How Hard is it to Quit Smoking?
Without a doubt the hardest thing I ever did was to
Quit Smoking.
I started smoking when I was 16. I thought it made me
look older and much more mature
People always commented that I looked so angelic that
I didn't look like a smoker. I always snickered at that because
I was not only a smoker but I could drink like a fish and swear
like a sailor. I guess I still do 2 of those.
I had tried to quit a few times but I really didn't want to. I think that
is the key to quitting, "YOU" really have to want to quit. Your not doing
this for someone else you are doing it because "You" want to.
When I married my husband he really didn't want a smoker and I
always wanted a guy with hair on his chest. Neither of us got what we
wanted with that criteria. We were living in Dayton at the time and an ad
for "Smoker-Ender" came on the TV. They were offering a seminar about their
program to quit smoking. They encouraged us to bring our cigarettes and listen.
So I thought what the heck, it was my favorite word, "free".
As we all gathered and the meeting was underway there were some speakers
that told us about the program and how it worked. They said their job was not
to explain how bad cigarette smoking was for us we were all adults and we
should know that part.
Then a tiny gal got up to speak. I remember her being so bubbly and petite
but her message was very powerful. She told us about living in the country with 3
small children. A blinding blizzard snow was starting and the prediction was
that it would be a bad one. She checked the fridge and there was some milk, not much.
But it would do because she really didn't want to pack up the 3 kids and venture out
in that snow storm. The bread situation was about the same, not much but it would have
to do.
She then sat down to relax with a cup of tea and a cigarette.....
She then sat down to relax with a cup of tea and a cigarette.....
it was then that she realized that she only had a half a pack, and that was NOT
enough to get her through that blinding blizzard snow storm. So she bundled up
her 3 small children and drove through the snow storm for cigarettes. She didn't care
that the milk and the bread were low, but the thought of no cigarettes was to much.
Take a moment to form a picture of that situation in your mind.
The addiction to cigarettes being so strong that it would make a rational person
Take a moment to form a picture of that situation in your mind.
The addiction to cigarettes being so strong that it would make a rational person
(staying home with the kids in bad weather) to over powering them into thinking it
was necessary to brave the terrible blizzard with 3 small kids in tow.
After the meeting I found the tiny, petite, powerful storyteller. I shook her hand and
told her I was not going to be signing up for her program that she was offering.
I didn't need it, her story was enough to make me realize that nothing should have
so much control over me.
I never had another cigarette. I quit March 8, 1981. We always remember important
I never had another cigarette. I quit March 8, 1981. We always remember important
dates, don't we? I am not going to tell you it was easy because it was not. I couldn't imagine
being able to drive a car or speak on the phone without a cigarette in my hand.
But the hardest part was having a cocktail with no cigarette.
But you know what?
You really can do all of those things without a cigarette.
But you know what?
You really can do all of those things without a cigarette.
For many years I went in the local school system with the HOT (Hazards of Tobacco)
Program. An effort by our local cancer agency to help young people make healthy
Program. An effort by our local cancer agency to help young people make healthy
choices about tobacco. I always told that story. I know I could never make the presentation
as powerful as it was made to me, so many years ago. But I can hope that I played some
small part in helping some of those kids know the, Hazards of Tobacco.
14 people like it
Advertise on APSense
This advertising space is available.
Post Your Ad Here
Post Your Ad Here
Comments (19)
Earn Seven9
Internet Marketer
Nice info cindy..
I agree with you..because i'm smoker
Thanks
Cindy Bolley16
HHCTB?
Thanks FranRoe,
When YOU decide it is TIME.
I for one will be here pulling for you.
Never quit quitting!!
Cindy
Fran Roe7
Representative
I have smoked for 50yrs,Its not any easy task to quit.
This article give a way for someone who really wishes to quit.
thank you
Cindy Bolley16
HHCTB?
I am so pleased to read the stories of kicking the habit
Robert, It is a miracle that you are still here.
June your date was November 6th. I have been praying to give
your strength. I hope it went well.
Would love an update on your progress.
Never quit quitting is the Motto.
Cindy
Robert DelNero6
QUITTING SMOKING IS THE HARDEST THING I EVER HAD TO DO.
Let's face it... It's an addiction that is socially controversial. First I saw it as a way to be more mature looking and socially accepted by my peers. Then as time went on and I wanted to stop because it was making me feel like crap, I didn't know how or why.
