I was just talking to a friend last night about stopping smoking.I have COPD and still smoke.I know it is a individual decision but I'm going to ask her to join me this Thursday as a smoke out partner so we can support each other in this new challange. - 5/17/2009   10:48:56 AM

I'm very proud to say that I quit smoking over 8 years ago. It was not easy. After many failed attentps I finally gave up on the cold turkey plan and used the gum. It really helped me get over that first hard hump.
It's the weight gain (over 30 pounds) from quitting smoking that brought me to spark people and has taught me more about healthy living. - 5/3/2009   9:54:58 AM

I wish that I could join PerkyDebi in saying that I was never a smoker, but I try not to lie about serious things like that. I smoked for almost 25 years and it was really hard to quit. After my first husband's death I really increased my smoking and that emotional issue made it even harder to quit.

Then I went to an appointment with my neurologist in the middle of December 2006 and my blood pressure was something ridiculous like 170/110! I was a flippin' stroke waiting to happen! I was going to my parents' house for Christmas that year and I knew that I wouldn't be able to smoke while I was there, so I decided that was when I was going to quit. I smoked my last cigarette on my way to the airport on (I think) December 21st. My husband was out of the country for Christmas and he didn't believe that I was really going to quit, but he was pleasantly surprised when he came home and found out that I had finally done it.

For the first month or so after quitting I would drive by 7-11 on my way to work and think to myself "I could buy a pack and nobody would ever know." But then when I thought about how hard the first week or two had been I would realize that I did NOT want to go through that again! I don't crave cigarettes the way I used to in the early months (thank God!) and now I am at 26 1/2 months without a cigarette! WooHoo! - 3/9/2009   7:00:22 PM

I can honestly say that I've never even tried a cigarrette. I had a best friends whose parents smoked and I couldn't stand the smell of it. Neither of my parents smoked either.

My husband who was a smoker for 35 years quit cold turkey 3 years ago. He had decided to quit smoking and about 45 minutes after he had smoked his last cigarrette, we got a phone call from his mom telling us that she had been diagnosed that afternoon with lung cancer. We lost her to it less than 9 months later. She was only 69. - 3/8/2009   12:18:40 PM

I quit 14 years ago Nov 11 - I wanted a week's head start on the Great American Smokeout. I replaced cigarettes with exercise & managed to lose 25 pounds in the process! I think the day brings attention & encourages smokers to think about quitting. It helped me & gave me ideas for success, like telling everyone you know that you plan on quitting and when. They'll help you and it makes you more accountable when other people know. The funny thing for me is I realized the smoking caused me more stress than not, because as a smoker you are always looking for the next one & the harder it is to smoke (there are so many places you can't) it causes stress for those who wonder when they are going to get their next fix. - 3/7/2009   4:05:42 PM

Not everyone realizes that the chemo meds are not the same for all cancers. I have to say, the ones for lung cancer made what I took for breast cancer look like - well, not a picnic, but it certainly put it in perspective. Not everyone with lung cancer is a smoker, too, by the way; a dear friend of my mom's who does not smoke recently (vegetarian, pure living, exercise, does everything right ...) was diagnosed with it and now both has the disease plus society thinking she "deserved it". Be gentle with those who have lung cancer, folks. No one deserves it, no matter what lifestyle they had. Do what you can to stay out of the category of those who get it. - 11/23/2008   9:49:09 AM

I started smoking at age 16 and after numerous tries, finally quit at age 26, cold turkey. It was the only way for me, as trying to cut back only left me with cigarettes at my disposal in times of stress and I started smoking more. That was 30 years ago and I've never looked back. It was the hardest thing I've ever done, except for the weight loss I'm going through right now, of course! - 11/23/2008   12:42:01 AM

I smoked in college and about 8 years after that. I was able to quit, because I married a man who had never smoke and was concerned for my health, even though he did nag. A few months into our marriage, I got a bad chest cold and didn't want to smoke for two weeks. After that I just said why start again; so what helped me was my husband's quiet concern and an illness. I've been smoke free for eons. - 11/22/2008   2:26:30 PM

