This is the hardest one...

[JameyG]

I started smoking when I was 10 or 11 have been smoking regularly since I was 13. Really have been trying hard the last few months to kick this habit, a couple weeks ago I made it a week without smoking while I was on vacation from work. Went back to work & it seems impossible to not smoke when my friends there are smoking on breaks offering me cigarettes. Always starts with one cigarette on one break, next I'm out there on every break smoking with them. I say to myself I just made it a week I can quit anytime but I'm sure you all know how that ends up.

 

[Coralie]

You can do it! I also smoked from when I was 10, and I gave up when I was 22. Smoking at work is definitely the hardest part, but if I managed to kick it, so can you.

Try not to go with your friends on breaks for a month. This will help you find new habits (and help you lose the "smoker identity", if that makes sense... painful but necessary...). Do your best, but if you just have to go, make a promise to yourself that just this one time, you won't have a cigarette. Just that one time.

Also, when you do go, chew your favourite gum and/or have something to do with your hands, like a stress ball or a slinky or something like that. Even a piece of paper to fold up. Seriously! That helps so much.

A big thing for me, beyond the purely social aspect, was feeling vulnerable when I had nothing to do with my hands. I built my whole "adult" persona around smoking, and suddenly that little coping mechanism was gone, and I felt naked!

Also remember, you only need to get through one day at a time. Try not to take note of the date that you stop smoking--I found that as soon as I started counting the days, I freaked myself out.

I also didn't tell anyone--not even my husband--that I was stopping. That way, if I fell down, I could pick myself up immediately without having to explain myself to anyone, or waste my time feeling guilty/embarrassed. I just quietly gave up, and that was that.

Good luck!!!!!!

 

[JameyG]

Some good stuff there, I've told my girlfriend I was going to quit so many times & i feel horrible every time I let her down. Thank you so much for the words of encouragement.

 

[Coralie]

I'm glad to help!!!! God bless!

 

[andreha]

Hey JameyG

You can do it, bro. With the Lord's help, I gave up over 9 years ago.

 

[TexJB]

I don't smoke, but I dip. A buddy of mine, however, recently quit smoking - and he said his secret was dum-dum suckers. He'd have a huge bag of them around all the time, and just suck on them when he wanted a cigarette. He said the main reason it helped was because of the stick on the sucker... it sticks out like a cigarette, so it takes care of part of the mental habit and the oral fixation. Worth a shot, eh?

 

[BeckaB]

I know for a fact when the time is right you will stop. That is why I have always told you that you need to do this for you. Of course I would love you to stop, just because selfishly I want you here with me as long as possible.

I will support you anyway I can and without judgement. I hope I haven't portrayed in any manner judgement to you, I know it's not a simple battle. One step at a time and I know you will achieve your goal! I am so VERY VERY proud of you! You've made several positive changes in your life.

I am here for you whenever you need me. Let me know if there is anything I can do to help you. I am truly proud of you...please don't forget that!

Ps God is proud of you too! And we BOTH love you very much!

 

[Worcester Beacon]

It's not easy but you acn do it. I sta\rted smoking at the age of 12 or 13 and eventually packed it up in 1997. It took many attempts but I am glad that I persevered.