I have just quit smoking. Any tips.?

Question

I have been smoking 23 years. I have wanted to quit for almost two years. I am using Nicorette with the pangs, they work fine.

Does anyone have any tips. I'm missing the motion of the cigarette hand here. It's nuts. After 23 years, which is more than two thirds of my life, It's like opening my eyes in the morning. That congestion that usually wakes me up coughing did not happen this morning. I did have the cough after I woke up. I am sure that will go in time too.

Any good success stories? I would love if you would share. My success story is I'm 36, still alive and I'm quitting smoking. My sister died of cancer age 35, my mother cancer, 47, my grandfather cancer 77, my aunt cancer 60, my uncle cancer 80. I want to hit at least 60 and with my family history, smoking don't allow for it.

Answer 1

Congratulations!
You are at stage one: This level is the most difficult. You will be confronted with "friends" who will immediately light up in your presence. This is hard for you, so leave. This stage lasts for about 3 weeks. You want to reach for a cigarette automatically. Don't give in. During this stage try pealing an orange when you feel an urge to light up. Try chewing gum, etc just to get over that urge. The time it takes to peel the orange and consume it, will help diminish that urge. Remember, idle time means urge to light up!

Stage 2: This is easier but it lasts at least 6 months. In this stage you could still fall for the cigarette. It is during this part that you realise that you cough less and that your taste buds are more sensitive and responsive. Tea, coffee and food taste so much better. Oh! by the way, if you have a moustache, shave it off and grow a new one. The old one would reek of nicotine. It is best to shave at the end of the first three weeks.

Stage 3: Home run. This is the part I like to relate about. It is after the 6th month or so that you would begin to hate cigarettes. I'm not joking! You would get rid of ashtrays from your home and bar folks from smoking in your clean fresh smelling home.

Above all, you must have the will power to go through the gauntlet. I know, because I've been there with 40 sticks per day. Now, I've not smoked for 21 years. You can do it.

Clean air starts with the person staring at you in the mirror!

Climb out of the nicotine well and breathe the fresh air.

Answer 2

Well, congratulations on stopping smoking! This is one of the toughest things you will ever do. The addiction is harder to stop than hard drugs. I smoked off and on for 40+ years, and finally stopped but not before I caused emphysema. I'm not on oxygen, but I would have been had I kept on smoking. ]

If Nicorette gum works for you, that's all that's important. Now you have to change some habits. Like driving the car smoking a cigarette. Lighting one up after every meal, or drink, or coffee, or reading, or whatever you are doing. Trust me, it will pass, you just have to get through each day. I drink a lot of cold water, and when I get the craving and think I just HAVE to have a smoke, I remember my lungs and drink water. Hang in there and don't backslide. It's harder to stop the second, third, fourth, etc., time.

Answer 3

My husband used flavored tooth picks to suck on when he quit. Quitting is VERY hard, but VERY beneficial. Nicotine is VERY dangerous- Your life will improve, just remember that and stay strong. My mom died from cancer at 52. She smoked since she was 17 and the doctors were SURE that had alot to do with her cancer. I just studied Healthy Psychology and smoking is a WHOLE CHAPTER because it is the single most destructive behavior and deadliest behavior that can be prevented, but people CHOOSE to do it. So take every day as ONE day at a time, and start doing other healthy things for you, eat healthy, start an excersize program. All of these things will increase your mortality rate, and help you live a happier life. Good luck to you and CONGRATS! You are doing the RIGHT thing!

Answer 4

Nicotine is very addictive. You will need to make some life changes such as.........dont drink alcohol & coffee as these will bring on an urge to smoke. If you feel your will power is getting weak, start reading books or websites that will tell you what smoking does to your health and the benefits you will have by not smoking. Your body WILL heal itself ...it just takes time. Just remember , nothing positive comes from smoking. It's a disgusting habit that is detrimental to your health.

Answer 5

I quit smoking once and for all several years ago. They key for me at the time was mostly the desire to be healthy. I also found that a vast supply of sugar free suckers helped! I kept them around, they were all smooth and yummy, and eventually I got sick of those and had to ween myself off of them! If you don't feel secure with a sucker stick poking out of your mouth, find something else you can suck on. Also, there are lots of other types of cancer besides lung cancer, and if you're predisposed to cancer genetically, you should be extra careful. My husband is recovering from Chemotherapy right now, and I've been doing a lot of research into what may cause various types of cancer. First of all cancer is more predominant in developed areas (big cities/industrialized countries etc). So, this means avoiding as much pollution and stress as possible. Vegetarians are also 60% less likley to get cancer than meat eaters. So think about what they eat, tons of veggies and whole grains. Cabbage and other leafy greans as well as antioxidant rich foods/drinks (green tea, rooibos tea) are also major cancer fighters. Soy has also been shown to be effective in preventing certain types of cancers (for example prostate cancer, pancreatic cancer). Cancer rates are lower in countries where vegetables, grains, and good fats (olive oil, nuts, avocados) are the primary source of nutrition. Good luck with your journey to a smoke-free life! It's hard, and it sucks sometimes (lol). Another tip, avoid some of your smoking friends/hangouts for a bit if you can. When you go back, you'll realize how bad they all smell and you'll be glad you're fresh lemon-y scented! Take Care. =)

Answer 6

My deepest sympathies over your families battles with Cancer and congratulations with your efforts to stop smoking, well done so far!

What I used to find really helpful was to use the outer of a Biro, or a couple of drinking straws to drag on, the sensation of puffing on a cigarette, without the smoke. That got me through the worst of it, back when I gave up , 20 years ago, I hadn't heard of the chewing gums and patches, it was real hard but I succeeded.

Good luck!

Answer 7

I wish I had some tips...I'm still smoking and need to quit.
But you are my hero. Don't give up.
My dad died from lung cancer at 68. I'm 48 and still can't quit.

Answer 8

everytime you feel the urge to smoke, chew up some bubble gum! that ought to keep you occupied for a while!

good luck!

Answer 9

don't smoke anymore because it can make bad consequences on your future life!

Answer 10

get yourself busy do some creative things,get yourself habbits concentrate more on work or on your free time get another job so in this way you keep your mind of things