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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Last cigarette

82 replies

chitofftheshovel · 21/08/2017 22:52

I have been smoking for over two thirds of my life (and being as I'm 36 started very young). I'm sick of it. Sick of the cost, the taste, the smell, the hood it has on me etc.

So I've just rolled my last fag, have no more rizla or tobacco in the house.

I smoke a lot. First thing in the morning, last thing at night and plenty in between.

Aibu to think I can do this cold turkey? Have you? Please please inspire me with your stories!

OP posts:
MagicMoneyTree · 21/08/2017 22:53

Nope, but good luck!

Original poster
chitofftheshovel · 21/08/2017 22:56

Ha ha, magic that made me smile.

OP posts:
LittleWingSoul · 21/08/2017 22:57

I have been a hardcore roll up smoker like you - first thing in the morning, last thing at night... I've quit through choice loads of times and not through choice a couple too (pregnancy) but the time I've been properly off them the longest I've vaped. Could you try that if cold turkey doesn't work?

user1471459936 · 21/08/2017 22:58

Yep. Chewing gum. Lots of it.

2017SoFarSoGood · 21/08/2017 22:59

I think cold turkey is the only way to go. Anything else allows you the chance to cheat and change the rules as you go along. Good luck OP, you can do it!

ForagingForFaerieGold · 21/08/2017 23:01

My mum and gran both quit cold turkey after being on 40 a day. Mum said she just told herself to wait a bit every time she got a craving and according to her the actual cravings pass quite quickly. Her motivations were the same as yours. Maybe it's got a lot to do with incentive. If you really mean it and can get through the initial cravings I reckon you can do it good luck

WishingOnABar · 21/08/2017 23:01

Honestly I was the same as you, lifelong smoker desperate to quit. Tried everything, in the end was prescribed tablets by my gp and was totally cigarette free within two weeks and stopped the pills. Truly don't think I ever would have succeeded without them but that is just me.

Original poster
chitofftheshovel · 21/08/2017 23:02

little I would consider vaping if really desperate. But don't trust them health wise, oh the irony I know.

OP posts:
ForagingForFaerieGold · 21/08/2017 23:02

I vape. It helps you cut down but not quit. I'm already backsliding. Hmm

WishingOnABar · 21/08/2017 23:03

If it helps my mum quit successfully by keeping a sealed pack with her, she said knowing she could have one anytime made it easier to go without... random logic but it worked

Original poster
chitofftheshovel · 21/08/2017 23:05

wishing I have zero self control. Nada, zilch, none. So I don't think having a packet would work for me.

OP posts:
Katinkka · 21/08/2017 23:07

I did it cold turkey when I was 20. It was horrendous but I survived. I smoked 30 a day. Good luck.

ForagingForFaerieGold · 21/08/2017 23:08

However vaping is perfectly safe. Ignore the ridiculous scaremongering out there. I researched it heavily before starting.

redsquirrel2 · 21/08/2017 23:09

No story I'm afraid, just to wish you luck and say that you will feel an amazing sense of achievement when (not if!) you succeed, so stay strong!

justilou1 · 21/08/2017 23:10

Very proud of you, OP...
I'm not a smoker, thank goodness, but nursed my mother when she was dying of lung cancer. She had smoked close to 100 per day during her heaviest consumption.
I don't know if going cold turkey will work for you. I hope it does. If you slip up, be kind to yourself and try again please!

AnxietyForever · 21/08/2017 23:11

Vaping worked for me. I haven't had a single cigarette since I first bought my vape. Try vaping!

Original poster
chitofftheshovel · 21/08/2017 23:12

foraging I'm sure it is, and I haven't really heard any scaremongering, it's just one of those weird things in my head!

OP posts:
Original poster
chitofftheshovel · 21/08/2017 23:15

just sorry for your loss, what a hard thing for you to have to go through.

OP posts:
ADishBestEatenCold · 21/08/2017 23:15

"Vaping worked for me. I haven't had a single cigarette since I first bought my vape."

Do you plan on stopping vaping, AnxietyForever?

Vix17 · 21/08/2017 23:17

My DH is planning on giving up and we have been researching things we can do to help and apparently if you add 1 teaspoon of cream of tartar to 240ml of orange juice and drink it every night before bed it flushes the nicotine from your system which helps reduce your cravings. Not sure if it works but seems worth a try.

BlessYourCottonSocks · 21/08/2017 23:18

Good luck! I smoked 20 a day for over 30 years. Started at 14. Gave up about 4 years ago with Champix tablets from doctor. Have never had another cigarette since, and never will.

ForagingForFaerieGold · 21/08/2017 23:18

chitofftheshovel ah fair enough. And frankly if your willpower isn't great ( like mine apparently) it might be better to go cold turkey after all. If it doesn't work you can always try aids to quitting later. But you might be surprised. My mums mantra was "I'll just see how long I can go" turns out - 12 months and counting. Smile

2017SoFarSoGood · 21/08/2017 23:19

Chit I too had this fear of vaping. Do not know from where or whome.

I smoked for 30 odd years. Took watching dearest friend dying of non-smoker's lung cancer to make me stop. It worked though. Couldn't quite justify (to myself) how I could be with her and then nip out to smoke. It was much easier than I imagined, in truth. I was incredibly proud of myself, still am.

WeAllHaveWings · 21/08/2017 23:20

I was 35 when I stopped cold turkey (13 years ago), I needed a reason to stop which was ttc, pregnancy, bf and ds. Couldnt do it just for me.

Stopping was easy, not starting again especially when out drinking when I'd stopped bf was hard. I was lucky few people around me smoked. It Took at least 3 years to lose the craving when out.

I told myself I was a non smoker and never allowed myself to have even one cheeky fag as I knew I would start again.

Good luck

CleanHonestGoals · 21/08/2017 23:22

I started smoking at 12..smoked 20 a day and then some for a lot of years. Gave up with patches, started again after 6 months or so a couple of times. I ran out of cigs at a birthday party (kids) and said that's it..and it was, no issues, no cold turkey and that was 7 years ago

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