I quit smoking 37 years ago when I found myself pregnant for my firstborn. It n't too hard, since every time I tried to smoke I'd get extremely ill. don't advocate everyone use my method, an am sure it wouldn't work for some, but whatever it takes, do yourself the favor. Food taste better, you smell better, breathe better, and your blood gets more oxygen so your brain functins better as do all your other organs. As for quitting making you gain weight-not true, as long as you find something other than feeding yourself to keep your hands and brain occcupied-take up a hobby, or go do some volunteer work! - 11/21/2008   2:38:31 PM

I have never smoked before, and will never start. I am so lucky not to have that extra challenge in my life. Good luck to those who are trying to quit...I know that it takes an extreme amount of will power! I look up to those that even try to ditch the habit! - 11/21/2008   12:50:39 PM

I haven't smoked in almost 5 mo., and I quit smoking mainly for Jehovah God, I want a relationship with him and smoking was preventing that for me, it was hard, but i no longer want those nasty things. And as Matthew 22:39 says "You must love your neighbor as yourself", it certainly wouldn't be very loving if we were smoking and slowly killing ourselves and the others around us. - 11/21/2008   12:02:49 PM

My last ciggarette was May 30th, 2008 at midnight. Like many of you, I had tried to quit before but my heart just wasn't in it and I would start back. I enjoyed a cigarette. That along with coffee was my breakfast and many times a cigarette was my desert. While smoking I was not overweight so I didn't have to exercise. Yep, I was one of those people that thought you only exercise when you are overweight.

A few months prior to quitting the cigarette habit I had been diagnosed with DVT, Deep Vein Thrombosis or severe blood clots in my left leg. My doctor took me off work and put me in bed with my leg propped on pillows. With nothing better to do I began smoking more and more until I was up to 4 packs a day. I knew I was killing myself and my husband and doggy but I was so bored.............
Then home health came into my house, my nurse trying to get blood to test my pro-time and my blood was so thick it would barely move in the tube from my arm to the vial. It was then that I was told that cigarette smoke not only caused lung cancer and COPD but it was one of the major causes of clotting. I saw that with my own eyes as she desperately tried to pull blood from my arm........

Still it took me a few more months to make up my mind to quit and then only succeeded by using Chantix. But I did succeed and have been smoke free for 5 months and 21 days & ans GOD as my witness........I will stay smoke free - 11/21/2008   10:16:59 AM

I quit 15 months ago. I still have cravings from time to time, but understanding that I probably will for the rest of my life allows me to handle them better. I can breathe again! No more hacking when I wake up or when I laugh. I sleep better, my allergies have subsided some (I'm allergic to too many things for them to go away LOL) And the money I save! I don't stress over grocery bills between paychecks now. And I've only had one cold since I quit! Best thing I ever did for myself! I litterally pat myself on the back on the 14th of every month to congratulate myself on another successfull month :-) - 11/21/2008   8:14:44 AM

As of 11-18-08, I have been a non-smoker for 7 months! I haven't felt (or smelled) this good in a long time! Although I did succumb to a 20 pound weight gain, it was worth it, and I am now working on getting that weight back off (much easier to do when you can breathe!)!!!! - 11/21/2008   7:10:41 AM

I quit smoking 11 months ago. I will never go back! I smoked for 26 years. I tried quitting many times before. This time I was ready! It was not easy, and I did it without aids. I just kept telling myself that I didn't want to feel this way again.
My grandma/best friend died from lung cancer. She made me promise her just before she died that I would quit. I did immediatly and only lasted a couple weeks. I tried several other times as well until finally I succeeded! It is a few years later but I kept my promise to her and myself! I do not scold anyone else for smoking... and I still get very upset with those who do. It does no good. Leave them alone. We understand that you do not like the smoke and hopefully they are not being rude and blowing it in your face... but smoker are people too and have rights. It does not make them any less a person because they smoke. I am sure those that so loudly and rudly make their opinions about smokers known have MANY of their own bad vises they are hiding. - 11/21/2008   6:54:57 AM

I have stopped..started....stopped..starte
d...and currently in the stop mode.......I resort to the cig's when I have no where else to turn..........bad excuse but the only one I have. I read somewhere that prisoner's admitted that it was easier to go col turkey on drugs that it was smoking. My brother died from cancer of the esophogus(?) (spelling) his may have been from years of acid relfux but made worse from smoking...........it is TRULY a terrible addiction - 11/21/2008   6:35:01 AM

