Benefits on a Timeline
Smoking is detrimental to your health. It is responsible for hundreds of thousands of death each year, and the health consequences of smoking are vast and quite serious. Luckily, there are many health benefits to quitting smoking; benefits that can be identified minutes after you drop that last cigarette!
The Quit Smoking Timeline below let’s you preview the health benefits and money savings of quitting smoking. It is important to understand that your body can heal and your health will improve. And let’s not forgot about the financial benefit of saving lots of money.
| Time | Your Health Benefits | Savings * |
|
 |
20 Minutes |
Within 20 minutes of smoking your last cigarette, your body begins to sigh with relief. This is because your blood pressure immediately begins to drop, along with your pulse rate. The temperature in your hands and feet begins to increase because your body’s circulatory system is working better now, so if you are a smoker with perpetually cold hands and feet, you should begin to notice the health benefits of quitting smoking quite quickly. |
|
|
8-12 Hours |
Within a few hours of quitting smoking, your blood is feeling the effects. Levels of carbon monoxide in your blood are dropping and wonderful oxygen is taking its place. Soon your blood stream will be considered normal. You may find that even taking a deep breath is easier. |
$1.50 |
|
24 Hours |
With a day of quitting smoking, your heart and lungs have already begun repairing themselves. Can you feel them thanking you already? |
$3 |
|
48 Hours |
Within two days of quitting smoking, your sense of smell is getting better, and you may notice that you can smell and taste better than when you were smoking. It may be time to stop and smell the roses! |
$6 |
|
2 Weeks to 3 Months |
Within a couple weeks of quitting, your lungs are now working better, and you may notice that a casual stroll is easier and you don’t breathe as hard when you are exercising. In addition, the phlegm you typically produce as a result of smoking is decreasing, thereby decreasing your need to cough so much. |
$42 – $270 |
|
1 to 9 Months |
Have you noticed by now that your yellow teeth are fading, your hair and your clothes don’t smell, and the yellow stains on your fingers are gone? Have you also noticed that your home and car no longer smell of cigarettes, and that your breath is much fresher? Welcome to the world of non-smokers! |
$30 – $810 |
|
1 Year |
After just one year of kicking the habit your risk of coronary heart disease has dropped to half that of a smoker! Your heart is really thanking you for your choices now! |
$1,095 |
|
More than 5 Years |
As each year passes, your risk of stroke is decreasing, and will continue to do so for many years. |
$5,475 and up |
|
After 10 Years |
After 10 years of quitting, your risk of lung cancer has dropped to half that of smokers. In addition, your rate of developing cancer of the mouth, the throat, the esophagus, the pancreas, the kidneys and the bladder has also decreased. |
$10,950 and up |
|
After 15 Years |
After 15 years of putting out your last cigarette, your risk of coronary heart disease is the same as people who never smoked! Your risk of dying in general is also that of a non-smoker. |
$16,425 and up |
Congratulations on doing something great for your long-term health! There are many benefits to quitting smoking, and your good health is certainly the number-one benefit.
(*) The savings calculation assumes that you smoke 1/2 pack a day at a cost of $6 per pack of tobacco cigarettes!
What to do next
Consider different methods of quitting tobacco cigarettes including electronic cigarettes which have dramatically increased in popularity since 2000. With e-cigarettes you continue to take in nicotine but you quit tobacco and tar. The product has received many positive reviews and testimonials.
To learn more visit this electronic cigarette review website with valuable consumer reviews and guidance.
An electronic cigarette is a battery powered smoking device delivering nicotine by vaporizing a solution into mist/vapor. Unlike other tobacco alternatives you do continue the actual physical experience of smoking.
Electronic cigarettes consist of a battery, an atomizer (also known as vaporizer), and a cartridge/cartomizer holding the nicotine solution.
When drawing on the device you inhale flavored vapor enriched with nicotine and the LED on the tip of it lights up to simulate a glow.
I am on day 3, I quit cold turkey. My husband has not quit yet and the smell makes me gag. I quit for my kids, so I could live longer and not have them think I am weak and stupid. I had smoked off/on, mostly on, for 34 years.
Becca congratulations on ur day 3 it is a very torturous day in ur ist Hell week but will improve as u enter ur 2nd week of being smoke free.
every day being smoke free is a mile stone u have achived, the 1st week is critical just keep the faith and good luck.
I had over a week under my belt and HERE I AM AGAIN having to go through it again. Horrible addiction. I can feel it in my chest and it’s scary.
Paul: if you quit for a week, you can quit for another week. I am amazed at the difference between how hard I thought it would be to not smoke and how doable it is. I hope you have a good motivation such as saving money, playing sports, pleasing a spouse etc.
Paul that u tried again means u want to be smoke free, hang in there, week 2 is normally better but can be as bad as week 1 no 2 people are the same, this is a very dangerous week the habit is fighting for its survival and u are going to kick it right out the park. what i found very soothing was a cold glass of milk it took that crave right out my mouth.
what u can feel in ur chest are ur lungs coming alive again they feel slightly on Fire and ur head spinning u are drunk on oxygen, u have missed this normality and ur body has to get used to it. keep plenty loo rolls handy nasal drip and coughing out the rubbish shd be about now its normal.
two hard sets of tennis on Wednesday, basketball on Sat. and tennis again on Sunday. No coughing fits. Now I just have to lose 35 lbs and I’ll be out of control. Good luck to all quitters. Get some motivation! $$$/breathing/children/wife/freedom
I quit for my sons sake, and then for the sake of my health and family.
