Readers Respond: Our Reasons to Quit Smoking

Responses: 116

For me, it was an increasing inability to breathe properly. I was experiencing early symptoms of COPD, and 45 years old, that scared me badly. I knew the condition would only worsen unless I found a way to quit smoking.

What Was Your Last Straw?

Laryngitis

Woke up and had no voice. Still not smoking 9 days later, but my junkie thinking is overwhelming. I'm stressing! Almost have my voice back but not quite!

—MissyStamp

I Don't Want a Smoking-Related Disease

I knew that I'd end up having a chronic disease and would have to give up eventually, so why postpone the inevitable. My uncle, who smoked two packs a day, died of brain cancer. It's not 100 percent certain it was smoking-related, but I believe even if the smoking was not the main cause, it must have had a huge role in that disease. He worked abroad and I barely knew him. Sometimes my father tells me memories of him and what a great person he was. I was 16 when he passed away and I started smoking when I was 17. I am not counting the days, so I cannot tell exactly how long it has been since I quit smoking cold turkey, but know it was before mid-July, so I can say that I've been smoke-free for three and a half months now. I feel a lot more healthy and I notice lately that my teeth are whiter now. I am just so proud of myself because of my determination and no one, not my friends, not my family gave me support. Only About.com kept my motivation going. Thank you all for that.

—emre.

It Was Time!

I had smoked for over 40 years. Every time I caught a cold it would turn into bronchitis. In 2008, I had two bad cases of bronchitis and could not get my breath. I was finally ready to accept that I was an addict and cannot have just one. On September 21, 2008, I had my last puff and not had a single puff since.

—Guest Guest Karin

My Daughters

It's been exactly one month and two days since I stopped smoking. I have three daughters who are growing and I do not ever want them to know that I smoke. It was also affecting me very badly; breathing was difficult. I had to leave my kids all the time to steal a puff and was always fuzzy. I am using nicotine lozenges but sometimes can do without. I hope never ever to smoke again. Sometimes I see someone light up and I wish it was me; sometimes I see someone light up and wonder why they are doing it. I never thought I would last a day without cigarettes. I keep on reading encouraging words from ex-smokers and it gives me motivation.

—Guest jackylee

Smoking Affected Exercising

I smoked as a teen and young adult. Did not smoke again until I was 46 and going through a divorce. My running buddy was a smoker and I figured, what the heck, I'll have a cigarette with you. BIG MISTAKE!! I was hooked almost instantly. Took me four years to finally kick the habit. My primary motivation...smoking was limiting my ability to train hard in the gym. Since quitting I have resumed jogging which I can do now without becoming winded.

—Guest mrsleonmckee

Stroke at 32

Being reminded by a usually very jovial and light-hearted friend, while I was "enjoying" a sickarette at a party, of another friend of ours who had a stroke at 32 and is now wheel chair bound, in part due to smoking.

—Guest mdemore

A New Relationship

I met someone really nice who made me consider all my other failed relationships. No matter how much I though I'd loved someone it was never enough to make me quit loving cigarettes more. So I tested my love for this lady by quitting unasked and immediately - cold turkey. She made quitting feel good!

—Guest kallanjames

So Much Money

My final straw: in Maryland, a carton has gone up to $60.00. At a pack and a half a day, I was spending $63.00 per week on cigarettes. I began thinking of all I could do with that amount of money. It was hard, but at 4 months smoke-free, it is wonderful now. I am able to start redecorating my home with all the money I have saved.

—Guest nonosmoke

Sickness and Feeling Left Out

I had quit for 7 months and then picked up the bad habit again. During the 4 months I smoked, I got very sick twice. I've had enough of the bad smell, the cost and being an outcast!

—nrm1055

Not One Reason...

I don't have one reason for quitting. I have several! Maybe that's why I feel like it's so easy this time and know deep down I can make it! So here they are in no particular order: My 12-year old daughter afraid I will die; Price increases; General health (and lack thereof); Afraid of getting really sick; Less places to smoke; Smell on me and clothes; Reading the stories here; Being able to walk hand-in-hand with my reunited (ater 23 years) sole mate when we get old....er!!

—Guest Vic_tory4me

Reality and Dangers of Smoking

A few of my friends died from lung cancer and another one has it now as well. He's alive, but for how long? My customer at work has such a hard time breathing. Every breath she takes is a fierce struggle. I want to feel better, breathe better, sound better, smell better, and get all the benefits there are to not smoking any more. So my last straw was reality, truth and danger. Plus, I know there are hundreds of other benefits of giving them up.

—jesra

My Kids Want to Smoke Like Me

My last straw was when my kids (6 and 4) were watching me smoke a cigarette through the patio door. They wanted to have a cigarette just like me!!!! That made me want to quit. I am on my 4th day!

—Guest Brigitte

Lung Cancer

My father in law was diagnosed with lung cancer. I haven't smoked long but I too feel embarrassed to NEED to smoke. It's a waste of money and I need to stop!!

—Guest heatherlynn820

Money was a Big Motivator

A pack of cigarettes here runs nearly $9.00/pack. When I took an early retirement on July 31, 2009, I told myself I would quit smoking, as I didn't want my husband to be supporting my bad habit. It took me about a month and one week to wean myself off. Another reason for quitting: I was coughing so badly...every single morning. I told myself it was allergies, but knew it was the cigarettes.

—luvmylab2009

I Don't Want to Risk My Life Anymore!

I am 28 and have been smoking for the past 5 years @10 cigs a day. I never made a serious quitting attempt, but now and then I was able to refrain from cigarettes for a couple of weeks due to unavoidable situations. Many times I cursed myself for starting to smoke again and was jealous of my cousins/friends who never smoked. Lately I have been playing tennis a lot, and I was shocked to see that my fitness and endurance level is worse than 40 year old guys. I got vexed noticing wrinkles on my forehead and stained teeth. So one fine day I was watching some videos on youtube showing smokers lungs and non smokers lungs. That day I watched many anti-smoking videos and read a lot on quitting cold turkey. I decided to quit the cold turkey way and announced the same to my colleagues and friends. The first three days, I did struggle a lot watching my friends and colleagues smoking, but every time I had an urge, I would watch/read benefits of quitting. I have been smoke free for 10 days now!

—Guest Raj Reddy