Ex smokers, a question for you

[Tobuyornot99]

When do you become an ex smokers, and not a smoker who is giving up?
I've quit 2 weeks ago, and I'm still quite obsessed with smoking, I keep forgetting I've given up and looking forward to a cigarette. I'm hoping it won't go on too much longer as it's a bit all consuming.
When did your mindset change after giving up?

Quite a long time to be honest. I relapsed a few times, then became a 'social smoker' for ages. It's now been two years since I last smoked and I'd say I definitely don't consider myself a smoker any more.
Well done on going two weeks.

Well done for quitting

I realised I was an ex smoker when I couldn't stand the smell especially on other people, then i knew I wasn't going back. That only took about four weeks.

Nearly five months quit. Had previously quit for about 15 years, so hoping I can go that long again

I was a light smoker, less than 10 a day if that makes any difference

About 8 years.

Habit change is really hard. Worth it, though.

I vape now after smoking for the most part of 15 years, i now consider myself an ex smoker, I actually had to move away from a smoker today because the smell made me feel nauseous 🤢 I know I will definitely never be tempted again.

I dunno really. I gave up 11 years ago and can't imagine myself ever smoking, I sometimes shock myself when I remember! I think my turning point was when I had only given up for a few months and I was on a hen do and had a drag of someone else's cig and it was disgusting, really put me off!

Congratulations on giving up!!

I gave up in August but had 2 fags on NYE. Am still saying August is when I gave up though. I desperately crave cigarettes when I feel stressed and love the smell of other people smoking

Well done so far!

I quit nearly 14 years ago. I can't remember a turning point when I felt like an ex-smoker, but I do remember the change to not liking cigarette smoke so that could be it?! I also remember the feeling of not wanting to ruin my good progress...I'd come so far I didn't want to have to start it all again. I found a timeline that was a brilliant help, along the lines of 'after one week of no smoking, this is happening to your body.... After one month of smoking this is happening..... etc' It really made me determined to get to each 'goal' on the timeline.

One thing though - I think deep down I will always be a smoker. Even now there will still be occasions where I think 'blimey I could do with a fag' and I suppose it's the same with any addiction- it never truly leaves you and so you must always be aware of that. In an odd way, it helps once you accept that.

Best of luck to you, keep up the great work!

I gave up on January 10th last year, so just over a year fag free.
I had smoked 8-10 per day for 35 years, give or take(gave up for both pregnancies/ breastfeeding).
I dont miss it. Now and then i think 'oh, i really fancy a fag', but then the thoight has gone as quickly as the desire.
So for me, i think i will always have the fleeting 'ohh' moment, but that is all it is, have no desire to start again.

Stick with it 😁

I considered myself an ex smoker immediately. I read the Allen Carr book and he is very specific about not using terms like "quitting" or "giving up" as it implies you are missing out on something.

You have stopped smoking, you are not a smoker.

I'm almost 8 years a non smoker and have never so much as had a drag of a fag since I finished the book.

Thanks all!! I'm so weak willed and if my thoughts are filled with fags I know I'll give in, so it's good to know that it does eventually pass.
I find myself looking enviously at people smoking in real life, and even on TV, and the smell definitely doesn't make me nauseous... Perhaps I've a way to go yet

As pp suggested get the Allen Carr book. Even if you have given up it really helps with changing your view on cigarettes. Instead of feeling that you can't smoke you'll feel I'M FREE

Well done for getting this far! Younare over the hard addictive bit. Now you are struggling with the habitual behaviour around smoking, but thats easier to desl eith than physical addiction
I stopped over 5 years ago and even now very occasionally I will catch myself thinking 'now I'll have a cig'. I love not smoking though and I'm loads better off too.

About 5 or 6 years I think.

One of the best pieces of advice I was given, was not to call it 'giving up', as that makes you feel a sense of loss.

Like now, if you decided to give up chocolate, what's the first thing you'd want to eat?

She told me to refer to it as 'stopped smoking' and as much as it sounds pedantic, it really helped to get me in the right frame of mind.

Good luck.

This is me.
I keep telling myself it's ok because I can have a cigarette whenever I want, I just really don't want to.

Have been stopped nearly 6 years. I occasionally miss fags, but only about 3 or 4 times a year and it passes. I missed fags about 20 times a day when I smoked so it's a massive improvement.

Read the Alan Carr book. It helps with the psychological aspect massively.

First two weeks are the worst. Crack on OP. In another few weeks you suddenly wont think about it that much. I used to actually think my life would be awful or more boring if I stopped. The opposite is true, I cannot understand now what I ever saw in it and am so glad I stopped, best decision I ever made. You will be the same.

I had hypnotherapy 6 years ago and not smoked since. I remember smoking like an old boyfriend who wasn’t good for me but we still shared good times.
I 100% consider myself a non-smoker.

This time, it happened straight away. I think that's why I have, so far, been successful. I still think about cigarettes, easily once or twice a week. But don't act on it. I think that's how I know this time. They are and always will be the thing that I think about when I'm stressed, tired, or drinking!
In my circle no one smokes now. I only know one friend who smokes but she's not a person I would go on a night out with, she's a daytime cuppa kind of friend. If I was drinking and a friend was smoking I don't know if I'd be tempted, but I'm 99% sure I won't ever just go and buy some ever again.

Previous times i've quit I've never got to this stage. It's always been still a willpower exercise.

I stopped smoking 12.5 years ago. If it didn’t kill you I’d still smoke.

I took ages to describe myself as a non-smoker for a long time I used to just say - I am not smoking today. I think I had quit a year before I called myself an ex-smoker, I remember having craving after 5 months - but they last for 5mins at most and they can't hurt you, just sit with them until they leave. Good luck.

Years ago I gave up for ten years and during that time whenever I was offered a ciggie I would always say 'no thanks, I've given up'. Then met a bloke who smoked like a chimney and started smoking again. In 2014 I had a fall and ended up in hospital on traction for eight weeks. They slapped patches on me and I didn't restart when I came home. I still say I've given up and very much doubt that will ever change.

I know lots of people swear by Alan Carr but prior to going into hospital I had tried giving up many times and read his book multiple times. It did absolutely nothing for me.

In the eyes of life insurance you are an ex smoker when you have quit for one year...

I quit five years ago today and if I'm honest.....I still miss it!
BUT....I realize it's the best thing I did for my health and that has to be more important...

Remember to tell yourself and anyone else, 'I don't smoke', not 'I've given up'.

Haven't smoked in over 20 years, still miss it...