I am in week 2 and the cravings aren’t as bad as i thought they would be. i am going to make it this time i know it.
I am trying to quit also.I had my last smoke Friday at 4:00 and doing pretty good. I am not going to say I don’t crave one after I eat or with a cup of coffee but then I think of all the reasons not to! Good luck to you all. I bought one of those new Njoy electronic Cig. I use it when I feel like I need a smoke, but I don’t sit and hold it and keep puffing on it I take one puff and put it away!
i had quit for 1 year..but then i defaulted then smoked for 1 year again.. restarting the quit today again..lets hope for the best
A few years back I quit for almost three years, using a nicotine patch in their ten week program. It worked great. But then one day, I saw a friend’s long butt he’d left in the ashtray outside. I thought, I wonder what it tastes like now. And one isn’t going to hurt. WRONG! Pretty soon it was two, and before long I was smoking again. I quit again 36 days ago, The lesson learned is nicotine is no different than heroin or any other harmful drug, and “just one” is not, and I repeat, not an option. For those who want to quit but going cold turkey is too hard, I strongly recommend the patch program. The Nicoderm patch is as much if not more than smoking. But what is your life worth? But another brand is the Walgreen patch, which works just as well and is at least a third cheaper. Either choice, it certainly made quitting a lot easier for me. Good luck!
I’m over a week into quitting, and it’s going surprisingly well. I’m using a generic brand patch (since Nicoderm is so expensive), and it has totally eliminated any cravings I might have had. There has been 0 anxiety, restlessness, cough, insomnia, or anything else. I’ve been able to walk by people smoking and not a single thought goes through my head about wanting to pick up another cigarette. It’s so relieving.
The only thing I’m concerned about is when I take off the patch after my 3-6 month period is over. Will I get the withdrawals then? Or will things be easy as freaking pie, like they are now? I really don’t want to have gone for so long without smoking, only to relapse because I had replaced one form of nicotine for another and then freak out once its gone.
On the plus side, my sense of smell and taste have amply improved in the last 8 days. Foods I thought were okay tasting when I was a smoker are now like gourmet delicacies. I find myself savoring every last bite of something as simple as a bagel with cream cheese. It’s kind of funny really.
Also, my ability to breathe is extraordinary. Before, when I would take a breath, I would always feel the last tendrils of smoke swirling around in my lungs and thus breathing was sometimes difficult and a bit awkward. Now, I can take a full breath and it feels unburdened and natural. I still can hold my breath for longer than a couple seconds, the result being extreme dizziness and burning sensations, but that will be improved with time.
Anyway, I’m glad I quit smoking and I never want to pick up another cancer stick again till the day I take my last breath.
I am 36 hours smoke free, after 32 years of smoking. I had no plans to quit, I just had enough. I’ll be honest, I feel like crap! I’m lethargic, cranky and just want to go back to bed! I can do this, I just need to hang in there. Best of luck to all that are trying to quit, keep up the good work!!!!
Karen
36 hours is good. Go to bed. That’s what i did. Actually i went for walks as well. And jumped up and down and walked up and down flights of stairs…. getting to bed smoke free is a big victory IMHO. The crankiness –for me it was snappiness– was manageable. I made a joke of it and my wife and children played along and helped.
You know, mugg, you are an exceptional motivator. I have tried quitting smoking a number of times and fail and fail and fail. I tried posting on this website the last time I tried to quit, thinking “oh good, I can get some help.” Not a single person ever offered any assistance or motivation to any of my posts. So I feel like “why bother posting anymore? You are a kind person. And I am failing again as I write this…
Don’t know why, but yesterday was very difficult. Felt like smoking pretty the whole day. That kind of came out of nowhere — previous days had been pretty OK. Oh well. Stayed strong, even at friend’s house when he offered me a cigarette. Stood on the porch with him while he smoked…. not easy.
Going on 12 hours of quitting smoking today.. it was easy at work to not think about it but now that im home its really hard because people smoke in the house. I kind of just want to see if they will smoke somewhere else.. anyone else get cold sweets? I keep going from burning up to freezing cold. I feel so gross. I almost yelled at a little old lady today cause she touched me.. like just tapped me on the shoulder.. im not used to being this irritable. doesn’t help that my 4 year old nephew lives me too and is getting on my nerves like crazy.
It gets worse before it gets better but read some of the comments here and you will get the gist of why it’s worth it to keep trying. Good luck!
i am posting from another board it may help u very good post
I started this incredible journey exactly 10 weeks ago today.
I find quite interesting that there was a different state of mind in each week of my 10 weeks quit venture, and I’d like to share them with QSMB.
Please excuse the dull writing and all the errors, I don’t have any writer skills as the many QSMB members here (for sure I need to keep my day job).
Week 1: Stumbling.
