Ok, so after over 20 years of a pack-plus-a-day habit, I’ve decided to quit smoking. I’m going the taper-off route and hope to quit permanently by the end of the week, or sooner. So far, I’ve only had two cigarettes all day, and then only after going until about 6:00 PM without having one. Go me!
So, share your encouragement, advice, success stories, etc. I know I can finally do this with the support of my friends and fellow Dopers! Feel feel to smack me upside the head if you see me reaching for the pack, but please don’t sit on me unless I get really desperate.
I quit four years ago when the price went up to $2.50/pack – almost 20 years of two packs a day.
Think how much money you’re going to save.
Put that money aside and start planning a really nice vacation, or something else you really want. It’s what, $4/pack these days? That’s $28/week – call it $1500. What do you want to do with that $1500? Keep that goal in mind, and if you’re tempted to smoke, think, well, if I start smoking again, I won’t get my (whatever).
(Obviously, I’m a real cheapskate, and the $$$$ was what got me to quit – it was about $2000/year – !!! – I was spending on cigs. I just wish I had put the money aside, instead of just letting it slide back into my budget.)
I had a girlfriend who smoked about 20 a day; she tried to quit and whilst she was doing well, she was a LOT nicer to kiss - so think how much more fun you can have once you’ve quit
my neighbor just quit. she found a website that tracked how much money she saved and how much time was added to her life. she also went through a lot of jolly rancher lollipops.
twickster makes an excellent point about the money saved. Many years ago I toyed with the idea of smoking, and actually tried it for a short time, but decided I would rather use the money for other things.
I can’t give you any first hand advice about quitting but I’ve known quite a few people who have quit and without exception they have been glad they did.
Good luck in your quest. It does take a lot of will power but I know you can do it if you set your mind to it.
QED I’ve tried on and off for the last year to quit ad the only thing I can say is stick to it no matter what. This site QuitNet can be a very big help. Not just in having community support but also in a multitude of tests and what not to help you see exactly HOW your addiction affects you so you know what to watch out for. The best part about it though, is that since you live in NJ you get all of the premium content for free thanks to a nice grant given to them by the state.
When you get in there look for me. I go by the name thanos563…this might help me get my quit on again too.
Like, quit smoking, or something. I hear it’s bad for you.
[sub]Good luck! It’s a tough habit to beat, and that’s from someone who occasionally can’t resists the odd “fag”, even after quiting 3 years ago, after having only smoked a pack a day for 7 years. Wow, that sounds scary enough![/sub]
Three months, three weeks, five days, 19 hours, 52 minutes and 13 seconds. 2920 cigarettes not smoked, saving $437.95. Life saved: 1 week, 3 days, 3 hours, 20 minutes.
I have been doing VERY good over the last 4 months, and so can you! I am the most weak-willed person ever, so I know you can do it!
I did it. Finally. It’s been over 3 weeks since I’ve smoked. I used the nicorette gum. You just have to want it badly enough. Now, when I see an attractive woman with a butt in her mouth, it just plows the whole image for me. It’s disgusting.
I’ve never been a pack a dayer but it’s still hard. I normally smoke 8-10 a day, and on a good day I can get by with only 1 or 2, but I haven’t gone an entire day without one in at least 7 years.
It’s discouraging when I hear my grandfather - who quit cold turkey 40 years ago and hasn’t had one miligram of nicotine since then - say he still gets cravings :(.
** THE GREAT AND DREADED CTHULHU COMMANDS YOU TO STOP SMOKING RIGHT NOW!!! **
Okay, that should work. Really, smoking is a nasty habit - lungs that are all gunked up with tar taste really bad, m’kay?
I was dancing with a this hot girl at a club this past weekend, and we moved to get a drink she lit up a smoke. Blech. She was uber-hot too, but with that butt hanging out of her mouth I just had to bolt.
And the smell! Oh god, do smokers stink! I never realized just how badly I smelled until I quit smoking. Now whenever I drive by someone who has a butt hanging out the window I just want to puke. Bleh.
So all you stinky, butt loving smokers need to quit. Or not. But you do stink.
