I think women are worse for my health than the ciggies. :-/

Lady : Do you smoke ?

Man : Yes

Lady : How many packs a day ?

Man : 3 packs

Lady : How much per pack

Man : $10.00

Lady : And how long have you been smoking ?

Man : 15 years

Lady : So 1 pack cost $10.00 and you have 3 packs a day which puts your spending each month at $900. In one year, it would be $10,800 correct ?

Man : Correct

Lady : If in 1 year you spend $10,800 not accounting for inflation, the past 15 years puts your spending at $162,000 correct ?

Man : Correct

Lady : Do you know that if you hadn't smoked, that money could have been put in a step-up interest savings account and after accounting for compound interest for the past 15 years, you could have now bought a Ferrari ?

Man : Do you smoke ?

Lady : No

Man : Where's your Ferrari then ?
 
 
 
 
 
Giving up is easy as long as you want to. If it's hard, then you just don't want to enough.
 
To be safe, send all your money to me and I'll look after it for you until you can be trusted not to buy smokes with it. ;)

I don't know anything about quitting smoking Danny, because I've never been a smoker, but I've got my fingers crossed for you!  I'm in your corner...holler at me anytime you want some reinforcement!!

Go Danny, go!!!

Congrats Danny. 

We fell off the horse when we got back Vegas last fall. My wife only smokes 4 or 5 cigarettes a day, but, me, being the compulsive idiot I am, I quickly got back to +/- 2 packs of Marlboro everyday.

Did I mention cigarettes are so ridiculously cheap here? But I knew I'd have to quit again and I did -  January 30th.

I won't lie to you, I sometimes really miss the pleasure associated w/ certain smokes, like I miss that regular relief in tension. Not the smoke itself, but that relief...

You know, it's like, when you're in a stressful situation or something, as a smoker, you look forward to that smoke you'll have once you're done, so much that just as much as the nicotine dependency, the cigarette is mentally linked w/ relief. 

Well, as a non-smoker, that never comes. You're having a crappy moment driving in traffic thinking how good that smoke will be when you arrive at your destination. But then you remember - crap! I don't smoke, I can't even count on that!

A couple of week after I quit, I insisted on taking a puff, just to test myself. Well, I just couldn't inhale and it tasted like garbage. 

Point being that, I know that, now, I couldn't simply get my little fix. One cigarette would not give me that little euphoric tension breaker.  

So, even though I sometimes feel like it sucks not to be smoking, I know that simply smoking wouldn't work. Which also sucks. lol

What I am figuring out is that, quitting is not only a different experience for different individuals, but it's basically always different, every time you do it - your body and your mind react differently, the cravings and the nagging come from different angles. 

For exemple, last time I quit, I had major memory issues, to a point where I was really starting to worry, because I usually have an exceptionally good memory. But all the other times, including this one, memory isn't an issue.

A weird journey I tell you, but one worth it.

Best of luck, bro. You can do it!

When I quit I had a constant headache for 2 days. And then someone told me that my body needed more sugar. So I ate some candy and felt better. Go figure!

I would also suggest supplementing with vitamin C and magnesium, both of which have been found to reduce cravings. 

Good luck Danny bro.
 
I've been at it 40 years now and I know the consequences, I know it's filthy habit that is going to kill me if I don't quit.
 
I have medical proof that it's done and doing damage and time is fast running out for me unless I do something about it.  The insanity of addiction means I'm still at it even though I know insane is the only description for it.
 
Having successfully laid of the booze for the best part of 25 years I know intellectually that Paulo is right and the only reason to continue is that my desire to stop is clearly outweighed by my desire to smoke just now.
 
I just get hope that someone as openly candid as you are about stuff just adds to the weight enough for that tipping point to change in favour of me quitting.
 
I'm praying for us both man, also Rain and anyone else affected by this filthy compulsion, it's the one thing remaining that I haven't managed to turn around.
 
YET!!!

You guys rule, thank you all soo much for this. It really means a lot to me. I really think I got it beat. I know it's early to say that, but I sincerely do not have the desire. I'm very strong for a lil guy. Once I move on from something, there's no turning back. I do it with people, animosity, problems etc...you get the idea.

I seriously sit here and say I have absolutely not desire or craving. Holding my breath to test my lungs right now as I type this. I remember the day I woke up and would cough as soon as I tried to do this. Right here, this is success in such a short amount of time, I'm loving it.

Short story really quick. When I was a little kid, fromw hen I was like 3-4, I had those little gum or candy cigs where you could blow on them and powder came out. It's amazing how those corrupted me. When I was a child, I knew I'd smoke when I was old enough. It was just something that looked interesting. My mom smoked and though she would cry if she knew this (God rest her soul) I seriously feel it contributed to my curiosity. I don't blame my mom at all, but I sometimes wonder if cigs were not in the house if I would have been as tempted?