I started my quit unplanned due to being sick in bed for a few days after my last puff at 5pm on Dec. 29, 2012.
After getting better and being out of cigarette, I thought I might as well started another quit (again) and see how far I can go.
I browsed the net looking for quitting info, I found and joined QSMB. Little that I know at that point that this was the key to my quitting success.
Stumbling into week 2.
Week 2: Cravings.
This was the hardest week for me, fighting against the constant cravings all the time was very exhausting.
I thought about smoking from the moment I wake up in the morning until bed time, I had to a lot of crazy things like changing my routines, taking longer detours to work to avoid smoking spots, (literally) buried my Zippo, etc. to minimize the many triggers.
During this week I received tremendous support from the board, the many good advices and uplifting encouragements were the key factors that really helped me to get through the heck week.
Dragging myself into week 3.
Week 3: Urges.
It’s hard to explain, they were not actual physical cravings, they were more of mental urges but somehow I found them stronger than the physical cravings.
This was a strange week with the random strong urges attacked out of no where, near fatal a few times, I drove to the store a couple of times during this week to get cigarettes, I sat in the parking lot for several minutes, but at the end I managed to restrain myself and drove away without buying cigarettes. Dangerous week, watch for it Newbies.
Crawling into week 4.
Week 4: Hesitation.
This was the week of battling between junkie and logical thinking.
At this stage, on 1 hand, I felt I was happy that I could be on my way to a permanent quit, and on the other hand the junkie thinking kept coming back strong about the enjoyment of having a cigarette. I kept having to re-read the many quitting materials again and again to overcome the junkie thinking.
Battling myself to get into week 5.
Week 5: Challenged.
I can’t recall of having actual physical cravings from week 5 on. But there were still the mental urges popping up now and then, but not quite as strong as the previous weeks.
This week however was exiciting for me and a lot of other QSMB Newbies as we were entering the first Roll-call of the New Year’s Quitter Challenge (Thanks to the Sarge). This challenge was a great boost to strengthen the Quit.
Got on the challenge to get to week 6.
Week 6: Settling.
The Quit seemed to be settling in during this week: the urges were very seldom, and just a flash of a moment, the logical side was gaining a lot of momentum this week over the junkie thinking. Started to be able to sleep again, previous weeks were extremely difficult to fall asleep.
Cruised into week 7.
Week 7: Calm.
Not much thought about smoking, my body seemed to be shifting into a new mode, I believe this was the week of major turn where the junkie thinking and the mental urges were few and brief.
Breezed into week 8.
Week 8: Serenity.
Some of the days in this week, smoking was never in my mind. I suspect that having such a busy schedule at work and at home combined with body being cleaned of nicotine took my mind off smoking completely. For the first time that I truly felt like being a non-smoker.
Flashed through week 8 into week 9
Week 9: Confident.
I started to feel confident with my quit during this week. I was able to join my smoking friends with their smokes without any urges, I no longer have any desire to smoke, I started to feel the freedom.
Confidently marched to week 10
Week 10: Reflection.
Being confident about my quit, I started to reflect on my smoking life and my quit smoking journey a lot.
At first, I felt disappointed with myself that I’ve let it (smoking) dragged on for 30 years, I regret that I could have and should have quit a long time ago.
However, as I slowly recall my quit journey, I realized that I could not be where I am today without QSMB.
I owe my quit QSMB as I can almost be certain that I would have relapsed had I not found QSMB.
My quit journal can now be ended permanently as I am confident that I no longer need to keep track of it. I now close this chapter in my life, and I will start a new chapter as a non-smoker.
Thank you QSMB and thank you all of you wonderful members of this board, you are the reason for my successful Quit and I am forever appreciate it.
Not One Puff Ever
Don
this is a great board i belong to 2 i just thought my last copy and paste describes exactly what i am going thru and gives me the resolution that better times are ahead. this posting is from Don not me.
enjoy ur Sunday from a Sunny Durban South Africa and we are about to make a lovely braii cheers bernard
On day 70 and STILL battling. This is getting ridiculous and I’m just tired of the fight at this point. I want a friggin’ cigarette!!! But I also want to run a marathon someday and to see my future grandchildren grow up. And I want to live more than I want to smoke…most of the time. Lol
For today, I keep fighting. Who knows about tomorrow. : /
I am 9 days aways from a year and this morning was actually kind of tough. I really thought about getting some tobacco for a little while. But I made it, you can too I was so hooked before if could do it anyone can!
I don’t know if I have the right to post here anymore. I only gave up smoking for Lent. I had smoked about a pack a day for 15 years. I didn’t want to quit but I did want to give it up for Lent since it was easily the most difficult thing to do. My goal is to control my smoking. I have never tried quitting before and have discovered a lot myself. Quitting is a lot more doable than I thought.
Mugg have u already started smoking yet?
if not, try sticking it out a bit longer can only do ur body good.
if u have smoked again maybe next time u come back to the Board it will be for a quit.
anyone who tries to beat the addiction to Nicotine which is as bad as any banned criminilized drug has a right to be heard.
many people relapse i do not think their is one Nicotine addict that was able to quit on the 1st attempt and they are all welcome.
post anytime u want ….We might get u back.
cheers
I smoked on Sunday. One cigarette yesterday.
ok u have a choice.
no more, or carry on lightly.