MY OLDEST SON HAD ASTHMA BECAUSE WHILE I WAS PREGNANT I WAS AROUND MY DAD AND EX FATHER IN LAW AND THEY BOTH SMOKED A LOT. NOW EITHER ONE OF THEM SMOKE AROUND MY SONS OR GRANDKIDS. - 11/21/2008   5:37:31 AM

I never ever started smoking because my mother died when I was 17 from a heart attack and she smoked. I tell anyone who smokes that they SHOULD quit, and I don't spare words. - 11/21/2008   12:26:51 AM

I smoked off and on for 50 years...mostly on. Coughing and choking all the way. I quit 6 years ago this week after a particularily nast bout of bronchitis. I told my husband I was done and I have never had a cigatette since even though he still smokes. - 11/20/2008   11:10:55 PM

One of the things for which I am most thankful is that I never even tried smoking. One reason is that while in high school, I saw comparative pictures of the heart and lungs of a smoker vs. a non-smoker, and decided right then I would never smoke. I wish the best to those who desire to stop. - 11/20/2008   10:51:19 PM

My husband, Dwight (see Scary Tourist Guy in my profile photo) quit August 1. He doesn't cough at night any more, we don't have to wait for him to catch up with us at the grocery store while he has a few puffs in the parking lot, and he has more money to spend on licorice (his substitute vice).

So, Happy Successful Smokeout, Honey! - 11/20/2008   7:57:04 PM

I smoked for 20 years. I started when I was 14 in school (peer pressure) and I quit 8 years ago. For years, I had NO WILL to quit even when I lost my Grand-Mother from lung Cancer and even when I had to fight Cancer myself... I was just not ready, I guess...

When I met my Husband (he has never smoked) I quit *just like that* from one day to another and without any help (patches or substitutes) What Love can make you do, huh? I guess it was just meant to be that way...

That just confirm that NOTHING or NO ONE can force anyone to quit smoking if that person does not really want it.

When I quit smoking my weight issues started (never had any problem before) but it is worth it because since then I have a health and a capacity of breathing that I never had before, even in my 20s!

I have battled with the extra weight for the last time (I hope) and I plan to run my first half Marathon this year! :-)) - 11/20/2008   7:30:15 PM

I'm currently in the process of quitting. My doctor put me on Welbutrin and its helping a lot. Though I'm still smoking 2 or 3 cigarettes a day, that's better than a pack and a half a day!!! Eventually I will be 100% smoke free!!! - 11/20/2008   7:10:49 PM

Juen 12, 2005 I was rushed to the hospital, and ended up with emergency surgery. After 35 days in ICU and then another 2 months in a physical rehab enter to learn to walk again I was finally allowed to go home. On the way home all I could think of was getting in and having a smoke. I walked in the house and sat down with a cigarette in one hand and the lighter in the other. Then my mind clicked in and nade ne stio and think that I would be an absolute fool if I lit that thing up. I have not had a smoke since the day I was rushed into the hospital. I won't say there are times when I miss them, but I am not about to give in to that bad craving. And another thing who wants to put out $5.00 every day or every other day. When I think of all the money I have spent over my 50 years of smoking I cringe. I could have built a mansion. - 11/20/2008   3:20:24 PM

I quit smoking nearly 6 months ago. (6 month anni December 1st) I used this website called www.quitnet.com and it was my lifesaver! I don't think I could have done it w/out the website. It's kind of like the quitsmoking version of spark people. =D - 11/20/2008   3:02:05 PM

7 months smoke free yay! Congrats to all the ex-smokers & best of luck to those of you who are quitting. You CAN do it!!! You'll be so happy you did. No more smelly clothes, no more gasping for breath while you're exerciing, no more yellow teeth, no more going outside to smoke, no more wasting your money :). - 11/20/2008   2:50:40 PM

I quit smoking nearly 1000 days ago. It was tough and it was miserable, but it was the best thing I ever did for myself. This August I ran my first marathon. This month I paid off my last credit card. And all because I quit smoking. - 11/20/2008   12:37:05 PM