At 5 years old, I started saying "gimme a puff mom, gimme a puff." I'm talking relentless to where I would keep saying it and saying it. It must have gotten on her nerves so bad. I feel terrible about it now. But one day, mom cracked. She said "you wanna smoke, SMOKE!" All this time, she's expecting me to take a drag and cough myself into oblivion. What does lil Danny do? Takes a drag and says "mmmm may I have another?" The look on her face was priceless. I didn't inhale of course, but what a feeling. That did it for me there. As I got older, I'd steal a few of her cigs, then a pack out of the carton and well, by 12 I was buying my own smokes and hiding them.

To be honest, I'm glad it's all over. I'm not sitting here depressed or fighting cravings to where I might cave in. I'm drinking water, eating fruit and vege's..which I've always done, but more now. Take a walk if I do get a strong craving, do some sit-ups...it's not too bad, I can do this no problem. I do feel different though. Can't tell you what that "different" is...but it's different. Sort of like being in a dream. :) Thanks again everyone, it was awesome to read some of your stories and I appreciate the support. It's also great to hear that so many of you kicked the habit too! Awesome! :)

-Danny

You don't want these.

Jonbouy


Good luck Danny bro.
 
I've been at it 40 years now and I know the consequences, I know it's filthy habit that is going to kill me if I don't quit.
 
I have medical proof that it's done and doing damage and time is fast running out for me unless I do something about it.  The insanity of addiction means I'm still at it even though I know insane is the only description for it.
 
Having successfully laid of the booze for the best part of 25 years I know intellectually that Paulo is right and the only reason to continue is that my desire to stop is clearly outweighed by my desire to smoke just now.
 
I just get hope that someone as openly candid as you are about stuff just adds to the weight enough for that tipping point to change in favour of me quitting.
 
I'm praying for us both man, also Rain and anyone else affected by this filthy compulsion, it's the one thing remaining that I haven't managed to turn around.
 
YET!!!

Thanks Jon. I've quoted you and sort of singled you out here because, well, truth be told, I can relate. All the time I've been smoking, I never wanted to stop. I love smoking. I love the taste, how it looks, how it smells, I love blowing smoke rings...I can bounce them off of things from about 6 ft away with no wind. LOL! See how hooked I am?
 
I knew it would take something to make me want to stop though. One thing was th not being able to hold my breath thing...the other is a small lump I found on my left part of my back just below my shoulder blade which I hope is not the end for me. I'm going to the Dr on Monday and let me tell you, I'm crappin' my pants over here. I hope it's nothing. It's squishy...feels like fatty tissue, but I feel resistance when I move. No pain, just a little tightness that tells me something is there and may not be right. So I'm scared man, really scared. People have the big C these days and don't even feel it or know it until it's too late.
 
I wish I could offer you something to assist in your quitting Jon. If I can be totally honest for a second? Man, as much as I love God and believe, I sincerely don't know for sure what's on the other side brother and really don't want to find out just yet. I've seen one of my relatives go from cancer and it broke my heart to see. I don't want that for me, you or anyone else. What helped me is....it's been scared out of me mate. I don't want to stop. If I could make a deal with Jesus and he'd promise me protection from cancer or emphysema, I'd make the deal! LOL! That's how much I love to smoke. But, honest, this hold my breath thing and the lump...were enough to scare it out of me. Not to mention, I'm going to be saving a nice bit of money. At $92 for a carton of 10 packs, that's a pretty steep price to pay to put another nail in my coffin. 
 
I wasn't ready to stop, my body told me it was time. If you're seeing stuff like you mentioned, for sure brother...it's time for you too. Maybe some sort of outside help may be the answer? Trust me...I soo know the feeling. I'd rather have a cig over a piece of cake or ice cream. I love the smell of ashtray...how's that for sick? Today, the smell of cigar makes me sick. My bassist smoked in the studio last night when we practiced...it made me sick and thank God for the power to quit.
 
I hope I stay strong and don't back slide. I know it's possible. But honest, I feel like I have it beat. If there's anything I can do or you ever need to talk, I'm here for you brother. We don't need that stuff...we just think we do. But I don't have to preach to you...you know the deal with it. You're not in denial an neither was I. We love something that can kill us. Hopefully you make a decision to quit before it's too late bro. One thing to remember here...just about everything in life is computer driven. We, unfortunately, do not have an undo button or a "reboot" button. The time is now Jon...you are loved. :)
 
-Danny

craigb


You don't want these.

I remember showing a pic like that to my mom Craig when I was in 6th grade. She never forgot about that pic...it ruined her for life. She thought about it so much, it made her quit. Just after quitting, she found a lump...yep, breast cancer. She was cured thankfully, but in those days (1979) they didn't have the procedures they have today...so it was a rough road for a few years for her. But she beat it and managed to live nearly to 70. :) I wish it would have been longer, but I could have lost her as a child...so I'm fortunate. :)
 
-Danny