5 to 6 a day which is still smoking.
some people can control it but 99.99% cannot they become full blown again within a day 1 to 3 packs a day.
.
u make ur choice, this Board is here to support u and u are part of the Board u post here, when u try to quit.
it will not condemn u.
it sure wants u back as a Non Smoker.
enjoy, Night time in Africa so i am leaving the factory.
cheers
On day 31 cold turkey. All it took was a 3 day visit to the ICU, heart palpitations. I never want to go back I was surrounded by COPD and cancer patients. We all can quit just find your reason. It gets easier day 31 and all desires are gone. Good luck
Day 11 for me and I’ve had a headache for 2 days and think about smoking ALL DAY LONG!! I think the mental part is stronger than the physical part for me! I’m not craving, because I physically don’t feel well, but the mental part of it is tearing me apart! How do I block out the thoughts…they are ALWAYS there!!
physical activity works very well for me. I walk up and down flights of stairs. Kind of mindless but does the trick.
Sean this does happen Nicotine is as addictive and probably more so then Heroine with the amount we put into our body, u can get over Grass easier and yes Heart Palpitations are not common but happen plenty times Grass is banned Tobacco is legal what a mess up. nothing against grass tried it in the 70″s been there not for me.
hang in ur doing well.
Amy par for the course but u are getting there day 30 or so is the real test of how it will affect u and please hang in we are ur friends and will support u in this quit. post as often as u want and feel even about ur Dog it is important.
Sean and Amy congratulations on ur posting it means ur trying.
again it is getting dark near 7 pm in Africa our Autumn is well under way .
cheers and may the Force be with U.
take the negative thoughts and replace them with peaceful, and,or calm (positive) thoughts immediately. Keep doing this, in time, you will see yourself doing this automatically.
Mugg nice that u are back stay with the board u might try to quit again????
Off to Pretoria tomorrow what a waste for a 1 hour meeting 1 hour hour each way but i hope a smoker is not sitting next to me i will smell it.
Yak Yak Yak
It has been 24 hours since i had my last puff. I was a regular smoker since the last 7 years smoking more than 20 a day. These 24 hrs have been crazy, i am not able to sleep, i am not able to concentrate. I gave a presentation at work today and my speech seemed blurred to many… I ran to the medic around lunch time and got a pack of Nicorrete chewing gum and had it all the day and controlled my urge to smoke somehow. By reading experiences on this board, i have gained some confidence that I can also quit. Thanks for the help guys.
with professional stuff, i found that it was better to give people a heads-up that I might be a little erratic since I was not smoking. I find people are WITHOUT EXCEPTION very supportive and understanding. It doesn’t last forever. I was pretty wired for three days, at least.
I am 50 years old and have smoked for the last 32 years. I enjoyed smoking and never really thought I’d quit. Who wants to be a quitter, right! Well, after my third upper respitory infection in 7 weeks, my doctor told me it was time to stop. I felt so bad that I agreed. The week I was so sick, I didn’t crave them, heck I could hardly breath, I just kept dreaming of someone pulling lungs out of a fish tank and telling me, “look at the lung on the left, the pink one, is a healthy lung, the one on the right, the black one, is YOUR lung”. I just kept seeing this in my dreams. Well I’m on day 17 and still smoke free and feel so much better already. Thankgully my husband is trying to quit as well. I think of my children shocking me with all the crap they did over the years and finally I have SHOCKED my children by quitting smoking….what a joyous moment…
It’s me again, going on day 18, smoke free, so proud of myself. If you are trying to stop, try the electronic ones like “smoke smart” or check out Dr. Oz’s page on quitting. Good luck and never give up, even if you slip up, kkep trying, I know I will.
Day 6 today and this SUCKS!!! I cannot breathe ironically enough! Throat is itchy and dry, hard to swallow. Chest is tight and heavy feels like I’m gasping for air! But oddly enough I feel great! Proud of myself so far! I just had my 29th birthday in Feb and realized I had been smoking a pack a day since I was 14, over half my life! Enough is enough, I knew it. My wife and I want to have a baby and I want to feel alive again. Smoking was killing me. The longest, slowest, most expensive form of suicide there is and I hadn’t planned on killing myself. But it hasn’t been easy so far. I’m hot, I’m cold. I’m cranky, I have a headache, I just want to hide in bed. Even writing this I want a cigarette so badly! But I will not! I work construction so everyone smokes it seems and makes it that much harder. But I will not! I have found that being physically active helps immensely. I have dusted off the old elliptical and find it so invigorating to use. Walking the dogs has already become more enjoyable. I am generally excited about the process for the first time, this is my 5th time trying to quit. It will be THE time. Please wish me luck and help me through this. I am counting on this forum to put a light to the dark. Thanks in advance everyone! Cheers, Bennett
I’m experiencing that delicious chest tightness right now. I like to think of the crud that had built up inside my lungs now working its way out through “productive” coughing. Every cough makes the breathing better. And then when you hit that elliptical hard and induce major coughing fit? Very gratifying. Just to think of all that sticky black crap getting dislodged and expectorated. Love it.
