Giving up smoking is it really that important

[billy27]

Okay I know it is, I've done it before then I started again stupidly it's been 5 years now. I've smoked since I was 17 I'm now 26 I can't afford to smoke, it stinks disgustingly and I hate being judged for smoking out and about.
I am scared of giving up and the low mood that comes, I'm scared that I might get depression as I read that's a symptom to expect when giving up? Please tell me stories of how you gave up and the benefits you've felt since. I do suffer with anxiety sometimes so I think I'm worried incase it gets worse and I can't cope etc.

Allan Carr's Easy Way here too, I stopped (I didn't 'give up') smoking about halfway through reading his book after nearly 30 years. I felt no regret or loss, just happiness.
I knew from the point I smoked my last cigarette that I was now a non smoker and couldn't understand other people who wouldn't give me the same non smoker status as someone who hadn't smoked for years and assumed I'd take it up again.
I'm two years down the line now and I am reaping the health and financial benefits every day, I have no desire to smoke at all.

I gave up after 16 years of smoking. I used patches which really helped with cravings.

But I can't stress enough that o e of the most important things is support. I joined an online group and it was fantastic. Maybe you could start a quitters thread on here OP? Good luck.

Anxiety and depression are much worse with cancer...

Even if you do take up vaping and spend the same money on it, do it.

My friend stopped smoking gradually, initially stopping during the day, then during the evening (so just one going to work, one going home, one walking the dog) then gave them up easily but he'll still have one outside the pub once in a while. I hate smoking but it's possible to cut right down and reduce cost, health affects and not go cold turkey

I quit three months ago.I bought a vape but where I live, the vape juice is sold without nicotine and so I don't really use it.
I went cold turkey, downloaded an app called Get rich or Die Smoking and it has really helped.
Have saved $3500 in that time 😮 at $50 a packet, as well as the health reasons, cigarettes had to go.

Just to add, I started at 13, smoked thirty a day for thirty plus years. Don't be like me.

I gave up a couple of years ago, just like that after having an argument with my dp about the best way to give up. He said vaping is a more proven way to quit, whereas I said it didn't work for me because it kept me in the habit. If I lost the vape, charger or juice, I'd just reach for tobacco because I was still in the habit. I had wanted to give up for a while because my dad ended up with severe copd and emphysema which severely affected his quality of life. He died nearly 2 years ago and had given up smoking for the last 2-3 years of his life but the damage was already done. He was 61. He did drink too but it was the lung issues that really affected him.

It wasn't as bad as I thought and now I barely think about it. I just distracted myself and gradually I didn't think about it any more. I don't think I got anxious and I do sometimes suffer with anxiety. My dp after saying vapes were a more proven way, is still smoking rollies constantly! He said he would give up by the time out dd was born and she is 18mths now 😔. So I think I won that argument! I'm glad I save money and think I'm not aging my skin and hopefully will be around for my kids for longer.

I'm joining you. I've smoked for 26 years and decided last week that enough is enough. I've had two cigarettes since I stopped, compared with 10-15 per day usually. I've seen this thread at just the right time and will not have any cigarettes today, it's made me really determined. I have the micro lozenges, they work well for taking the edge off the craving, and then I'm just going to keep reminding myself of what I'm gaining - steps to better health, more money, no stinking, and better teeth! Plus my DD won't worry about me smoking. We can do this!

I smoked from.17 to 30. My life was punctuated with cigarettes. I thought I would miss it but I didn't. Once I was in the right mind set it was easy, and no low mood. Best of luck with it

Yes, do it. It will make you feel fitter, healthier and you'll be much better off. Start saving the money every week and buy yourself nice things or save for a holiday? I gave up after being a heavy and committed smoker for years. I used gum to do it (which resulted in a gum addiction for a year or so) but eventually I was free. Its definitely worth it; 13 years on I never even think about it.

You won't get depressed, just a bit irritable for a while. Break free, you'll be so proud of yourself

Ive smoked for 30 years and decided to do Stoptober with the help of nhs oneyou . It’s a one on one counselling session and so far it’s been 33 days since my last cigarette. I have a vape that I bought and an inhalator that my oneyou counsellor gave me. It’s so worth it and I feel and smell a whole lot better than I did in September. Good luck x

@billy27 Did you do it?

I gave up smoking 8 days ago. I was a 30 a day person.

Vaping has worked miracles for me because it's stopped me from turning to food. Other attempts have been with patches and they did nothing for the cravings but I piled a stone on in the first 3 weeks! So I ran back to the cigs and became an obese smoker!

I have had no cravings at all with the vape and I've lost 3lbs this week.

Do it with me?

It’s the most important thing you can do for your health. However you do it - books, patches etc - just do it.

I gave up 6 years ago. Just decided I’d had enough, went cold turkey and stopped on New Year’s Day. It was very hard for the first month and got easier after that. The only thing that set me back was drinking alcohol, so I bought a vape as a ‘security blanket’ if I went out for drinks and thought I was going to smoke. After about a year I stopped needing that.

I was a dedicated 10-20 a day smoker for years but I can honestly say now I never miss it and can’t believe I ever smoked. It’s a disgusting habit. You stink. It ruins your health, teeth, skin.

You can do it. Just do it!