right mindset, it ain't gonna make me stop.

Sorry Gav, but that is from experience.

Its all for health reasons really. The problem being im not strong willed at all so I need all the help I can get

Me neither, maybe you should try an age old remedy for smoking often used in SA by fathers who want their kids to stop smoking.

Go buy your brand of cigarettes, open the pack, then eat it, don't spit it out, swallow, if that doesn't make you sick enough to want to stop.

Well then instead of quitting, smoke less.

Give yourself a reward for enjoying a smoke.

After a run, after gym, etc.

Gav - I've been a non-smoker for four years now. I didn't use any aids to help me give up, I just stopped. The main thing that I think helped me give up was that I didn't like it anymore and just gave up when I wanted to. I didn't plan it either, so it wasn't an approaching doomsday that I was dreading. On the day I stopped, I went to a gig at the Millennium Stadium and it was pouring with rain outside, I didn't want to go outside for a ciggie, so I didn't all night. By the time the gig was over and I was walking home, I was too thirsty to smoke a ciggie, so I threw the one I'd lit up away. That was the last cig I had in the pack, and I didn't bother buying anymore. I haven't touched a cig since, not even had a drag of someone else's.

As for tips. Well one thing to remember is that the craving will go away as quick as it came, so don't give in to it. Go and make a brew, brush your teeth, have an apple, anything else to avoid giving into the craving which will subside shortly after.

Don't keep any cigarettes around in the house and don't buy anymore. If you ever get the urge to buy some, just put that money in a jar instead and keep it there. Then you'll see how much you save on spending. You'll also have a bit of cash to reward yourself with later on. If you've got cigarettes in the house at the moment, throw them in the bin, but put them in water first. This will avoid you fishing them out of the bin in temptation! Also throw away any ashtrays, lighters and smoking paraphenalia. You need to start thinking like a non-smoker rather than an ex-smoker.

Be realistic. Don't beat yourself up about eating more when you first give up smoking. One step at a time. I think it's more beneficial to give up smoking in the first instance. You can lose any weight you put on later. Also, speaking from experience and knowing other former smokers, the craving never goes away, but it is manageable.

After a while you'll start to taste things more and notice the smell of smoking. You'll begin to see the benefits after each day.

Get support from friends, family, work mates. You could even try giving up with a buddy to support each other if possible.

Good luck

I worked up to it, so for 2 weeks i would only smoke at work, then took a long weekend holiday from work and just didn't smoke, for 4 days

when I went back to work I used gum for a week.

I think the only thing that was successful this time to other times, was i really really wanted to stop

No personal experience (was wise enough to never start), but one tip from my In-Laws was to put the money you would otherwise have spent into savings that you intend to use for something else - they took a holiday to the US on the money they saved in the first 6 months. Makes it easier to focus on having a positive goal rather than the 'negative' of not smoking.

Another non smoker personally but a lady from work who quit about a year ago said she found the following website very useful.

http://whyquit.com/

As well as containing some nasty horror stories about people going through smoking related illness (your health reasons) it also contains lots of information about ways to quit, how they work, etc etc.

Good luck!

I gave up smoking 20 years ago after smoking 15/ 20 PER day for 25 years.
Rule No.1. you must want to give up for yourself.. not because someone else wants you to. (I got to where i HATED myself every time I gave in to the little white stick that was ruling my life)
Rule Nl 2 If you are the type that would be tempted by having any left over cigs in the house then get rid of them. (For my part I had to have a couple around so I knew I could smoke if I wanted) I threw them away about five years later lol
Rule 3 Disassociation. If you associate cigs with a pint, a coffee, after dinner or lunch change your habit.. drink something you could´nt think of smoking with. Get straight up after dinner and occupy yourself, walk jog or whatever to take your mind off it.

Lastly and MOST IMPORTANTLY my biggest tip of all. REWARD YOURSELF.
I would buy my cigs weekly on a Friday... every Friday I took that money and put it in the Building Society..(buy something you have always wanted and cant afford). My money went on holidays abroad.. Ive travelled widely on my savings. Never use that money for practical things i.e. paying bills. Remember you WOULD HAVE SPENT IT ON CIGS so dont let it be consumed any other way but ON YOURSELF
I never looked back.. Good Luck Gav..You will be amazed at what respect you will get from those who know you.. It isn´t easy and those who have given up know that to be so. Your smoking friends will want to see you weaken.. dont give them the satisfaction. Best not to tell anyone you are giving up. If you can achieve your goal you will feel so good about yourself I GUARANTEE IT.