I’m on my 6th day also,not bothered too much,I’m with you let’s keep it up!
i think more people need to hear that quitting is more intimidating than anything. The positives outweigh the negatives, although there is something to be said for a nice cup of coffee and a smoke after dinner….
i have been smoke free for 2 years. its was hard but the best thing i have ever done so far. now i have a superhero sense of smell
.
I am so glad to have found this forum. I am on day 3 and definitely struggling. I am a single mother and my 5 year old daughter tells me every day she’s scared I’m going to die. I smoked for 17 years and I have to quit this for myself and my daughter’s future.
Thanks to everyone for all the encouraging words.
that’s a long time. i alternate between thinking of $$ saved, life saved, and improvement of life, breathing, etc. Funnily enough, the long-term health benefits are the one which motivates me the least. Whatever.
Keep going you can do it, just tell myself that oh that’s right I don’t do that anymore & that so far satisfys my brain!
I havent smoked since 10:15 p.m. wed…… i am sooooo irritable i know it will be worth it but DAMN…. , i work with the public so that is making it worse., but what i have noticed is NO ONE is talking abt the OTHER side effects. since i have quit, i havent taken a bowel movement. Maybe no one is talking about it cause its not pleasant but its real. my stomach is killing me b.c. of it.. im staying strong cause i have a 5k i want to run in june but it is so hard and im hoping my husband can do it too.
I hadn’t thought about that but yeah coffee and a dip definitely got the bowels going.
Maybe try some caffeine and/or some colace (over the counter stool softener).
Good luck!
that was all messed up. i guess i didn’t pay too much attention because I was so intent on not smoking. Also, one changes one’s diet when the cigarettes go.
It’s one battle at a time: morning coffee, commute, go to gas station and staying by the car (i.e., not going in to buy cigs), after supper, before going to bed, at the bar, during the stroll i take at lunch…. It’s easier to win each of these individual battles than to think about defeating smoking completely.
i ate a lot more to make up for the physical habit of it all. Between that and the migraine meds I was taking I put on some weight! Well worth it though. One year later and I am just starting on the weight battle again.
Im on w.w. So im hoping as.long as i continue with that ill be okay so far ive been pretty good but i didgo buy an electric cigarette cause i had a drink and once i start drinking i smoke heavy so instead of wanting a real one im only going to use the electric plus im training for a 5k (one of the reasons i quit)so that will help i hope for weight
20hrs off the ciggs now! Spent way too many extra hours in bed this morning (till this afternoon 1pm) avoiding my first coffee. Ended up having tea and a sandwich instead. Eventually I had my first ever cigarette free coffee an hour ago, and it didn’t go as bad as I had feared, so I might actually have a beer tonight after all! It did help to change the routine a bit, but I can’t do that every day I guess… So i’ll just have to toughen up and remind myself that these cravings will pass! I think its helpful to consider it as just always saying no to the next one…
That’s pretty funny. think of the $$$ saved on 2 pks/day. You slept in to avoid the temptation? I wouldn’t worry about it. I went to bed super early — nothing else to do!! but it got better fairly quickly. First three days require constant vigilance and doing whatever it takes, even staying in bed all day!
Age 29 / smoking 30 – 40 a day for 13 years / recently roll up ciggs only
wow you should quit while you still have the choice. Obviously you are thinking about it if you are visiting us.
Quit smoking now on day 9…… Using Champix and it works great. Smoked since I was 12 and now in 35 anywhere from 10 to 15 to a pack… Have a beautiful son who’s 6 and want to live a long life so I can be there for him, I also started to go boxing back at the gym….. Want to be healthy I also quit drinking and mostly any and all caffeine products, and started to eat properly and healthy…… I can smell and taste so much better, I’m just experiencing crazy vivid dreams from the Champix. Tried many times and I feel that this is it….. Thanks. And good luck to all of you your all worth it and life is a gift and it’s wonderful……..!!!!!!!!
Kaka
Kaka? Stay active. You can break the back of it. Enjoy the positive side effects and the money saving!
That’s an inspiring story you have.
I believe that thoughts becomes things. I thought about and visualized what quitting smoking would be like. I did not these several weeks until I felt I was mentally prepared for this journey. I am in my seven day and the cravings are pretty bad. However, when they occur I “think” about what it is like to not smoke. I get a calm over my body and the craving goes ways. I have tried quitting many times but this time I will be successful.
Awesome keep it up! I tried just about everything available and finally quit cold turkey too, when I was truly mentally ready to quit. The cravings went on for some time ( and still do on occasion ) but were no match for my determination!