I am another ex-smoker. I quit cold turkey one sunny afternoon in March of 2005. I had just been to the Doctor for the third time in three months, I had a very been very ill with an upper respiratory infection. The Doctor told me that if I did not stop smoking that it would kill me. I left the Doctors office and sat in my car for what seemed like an hour or more then picked up the pack of cigarettes laying on the console of the car and threw them out the window as far as I could. I had smoked two packs or more a day for over thirty years. I was blessed with no desire to smoke again. I can be around others who smoke and the smell does make me sick to my stomach as I am sure is does a lot of ex-smokers. I did not suffer from weight gain, I was already obese and that being caused by being addicted to alcohol. I decided that since I stopped smoking that drinking was the next step, I checked myself into the rehab unit provided by the Police department (the drunk tank) three days later walked out sober and have been smoke free and sober ever since. I think you have to have the desire to stop and when you get serious about it that is when it will happen. I think the same is true of any thing worth doing. I do wish that more people would realize how smoking and drinking affects the body in a negitive way. Please if you have the desire to stop please seek help as there are many options and resources available. Good luck to you, wishing you a healthy future. - 11/20/2008   11:47:11 AM

I lost my mother to COPD and she was a heavy smoker all during my childhood and throughout most of her adult life. She spent the last 4 years of her life tied to an oxygen line. I guess that is why she had to ask me one day if she 'killed my brother', her first born and my only sibling. Oh yes, he passed away early in 2000, at the age of 54 from lung cancer and he Never smoked. We both hated the smoke in the car and in the house when we were young. Second hand smoke kills!

Oh, and he was very conscious of his good health and weight. He was never more than 3-6 pounds over a perfect weight. He walked, he ran and he went to the gym regularly. I would have never guessed that he would go first. He always did everything right, okay almost everything..... there were times.....

So, before she passed away from a very painful and awful experience, she had the added guilt that maybe she 'killed my brother'. Parents, please please think of your children before you light up one more of those cigarettes. The life you save might just be theirs, yours or someone else that you care about or don't even know..... - 11/20/2008   11:46:52 AM

I started that nasty habit when I was 17, experimenting with my dad's Winstons. I progressed to More because I thought I looked sophisticated, then as a liberated woman in college I switched to Virginia Slim menthols and then because everybody else was smoking them, Newports. Nearly everybody in my family smoked but when my grandfather had a heart attack and quit, most of the family did too, I didn't. When my mom had her first heart attack I started thinking about it. On August 16, 1995 I had played the organ for a wedding and when I got home realized I was down to my last ciggy. When I got ready to make a run to the store, a pain hit my chest and I sat down, looked skyward and said "Ok, I get the point!" I haven't had another cigarette! It was as if I'd never smoked in the first place, I didn't even get a craving for it. My grandfather and 2 of his sibs died from lung cancer and ephysema and I saw my grandfather's suffering at the end and it's a horrible, painful death. I'm glad I gave up smoking because I can enjoy my workouts and exercise. Otherwise, I wouldn't have been able to do so. - 11/20/2008   11:40:48 AM

Well, your post asked, and I am going to answer! I smoked for 33 years. I tried everything to quit...more times than I can count. I lasted as long as three months once and it was horrible! I couldn't get the desire out of my mind and I was impossible to live with. The first personal upheaval to come along and I was right back to it...and worse. My kids were all over me. I was always the one relegated to the back yard...sometimes in blizzards...to grab a butt at family functions. It seems like I spent half my time leaning on the kitchen counter blowing smoke out the window. I felt ostracized by everyone who didn't smoke. Sound familiar, smokers? Finally, realizing that it was impossible for me to quit...I was just too weak, I made a prayerful decision to leave it in God's hands (Philippians 4:13). It was a full two years later (Thursday, December 4, 1997) that I was healed from cigarettes. I was in one of those quiet times, just me and Him, and not even thinking about cigarettes. I heard that 'still, small voice' telling me that the last cigarette that I had smoked would be the LAST cigarette that I EVER smoked. A peace and a presence came over me and I just KNEW. Three days later I was awakened in the middle of the night by my own breathing. I had suffered from asthma all my life and now was laying there taking deep breaths at will and not wheezing! That may not sound like such a miracle to someone else, but it was to me! My lungs were clear. I have never smoked another cigarette since that day. I never again had a desire to smoke. I never had any kind of withdrawal. The smell of cigarette smoke doesn't offend me, cause me to want to smoke or nauseate me as it does with some other ex-smokers. My asthma is gone. I can now exercise, run, swim...all the things I couldn't do. Imagine. No patch. No gum. No hypnotism. My apologies if I have offended the sensibilities of skeptics and non-believers but for all you believers out there...be encouraged (Proverbs 3:5&6). As for the inevitable weight gain...He led me to SparkPeople! That was 50 pounds ago! It's all good! - 11/20/2008   11:10:45 AM