Quitters never win, remember that

Giiving up smoking is an ALL WIN situation believe me and everyone loves a quitter

By quitting smoking you're actually helping to destroy the economy, as there is no other way of putting that much money back into the exchequer, the closest you can do is buy a tenners worth of petrol everytime you'd buy 20 cigs, then pour it away

Yes thats the sort of response I would expect from a smoker. Think of how much money the Health Service would save in treating smoking related illnesses.
But hey dont let me stop you... enjoy your ciggie no problem to me lol. I was trying to help Gav what you do is your problem

Don't bother with the NHS arguement, they waste far more money giving incredibly expensive drugs to people who are practically dead already and yet may possibly gain an extra months life, than they'll ever spend on other things, smokers and drinkers included.

What I originally said was clearly a joke though (clear to me anyway), quitters do never win and apart from petrol/diesel, I can't think of anything else that gains the government as much revenue as tobacco, so if you do manage to quit smoking, please use the extra cash saved to help keep the economy stumbling on

Greetings and salutations. Some great advice and points here.

I've dug this thread up because I made a decision a week ago to stop smoking. It wasn't too dissimilar to how Cari's sounded, just a spur of the moment thing. I'd bought a new pack of cigarettes about an hour earlier and smoked a couple either side of dinner when I just felt like it was all a bit silly and unnecessary.

So I threw the rest of them away and told my missus that I wanted to quit. She was pretty surprised but obviously happy.

This is now my seventh day without smoking and I'm feeling pretty good about it all.

I have had been smoking for more than ten years but it was only in the last few years that it became an everyday thing. Before, it was just whilst drinking etc. However, this week has probably been the first time in ten years that I've gone seven days without smoking, the realisation of which was quite shocking to me.

So, how has it been? Well actually, not too bad.

I'm not providing any ground-breaking new techniques here - other people have already mentioned what I have found myself doing - but for me it's all about redirecting my mind when a craving comes. And also knowing when they are likely to come, people being the creatures of habit that we are. The most obvious one is after meals. My particular favourite time to smoke was after getting off the subway. Every time, without fail, exit the station, light a cigarette. That's not a good habit when my work entails criss-crossing Shanghai most days of the week.

For the past week however I've been carrying a little zipper bag of almonds around with me and eating a few of those instead of smoking. I do feel a bit like Howard Moon carrying his photo of Philip the kitten around to look at whenever he's about to get angry, i.e. an oddball, but it's all part of the process. There are far weirder people than me on the Shanghai subway in any case.

I'm always listening to music as I go around the city too and have found this to be a good way to distract me from a craving. Whereas it is usually just there in my ears and I'm not really paying too much attention to it, if I start to crave a cigarette I'll concentrate on the music; thinking about the words, trying to pick out one guitar from another, listening only to the drums - anything to take my mind off smoking.

Cari said something that I have found to be very true - a craving will go as quickly as it comes.

Of course the past week hasn't been all plain sailing and I have been cranky on a couple of occasions. What has been pleasing though is that at no point did I want to smoke to remedy this. I was cranky because of bigger issues and without the stress relief of smoking, they did get to me a bit. But now rather than taking solace in nicotine, I might actually be encouraged to resolve whatever other issues I have, which is a double win.

Slipping back into smoking would perhaps be negative for my general happiness anyway, the calming effects of cigarettes being outweighed by the disappointment I would feel with myself for going back.

As for the saving money thing - I'm afraid that is not applicable to me. Cigarettes are so cheap here that I could have bought two packs for the same money I spent on 150g of almonds! I'm happier with the latter though.

I think the support of friends and family is very important. I would feel like I've let them down as much as myself if I started again after all their words of encouragement, so that has spurred me on more.

Thanks for reading. That turned out pretty long but writing it was maybe more for me than for anyone else. It felt good and has made me even surer that I don't want to start smoking again. I know seven days is not very long in the grand scheme of things but I'm looking forward to the day when I can say I am an ex-smoker... I feel that after only a week, I'm still in the trying to quit category.

One last thing... how did you get on with quitting, Gav?

Well done mate! I've never smoked myself, but I know from the experiences of others that it takes some serious doing. You seem to have taken to it better than most. Keep it up!

Good luck mate. Its first day of stoptober 4pm, and im about ready to go and attack someone.

Well done on quitting Il G! Keep up the good work - doesn't matter if you find odd ways of dealing with the cravings, the key thing is you can manage them without having a ciggie

Thanks for the messages folks.

I held off posting until today because... it's now a month since I stopped.

It's actually been alright. Not once have I had to fight the temptation. Of course I find myself recognising the times where I would have smoked before but I haven't felt the need to act on this by smoking.

