I am interested to know...

[gafan]

How long did you smoke, how old are you now, and what made you say "I don't want to smoke anymore"? I am just interested to know everyones motivation behind becoming an ex.

And my facts, if you are interested: I smoked for at least 13 consecutive years, no more than a pack a day, I am 29, and both my family and the annoyance of not being healthy like I wanted to be was enough to make me let go.

[brenda61]

I smoked 34 years and I started at age 15.  I am now 49. I will turn 50 in October.  I was smoking about one and a half packs a day.  My motivation to not smoke anymore came from hearing that I had copd at the emergency room.  I quit on March 27 2010 a few weeks after my diagnosis.  I weaned off then went cold turkey.  Made it 80 something days then on Father's Day had one.  Now I am same age but on Day 4.  This blog will be a wonderful way to learn about everyone.  Great idea.

[gafan]

I think so too! I'm just interested to know how everyone came to this point. Good icebreaker! 🐵

[ez.ed203]

I am 62 years old and have smoked since I was 16 years old. About a pack a day.  Here in New York a pack of cigarettes while to as high as $13.00 when there is a new State tax on July 1st.   That is close to $100.00 a week and I can't afford that!

[brenda61]

Oh my that is insane.  13.00 a pack.  that is sad. 

[Thomas3.20.2010]

I am 52 years old and my story is in fact very similar to Brenda's! I smoked intermittently for 20 years - a late starter at that! I went to the Emergency Room on March 14 where I was diagnosed with COPD and QUIT on March 20 Cold Turkey.  will be celebrating 100 Smoke Free Days on Monday if I respect my Pledge AND I WILL! N.O.P.E. Today and Each and Every Day!!

[MissiAnn]

I smoked 1/2 a pack for 20 years. I started when I was 13 and I'm 33 now. My main reason was not wanting it to control my life anymore. I'm simply done with it. I'm working on my 24th day of being smoke free.

[bobolots]

I am 35 and I started smoking around 17 - stopped a few times. I had been carrying my prescription around in my purse for about a month. I just look at my son and think Oh my god he needs me and I can't leave him -- A BIG part of that was that I didn't even want children because I lost my mom very young and I didn't ever want to do that to my kids.

Oh and I'm just tired of being tired and run down, out of breath, swimming is one of my favorite exercises and that was a struggle the last time I tried a few weeks ago.

Barbara

[tracy51]

I smoked for over 25 years...Tried my first cigarette at age 12, but didn't really start smoking until I was 15 or 16...I am now 41, soon to be 42!  My main reason is similar to MissiAnn's...I was tired of my addiction controlling my life and was just done...enough was enough...I was smoking a pack to two packs a day, depending....

I also was coughing a lot at night...Coughing up some nasty things and just breathing was becoming more difficult every day...Also started getting some sharp pains in my heart...not sure if that was from smoking, but it was enough to validate a decision that I should have made years and years ago, when I was your age!  So happy you have quit!!  The years go by faster and faster...I never thought I would say I smoked for 25 years, almost as long as you have been alive!  So sad and who knows how many years I have taken off of my life...There is absolutely nothing good to be gained from smoking...

[patrick-marsh]

IM 55 STATED AT 12 SMOKED 43 YEARS! SMART HUH LETS SEE COPD HEART DIS 2 STENTS 6 HEART CHATUS ALOT OF LUNG INFECTIONS LAST STAW WAS BEING PUT ON OXYGEN AT NIGHT! KNOW IF KEEP ON WILL BE OXYGEN ALL THE TIME!!

[cswatson]

I am 43 years old.  I have smoked since I was 12 years old.  My motivation was that I have been diagnosed with an artery disease that is directly related to smoking and the same disease that has disabled my mother.  I don't want my kids to have to take care of their mother (ME) like I have to take care of mine.  I don't mind taking care of her but her and my father smoked for years until about 2 years ago when they both quit...  The damage to their bodies is already done.  My damage to date cannot be reversed but I certainly have 100% TOTAL control over it NOT progressing any further.  I do like to walk, run, swim and ride bikes and the loss of my ability to walk due to this disease would be devastating, expecially when it is 100% preventable.

I have 18 days now.  I have slipped up a few times but I still consider myself successful at not smoking...  thanks

[hwc]

I smoked for 38 years. Anywhere from one pack to two packs a day for the entire time. One pack a day for the last few years because we put in a no-smoking ban in my house so I had to go outside to smoke.

I quit cold turkey when I was 54 years old. I wasn't motivated to quit. In fact, I had no plans to quit at all. My last puff was the first cigarette of two brand new packs I had driven to the store at midnight to buy. I opened a pack, lit a cigarette, took one puff, and put it out. That was my last puff.