In the teen years, it takes an earth shattering explanation to get them to realize what they are doing to themselves, let alone others that don't smoke.
I smoked from 14 yrs old to 3
Noemi Puskas7
Mechanical Engineer
I love your post, and congratulations for freeing yourself from the pressure.
The realization of being under control by SOMETHING - not even a person - is kind of scary, huh? :/
My dad was a smoker too. And he didn't go to therapy, didn't use any tools.... he too only decided to quit, and that was enough. He did it for his kids, and I'm grateful for that.
Jean DAndrea7
Retired
Hi Cindy,
Great post - I can relate to so many points in your story - starting smoking at
16 to look more mature, going to the shops in case I ran out of cigarettes,
and thinking I could give up anytime but not being able to!
The last straw for me was financial - it was the end of the tax year, and as usual,
the govt. was putting up the tax on tobacco. In a fit of bad temper, I said "I'm not
paying more for my cigarettes just to see it going up in smoke", and haven't
touched on
Wendy7
I agree not smoking is one of the hardest things to do
I know I am still smoking.
Have tried numerous times and failed miserably
Even made 3 weeks once and my hubby went out and me some Threw them at me and said here B*TCH smoke.
I did not smoke when I was pregnant Did that for the 1st child. Just plain made me ill
Soon as I had him I was right back at it again
Smoked thru Chemo etc
Some day my friend Some day I will make it
Wendy
Rebecca DeMain5
Great story. I am having a hard time quiting. But I know that one day I will put it down.
Penny Young8
Consultant
Good luck to you and your husband, June! You are doing a wonderful thing.
In Australia it is now illegal to sell cigarettes to anyone under 18 (which is also the legal drinking and voting age) or to buy cigarettes on behalf of anyone under 18. It is not illegal for kids to actually smoke, and kids will find a way, but at least it restricts them from getting hold them as easily as I did at 16. With so many of us starting when we were children, I hope these sort of laws will make a differenc
Cindy Bolley16
HHCTB?
The very best of Luck goes out to both you and your husband.
Please keep us posted on your progress.
Cindy
June Mac4
Hi Everyone, Yep its my time to quit too. This blog caught my attention because of it. I have smoked since the age of 12 and have tried to quit before but recently booked into the anti-smoking clinic for 6th November. This time I hope to succeed and My husband is for the first time ever .. going to try and give up too. Well done on your success and thanks for helping to motivate me even more
Wish me luck :)
June
Cindy Bolley16
HHCTB?
Penny, Congratulations on Kicking the habit and I do hope that your husband will join you in being smoke free. What a wonderful Christmas gift that would be to give himself .
And Claudia I do hope you and your husband Never Quit Quiting !!
I sold Cancer insurance for many many years so I see what long term effects smoking has on so many people.
And it is true what they say there is nothing worse than a reformed smoker.
and that would be me.
Chewing tobacco is just as bad which is somet
Claudia7
That's a good one... I think each smoker wanted to quit many times.
I stopped smoking for 7 years...... never in ths time there was not the wish in special situations to smoke a cigarette.
Than I have had a lot of stress, when I started to open my own business.
I have had all the seven years only smoking co-workers with me.
And I started again.. first one.... borrowed... tha 2 - 3 - 4...
and after 2 weeks I bought own pocket.
My advice .... if you got it..... don't touch even one... it's a
Penny Young8
Consultant
Cindy and Karen, I totally understand!
I wish I had never, ever smoked a cigarette. Quitting was really, really hard, and I still want one at least once a day even after four years without. My husband still smokes, so I never really get away from it. We never smoked inside, so at least our house is smoke free, but he insists on smoking in the car. He is not normally a selfish person, but like in your story, that is what smoking does to people. It controls you.
Your advice is spot
Cindy Bolley16
HHCTB?
I am very proud of you for your efforts on quitting smoking.
I think your coming up on your 1 year anniversary aren't you?
For those who have tried and tried...
Never quit quiting !!
Karen Weir9
Local Internet Advertising Consultant
I hear you Cindy. I have never been addicted to heroin, but I hear that tobacco addiction is even harder to overcome. It makes sense when you consider that cigarettes have been a accepted part of society. While it is not as readily acceptable anymore, it is still legal.
I have to agree with you too that YOU have to want it. And you have to want it bad. I don't know how many times I quit smoking thinking I wanted it bad... but I didn't want it bad enough to get through a stressful time, o