I lost a husband and sister to lung cancer, and my mother to COPD. That was still not enough to make me quit. I smoked for almost 50 years and it was such a part of me. When my grandson told me he wanted to smoke ( he was five at the time)that was enough. I used Chantix and was finally able to quit just over a year ago. I felt like I had lost a part of myself. To add insult to injury, by March of this year I had added an additional 10 pounds to my overweight self. I decided then I had to do something before I gained any more. I have been counting calories and walking ( which I didn't have enough breath to do before) and I am not only smoke free, I have lost 30 pounds. It has been a real struggle, but I am glad I have been able to do it. I still want a cigarette but don't intend to smoke again. - 11/20/2008   10:55:04 AM

I've never smoked and I'm glad I never picked up this nasty habit. Kudos to those smokers who quit! Way to go! - 11/20/2008   10:39:29 AM

I'm not sure if the Great American Smoke Out has any impact on changing people's habit, but I do feel that it raises the awareness of this nasty habit and lets people know that it is doable.

I was a pack a day smoker and smoked for 24 years. I quit on Valentine's Day 2005. I found that I loved myself enough to give ME a wonderful gift of life. You really have to want to quit, more than you want to smoke. I quit using Wellbutrin and the patch. Each person is different and there is no one quit fits all. Education is the key.

I am the co-leader of the largest no smoking team here on SparkPeople, the No More Smoking team. I encourage anyone who is thinking about quitting, recently quit or is long time quit to join our team. We are a large, but very supportive team. Lots of wise people who encourage and support those that are just starting out. We offer tips, support, advice and sometimes just lend an ear.

S. Set a quit date
T. Tell family, friends and coworkers that you plan to quit
A. Anticipate & plan for the challenges you'll face
R. Remove all cigarettes and related products from your home & car
T. Talk to your doctor about your options

Quitting won't kill you, but continuing to smoke might!
Commit to the quit, don't cave to the crave!
N.O.P.E.=Not One Puff Ever! - 11/20/2008   10:00:15 AM

I was a smoker for 18 years, started when I was very young...as did my DH....after several attempts on both our parts we realized that until we TRULY wanted to quit, it just wasn't going to work. We've been smoke free for 9 years now after waking up on January 1st, we'd had company for New Years eve. We both felt like crap, the house stunk to high heaven and that was that for both of us........cold turkey. Anyone who can make it through the Great American Smoke Out and continue down that "quitting" path (a POSITIVE quit for sure) more power to them.........the whole mass group effort thing never worked for us. - 11/20/2008   9:27:29 AM

I quit smoking three years ago. I was seriously ill and ended up in the hospital in a drug induced coma for 9 days while they determined what was wrong with me. When I woke up and came home I was determined to not smoke again. I had smoked since I was about 12, so this was about 38 years of being a smoker. It was not easy and to this day I would still like to just sit and have one puff sometimes. However, it gets easier and I will not go back to being a smoker. The energy I have now is amazing and I feel so much better. Plus, I cannot bellieve the difference in my breathing and how much better things smell. - 11/20/2008   8:01:31 AM

Tried a cigarette one time when I was about 19. That was enough, YUCK. Never touched them again. After I was older I looked at it not only as ruining your health but just simply buring up money. My mother just recently quit. She's 76 and had smoked since she was about 18. My two older brothers don't smoke anymore either. Now that my 23 yr old son is back with me I'll have to start back on him to quit. I thought he had quit but he goes on the enclosed porch and smokes. And I have to continue on my BF to quit too and he's also diabetic.

