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6. Hi all. I quit smoking November 1, 2009. I have COPD and was coughing so much. I always smoked outside, and on November 1, 2009 I had a coughing spasm like no other before. I was fighting for my breath and unable to do anything, like I was suddenly paralized. My husband was inside only a short distance away, but I couldn't call for him or help myself. Finally, I was able to take a breath and then another. I really believed I was going to die there without anyone to even know I was in trouble. I came to a decision then and there. I am a strong-willed person (bullheaded, my husband would say), and I was not going to let a stupid smelly cigarette win and control my life and my death. After all, how much coughing could I do until my breath did not come back. Have I been tempted to smoke again? A few times, especially when we go to play the slots. Have I weakened.....no way. I am stronger than a smelly cigarette.

I have known people who quit smoking after more than thirty years of filling their lungs with carcinogens. If they can do it anyone can.

3. I am from the UK. I was prescribed a medication by my doctor. Little wary of all the bad reviews when I started taking it after having a history of slight depression. However, apart from the vivid dreams (quite interesting), the nausea when I take the tablets (only lasts 30 mins after), the indigestion which only started today but may well be the effects of a bottle of wine last night, and the hunger feeling, I am totally fine and have been smoke free for 8 days now. I am 23 and smoked for 9 years. Realizing it was 9 years was the big shock. Never thought of it before now. I am extremely proud of myself. Only downside, I can see myself being one of these smokers who quit, and then loathe smokers ! lol, hope not, just strange smell on other people who smoke now that I don’t. Suppose thats 9 years of being oblivious to how vile the smell of me was! lol Good luck all

Today is my one year of not smoking. I quit cold turkey and it really wasn't that bad. I had been thinking and praying about it for a long time. One night I was going to have my husband buy me some on the way home from work and then I thought, "Are you going to stop or not?" I stopped and haven't looked back. I love not smelling of smoke. If you quit long enough, you'll find out that it does smell horrible. Your clothes, house and car. It's sort of embarrassing now to realize that I smelled that bad to other people. I took it one day at a time and thought about my health and how much money I was saving. I smoked 2 1/2 packs a day when I quit and had smoked for 42 years. If I can do it, I know anyone can!

2. I was a smoker for 6 years and have been a non smoker now for just 5 days, but I feel GREAT. I quit by reading a great book. It is an awesome book. You feel so empowered. The author smoked 4 packs of cigarettes a day and quit! He has been helping people quit for 25 years! And no patches, gum pills or anything, just your mind to tell you that it is bad and quitting is good! I think his concepts would be helpful for people to quit eating junk food if you’re trying to lose weight too. Thank you for the opportunity to share my story. :)

1. I'm 43 years old. I stole my first cigarette from my mother's pack when I was only 9 years old. I didn't do it because I was a bad girl or because I wanted to rebel. I did it because I loved my mother and I wanted to be a woman just like her. My father didn't smoke, but my mother did, so I made the connection that women should smoke and if I wanted to be a woman, then I needed to smoke like a woman. I kept my smoking a secret for the next two years. My parents were very upset when they found out and they did everything they could to get me to quit, but by then the addiction had a serious hold on me. For my 12th birthday, my parents gave me a leather cigarette case and their permission to smoke openly. I've been smoking like a woman ever since to the tune of 3 packs a day. I married a non-smoking man who would later graduate from seminary and become a Baptist minister. How many times have I heard people say behind my back, "That's the pastor's wife. She smokes." My husband and I had two children and I smoked through both pregnancies the way my mother did when she had me and my brother. I enjoyed smoking, but that's not to say it wasn't painful, but I smoked through the pain because my addiction pulled me through the pain. Last week I got a call from my daughter's school saying that they were suspending her for 7 days because they caught her smoking in the bathroom. My daughter is only 13 years old! She's beautiful, smart, and funny, and she loves the lord, but she's also a smoker. My husband and I had no idea she'd been sneaking cigarettes for more than two years. I sat with my daughter and my son in church on Sunday and listened to my husband's sermon. I had a pack of cigarettes in my purse and so did my daughter. My daughter and I promised each other that we'd quit come Monday and Monday is here. We had a cigarette together before she went to school. I haven't had one since and I hope she hasn't either. The withdrawal pain hurts so bad. I hope my daughter is doing better than I am. But more than that, I hope when she gets home from school today, we can both say we haven't had a cigarette.

I have been smoke free for 17 days...it is amazing how much a small little thing can have such control over somebody's body and mind...It has been a tough journey from cravings...anxiety...depression and crying, but just the will-power and strength you can gain is overall AMAZING!!!...I pray to god everyday to give me strength and he does...I will not pick up another cigarette again! I smoked for 7 years and I used it as a crutch..I now smell better and breath fresh air! Keep going everyone! We can do this!! :)

I posted last June that I had quit smoking, again. It lasted about 2 weeks and I lit up again. So disappointed in myself. I never gave up though. Again I went 2 weeks a few days here and there. Today I am on day 100 of being nicotine free. I love it! It's a whole new life! I did it cold turkey. The withdrawal was nothing new, considering how many times I had tried to quit before. It is truly a day to day journey. I can take a deep breath at will, no anxiety, I am sleeping better, my hair and clothes, don't stink. Oh, how I fooled myself that no one could smell me after a cigarette! My complexion has improved. There are too many good things about quitting to mention. I no longer dread my cardio workout. Oh, by the way ladies, I haven't gained even 1 pound! It can be done with exercise and watching what is eaten. Everything in moderation. Again, it can be done. Don't let weight keep you from quitting smoking. I keep my eyes on my goal, to continuing to be a non smoker. Believe it or not, I CAN handle stress better! that one floored be. I encourage everyone to set your goal and follow through. Enough beating ourselves up. FREEDOM! It is worth it! Blessings to all!

My husband's heart attack made me to stop smoking! It has been two week's now that we have not smoked those, icky, nasty, smelly, and tary things. We DO NOT MISS THEM!

Dear Steven from California. Congratulations on reaching 4 Days. I am finishing Day 3 (Quit Attempt #12). My last attempt was three years ago, before that three years, as well. Stay focused with Just Today. Just for Today, stay pure and clean. Tomorrow, repeat. And, never, never take another puff. For me, "I am a smoker, I just chose not to smoke today" Hope this helps, Kim