One year ago, today

[bluescribbler]

When I woke up that morning, I had one cigarette left in the pack. I smoked that cigarette at about 9:00 and decided not to go to the store for another pack. I still have not bought any more cigarettes, nor have I smoked any cigarettes. I still get tempted now and then, but I continue to decide not to buy cigarettes. I don't take credit for this; all credit goes to a counsellor at the VA named Ariel, a drug called Chantix, and Susan's love. One year smoke free!!

[niyad]

1. Congratulations!

[mountain grammy]

2. It's the best thing I ever did for myself

Quitting smoking cigarettes! A to you! Keep up the good work.

[Prairie_Seagull]

3. I think this was a George Carlin line.

"I know how easy it is to quit smoking, I've done it a thousand times."

Congrats bluescribbler.

No 1001 for you.

[Pinback]

23. Great quip with a complicated lineage

https://quoteinvestigator.com/2012/09/19/easy-quit-smoking/

[Prairie_Seagull]

27. Outstanding, thank you.

[calimary]

77. Most interesting!

I’ve never seen link before. Looks like something so absorbing that you could get completely lost in it.

[California Kid]

47. Mark Twain

It's a quote by Mark Twain

[Xavier Breath]

4. Congrats.

I've never smoked, but I've always heard that once someone does and then quits, their senses of taste and smell improve considerably. I'm curious if that has that been your experience? Are there any other beneficial changes you've noticed?

[Blue_Roses]

5. Awesome! Way to go!!

While I've never been a smoker, I can see how hard it is to give up. My dad smoked for years and finally gave it up, but he still was diagnosed with emphysema. He lived 20 years after being diagnosed, but the damage had been done. Still, quitting, gave him more time to be around for us!!

I don't know you, but I'm so proud of you!!

[Bengus81]

31. Similar story here. My dad stopped smoking after about 50 years in 1990 and lived another 19 years.....

Like you say...the damage is done none the less. He ended up with lung cancer that metastasized to his spine but he lived to be almost 85. Him stopping added at least 10 years to his life.

[usaf-vet]

38. Two points about smoking. The first has always generated an unanswered question in my mind. The second was my.......

.... the story of quitting.

Point one...Question: Where and when did you start smoking? I can tell you the exact day, almost to the hour: October 25-26, 1965, sometime (sunrise) on the early morning of my first full day in USAF boot camp. A bunch of strangers stood outside what turned out to be a WW II two-floor military barracks. Where our new "angry" drill sergeant is asking who would like to be on the first floor? A bunch of hands went up. Not mine (I remembered the warning I heard from my dad and uncles NEVER VOLUNTEER). The DI then said you "idiots" are on the second floor. The next question was, who smokes? Up went the hands. The DI then said, "Idiots," get two 15-minute smoke breaks a day OUTSIDE; the rest stay in the barracks and polish boots, etc. During the first break that day, I was outside getting ready to light up my first-ever cigarette.
So the question how many smokers or former smokers start smoking during military boot camp? I think it will be lots.

Point two... I also remember the exact day I stopped smoking and never looked back. April 21, 1973. My son was born that day; he is now 51 years old. I'm now 77 and ticking, so I'm guessing it was a great time to quit.

[bluescribbler]

55. I was thirteen when I started smoking.

I also Stopped and started again a few times over the years.

[canetoad]

63. One event that I remember with absolute clarity

Was, at the age of 16, doing my first 'proper' inhalation of the smoke. I was hooked from that moment.

[Blue_Roses]

74. My dad was in the Army during

WWII and he often said that they all smoked. He said it helped them survive. I can understand that.

[wendyb-NC]

6. Great job, Congratulations

Keep on keeping on.

[sinkingfeeling]

7. Congratulations. I'm starting year 16, tobacco free.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

19. I've read that 25 years smoke free is as good as never-smoked for the body. . . . . nt

[Native]

39. i would like to believe that

[canetoad]

64. Yeah, I've read that too

Something to look forward to!

[soldierant]

72. I'm closing in on fifty years smoke free

(I'm only 2 years short of that now) and that might be the cse if i didn't have other respiratory allergies. Unfortunately, I do, and I have no idea to what extent smoking may have intensified them or even caused some of them.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

75. You are a great role model on this! My mother quit smoking in her 40s and died in her 90s.

My father quit smoking in his 40s and died over 80.

[OldSWODog]

8. congratz

coming up on three years now...still addicted to nicotene (pieces of lozenges) but still not smoking...whatever works!...keep up the good fight, bluescribbler...cheers, OSD

[littlemissmartypants]

9. Well done...

Ariel, Chantix, Susan's love and YOU, bluescribbler! Those are great accomplishments all around. It's so wonderful to be loved and loveable.

Stay encouraged.





❤️

[yellerpup]

10. Good work!

You will not be sorry you made this decision. I did after 50 years and I couldn't be happier.

