Quit Smoking Certificates at About.com Smoking Cessation
Once you've quit smoking, it's a boost to celebrate your progress as you reach significant milestones. Use the milestone certificate galleries here at About.com Smoking Cessation to commemorate your quit date, one or two year anniversary of the day you quit smoking.
Follow the instructions on the certificate page of your choice, and we'll mail you a customized .jpg image with your name and quit date - all free.
Living With Emphysema
According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, emphysema affects over 2 million Americans, the majority of whom are 50 years old and over.
Former Guide to About.com Smoking Cessation, Christine Rowley suffered from emphysema and wrote this poignant account of what it is like to live with this disease:
- Why You Don't Want Emphysema -- Christine's Story
Emphysema is a slow killer, progressing gradually over a period of many years. The damage done to the lungs with emphysema is irreversible, but if a person stops smoking early on in the disease, it may be possible to arrest further development and improve one's quality of life.
More:
Illustration courtesy of A.D.A.M.
After The Last Cigarette...
...The Benefits Begin!
It is never too late to quit smoking.
If you've smoked for a long time and worry that quitting won't make any difference for you, think again. The physical benefits begin within just 20 minutes, and continue on for years.
Quitting tobacco is a smart and loving choice for yourself, regardless of how long you've smoked.
After You Quit Smoking:
Photo © Stockxpert
A Message to Those Who "Can't" Quit Smoking - Walt's Story
A smoker for 50 years, About.com Smoking Cessation support forum member Walt was kind enough to share the story of how heart disease crept into his life and how it fueled his motivation to quit smoking.
Sadly, Walt eventually lost his battle with heart disease, but may well have prolonged his life by quitting when he did. Read his story and let it help you put smoking behind you sooner rather than later.
Smoking-Related Disease Personal Accounts:
Stroke - Paul's Story
Oral Cancer - Marlene's Story
Emphysema - Christine's Story
Image © Walt
Smoking Cessation and Stress
While smoking cessation will eventually reduce the amount of stress in your life, initially it creates a bit more.
The Stress of Quitting Tobacco
Physically, our bodies are reacting to the absence of the chemicals in the cigarettes we used to smoke. Emotionally, we are beginning the work of letting go ... and facing down the associations we've built up with smoking over the years.
Thankfully, the discomforts are all temporary. With some education and support, we all have what it takes to leave tobacco behind permanently.
More Reading:
Image © iStockphoto
Common Rationalizations for Smoking
When we quit smoking, our minds begin rationalizing almost immediately why we should have waited to quit....or why we should buy a pack and start again tomorrow....or why we should have just one cigarette. This is called junkie thinking, or rationalizing smoking. It is something that virtually all ex-smokers experience early on in smoking cessation, because it is a side effect of nicotine addiction.
Let's take a look at some of the more common excuses our minds conjure up and what we can do to overcome this phase of quitting tobacco so that we can move on to the freedom from addiction we're all looking for.
More Reading:
Image © iStockphoto
What are the Hazards of Cigar Smoking?
It's a common misconception that cigar smoking is less dangerous than cigarette smoking. The truth is, the toxins in cigar smoke are every bit as abundant and damaging as those in cigarette smoke.
All forms of tobacco have risks associated with them, and cigars are no different. Don't be fooled. There is no such thing as a risk-free tobacco product!
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Image: Photoxpert
Building a Smoke-Free Home
Laying a strong foundation for the smoke-free life we envision involves education, support, time, and most of all, patience.
About.com Smoking Cessation forum member Dee (Mc_Dee) shares how she built her smoke-free home during her journey to four years smoke-free.
Image © Dee
More Reading:
- Taking Back Control - Kevin's Story
- Don't Believe the Hype - Angela's Story
- Flying High at 5 Years Free - Sally's story
Four Steps to Beat the Urge to Smoke
Early cessation is a mine field of cravings and triggers to smoke. It can seem like they hit us at every turn, and the voice in the back of our minds works overtime to convince us it would be alright to smoke just one or just for tonight.
Navigating it successfully is a challenge for every newly quit ex-smoker. Regardless of how much we may want to quit, those first few weeks are intense.
You can tip the scales in your favor with some preparation. Learn what to expect from nicotine withdrawal and arm yourself with these four critical tools to manage the ups and downs. You can overcome the early obstacles and move on with confidence in the direction of the long-term freedom you're after.
More Reading:
- Nicotine Withdrawal -- Reader's Tips
The Ups and Downs of Smoking Cessation - Your Voices
Your Voices
There is nothing better for a person's motivation than hearing from those who have been there and done that. When it comes to breaking the addiction to nicotine, this holds doubly true.
Here are About.com Smoking Cessation we have a feature that allows all of you to share your experiences and advice about the journey quitting tobacco takes us on.
Hundreds of folks have weighed in on the questions below. Read their perspectives and please dd your insights too, if you're so inclined.
How Did You Manage Nicotine Withdrawal?
Improvements Since Quitting Tobacco?
Think You'll Always Miss Smoking?
Tips for Controlling Weight When We Quit
Image © Stockxpert