Many Last Straws
- All kind of caught up with me at once. Going for a new career at 52, got one license, studying for the second and being told by the instructor that most spas do not hire smokers. Called the most promising salon back and was told that I reeked of smoke, thus the reason I was not hired. After losing a 25 year job, struggling to go back to school and pass the state board exams....am I going to be stopped by a cig? NO WAY! I was sick of standing in my garage while my family was waiting on my return. My health is still OK, but I was seeing some changes that I did not like: breathing issues, teeth issues, bad skin! Not good for someone promoting great skin to others. 8 days smoke free and feeling stronger about it everyday!!!! Freedom date 12-13-10. Wish me luck & hope as this is not my first time quitting.
- —Skin_Lady
My New Nephew
- My husband has hated my smoking but never was a jerk about it. My brother and his wife are having a baby boy any day now, and I can't hold the baby if I smoke. That was the kick in the butt I needed. Then the other day when my husband has tears in his eyes when speaking of me quitting. I will never forget that.
- —Guest Aunt Angela
Good Changes
- Today is my 13th day of quitting. I am already feeling some changes in my body......it's not easy calling it quits, but it's the best thing that had ever happened to me. Everything about me has changed within these few days of my quit. Today is the 13th day of being smoke free. God bless those who contribute in creating this website for providing good information on the health risks of smoking, and guiding people on how to quit.
- —Guest Usman
Tired
- Tired of the filth, the stink, the expense, the fear that I was truly harming my health, the constant nagging cough, the shame, constantly feeling apologetic, the slavery... Just sick of the whole thing. I smoked for twenty-five years. Enough!! I quit for three weeks, blew it for a week, and jumped right back on. I've been free for ten days, now.
- —Crunchy.Frog
My Grandson
- My grandson asking me to please quit so that my"dirty lungs" would become clean and I could live longer. He asked me almost every time that I lit up if that was my last one. I went for laser treatments 16 days ago and haven't smoked since. I feel much better already. I know I will not go back to smoking. To me , the shame of the horrible addiction and the power it possessed was horrible. I am now smoke free.
- —Guest Nancy
Lung Issues
- My dad died at 69 from emphysema. My other siblings have all quit... unfortunately I am the runt and was born with lung issues but smoked anyway...the last few months I have been on Spiriva and had a bad cough. I am two months quit today.
- —lilac103
Smokers Made Me Mad!
- Every time I saw someone smoke it grossed me out -- how hypocritical, seeing that I smoked 20 cigarettes a day for 15 years. I'm now on day 6! Day 6 feels 100% better than day 5. I'm starting to feel in control. Plus, my 3 year old doesn't tell me I stink anymore.
- —Guest joe
Circulation
- The circulation in my legs was getting worse. My doctor said it is the cigarettes -- you must quit.
- —Guest Theresa
Grandson
- I keep my 2 yr old grandson a few days a week. I tapped my foot on the ground to get leaves out of my sandal and looked at him behind me. He was tapping his foot on the ground.
- —bspayne
Viewing my Future
- For any thing there comes a time when enough is enough. I had to quit, so what was I waiting for? Something bad to happen? There have been no medical problem for me, but that is simply good luck.
- —ajayatri
No Longer in Denial
- I always felt "invisible". I see others get sick and quickly force it out of my head, refusing to think that something bad can happen to me. Well I quit ignoring my problem. I'm almost finished with day 2 and doing quite well. I will not let this drug fool me into thinking I need a smoke, because I definitely do not NEED a cigarette! BTW I'm 30 and have smoked for 15 years! Yuck!
- —Guest joe
Smoking Increases Risk of Vasculitis
- Very painful, throbbing, swollen ankles for over a year...due to smoking! I had no idea -- thought I had lupus.
- —AmyBrickley
Just Did Not Want to Smoke Anymore
- I had smoked through 3 pregnancies, and all the time I have heard people tell me to quit, My dad always said when it is time you will know it. You will quit when ready. I remember one morning waking up, lighting a smoke and realizing I just did not want to smoke anymore. It did not feel right. But with me being bipolar and a parent of 3 children I was scared, I only bought 1 pack that day. smoked it and at the end of the week I went out of town to my parent's house leaving my husband with the 3 kids. My psychiatrist put me on Wellbutrin and said if I still smoked 2 weeks from that day he would put me on the nicotine patch. I can't say I had any last straw that made me quit. Cigarettes still tasted good, but they were more expensive in Maryland then Virginia, and I just did not want to smoke anymore. I started tracking each cigarette I smoked to understand why I was smoking. Most of them were because I was bored. It was time to stop.
- —Guest Catherine
I No Longer Want to Inhale Raid
- I had many reasons to quit, but one day when I was researching nicotine I learned that Nicotine is created by the tobacco plant to defend against insects. I then googled tobacco and insecticide and saw all kinds of ways people make insect killer from tobacco, such as leaving cigarette butts in a glass of water for a few days, then using the deadly mixture to kill insects. So I decided that the next time I needed to smoke, I would roll up a piece of paper, spray it all over with Raid insect killer, stick it in the tailpipe of my running car to get the carbon dioxide, then add a few drop of formaldehyde, and light it up and enjoy. Sure, it's been uncomfortable at times not smoking, but not as uncomfortable as now knowing exactly what I'd have to smoke. I haven't smoked one cigarette since
- —Guest Ken
For Once, Vanity Was a Good Thing!
- All the good reasons to quit had been swirling around my head for quite some time. Then, my skin got terrible (a dramatic case of adult acne all of a sudden) and I was furious. A friend suggested I quit smoking for a week to see if it would help. From my research, there probably was no direct correlation between these things but I am now happily at three-months smoke-free and my skin is back to blemish-free.
- —Guest danzle