[surfered]

11. Congratulations! I tried quitting once or twice,

But finally quit on my 40th birthday. I feel so much better and cannot stand the smell of cigarette smoke.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

17. I have read most successful quitters failed at least once before. Anyone can quit

Try all the methods! If none work at the first try, pick the one you think you will be most likely and then resolve to make it work this time. Prepare by convincing yourself emotionally that you have really decided to really quit.

Then quit that way.

Anyone can quit by screwing down enough resolve and then doing it by method of choice. Paraphrasing Obama: "Yes you can!"

[SpankMe]

12. Congratulations. Even with the meds, this takes will power.

I thank you on behalf of your lungs.

[et tu]

13. super!

keep believing in yourself~

[Bernardo de La Paz]

20. Yes, believing in yourself is key. Positive outlook can be learned and is self-sustaining. . . . nt

[MadLinguist]

14. Yaye Ariel!

So glad you had VA access and connected with the right person to support you throughout

[LittleGirl]

15. Congratulations!

I struggle daily with the nicotine withdrawals. I give in to them sometimes but regret it immediately. I cannot control my addiction to nicotine and the joy I had in taking a break to have a smoke. I smoked for over 35 years non stop but I quit again last week.

[Native]

42. I lost count of the number of times I tried to quit and the number of methods...

I even tried hypnotism, and I think I took every stop smoking class that was offered where I lived or worked. It wasn't until they came out with patches that I finally achieved my goal. This was over 30 years ago, and if if it weren't for the patches, I'd probably still be smoking today. I never liked smoking, never got any enjoyment out of it, but I couldn't stop.

[LittleGirl]

56. The smell! That's what keeps me away

I never knew how smoker’s smell is in everything you own until I quit.
I have a bionic sense of smell despite my history. It repels me most of all.

[Native]

57. I'm the same way.

[2naSalit]

16. Congratulations!!

You've done yourself and your health a great service by making that decision!

For me it's been 42 years.

[Hope22]

18. Awesome accomplishment!

Thanks for sharing!😁💗

[Trueblue Texan]

21. CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

I KNOW what a big deal it is! I quit 35 years ago and to this day, it was one of the hardest things I ever did. The 2nd year is easier, but temptations still nag even after a decade...but if you made it through the first year, and you remain committed, you'll do fine. Just don't let the addiction sneak up on you and convince you just one cig won't hurt. I still dream of smoking every now and then, but that first year was full of those kinds of dreams.

[bluescribbler]

30. For the record, I do not claim to have quit smoking.

I say that I am not smoking. I have "quit" before, only to succumb to temptation. I simply don't trust myself to remain smoke-free without determined effort to decide not to smoke. Hell, I didn't even smoke a cigar when my favorite team won the NBA title last spring.

[peggysue2]

22. Congrats!

Your lungs and overall health will thank you. As for the cravings? They last for awhile but slowly fade.

Quitting is hard but in the end? So worth it.

I remember how stinky cigarette smoke smelled after I quit. I'd never noticed that before. But wow, we're talking gag city particularly if you're inside with dedicated smokers. The odor is nasty and lingers on clothing, hair, everything. Who knew?

Best wishes.

[surfered]

24. Congratulations! I tried quitting once or twice,

But finally quit on my 40th birthday. I feel so much better and cannot stand the smell of cigarette smoke.

[wysimdnwyg]

25. Congrats!

Smoked for 12 years (plus six where I “dabbled), been quit for 24. I still get the urge for the physical parts, but it’s easy to say no once I smell it on someone else.

[murielm99]

26. Good for you!

I quit a little over three years ago. I made many attempts. The longest was ten months.

I am over the hump now. There are occasional temptations, but I resist them. You will resist them, too.

Keep checking in with us!

[OLDMDDEM]

28. That's great. Keep up the good work.

[judesedit]

29. Congrats! Stay determined. Best thing you could do for your health and wallet

I quit June 1st, 1980. 10 am I had my last cigarette. Didn't take long to feel 15 years younger. Black licorice helped take the edge off. Kind of tastes like nicotine lol.

Hang in there. You're worth it. 👏👍

[Bengus81]

32. CONGRATS!! Question for baby boomers...How many of you NEVER smoked because of your parents smoking?

Myself,my brother and seven cousins...ALL of us never smoked a day in our lives because our parents did all the smoking for us. I was born in 1953. The BULLSHIT and LIES perpetrated in ads by those cigarette companies (in the 30's---60's) in my parents days were criminal.

[TBF]

37. I'm Gen X and had no desire because my mother

was such a heavy smoker. In the end she got COPD, and I wouldn't wish that on anyone.

Not that there aren't other vices - alcohol, even too much sugar, etc. can be nearly as bad for your health. And I agree on the lies, marketing, trade groups. My mother had this idea that if smoking was so unsafe the government wouldn't allow it. I think by the time she aged and got more ill she understood the deception.

[JT45242]

33. Congrats...

My mom quit like that when the price of cigarettes went up. She then put the money she had been spending on cigarettes into a fund to fix stuff up on her house...new appliances, deck, stuff like that. She did that for the last 15 years of her life.