I JUST WANT TO SAY IF YOU QUIT SMOKING YOU ARE AMAZING! GIVING UP SMOKING IS A GIFT, A LIVE SAVER AND WE ARE THE ONLY ONES WHO CAN DO IT! I SUPPORT EVERYONE OF YOU! IM ON DAY SIX!! WE DESERVE TO LIVE, BREATHE AND SMELL AND TASTE AND LOOK FRESH AND SMELL FRESH, WE ARE NOT SLAVES TO DIRTY GROSS CIGARETTES ANYMORE! TAKE YOUR LIFE BACK! YOU WILL THEN BE A WINNER AND SHOULD FEEL SO PROUD, FEEL THE LOVE FOR YOURSELF THAT YOU DESERVE, EVERYONE DESERVES TO LIVE AND BE FREE AND HAPPY AND HEALTHY – I PROMISE IF EVERYDAY YOU WALK, HIKE, BIKE AND DRINK WATER HAVE LOTS OF HEALTHY SNACKS, YOU’LL GET THRO IT FAST! CRY, LAUGH, SCREAM.. JUST DO IT!! 3 WEEKS LATER IT WILL ALL BE COOL
PEACE N LOVE!!!!!
You are awesome for writing that, dv – and you’re right – we DO deserve the best in life (which cigarettes rob us of). I am starting over again today for the millionth time after 38 years of smoking – I’m tired of smoking and I’m tired of trusting the Devil over trusting God. Prayers, prayers, prayer…
I am glad I stumbled on this website and intend to be diligent in reading, using and adding to it. I know that by writing this down allows me some bit of accountability….or so I hope
I had quit smoking…for probably only the 2nd real try in my 25 year addiction this past December 12th and broke down last weekend. I had been successful with Nicoderm…..yet same time in the program I broke down the last time…unfortunately….right when I was just about done with step 3. I did find success with Chantrix and need to go that route again and get to a doctor but do know that it is the emotions and as many of you write about the mental cravings. Truly speaking to this being an addiction and something I must deal with in other ways. I don’t want to take medications or patches the rest of my life but at this time can’t see myself without that cigarette in hand. Truth be told….I can feel it when the patch is not on and I don’t have that nicotine running through me that I feel anxious, nervous and sometimes just bored and uncomfortable with my life in so many other ways. I believe I am just finally acknowledging that to be the case. I have been a closet smoker much of my ‘career’ at it so it is very difficult to seek the support from others….many don’t know I smoke. So…I welcome myself and look forward to gaining support and giving in return.
Maybe don’t look at the relapse from the negative side. Rather, you have shown that you can give it up for three months. Start a new streak. A team can have a long winning streak, and then lose a game. After losing, that team doesn’t say, “Ok, now we’re going to lose every game.” (Sports analogies help me.)
I was a closet dipper for twenty or so years and I tried just about everything too, except e cigs. Keep trying! I finally quit cold turkey but I knew from some bodily sensations I was having that I had t quit while I still could. I really don’t want to die that way you know, I just watched a family die from smoking a few years ago and it was eye opening. Quit while you still can.
first question….e cigs…so many options out there….most effective one? any advice appreciated
I’ve been taking chantix for almost a week now and have had a smoke in two days. Do have to admit reading these things makes my craving increase. Its not gonna beat me though. I have quit smoking before and I’m gonna do it again!! If you know someone who wants to quit tell them to try chantix. It really works!!
Hello fellow sufferers.
I am 72 years old and I have smoked since the nuns at school said I mustn’t.
I was forced to cut way back on my smoking mainly because I no longer had the lung power to draw on a cigarette.
I started by cutting way back on my two plus packs a day. Then I progressed to going longer and longer between cigarettes. None of this is serious quitting. Just a stupid lie that one tells oneself.
Finally I progressed to the point where I was really asking myself if I really wanted that smoke. Amazingly the answer was often a resounding NO.
I had been five and a half weeks smoke free. I was so proud. Cranky, light headed, much more than cranky, homicidal even, but smoke free.
About an hour ago a friend dropped in. She sat at my kitchen table and took out a cigarette and her lighter. Then she decided to go to the bathroom. I walked past the table. There was a cigarette and a lighter. So I stuck the darned thing into my mouth and I lit it. I didn’t want it. I didn’t even make a concious decission to smoke it. It was an automatic response. That is the right and natural thing to do with a cigarette and a lighter, right?
So, here I go again. An hour ago I was a five and a half week quitter. Now I am back to being a smoker who hasn’t had a fix for an hour or so.
I will persevere. A weak slob that falls off the wagon every five and a half weeks is still better than a two and a half pack a day addict. Maybe next time I can go a full six weeks before stupidity sets in.
Fight the good fight.
That’s a funny post. The nuns would have advised you to avoid the near occasion of sin. Five and half weeks is a long time. Did you experience any of the positive side effects? Or was it mostly homicidal crankiness?
I never planned to quit smoking until I had a wellness check and the Dr. ordered a chest x-ray. They found a pulmonary nodule and scheduled a chest CT. This literally scared my husband and I to death. We quit cold turkey 10 days ago and my chest CT found nothing additional. Each day I crave the cigarette but each morning when I wake up I thank God that I got through another day without one. I was not ready to leave my family, I am only 52 years old. My husband also quit cold. He has had issues with high blood pressure. I now know we are on a better path.
Day one, me and my mom are quitting together, I’m pack and a half a day 30 years old, she is a three pack a day 51 years old. Using ecig and gum, going ok for now. Reading these posts is a good motivation!!! I never could believe I was a smoker, when my mom would smoke in the car when I was a kid I couldn’t stand it, and here I am smoking away. Really wanna kick this nasty, unhealthy habit.