[gafan]

ez.ed203: Thirteen dollars a pack? That is absolutely insane. I don't blame you for quitting. That is complete inflation to the fullest. Why are they taxed so high?

Thomas: Congrats on your upcoming 100 days, that is absolutely wonderful! Make sure you reward yourself. That is a big accomplishment!

MissiAnn: I'm glad it only took you ten years to realize that you are finished. Your lungs/heart are going to feel so much better! I bet you feel a huge difference already. I have and it has only a week.

Bobolots: My child was a HUGE motivation for me to quit smoking. Children are a wonderful treasure, even though you would like to mail them off sometimes. I can't imagine a life without them!

Tracy: That is about the same age I "tried" one, and why I did I couldn't tell you. Coughing up gross things is scary. I have suffered from Bronchitis and lately walking Pnemonia lately, and it has made a huge impact on my decision. I only cough a couple of times in the morning now and I am done, thankfully. Hopefully I did not do too much damage already, but we can't worry about what we don't know.

Owlfeather: I love your reasons. Smelling good is a wonderful thing, and the ability to walk, run, or climb without gasping for breath!

[gafan]

Patrick: I better not hear of a relapse, EVER. I don't want to have to find you and put that oxygen somewhere unpleasant! Keep up the good work and protect your quit. You are still WAY TOO YOUNG to have to go through that!

cswatson: I am very proud of your 18 days of success. It is a hard road, but I have faith that you will continue to be smoke free! Watching the ones you love and care for suffer is really an eye opener to say the least!

hwc: I always smoked outside. My husband does not smoke, so I didn't want him to have to suffer because of my addiction. Which of course I smelt like it all the time, and had the smokers breath, but he was always good about it. Just always worried about what could happen if I didn't quit. You are definitely my motivation, especially regarding the weight loss. That is just awesome! I am so proud of you! 

[patrick-marsh]

NOW YOU SOUND LIKE MY WIFE WONT SAY WHERE SHE SAID IT WOULD GO ALL WITH THE SMOKES!! THANK YOU!!

[gafan]

Guess I am blessed with that world loved "female trait" ;o) She must care about you a lot then to say that to you! Wants you to stick around a while!

[Strudel]

I am 59 years old and I smoked a pack a day for 40 years. I quit drinking 29 years ago and primarily used that as an excuse to smoke for many years after that. (I guess I felt I was entitled to one vice!) Then I just kept putting it off until "someday when I have less stress in my life". Recently I began to realize that there was never going to be a perfect time and that there would always be stress. I began to research it and decided I could do it. Here I am on day 12 in total awe of feeling this good. As James said earlier today - if only we had known it would be this easy! Allen Carr's book was the biggest help in making me realize I could be successful.

Kathy

[gafan]

Strudel: I ordered the audio book today so I could in a way finalize my quit, make sure I never turn back. I really do not want to fail, AT ALL! Congrats on not only your 12 days, but also letting go of drinking. That is also a very hard addiction to overcome, and I am so proud of you! I think we all feel we are entitled to that one vice. Thankfully we now know how to find a healthy one! Thank you for sharing!

[i_can_do_this]

I started when I was 18. Smoked a pack a day until I was just over 30. March 17th, 2010, I woke up creaving a cigarette so bad that I woke up my roommate to bum one from her at 4:00 in the morning. I realized just how insane that was and put it out and haven't touched one since. I had been cutting back, but my quit date was still 2 weeks away so that was not exactly what I had intended. 

My husband and I had been talking about kids lately, but he said that he would never have children with a smoker.  His mom smoked his whole life (still does BTW) and he knows he will have to burry her early. He said doesn't want to put his children through that. So a month after I quit smoking he said he wanted to have kids.  Three months after I quit smoking, I'm two months preggers.  Oh BTW 100 days tomorrow...yay!!!

[gafan]

Double congrats lady. That is wonderful news! 100 days and a baby......How exciting! What a precious gift you have been given!

[meli311ssa]

I am 25 years old.  I have been smoking since I was 16. I will be 26 in October 2010 and wanted to quit before I hit the 10 year mark. This is my first quit. I quit on June 21, 2010 and am FOUR DAYS SMOKE FREE!!!!! I don't want to spend the money, I want to have control over my life, and I don't want to die young. Those are the 3 main reasons that I quit. It is very hard and I have had moments of complete loss of control over my emotions. I have cried to a friend, laughed at myself, swore at a cigarette butt, punched at my desk, and paced around my house like an animal in a cage.

I will not smoke.

I will not smoke.

I am a non-smoker.

I can do this.