Hope you can keep it up.

[livetohike]

34. Congratulations! n/t

[MustLoveBeagles]

35. Congratulations

I know from personal experience how hard it is to quit. 3 1/2 years smoke free.

[OldBaldy1701E]

36. Congrats.

I quit tobacco (excepting the very rare cigar) about ten years ago. I will say one thing that I always remember a good friend telling me when I complimented him on being smoke free for five years. He smiled and nodded. A friend then said, "Do you ever want one?"

My friend grabbed the table edges and leaned right in towards the other person's face and savagely whispered, "Every. Fucking. Day."

Stay strong. I am pretty much over it now and don't even want one when I am having a drink, which was when I used to go full 'chimney'. Good on you for stopping.

[a kennedy]

40. Good for you, and continued success......I quit 5-2-2005. Was gonna be retiring in 2006

and I didn’t want to waste my retirement $$$ on smokes……so I quit. Hardest thing I ever did. I had Wellbutrin to help me, and I swear if I didn’t have that I wouldn’t have been able to quit. So my smokeless friend, welcome to the smoke free world.

[BlueKentuckyGirl]

41. Congratulations!

I quit smoking 38 years ago from an 18 year addiction. It was probably the hardest thing I ever did.

[Lonestarblue]

43. That's great. Hang in there.

[Figarosmom]

44. 15 years

And I did it pretty much by myself. But it was only because I had a really bad
bought of flu for a couple weeks where I couldn't smoke and the had no wish to. So when I got better I just never bought any more. Congrats on your achievement and take the credit. I've known people with all the help who still didn't quit. So fortitude and desire is the biggest part of making it.

[pandr32]

45. Good for you!

I quit when I found I was pregnant with my first child. I was surprised how it wove into my dreams sometimes. I would dream I succumbed to the lure and lit a cigarette, was disgusted with myself, and then woke up only to be relieved it had all been a dream.
May you continue to be a none smoker!

[bluescribbler]

58. Dreams!

I used to dream that I'd lost a lit cigarette in bed. And I never smoked in bed. I never even smoked in the bedroom.

[rurallib]

46. That is one BIG Step! Keep it up. Now - two words DEEP BREATHS!

When I quit we didn't have anything to salve the cravings.
A guy on a radio show said about 10 deep breaths when you have a craving and the craving goes away. Worked for me!

And you can do them anywhere, anytime. They can't stop you from breathing.

Keep us informed and Congratulations!

[Clouds Passing]

48. WooHoo

[piddyprints]

49. Congratulations!

This means a lot to me personally since my brother died from lung cancer in 2009, just 4 months after I helped him quit. He would be so happy and proud of you. His little kitty, now 21 years old, is sitting on my lap watching me type this.

It's such a victory to quit! Keep up the good work! Post every anniversary, even half and quarter years!

[C OH Dem]

50. I quit 42 years ago,

I now cannot stand the smell of cigarettes but the smell of a good cigar have almost made me slip!

[applegrove]

51. Chantix worked for me too. I thank my older brother

for in a non judgemental way telling me it was time to quit as I hit 40. I remembered that when I quit at 43. I owe him big time.

[underpants]

52. Congratulations

[senseandsensibility]

53. Congrats!

What health benefits have you noticed from not smoking? I'm not and have never been a smoker, but I did drink socially until about 3 years ago. I thought I would see a lot of health benefits, but I didn't. Even so, I have maintained it because I know in the long run it's for the best.

[markie]

54. YES!

[Griefbird]

59. Good job.

I smoked for ten years and quit for 25.

[ailsagirl]

60. That's great!!!

Good job-- congratulations!!!

[beaglelover]

61. Congratulations!

[canetoad]

62. Well done bluescribbler

For me it was October 2020 but I didn't note the date so it's four years ago this month. After fifty years of being a slave to nicotine, I can say it's truly over.

My sincere and hearty congratulations on this feat. You will never look back.

[Tribetime]

65. Great for you

[HeartsCanHope]

66. Good for you! Congratulations on being smoke free!

[BHDem53]

67. 03/14/1982 for me. Cold turkey.

[Andy Canuck]

68. That's awesome!!

Well done.

[Cirsium]

69. Well done

I quit the day Trump came down the escalator and never looked back.

[Tikki]

70. Congratulations...

I availed for myself of every feature that was set up to help me quit.

Higher priced cigarettes, no places to smoke in public, no more lectures
from my Doctor, my two grandchildren never remembering
me as a smoker, my husband ecstatically happy, never smoking in the car or house....
I could go on and on.
I quit 20 years ago.
The days go on, on, on..you just don't smoke... you are a non-smoker.
Works for me...works for you.

Tikki

[evolves]

71. Congratulations!

That is quite an accomplishment!

[gay texan]

73. It gets easier

Good job!!!

[calimary]

76. That's Absolutely TERRIFIC!!!

True, you had help(ers), but you were the one in the driver’s seat. CONGRATULATIONS!!!