I've been smoking for past 7 years. I know it's a bad habit and I'm trying to quit it. I am not like a normal smoker who smokes 5-6 cigarette a day. Unlike others, I smoke 1 or sometime even 2 packs a day. It's too much, isn't it?

Finally, I am trying to quit it. It's been 5 days including today, I'm trying to quit smoking. I've decreased the amount of cigarette from 1 packet a day to 2-3 sticks; However, i'm not being able to give up at all. I don't know how long will it take or is it even possible for me to give up. The reason why I am writing this is because I'm somewhat scared of parade which I'm going to attend tomorrow. I definetely gonna increase the number of cigarette which took me a while to control.

GOD HELP ME



TO

AbFab's 10 tips to quit smoking in 10 days

Progress is a slow process my friend. Some people stop gradually and others stop cold turkey. What you need to do is to distract your body with activities that make you feel good (i.e. sport, sex, meditation).

Wow, well done, bravo so far. There is no reason why you HAVE TO increase your smoking at the parade, really. It could be really empowering to succeed in not doing so. But if you do - don't used it at an excuse to go back and fail.
If you smoke more for the parade - just start again afterwards, knowing that you CAN do this. Brilliant- those sticks are pure hell (oh and so enjoyable, unfortunately). I've kicked the habit now- but now got to the stage where I can have the odd one on special occasions, enjoy it- then never have one for weeks or months. A bit like a good malt, or chocolate cake - a very very rare occasion.

Thanks every 1,

I will try to come back to normal after parade and will count myself within those 100%. That's a really useful post thanks again, Traubert, Oldie and Lost_inbroad

I can highly recommend a very good book to help you "The easy way to stop smoking' by Allen Carr. I used it having been recommended by a friend who had quit using it (who had been recommended by a friend who had been using it etc. etc.) when I stopped smoking roughly 20 years ago. I still remember a lot of what it had to say. I have given away several copies to friends and also to service users in my work back in the UK. Give it a try - the book insists you keep smoking until you have read it and understood it. When I gave up I read it through twice (just to make sure it had 'gelled' and then I gave up (and I've never looked back) Good luck with it - remember you don't need willpower!

I am old, but my name is neither Ordeal or Oldie lol

Bonne chance.

I'm a 1/2 pack or less a day smoker and I think often about quitting and always find some excuse not to go through with it to my own shame and disappointment. I wish you all the strength in the world as I am always inspired by those who manage to succeed where I have failed.

The best reason to quit smoking:

Your lungs

The second best reason:

More people will want to kiss you than before.

I gave up cold turkey 10 months ago, I found that cutting down didn't work for me. I wish you good luck, I know how hard it can be.

I stopped after 30 yrs., a few years ago - having smoked everything in that time - cigs (20+), rollies, cigars, pipe and natural.

One day I smoked, the next day I didn't - simple as that - no gum, no patches.
Cutting down doesn't work, because it's easy to increase again with a few excuses to justify.

You've got to have a pretty good reason to stop (which I did) - if you haven't, then don't bother.

It's all down to will power, positive thinking and the power of the mind.

One day at a time - and be prepared to eat a bit more to compensate.

I have it's so EXPENSIVE 400+ CHF a month



A bit?? I am eating like a hell. I am scared of being obess I already have a few extra pound which is like a burden for me.

Anyway, thanks a lot for the suggestion and i'll consider that will power thing
BTW, may i ask why you quit? just if it's not personal

I smoked for seven years, 3 packets a day.
then I quit, just like that.
I found it was easy for me to not smoke by thinking: "i can start again any time but just not right now"
and "there actualy is a life after quitting!"
that's 6 years ago and i am doing fine.

no need to tell yourself that it's expensive, unhealthy and so on. It just has to make klick. and every day you don't smoke is a day won!
don't be ashamed about starting again or smoking too much, just be proud of every time you choose not to light one...

__________________
who ever finds spelling mistakes can keep them

3 packets a day?? Holly molly.... Even, I smoked 1 n half - 2 I feel exhausted next day...couldn't breathe properly...You really inspired me. Thanks, I will always think before I light.

Despite that my father died of smoking related causes, years back, that wasn't enough of a sufficient incentive.

But then I started having quite bad chest pains, and with a 2nd baby on way I decided that I didn't have to hurry my demise, unnecessarily.

After a couple of doctors' visits and tests and chest x-rays, it was found not to be related to lungs, but may have been muscular (chest) in he end - but never 100% accurately diagnosed.

They disappeared after a few weeks, but as I'd instantly stopped smoking at the onset (fearing the worst), I realised the futility of it all, and have not smoked since.

Yeah, I eat a bit more (especially after a meal), and have found a few more kilos, but if you're sensible and don't pig out too much on unhealthy munchy type stuff (some fruit or plain bread in between choccy and crisps, help), coupled with a bit of activity, it's not all bad.

Sorry about your father... It needs a lot of courage and will power to quit... only an ex-smoker can understand how difficult one feels to quit.

Thanks for your suggestion. Actually, I'm diet conscious; however, it's really hard to get rid of this extra kilo. Anyway, i'm working on it. Thanks again

Most smokers I know (knew actually) decided to stop too late when they realised it was damaging them. My cousin stopped when he had chest pains and chronic bronchitis. 5 years later he was told he had lung cancer- and he said to the Doctor 'but I can't have, I've stopped 5 years ago'. He died 1 year later.

I know (knew) so many people who lost their legs due to gangrene caused by smoking- this is rarely talked about though.

Agree that slowly reducing is not always the easiest way. i tried- but in the end just had to go cold turkey. Being FREE of the smoking slavery is brilliant. Have you ever spent hours looking in every pocket, drawer, cupboard, car, etc, etc - for a cigarette?

You are freaking me out.

No, not yet.

Sorry don't mean to freak you out- it doesn't really help I suppose. It is just that I belong to an older generation- and have lost so many friends and family to the weed in the most horrendous of ways- NOT just 'simply' lung problems (pancreas, plate and tongue, etc). That stuff is pure shite.

Allright! allright! I'm kinda sensitive guy who easily gets caught in these kind of things. Will you please keep all these diseases aside? Otherwise, I can't sleep whole night

Yea, this stuff is a shit...I will try..mmm no let me be more specific. I will quit after parade...tomorrow is the last day I ever gonna smoke in my entire life..and this promise I make to myself