[dpenny2]

I will be 26 August 21.  I've always been a active person.  I miss being able to run 3 miles and play sports like I use to.  Cigs. was taking the life out of me.  I have way more energy when I don't smoke and I can think clearer and I'm able to control my emotions better.  So basically I'm doing it for my overall health(Mental&Physical).    I'm 25 when I smoke I feel like a lazy old man sometimes.  Thats why I've decided to stop smoking.  I feel like if I continued to smoke then I wouldn't be able to accomplish what I want out of life.  Also Lung Cancer runs in the family on my fathers side only when that person is a smoker. so that is a factor also.

[royann2]

Had my first smoke at 13 , but didn't smoke regularly until 16 ..... I'm 43 now. Been battling the nicodemon for way too long. My motivation to quit, well that depends on the day or the quit. I've quit a number of times, my longest quit 30 months. Anyway....reasons:

#1 .....money

#2  .... tired of hacking up a lung in the morning

#3 ....of course disease

#4 .... If I quit hubby will quit and not until and I worry about him

but the ironic part of all my attempts is the attitude of others. I've had everything from give her a smoke to calm her down. To she'll never quit, to You can do anything, to those who say just quit it's so simple. The ironic part of that is the last one, usually the ones I find that have this attitude are those who have quit but not until they were 50/60 or older and I find myself wondering how they can have that attitude when it took them so long to quit too ..... I think it's very hypocritical and tends to irritate me even more than those who say, give her a smoke to calm her down ...or those who say she'll never quit.

Oh well to each their own....but that's my story and I'm stickin to it 🙂

[jhb1232]

I first tried smoking when I was 14.  Really started smoking around 16 and have been smoking off and on since.  I'm currently 27 and I'll be 28 next month.  The first time I really quit was because I wanted really white teeth.  I wish I had motivation.  The reason I want to quit is I don't see the point in doing it.

[bjmarks]

I turned 53 on April 1st, I smoked my first cigarette at 12 and started regular at 16. I have quit a few times with the longest being 2 years. I had a huge crisis went out bought a pack and here I am 18 years later with 84 days smoke free (that goes to show you what one puff can do). I quit because I had a TIA in March, but before that I knew that it was really starting to effect my breathing and circulation, I just kept putting it off so on my birthday I took a deep breath, held my nose and just jumped in(and the waters been fine). I have 3 beautiful grandchildren and to much to live for to play Russian roulette with my life anymore.

[kate8]

Tried smoking at 14. Went full time at 15. Im 50 this yr. With Mitral valve prolaps,mitral valve regurt, Leaky valves and colagulated arteries in both legs from my knees down. My last quit was 3 months. Im now on day 8 and Never gonna smoke again 🙂

[gafan]

Melissa: way to take control of your life at 25! I'm so glad that you decided to become an ex so early in life. That is wonderful news! I wish I would have come to that realization five years earlier like you have! I also love your quitters attitude. Very strong words!

DPenny: My father also had lung cancer. It is very sad to lose someone you love because of their addiction. Always remind yourself of your goals, to get back to running and avoid cancer! It will keep what you are here for in focus!

Royann: I understand where you are coming from. A close friend of mine quit two years ago, and I call him the Chantix Natzi, because he could be the next spokesman for Chantix. Sometimes I have to tell him that he needs to remember where he came from and the road he took to get to where he is now. He just says that he is giving people tough love and not sugar coating the truth. Like you said, to each his own, but I am thankful that you are on this crazy ride with us. Just hold on tight and protect your quit.

jhb1232: You are so young also, that's great you decided now to quit. What a positive step. And your teeth do lighten up. It may sound nuts, but in a week I have noticed that my teeth do look a little bit better than they used to. I did slack off a lot in smoking before my quit date, but did not totally quit until a week ago. But smoking did get old after a while, I agree. I'm glad you are here!

bjmarks: What is TIA if you don't mind me asking? Grandchildren are GREAT motivation to want to quit. And I like your analogy, playing russian roulette with your life. That is a good way to sum up smoking! Thank you for sharing.

[gafan]

kate: please stick with it. You have to take care of your body. Keep reminding yourself that death from smoking is not an option. You are way too young to have to worry about those type health issues. WAY TOO YOUNG! Please reach out for support anytime you need it. I know this site has helped keep me together, even though I am only a week in. This is a hard bumpy road, but we will all make it. You just have to educate yourself and remember NOT ONE PUFF EVER!

[bigquitter]

I started full time at about 13 and now I'm 28, at about a pack a day. I've quit other things years ago and I found this to be the scariest one to tackle. I always wanted more for myself than being a smoker would allow like health reasons and I want a family someday, etc.. I've tried MANY other times to quit. Never longer than 2 days and now I beat that record by 149 days!!!! Never quit quitting!! Sooner or later it'll stick! Totally worth it because now I'm super active and before I felt like my heart would explode if I stressed it out. Yay!