Day 1. F****** hell, I’m dying to grab a cigarette but I’m not going to. Thank you for this website, I think it helps. I’ve smoked for 11 years now and I’m only 26
. I’ve quited twice ( 3 months the first time 2 years ago and 5 weeks I quitted last year ) . I remember my father begging me to stop smoking 
. Now I wish he had kicked my ass, maybe that way I wouldn’t have started smoking in the first place.
Hey there i just wanted to say how much i admire u all for trying to quit, i am struggling myself two weeks ago i was able to stop fro a week then smoked another pack one day then stopped 4 days then now been smoking again since two days, i hate it but what triggers me is stress once i feel stressed out i get so weak, i was wondering for all those who made it past the first weeks, how long does it take to get rid of smokers breath, could it go away in 3-4 weeks? thanks
I’m at day 2 and I have to admit that it’s better than yesterday. Last night I was soooo lucky, I knew I have 1 cigarettes somewhere between my books but I just couldn’t find it last night. Today in the morning I threw it. 48 hours and counting.
Sara about the smokers breath it goes away after the first 24 hours ( at least in my case ), and when you get stressed just go out, walk, eat something, drink water or something, get a gum. Personally I don’t recommend any nicotine gums, afterall I’m trying to quit because nicotine made me addicted so I don’t want to switch a nicotine for another.
Sara hang in there and just throw the damn thing away.
Day 8….. Well night 7 really as its 2am here in the UK. 2 hours sleep in nearly 3 days, I can’t keep still and is a good job I live alone as I’m liable to kill someone.
I’ve been ok until the last couple of days. Cravings intense but they go as I know it’s a matter of ‘it will pass’ but this non sleeping business is killing me! Any tips?
I’m 40 and my mum has been diagnosed with COPD, I don’t want to see her die early but she won’t quit so im doing it to prove to her its doable plus I don’t want to die early either; I’ve far too much living to do yet!
Reading your posts help.
Cheryl
Hi Cheryl, DONT TAKE ANY SLEEPING PILLS, not a good combination with lack of nicotine (at least that’s what I hear, try some physical activities, walking,jogging,gym etc.I hope it helps.
I’m 22 and have been a pack a dayer since I started smoking at 14. I’m got married June 3 2012, and my husband is a non smoker and hates that I smoke. Ive been trying to quit for the last 3 weeks, unfortunately my timer had to be reset a number of times. I currently have 20 minutes under my belt. I need help. anything and everything is appreciated. please.
It is hard but if you are seriously wanting to quit, then perhaps use patches. I find the patches have helped me. Also, keep busy. I found once I identified what my triggers were I then could manage my cravings better. Also you have to re-train your mind/thoughts. When you say I have to have a smoke. Stop. Use affirmations: I realase the need to smoke. Stop the junie thinking! Remember cravings last 3 – 5 minutes. So breathe in, breathe out. Get up and go drink water (start washing all the toxins out of your body). Be persistant and you will be successful. Get rid of lighers, smokes, ashtrays and start washing everything to get the smell out of the car, house, etc. Also think of all the health benefits. When you want to buy smokes, put that money in a jar and after a month you will be surprised how much you have saved, then go buy something for yourself. Treat yourself.
I can’t think of any better way to quit
Angie91 try chantix. It has hepled me quit 3 times. I know it sounds horrible to say 3 times but I live with a smoker and that makes it a little harder to stay off. But on the good side, taking chantix and living with a smoker still helped me quit. You live with a non smoker so it should be easier for you. I’ve been smoke free for a little over a week now.
Go to your nearest bookstore and buy the book: Allen CARR’S easy way to stop smoking… This guy has helped over 10million ppl quit.. He helps you achieve a different frame of mind in regards to quitting.. Amazing!!
I smoked for 24 yrs. 2-3 packs a day. I have had it! I look at the money I’ve wasted and think about my family & how I no longer stink like smoke. Makes my wife happy. I am only on day six but w/ all the urges I think about the $$,family, and how much better I feel. I was going to take meds but I decided to go Cold Turkey. They say 95% of people can’t smoking w/out meds. I want to be in the 5% & I will!
You can do it Dan! I quit a little over 5 months ago and I feel so much better. My home, clothes and car smell better too. I didn’t use any meds I just put them down. It was not easy but it can be done. I was like you, just tired of dishing all that money out, felling bad all the time, no energy. I felt like I was working very hard to make money and then spending on cigs that were killing me. It sounds like you were in the same place I was when I quit. You have to just make up your mind and do it. I know its not that easy but it is doable. Good luck!!!
21 days! E cig is the way to go.
Which e-cig? The 1 I bought tastes sweet and gives me a headache
I had my last cigarette 32hrs ago I did invest in a vapor cigarette but it tastes nothing like the real thing and really doesnt do anything 4 me so I only use it when I drink or I’m really wanting 2 smoke I find myself thinking about it constantly but I would rather reap the benefits of being a non-smoker than dealing with the consequences of being a smoker I hope and pray for everyone’s success 2 kick this horrible habit I know I have a long uphill battle ahead of me but I’m trying 2 stay positive and constantly think of the benefits and the positive change that in a short time will happen in my life
Good luck everyone
God bless
Hey JMO –
I’m right there with you, I am just starting out on yet another attempt at quitting myself. Let’s not look at it as an uphill battle (we’ll try not to give it so much power) – let’s look at it as a grand opportunity for a new life! Some folks don’t get the chance, so let’s take it and run with it.