I wish everyone who is trying to quit the best. And congrats to those who have quit. - 11/20/2008   8:01:15 AM

I smoked for 25 years and have been smoke free for 8 months and loving it. Good luck to all who will make today Day 1. My theory is "if I can do it anyone can". - 11/20/2008   7:56:34 AM

By the grace of God and my higher power, I have been sober and quit smoking for 19months and 2 days! - 11/20/2008   7:31:18 AM

I quit smoking for good in Feb 2005 after smoking for at least 25 years.I'd have to say it was the hardest thing I had ever done for myself.I was finally determined,that I wasn't gonna harm my body any more with this unhealthy habit.I used Commit lozenges & turned to exercise,treadmill,etc. when I felt like I was gonna give in to the craving.The benefits that you feel over time after you quit are Very Much Worth it!!! - 11/20/2008   6:08:17 AM

I smoked for 8 years and tried to quit several times. On the morning of April 19th 2000, I just said, "I quit" and I have not smoked since. - 11/20/2008   2:52:56 AM

I have never smoked, done drugs or drank alcohol so I have been very fortunate so as to not get addicted to anything. But I think the saying should not be "it's never too late," but "Today is MY day!" I feel for anybody who is wanting to quit any addictive behavior as I've seen friends and family go through it and it is rough and even hard to watch, so it must be even more difficult to do. Hats off to those who are successful, such as my parents. - 11/19/2008   10:59:11 PM

Instead of "It is never too late to tell them (your children) of the risks that come with smoking", I would say it's never to SOON to tell them. My children are 6, 4 and 4 months and I've been telling them all about the dangers of smoking since they were born!
- 11/19/2008   10:44:29 PM

I've been smoke free for 25 months!! And I will never go back, I'm so glad that I'm free, I had no Idea how much it controlled my life. - 11/19/2008   7:47:16 PM

I smoked for about 28 years, heavily most of that time. I quit in March of 1999. All I will say is that many, many times I regretted that I was a smoker. Never have I regretted quitting. It was probably the hardest thing I've ever done, but one of the things I'm most proud of. I know that if I so much as take a puff, I will be up to a pack a day within a week, and I don't EVER want to have to go through the process of quitting again! Good luck to all, and remember there is plenty of support out there. Just keep trying until you find what works for you. - 11/19/2008   4:09:50 PM

I am not a smoker but my grandmother was recently diagnosed with COPD. She had been a smoker for about 60 years but when she was rushed to the hospital unable to breath back in May, she had no idea that on that day she had smoked her last cigarette. She has not smoked since that day. It hasn't been easy kicking a 60 year habit, especially on the people around her! But if an 86 year old woman can quit after 60 years, anyone can! - 11/19/2008   3:55:38 PM

I have never smoked. I've tried it here and there. I have even socially smoked at parties or when I am drunk (couple cigarettes a month at most) . However I have always been terrified of getting addicted. Of being controled by these cravings and this habit. I was so terrified it didn't even take my parents to lecture me. I never ever even started smoking and I am very happy I didn't. Good luck to everyone here who is trying to quit and congratulations good work to everyone who already did - 11/19/2008   3:48:59 PM

I quit smoking 22 months ago. I used quitnet.net for a tracker and I used www.stopsmokingonline.com which had great info. I then went to doctor and got on Chantix for 5 weeks. I put a sticker on a large calendar for everyday that I went smokefree and did so for 100 days. Now, I'm a non-smoker! Yea! - 11/19/2008   3:42:51 PM

No not me, but my mother and sister smoked for years and both of them stopped cold turkey, so now we are trying to get my other sister to stop, still working at it.
- 11/19/2008   3:16:32 PM

I started smoking when I was 10 with about 4 or 5 of my friends. When I met my husband, he was a smoker as well. He quit in November 2004 but I could not bring myself to do so (I liked the taste). I finally quit 2 years ago after going out to break and taking a few drags from a cigarette and it just didn't taste good (this was right b4 I found out I was prego with my son). Since then I have had a few drags total which remind me each time why I quit! It just does not taste good to me any more. - 11/19/2008   2:44:49 PM