Do you smoke? Any advice on quitting smoking???

Question

If so, how long?
What made you start?
Have you tried to quit before; how many times?
For you, is it more of a hand-mouth thing, or a physical need?
Do you know anyone that died of cancer, and if so, does it scare you to smoke?

I know about 5 people who died of cancer (2 lung, 1 breast, 1 skin, and 1 colon) and I want to quit. But it so damn hard!!!!
I've tried the patch, and it made me queezy (I had the lowest dose, I'm not a heavy smoker). I've quit a few times, but keep going back (And have gained 20 lbs in the process!)
I really don't want to stop, and feel like I'm not ready, but then part of me really wants to.
Any advice?

Thank you all very much for your answers and support. It going to be hard to pick Best Answer!
And I'm sorry someone gave alot of you guys with really good answers a thumbs down- they gave my question one too!

Answer 1

First big step is, figure out WHY you do it. Then over come that hurdle.

Answer 2

Natural Quit Smoking Magic

Answer 3

I smoke I have for 15 yrs I started because I thought I was cool peer pressure played a small role also,I have never tried to quit before I was in jail for 3 months and could not smoke it bothered be barely I think it is a combination of the 2 addiction physically and mentally it is easier to get over the nicotine with drawls to me then the hand to mouth feel like I am doing something I lite up a smoke for almost all occasions and feelings insecurity nervousness anxiety after every beer ,every meal,sex and so on .I had a great aunt die from cancer but she never smoked.I do know for sure though that the only way you can quit is if you want to or have too and all to often we wait till it is to late there is all kinds of things and people to help you quit when you are ready.

Answer 4

I used to smoke. I would get out of all the unhealthy relationships you are in, get in counseling, stop doing things that make you want to smoke, get straight and emotionally stable, and just quit. it's not as bad as you are making it out to be. just stop being a freak about it. I know that may sound harsh, but it's true. If you can't have enough self control to quit smoking, or if you are sitting there acting like a fiend and driving yourself crazy while quitting, then you are not ok. I just quit this last week, and it was pretty bad, even really bad on some levels, but i still made it through it. Just pray that Jesus helps you, and delivers you out of it.

Answer 5

I used to smoke and found the most effective way to quit was to do it slowly. What I did was switch to a lighter brand every few weeks. Eventually I was at the lightest of the brands available. Don't go by what the cover of the package tells you, go by the ingredients. Compare ingredients on the cartons. It's true that when you inhale on a lighter product, it feels like your inhaling air, but after a few days you become used to it and you don't notice anymore. After you have gotten to the lightest cigarette you can possibly buy (according to the ingredients printed on the package), try only having 5 cigarettes a day, then after a few weeks of that, go down to 2 cigarettes a day, then after a few weeks of that, quit cold turkey. It seems like a crazy idea, but it works. I had no problem quitting after going through this process and I've never picked up a cigarette since I quit. People may say that it is too long and drawn out of a process, but I would rather a long and drawn out process that works instead of falling off the horse over and over again, and succumbing to defeat...which actually is a longer process. So good luck to you stranger.

Answer 6

I started smoking when I was 10 yrs old and finally quit when I was 24. I tried over and over and found it impossible because that was all that I could think about. When I finally quit I took up chewing gum and that helped a lot. But part of smoking is breaking the habits that you developed while smoking like coffee and cigs, driving and cigs, beer and cigs, etc. Break those combination habits first. The way that I quit was unbelievably easy. This guy I knew who was a male chauvinist and he told me I could never quit smoking because I was a woman. I quit cold turkey on the spot!!!!! And that was July 9, 1978. I haven't smoked since. He thought he was hurting me but he did me the best favor I could have asked for. The secret is finding the right motivation. Good luck.
jw

Answer 7

Yes about 22 years. I have quit several times and like yourself have gone back to it. Started smoking cigars then switched to cigs 'cause they are just easier for me. I don't know that it is a hand-mouth thing and physically the body doesn't need. I think it is more a mental thing with me. I have known several people who have died of cancer and the strange thing is that none of them of them ever smoked. I don't think anything will really work unless you have your mind set that you really want to quit. There are several options available on the market besides the patch. It would be best to discuss it with your doctor. Some people have quit by hypnosis and there is also something new that I just recently heard of that is a laser to the temple. Again, it would be best to discuss it with your doctor.

Answer 8

I did smoke for years...in process now as a matter of fact
I had someone tell me (non smoker non the less but he made sense) to take it by the hour not days or weeks. Make it one more hour and then another. And to stretch the urge....when and before you light up see if you can wait 15-20 more minutes, and when the times up challenge yourself for another interval of time. It has surprisingly made a huge difference on me!!!
One more hour....lol one more hour.....your body will eventually not want it as you defeat these urges!!! Eat carrots or celery when you to get the urge and your trying to stop. STay doing more things that does not involve smoking. Like when you get the urge go to a mall or a book store, you can't smoke there. It's very hard I wish you luck!!!!

Answer 9

I just started again two weeks ago because my thirteen month old son was in the hospital. Before that it had been five years of not smoking. (Well, cheating very rarely.) I had to quit cold tukey, so I literally ATE toothpicks a little bit at a time to get over the oral fixation. I smoked for thirteen years before I quit. I started because of curiosity and depression. I've known lots of people close to me who've died of lung cancer. It doesn't change the way I feel about smoking.

Answer 10

well. I smoked for about 10 years then one day I quit because I was in love (as odd as that sounds). I just happened to have that will power to that was my first and only time I quit and successfully to. The patch is no good neither is cutting down. Honestly....I suffered for 3 weeks after I quit, Im not going to lie it was bloody awful...but I got over it and so will you. YOU never will be ready to quit...its really a battle with your mind and control ver your body.

Answer 11

i smoked about 15 years and i quit two years ago using the lozenge. i think a hand-mouth thing. i hadn't tried before. i had a friend died of lung cancer from smoking. you can do it! try the lozenge. i was a light smoker and studies show lozenges work very well for light smokers