I have noticed my senses of smell and taste getting more sensitive; namely discovering that other people smoking, exhaust fumes and instant Nescafe amongst other things are all actually pretty horrible.

In a nutshell, so far so good.

Kingjohn... how are you getting on with it pal?

Well done to the guys who've stopped smoking

I've been smoking for 7 years now, not much compared to some of you. I really want to quit, but I find it difficult because I have family members and friends who smoke and being around them makes it harder. I tried quitting on a few occasions but I only last two days at the most.

I don't take cigarettes to work with me anymore so I'm without them for 8 hours of the day and I don't even think about having one. The times I really crave for one is in the morning after work and after dinner.

Someone said to me even after so many years of quitting you still have the craving for a fag and it never goes away. I really hope I can quit this time.

My tip is to not start

GSC wrote:My tip is to not start

VivaPaulScholes wrote:Well done to the guys who've stopped smoking

I've been smoking for 7 years now, not much compared to some of you. I really want to quit, but I find it difficult because I have family members and friends who smoke and being around them makes it harder. I tried quitting on a few occasions but I only last two days at the most.

I don't take cigarettes to work with me anymore so I'm without them for 8 hours of the day and I don't even think about having one. The times I really crave for one is in the morning after work and after dinner.

Someone said to me even after so many years of quitting you still have the craving for a fag and it never goes away. I really hope I can quit this time.

A few years ago, I was the same mate. Not smoking at work, just having one when I got home and another after dinner.

It's great that you've cut down. Definitely a step in the direction.

It would be easy for someone to say that if you're only smoking two a day now and you can go all day at work without them, you should be able to quit. But I know it doesn't work like that. Whether it is twice a day or twenty, that craving that makes you want a cigarette is the same when it comes. As has been mentioned above though, they go as quickly as they come.

That's the most important thing I've learnt. That, and you don't need to smoke to get rid of that craving.

I hope you'll be able to keep us updated with your progress on here.

Been going quite well.My girlfriend quit at same time so thats made it easier. I been using the mini lozenges, probably about 7-10 a day. Found these work best for me. The times I really want one are if I go to pub, have a coffee, big meal or after gym. Only fallen off the wagon once but just had half because the taste was disgusting.

Top tips for quitting smoking.

Don't buy cigarettes.

I've never understood addiction. Why did you all start, pier pressure?

Lumbering_Jack wrote:Top tips for quitting smoking.

Don't buy cigarettes.

I've never understood addiction. Why did you all start, pier pressure?

No, I never lived by the sea...

You're right, you don't understand addiction. If it was a simple case of not purchasing cigarettes, then we wouldn't have this thread. What would you say to a sex addict? I'd recommend the programme Russell Brand did for the BBC about addiction if you want to understand it a bit better. He hit the nail on the head with that.

As for me, it wasn't peer pressure at all. I would say it was naivety. I wanted to smoke because I saw others doing it and was curious.

For me addiction is just a weakness if character. I love getting drunk and eating unhealthy foods, but I simply choose not to.

I blame the iPhone for predictive typing! I do live by the sea though.

I'd tell a sex addict to get a grip of himself (not literally). Another illness which has just been made up so medical professionals can group people.

That's a very simplistic way of looking at things. We'll have to agree to disagree on that.

It is I agree, but I don't see the need to over complicate things. For example now there are more children than ever with learning difficulties, massively increased from 20 years ago. I don't for one second believe it, thick children are now catergorised to avoid the need to tell them they are just not naturally clever.

Jack - it's called progress. Where people were once called "thick" they were probably suffering from a genuine condition that wasn't recognised at the time. For instance, an awful lot of dyslexic children were once considered stupid or disinterested in education, when in reality they had a disability which is manageable.

Cari wrote:Jack - it's called progress. Where people were once called "thick" they were probably suffering from a genuine condition that wasn't recognised at the time. For instance, an awful lot of dyslexic children were once considered stupid or disinterested in education, when in reality they had a disability which is manageable.

Don't even get me started on dyslexia...

It is not different to me saying I have a disability because my legs cant make me run as fast as Usain Bolt.

Some people can't spell, some people are slow etc...

I think we'll leave it there Jack and agree to disagree.

Smoked for over 20 years (20-40 a day) until I read the late Allan Carr's (not the comedian) book on stopping smoking. That was about 2 and a half years ago, haven't smoked since or even wanted to. Doesn't bother going into too much detail about all the health risks etc as everyone knows all that - focuses more on exposing all the bullsh1t excuses with which smokers convince themselves they need to smoke. Had put off reading the book for a year or two after receiving it as a gift as I was that addicted I was actually worried that I would succeed in giving up.

But as GSC said, best way is not to start.