I, myself, am trying to take it one hour at a time…one day at a time is too big of a chunk for me to digest right now!
Prayers to you and congratulations to everyone for one more smoke-free day…
Hello, I’m on day 18 without a cigarette, and day 13 without nicotine (I used the patch for the first 5 days but then decided to “go for real”).
I still have mental cravings that usually come when expected (e.g. after eating), but sometimes out of nowhere. Looking through the messages I would hope that in another 1-3 weeks the cravings will be mostly gone and gone for good.
I’m 48 years old and have smoked since I’m 17. I always enjoyed it, I really did, but I feel my body is aging and not able to fight the poisoning as well as it used to. Also, I’m looking for a new job so I figured besides all the health benefits I didn’t want to stink like smoke when interviewing. Whiter teeth is another long term benefit. Last but not least, quitting will save me about $300 a year.
I really need to watch out not to substitute smoking with eating. I caught myself several times munching away on corn chips and other junk food to fight the cravings. Trying to replace that with chewing gum and walking (at lot lately!).
I really hope to pull this through!
Sorry, I meant to say “$300/month” – $3,600 a year!
Braincells are still not fully grown back after 18 days
Ok been smoking for many years this is day 8. I have stopped about 5x before this smoked over two packs a day 1st time did acupuncture stopped for 1 year /2nd time got pregnant stopped for three years /last year I stopped for about 8 weeks and it was really hard, smoking was all I thought about I did the e-cig I think for me it was harder because it was like smoking but not the same as the real thing. Each time I started again it was always oh just one you can have it your strong you can stop again you deserve it next thing I know I would be smoking 2+packs within days .This time I am taking chantrix it has made it much easier for me of course I still think about it crave it want it miss it smoking was a part of my life for over 30+ years I stop take a deep breath, take a walk ,remind myself this will pass.Each day I wake up proud of myself that I have made it another day if my cravings get bad I remind myself why I am quitting health, I want to live ,people I love My daughter is graduating from college this year and her whole life she has begged me to stop and told me how afraid she was that she would lose me because I smoked ,the money I will save ,not feeling like a low life on the street in the middle of winter dirty looks from people walking by. I will feel better ,smell better, be a little richer as time goes by be healthier. How happy I will be to accomplish this ,how happy my daughter will be ! GOOD LUCK ,to all those trying if first you don’t succeed try try again even if your just reading this and thinking about it there is HOPE .Go for it one day at a time pray for strength take deep breaths and remind yourself this moment and craving shall pass and remember why you want to quit look up the benefits to quitting and keep reading till it passes what ever you have to do.I also keep salad makings washed and ready to eat .GOOD LUCK
PS Also keep sugar free hard candy on hand.
Been 18 days three days ago I found three packs of Marlborough reds and just threw them out still have craving and thoughts and dreams that I smoke in but really happy I have made it this far
Last night, I found breathing hard when I was laying in bed and was coughing and hearing noises from my lungs that scared the crap out of me. This morning I had one cigarette. It was the last in my pack. I put on a patch and have kept repeating to myself ‘You don’t want one’ and ‘Think of last night’.
Its been 6 hours and I haven’t had one so far (not long but still). Also I have not told anyone as I want to try and do this in my own time without pressure. If I fall of the wagon I will pick myself up again and give it another shot.
Was just googling to see how long nicotine stays in the system and found this page. Thought I might write on it. I have been drinking lots of water and trying to focus on work.
Good Luck everyone!!!
P.S. I have quit for a year previously so I know I can do it.
Good luck Laura one day at a time, I read that a craving last about three minutes at the most so just get pass those and you give yourself a gift of a healthy smoke free longer life.I am on day 10 smoke free . Everyone is different but each day gets bettter and I am happy to have gotten this far.
GOOD LUCK
That’s great. It’s scary and intimidating but then it’s very gratifying when you realize you have broken the back of the addiction. Good luck to you. It’s a good idea to keep it to yourself, too. I like when people notice without being told, instead of being told and then probably thinking that you’re fooling yourself.
Hi guys,
. Now a lot has changed, I do everyday at least 40-50 km, I know it’s not any big deal but for me it is.
more than 1 month has gone since I smoked the last cigarette ( which I hope will be the very last forever ) and I feel great. This website is a motivation and helped me sooo much. Last year I wasn’t going for cycling with my friends because once I tried it and I was left behind and arrived home like 1.5 hours later than them
Once again, thank you everyone for sharing your experiences here, every little one helped me a lot.
I’ll keep writing.
Great job an inspiration for us all.I have found this page very helpful as well keep up the good work
I highly recommend Alan Carr’s book, “Easy Way to Stop Smoking”. He takes every justification, thought process and denial a smoker has and logically explains how to get over it. I was amazed how much easier things get when you have the right mental outlook.