Giving up sucking on Fags:

[Ozzie]

OK, yeah, could be taken two ways, but I'm sure if it works in one context it would work equally in the other, if you were so inflicted.....but I'm not.....

So, after a serious amount of wasting time and money on smokes, and my numerous attempts to rid myself of them, I am looking to expose myself to the banter from the worst kind of non smokers, the X smoker.

So, if you went cold turkey, I really don't care, cause I'm a spinless git and can't be arsed doing that. But, if you did seek external assistance, successfully, in what ever form, I want to hear about it.

I have just bought "Easy way to stop smoking" by Allen Carr, on the recommendation of a fellow KBer, he says it works....what's your experience, and if not with this, with what?

[WRT]

I know a guy that's read it three times and still smokes. I also know others that it gave enough inspiration to help them give up successfully - I guess it all depends on how determined you are.

My girlfriend gave up smoking by using the patches, which helped her immensely. Been over a year now without a lapse for her. Which ever path you choose, good luck with it, you will notice the difference for being smoke free, in your health and your lungs. Still a hard thing to do though, so be prepared to put in the hard yards if you are planning on seeing it through.

[Postie]

my ex was a smoker, and a gambler, an alcoholic and a whore... but I stray from the point, she smoked and after a while, I started smoking too, I guess its just a habit that I started from one month just having a drag off her smoke every now and again, to buying my own pack the next month. I got a new girlfriend (the gorgeous and infamous Cibby), she doesn't smoke and doesn't like smoking, I stopped cold turkey. That was an easy decision because kissing my girlfriend and getting lots of sex is far more satisfying then smoking.
I can't suggest you get a new partner cos that may not be the answer for you, but my tip would be to stay away from people who smoke and places where smoking is allowed. Its brilliant now that you can't smoke inside, so you can still go to the pub without craving a smoke too much.
My worst part was driving, I used to smoke in the car more then anywhere but after a while, I got over that by driving shorter distances, or never taking the car anywhere.

[outlawtorn]

on the 13th of September this year it was my 5 year anniversary of giving up smoking, 23 days after my daughter was born, prior to that I had been smoking for 12 years. I really wanted to give up smoking and had tried everything, my last resort was a hypnotist and it worked, one session and done, no more smoking, haven't touched one since. For the first couple of weeks it was very difficult, but you become very used to not having a smoke and the nice thing is, out of all my friends and family who have quit smoking, I'm the only one who doesn't mind the smell of smoke or anything like that. Most ex-smokers love to maon about how much it smells and all that kind of shit.

Good luck with your endeavour to stop smoking, try a hypnotist, it will work.

[McJim]

What a coincidence - I told a fella to buy that book on Thursday - he was a fellow KB'er too...oh yeah...t'was you.

First key thing is WANT to quit - I tried for years to quit but couldn't coz I didn't want to. One day the wife bought me the book and told me to read it. I didn't coz deep down I didn't want to quit.

Decided recently that I wanted to quit read the book - job done.

The book won't make you quit but it will help if you are close to wanting to quit anyway.

Read the book - smoke yourself silly while you read...then make a decision.

All the best.

And if you want to stop sucking on fags - don't go on any more of Dover's rides!

[Kendog]

I decided to give up when I turned 30, at the end of June this year. I set a day (the day after my birthday), made sure that I had a pack for the final day and that I didn't have any other fags hanging around in drawers or in the car etc. Then I sat down, smoked all my smokes (savoured the last one!), told myself, that is the last cigarette I am ever going to smoke. I used the gum which I found quite good and mental images of myself at 60 with a fag hanging out of my mouth. I also use other smokers to get a wiff of tar occasionally and to remind myself of how much they stink and how disgusting it looks. I drank water whenever I felt like a smoke and had a piece of gum, and started getting fitter as a replacement. I've heard that you need to replace one addiction with another, and that's why a lot of people start putting on weight, so I decided to work that the other way and get healthy as a new addiction. So far it's all going good, haven't smoked, hardly think about it anymore, and have lost about 5kgs.
If you are really serious about it, you have to set your mind to it and make yourself a deal. Like, I won't smoke this week, and if you don't smoke then reward yourself with something. Then set a new goal and keep rewarding yourself. It does get easier even though the first month is hell and you think it won't ever get better, it does. You really have to change your mind set of smokes too. I felt like I was giving up my best friend, but you get over it and learn to occupy yourself with something else.
If you fall off the wagon, that's cool, just set yourself a new quitting date and a new deal and start again. It's bloody hard mate, but if you really want to do it, you will. Be strong. Good luck. Let us know how you get on. And believe me, you start to realise why people are so proud of themselves when they finally manage to quit! It does feel wicked!
Mrs KD.

[Str8 Jacket]

Good luck dude. Ive lost count at the amount of times I have "given up" smoking and restarted again. Longest I gave up for at one time was just short of 2 years, I often wonder why I bothered starting again! Its not an easy thing to do, I wish ya the best!

[Paul in NZ]

I started smoking when I worked in a Hotel. It was the only way you could get a break.

I gave up one night when Vicki was at work and I had the kids tucked up in bed asleep. I realised I was out of smokes (never a heavy smoker) and seriously thought about nipping out to the shop...... I realised I was addicted.

Screw that I thought - never had another one... well a cigar when you are pissed or moving house does not really count eh!

You must realise - you will NEVER get over it, you will always want one - just learn to say no. Look at people smoking.. It's not attractive as you age - in fact, it's never attractive. Do you want to be like that?

[sels1]

Giving up must be easy, some people I know have done it lots of times...

[Str8 Jacket]

Giving up must be easy, some people I know have done it lots of times...

Giving up is'nt your strong point is it!

[ManDownUnder]

my ex was a smoker, and a gambler, an alcoholic and a whore...

I'm your ex ???????

[Ozzie]

Thanks everyone so far, for the support and tips.

I don't think it is all doom and gloom, I can't think of one single reason why I smoke, I just do.

And to be honest, it is a pain in the arse whenever I go on a ride, trying to jam as many in as I can when we make a stop, then feel sick for a while after.

Anyway, thanks again, and to those that have given up and stayed given up

[Postie]

I'm your ex ???????

and you still a whore......

[ManDownUnder]

and you still a whore......

It sounds like one of us has a problem with that...

[Jazzed]

I read the same book, highly recommend it. Just take the time to think about it while you read it.
I know it helped me, but the person that recommended it to me is smoking again....