[quitter39]

 I am 50 years old, have smoked about 30 years of that.  Stayed at about 3/4 pack a day.  I quit after watching my dad pass away in January from congestive heart failure.  Took a few months after he died, but now I am over 7 weeks quit and feel great about it.  I just don't want to die like he did and put my family through that.

One month, three weeks, 14 hours, 29 minutes and 22 seconds. 789 cigarettes not smoked, saving $157.81. Life saved: 2 days, 17 hours, 45 minutes.
 

[gafan]

BigQuitter: That is awesome! You truly surpassed your previous record! Congratulations!!!!!! I agree with the heart pains. I just cut grass and I actually did not feel like I was going to pass out of fall out after I was finished. I actually felt like I exercised my body instead of stressing it out! It was a good feeling, and I can't wait to have many more of those!

Quitter: I bet your father is looking down on you proud as can be!!!! Have you bought yourself a treat yet with all of your money saved to congratulate yourself? I am proud of you. Those are inspirational numbers! 🐵

Owlfeather: Thank you. I think it's good to know who is in the neighborhood! Puts what we are fighting for on the table so we can all pat ourselves on the back! Truly look at our successes and remind ourselves why we even started this battle!

[IrishRose]

I will be 57 in August.  I smoked 40 years,  I started getting tired of smoking.  I was tired of being tired.  The smell started annoying me.  My daughter quit, and I realized that, in order to support her quit, I needed to quit.  I also want to live to see my little granddaughter grow up to be a woman.  I want to be there for my granddaughter and my daughter.  The both of them are the two best things that ever happened to me.  I've been quit 15 days now, and I smell so very pretty, and  I feel so much better just in that short period of time.  And, my daughter?  She is still a quit right there along with me.  I am so very proud of her, as well as myself for our quit. 

[gafan]

Congrats IrishRose.....hold on tight to your quit.....I bet your daughter is just as proud! And you're right, the smell is really annoying!

[brenda61]

What a great blog.  What a great response.  Good job.

[pir8fan]

I turned 58 last week! I was smoking a pack a day by age 13! My motivation for quitting was purely monetary-----at first! I did not want to quit, but changes in health Insurane and confiscatory taxes finally drove me over the edge. I have had a few minor health issues, such as cancer, a couple of heart attacks, obstructive sleep apneia, blood pressure issues and diabetes. Other than that and a few extra pounds I am the picture of health. I was just sorta sitting around waiting to die! Eight day after I quit I came across this site. Over a liitle time I realized that there was something very special going on here! I became a part of it! I met some of the most incredible people on the planet here. I learned more about myself and became a better person. On a daily basis I draw strength from the fact that I have made a difference in peoples lives. I have found a reason for living!! This site and some very special people here literally saved my life!! I can never give enough back! This is the home of what I call "Collateral Kindness". I try to remember that everytime we have a "family squabble".

My name is Tommy! I have been smoke free/ nicotine free for 176 days! Back home we call that " a damned good start "

[brenda61]

We are so glad you did join Tommy.

[geminigypsylady]

I'm 53 and I smoked for over 37 years starting around age 15.  When I quit I was smoking a pack and a half perday.  I've had allergies/asthma since childhood and of course smoking made them so much worse even though I denied the facts for most of my adult life. 

I was also a cocaine/meth user for almost 20 years I beat that addiction 6 years ago-on my own- and it took me this long to come to terms with smoking and while I suspected quitting would improve my general health it was the cost of cigarettes that gave me the final push to decide I would quit.  Once I quit I was amazed and inspired by the almost immediate improvements in my health. 

Making that decision was very hard becasue smoking was so much a part of my life and I have anxiety disorder so the fears were difficult to overcome but I did it!  I'm smoke free 131 days no slips and very happy I've beaten yet another addiction!

[gafan]

Tommy: That's more than a good start, that is an amazing beginning! And very kind words to everyone on the site. I know they have to feel the same way about you! Families are always going to have their squabbles. I am really proud of you, and happy belated birthday. We should have a birthday calendar on here so we know!

Geminigypsylady: That was a lot of name to type ;o) I bet quitting has really alleviated some of your anxiety symptoms. I know it has helped me in the only eight days I have been quit so far. It takes a lot of strength to face your addictions and confront them, find who you really are without them. I am very proud of you and I know you are going to be very successful in your quit. I understand about the money aspect also. Someone posted yesterday that in their home town of New York they pay 13 dollars a pack! That is insane!