Galted wrote:Smoked for over 20 years (20-40 a day) until I read the late Allan Carr's (not the comedian) book on stopping smoking. That was about 2 and a half years ago, haven't smoked since or even wanted to. Doesn't bother going into too much detail about all the health risks etc as everyone knows all that - focuses more on exposing all the bullsh1t excuses with which smokers convince themselves they need to smoke. Had put off reading the book for a year or two after receiving it as a gift as I was that addicted I was actually worried that I would succeed in giving up.

But as GSC said, best way is not to start.

I did the Allan Carr hypnotism clinic day, best £120 I ever spent. Did it about 14 years ago and havent touched or even wanted a fag since. Was probably about 20 a day when I did it.

Diggers

A quick 'back of a fag packet' calculation for how much Diggers has saved in 14 years of not smoking 20 a day:

Average price of 20 cigarettes from 1998 to present - approx £5

Number of days - roughly 5000

Total saving £24880.

Or slightly more than the cost of a BMW 3 series

dummy_half wrote:Diggers

A quick 'back of a fag packet' calculation for how much Diggers has saved in 14 years of not smoking 20 a day:

Average price of 20 cigarettes from 1998 to present - approx £5

Number of days - roughly 5000

Total saving £24880.

Or slightly more than the cost of a BMW 3 series

Hmm, so why do I drive an 8 year old Ford Focus ?

Diggers wrote:

dummy_half wrote:Diggers

A quick 'back of a fag packet' calculation for how much Diggers has saved in 14 years of not smoking 20 a day:

Average price of 20 cigarettes from 1998 to present - approx £5

Number of days - roughly 5000

Total saving £24880.

Or slightly more than the cost of a BMW 3 series

Hmm, so why do I drive an 8 year old Ford Focus ?

Did you take up wine instead?

Lumbering_Jack wrote:

Diggers wrote:

dummy_half wrote:Diggers

A quick 'back of a fag packet' calculation for how much Diggers has saved in 14 years of not smoking 20 a day:

Average price of 20 cigarettes from 1998 to present - approx £5

Number of days - roughly 5000

Total saving £24880.

Or slightly more than the cost of a BMW 3 series

Hmm, so why do I drive an 8 year old Ford Focus ?

Did you take up wine instead?

Nope, children. Far more expensive.

Don't go the pub!!! I quit nearly 8 years ago but I still smoke when I drink!!!

Well seeing as this thread has been bumped again, just a quick one to say it's 5 months since I quit now, 5 months of zero desire to have a smoke. I reckon I just grew out of it, same as I did with eating the bubble bath.

That's two reasons why last year was good for me, right there.

Bump! (cough cough)

One year now for me.

How's anyone else getting on?

 

3 years 1 month 14 days 2 hours

0 days, 0 hours, 12 minutes, 33 seconds. Oh lord why hast thou forsaken me

ShahenshahG wrote:0 days, 0 hours, 12 minutes, 33 seconds. Oh lord why hast thou forsaken me

 

Probably because the lord hates shoddy punctuation, mainly involving question marks.

Galted wrote:

ShahenshahG wrote:0 days, 0 hours, 12 minutes, 33 seconds. Oh lord why hast thou forsaken me

 

Probably because the lord hates shoddy punctuation, mainly involving question marks.

0 days, 0 hours, 0 minutes, 21 seconds

This a cinch, don't know what I was worried about

Il Gialloblu wrote:Bump! (cough cough)

One year now for me.

How's anyone else getting on?

Nice one Ill Gia. Pleased for you, old boy. You watched City of Life and Death, yet? I'm worried it will start you off again so maybe leave it and take my word for its brilliance.

It will be 9 years for me in October. Still get the odd craving now and again but the ketamine and crystal meth tend to take the edge off it.

Mind the windows Tino. wrote:
It will be 9 years for me in October.  Still get the odd craving now and again but the ketamine and crystal meth tend to take the edge off it.

 
You want to be careful with those, Tino, they're just gateway drugs to marijuana and E.

Galted wrote:

Mind the windows Tino. wrote:
It will be 9 years for me in October.  Still get the odd craving now and again but the ketamine and crystal meth tend to take the edge off it.

 
You want to be careful with those, Tino, they're just gateway drugs to marijuana and E.

I know there the line is Galted. Seen it all to often. Starts with crack and meth, progresses to pot and E's and ends with glue sniffing, aerosol inhaling and eating Blu Tack round the back of Morrisons. Lost too many souls down that path.

Know what you mean, lost a close friend to Blu Tack, didn't recognise him at the end.  Lost my wife to Pringles-popping as well though, by then, she was so fat I didn't really mind.