My quit smoking date is the 16th Feb, bring it on :)

[G1BB0]

been to the quit smoking clinic tonight, got a script for champix which I will collect tomoz and start Wednesday morning, hopefully can finally kick the demon ciggies for good.

Anyone else in the process of quitting?
what worked for you?

 

[birdieman]

A mate of mine was a heavy smoker and he tried this and that to quit but couldn't. Eventually went for hypnotism and it worked brilliantly, he hasn't gone back to smoking since.
Worth a try I'd say.

 

[fundy]

gl G1bbo, cvurrently 14 mths since I had a ciggie here. The big difference for me was I wanted to quit and it was me that looked into it, in the past all the failed attempts had been when I had been coerced to give up or tried giving up for others.

I used patches but only for 6 weeks, ultimately whatever aids you get the main factor is going to be will power.

One thing that has stopped me going back is I put what I spent on ciggies into a jar each week and then use it to treat myself and/or missus every now and again. I was a heavy smoker (30 a day ish) so put £8 a day in and 14 mths later Ive saved over £3k, have been able to fund things I'd normally maybe wait longer for or go without

 

[GB72]

I have cut down dramatically since the new year. I am reading the Allen Carr self help book at the moment to help me give up the last few. Aim to have quit before the season starts.

 

[bobmac]

Me and Jan gave up 2 years ago next month and it's another vote for hypnotherapy.
Easy peasy
And as fundy said, it's great not burning money

 

[colint]

Not a smoker but good luck with it, just think of all the shiny new golf gear you could be buying with the cash !

 

[G1BB0]

yeah been there myself fundy, ex missus always moaned at me to stop but never really wanted to, now I am doing it for me, also doing the money in a jar as I want to join a club in the spring so extra motivation

a mate oif mine used hypnosis but I am too sceptical, tried patches etc but no good as I am a 40 a day man at the mo and felt they werent upto it (also wasnt 100% committed)

 

[CliveW]

I tried many times, unsuccessfully, by picking a "Start" date such as New Year's Day, etc. when I would give up smoking. What I finally did was to pick a date when I would no longer be a smoker and work towards that date. I decided that I was going to be a non-smoker by the time the smoking ban in Scotland came in to force as I didn't want to be told where I could or couldn't smoke. This also coincided with a major birthday.
With this in mind I started using patches about three months before the actual date so I would not be under any great pressure if I had any lapses. By the time the date came round I had smoked my last cigarette more than a month before. That was almost five yeras ago and I haven't touched one since as I know from previous attempts one cigarette is enough to get me started again.
I hope this helps you. Good luck!

 

[smange]

Good luck mate

I am off them 10 years on Feb 8th and never looked back.

I too read the Allen Carr book "The easy way to stop smoking" and it helped so much but the main thing is wanting to stop, if you not really 100% you will struggle as i did many times before i eventually stopped.

So if you have your head round it and are stopping for the right reasons you will get there. Stay strong and remember that there are so many bad things about smoking and not one good thing.

Good luck

 

[haplesshacker]

Good luck with it.

Remember your not an ex-smoker, you're a non-smoker!

I am weak, I have quit for a couple of months at most, but always seem to revert back, it's like a crutch to me. though at least it's on average only 5 to 10 a day, as oppossed to the 40 plus it was 20 years ago.

I'm trying to find 'another' addication that isn't as damaging to my health. But when I asked the Mrs if she'd be willing, I reckon my health was at more danger because her answer was NO!!

 

[G1BB0]

yeah I have that book aswell. The best thing is I am giving up because I want to. its not the money as I can afford to smoke (the extra spends will be nice all the same) its purely because I am sick of being a smoker and revolving some of what I do around having a cig (sad but very true)

thanks for the support and I will post my progress

 

[GB72]

I am OK in most places, even the pub. My real problem is going to be on the course and, more particularly, when I am stuck on the tee on a busy course. If I am held up I tend to sit back, enjoy the peace and have a cig.

 

[splashtryagain]

First post - hope ok to jump in!
I am on champix at the moment and it really seems to be working now two weeks fagless and getting over a cough from hell. Hope all goes well for you, the problem with champix is alcohol doesn't work either.

 

[richart]

One thing that has stopped me going back is I put what I spent on ciggies into a jar each week and then use it to treat myself and/or missus every now and again. I was a heavy smoker (30 a day ish) so put £8 a day in and 14 mths later Ive saved over £3k, have been able to fund things I'd normally maybe wait longer for or go without

Almost wish i was a smoker,then i could give up and save £3k a year.

 

[Driven2Distraction]

i'm with Fundy here..... you have to make sure that you're actually ready

I tried to minimise the importance of giving up - in previous attempts I'd turned it into such a huge deal that it became stressful - ended up I took it hour by hour to start, then mornings/afternoons/evenings "if i can just get through this next xxxxxxx"
i went down the "cold turkey" route, and I was hell to live with for a couple of months, but....

6 years now

best of luck matey

 

[haplesshacker]

i went down the "cold turkey" route, and I was hell to live with for a couple of months, but....

Last time, the wife actually told me to go and have a fag. I was that bad!

 

[Region3]

I've tried a few times in the past, best I've managed was 6 months.

About to try again but fear it's doomed to failure because I don't really want to.

Just be careful with the Champix. I presume you've been told of possible side effects by your Doctor? I have a friend who had a bit of a rough time using it. I'm sure it's a small percentage that have problems though.

I really wish you all the best with it though.

 

[Leftie]

About to try again but fear it's doomed to failure because I don't really want to.

Think about it.

Why don't you want to give it up?

No offence meant but do you really want to smell like an ashtray? Do you really want to run the increased risk of dying from several smoking related types of cancer? Do you really want to run the risk of not being able to walk more than a few steps through Emphysema?

Is it that the truth is that you don't want to give it up because everyone (including the ciggy manufacturers and the government) tell you how difficult it is so you are beaten before you start? Just remind yourself who makes a fortune out of smokers? Yep. The manufacturers and the government.

I may be completely off track but I wonder who supplies the nicotine that goes into the patches (to keep you addicted) and who recommends you use them?

It's not difficult. All you have to do is give up ONE cigarette - that's all. Just one. The next one.

Simples

 

[jonadams]

Gibbo Good luck mate. Fifteen years ago I didnt want to give up,but a visit to the doctors with a sore throught. You can guess the rest. Give it up whilst you have the choice. Sorry to be so dramatic. Perhaps if you spend more time in the pub enjoy yourself and not being able to smoke might be a good start

 

[viscount17]

I decided that I wanted to quit and just stopped, after 25 years of heavy (very) smoking!
You have to be selfish about this - you give up for your reasons, not because someone is nagging you.

It's only after you've been off them for a while, and your senses of taste and smell start to come back, that you realise just how bad it's been for the non-smokers around you. The day you leave a queue because you can't stand the smell you'll know you've cracked it.

and forget the 16th - you've around 4 hours on a golf course this Saturday - you'll have enough to keep your mind off them.