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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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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:

Jessiecat27 · 21/08/2017 23:23

My mum went cold turkey because patches didn't work for her, good luck!

FrankieStein · 21/08/2017 23:26

I vape. Smoked 30ish a day for 15 years. Bought a vape stick and within a week I'd stopped buying the cigs.
Been cig free for a year. On the lowest nicotine available.
Gone from using my asthma pump three times a day to maybe once a week. No wheezing.
As for the effects on my health, the most recent studies say that it's only classed as 95% healthier because something may pop up that covers more long term. So they want to keep that 5% in case.
And it's better than cigs.
Worked for me but I'm not evangelical about it.

Juicyfruitloop · 21/08/2017 23:27

Congratulations, it is really hard. I am just over a week. I am keeping busy, like you describe I was sick of been a smoker killing myself. I am using patches and find my mood is good, the last time I only managed a week of hell moods going cold turkey. I really felt the nicotine withdrawal and started again soon after. Good luck. I also listened to Allan Carr chapter 4 I think health over and over.

Original poster

chitofftheshovel · 21/08/2017 23:27

vix I've never heard of that but bugger it, its worth a shot.

Thanks everyone else for stories and encouragement.

Last fag smoked. Ashtray emptied into bin so I can't open up the ends and roll from them (there's bound to be papers somewhere in the house). Positive mental attitude turned on.

OP posts:

elephantoverthehill · 21/08/2017 23:30

Simply accept it won't be your last cigarette ever, but the next one will be the last one. When will you want that one, tomorrow, next week, next month, next year, in 5 years time? If you get you get through those milestones you will have cracked it. I have given up for at least 5 years but still use gum. The best thing I did was get the NHS app thing and write down 5 points about why I wanted to give up. It seems a bit crass, but it did really help. You will do it.

7Days · 21/08/2017 23:34

I have been vaping for about 3 years now.
I'm still addicted to nicotine - also caffeine.
There is no evidence to suggest nicotine itself it is harmful. (Like caffeine- just dont burn it and ingest the fumes)All the ingredients in a vape juice are very well known for decades, they have been extensively measured in the human body, individually and in combination.
I loved smoking, but the guilt was awful. Now I love vaping. Every bit as pleasurable and 95% safer.
Don't listen to those who say it simply MUST be dangerous, despite the lack of evidence. It's fun so it MUST be wrong.

You can drive a car and minimise the risks, same as intaking nicotine and minimise the risks of that.

Chocolatechops84 · 22/08/2017 19:39

I smoked 20 a day for 10 years & stopped cold turkey. First couple of days I took off work & just cried in bed. Then, I just focused on the fact that all I had to do was not have the one cigarette I was considering having... then if I wanted to, I could always have one tomorrow (obviously I never did have that one tomorrow). I gave up 5 years ago & never even think about it now. Best decision ever.

IndianaMoleWoman · 22/08/2017 19:58

My mum quit cold turkey this year after 52 years of smoking. She had tried various things over the years but started more seriously after my eldest (her first grandchild) was born. After a few false starts with patches/gum/vapes, she knew cold turkey was the only way.

I'm immensely proud of her. She has an app on her phone that tells her how much money she's saved so far and how much her health is improving.

Good luck OP

AlmostAJillSandwich · 22/08/2017 20:02

My mum quit cold turkey overnight at similar age to you. She kept one in the cupboard on a out of sight top shelf incase she got to a point she felt she couldnt cope but never touched it. Knowing it was there was enough to keep het calm. She was on about 5 i day i think, i was only 9 when she quit so dont really remember but im pretty sure she bought 2 20 packs of lambert and butler light (silver pack) a week max.

Circumlocutor · 22/08/2017 20:03

I read the Alan Carr book and that was that. No cravings, no gum, no patches.

AndNoneForGretchenWieners · 22/08/2017 20:07

DH has just given up smoking after 50 years of 40 a day. He's using Champix and has not had a day for 22 days.

AndNoneForGretchenWieners · 22/08/2017 20:07

*Hasn't had a fag

Kirsty157 · 22/08/2017 20:12

This site helped me through the first few weeks of cold turkey http://whyquit.com/

Really good luck

Whatthefucknameisntalreadytake · 22/08/2017 20:13

Well done, you've done it! I was a similar long term smoker and gave up using an ecig, the disposable kind that look like a cigarette rather than one of those big odd looking vape things. It's been so easy. But I am now hopelessly addicted to my ecig! I will deal with that at some point. It's so nice though not smelling of smoke and my breathing is much better.

SomeOtherFuckers · 22/08/2017 20:23

I quit after 6 years with a vape - poof I had 1 cig in 6 weeks after that

Mushroomburger17 · 22/08/2017 20:31

How's it going?

Original poster

chitofftheshovel · 22/08/2017 21:24

Failed at the first hurdle! Well not quite the first...that was trying to lever myself out of bed without my little white friend to help me. And there were plenty more hurdles after that.

But I got to5.30 before I caved. Damn and blast living in a village with a shop.

kirsty I'll have a look at that website.

OP posts:

Oysterbabe · 22/08/2017 21:28

I was a heavy smoker, read the Allan Carr book, stopped cold turkey and never smoked again. It's been over 10 years.

NoWittyNamesAvailable · 22/08/2017 21:30

Smoking cessation counselling helped me. I think it was more seeing the readings on the carbon monoxide meter reducing each week. That was 2 years ago, the biggest challenge i found was keeping my hands busy as i rolled my own. I bought some colouring books and that would keep me occupied during the evenings which was the hardest time for me. Good luck

Wondermoomin · 22/08/2017 21:50

Allan Carr's Easyway to stop smoking is AMAZING. I suspect actual, real magic at play.

ragdoll700 · 22/08/2017 21:55

I smoked for 15 years I gave up using Champix, I have zero willpower and would never have done it without them. I found it very easy with them I had given up within 4 months with very few cravings.

ragdoll700 · 22/08/2017 21:56

Oh and I'm off them 6 years now.

Onetedisbackinbed · 22/08/2017 22:36

Try again. Use patches. Good luck

Changerofname987654321 · 22/08/2017 22:44

Going most of the day without a cigarette is a massive improvement. Well done.

Original poster

chitofftheshovel · 22/08/2017 22:57

Ok so in the past I've tried: Alan Carr, hypnotherapy recordings (a guy that has juicing recipe books too), patches (smoked through them, double nicotine was fab), a mouth spray that made cigarettes taste awful, that is even more awful. (Smoked through it and eventually gave up on the spray so I could enjoy my ciggie). And probably others I've forgotten about.

But tomorrow's another day...thanks everyone for the encouragement.

OP posts:

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