I just re-read this whole thread. I have pretty much said the same thing 3 times...lol. I laugh at myself, John, but I sincerely just mean to help.  I hope you are still smoke free! I will give you a heads up, if you quit smoking, you will not need to clean your monitor as often. My entire Desktop was brown when I smoked, I didn't realize it was really white until I quit and I cleaned the nicotine off everything. Man! All that crap is in my lungs! Gross!

  ..done & dusted...

Positive energy going out to all of those who've decided to quit! It's tough to do, but it's do-able if it's the right time for you. I quit 2 yrs, 10 months ago, after smoking a pack a day for 36 years. I'd tried before but always started again after convincing myself that I could sneak a smoke!

What helped me to quit was a contest that the Canadian Cancer Society had. You had to sign up and be smoke-free for one month to be eligible to win a car. If you got picked, you had to prove that you hadn't smoked by providing a urine test. I knew my only chance of quitting successfully, was if I didn't sneak a smoke. Because I really needed a new car at that time, it gave me the incentive to not cheat. I would have been really disgusted with myself if I had won the contest but lost the car because of sneaking a smoke.

I also used the patch, but at a weaker strength. I had tried it in a previous attempt at regular strength but found it bothered me physically and affected my sleep.

It helps to clean your house of the smell (if you smoke inside), wash all your clothes, spray your car, etc - anything to get that smell out. Throw out your ashtrays and lighters. Tell your buddies who smoke that  you can't see them for a couple of weeks, the first month is critical. Change some of your habits that relate to smoking. Chew lots of gum or mints to keep your mouth tasting fresh.

As an added incentive, I transferred the cost of a package of smokes into my online account every day, then after a while, I transferred it at the end of every month. So far, I've saved $7,568.00 since quitting!

I still love the smell of a lit cigarette, but I know that I will never smoke again. My thoughts and prayers are with you!

You can do it, mate!!! 

It will be a year for me on the 14th or 15th of this month, after 41 years smoking at least a pack a day.  Sure I still miss them, but not as much as in the beginning. Of course I now smoke *pencils*!!!    Well I tend to chew on them...I think the hardest time is when I am stuck trying to say something.  And sometimes when working on a pic.  But anyway like vStyler said...

Ive quit for 6 years now - solution was easy for me - i hooked up with a bird who basically told me i was quitting end of!  

My current girlfriend continued where the last one left off so im not allowed.

Good luck with it - smoking is such a waste of money... i still miss it sometimes though.

dont seem to ever get the cold since i stopped (i used to always have it)

If I can do it John so can you.  It took 44 years at 3 pack a day average, lung cancer and COPD for it get through my thick head to stop.  I hate to think of the nest egg for retirement I sent up in smoke too.  Above all, save you life.

He's done it.....   ...January 2008 to January 2009....not a ciggy...and not remotely tempted...

Ohhh, didnt' read far enough back I guess.  Well nothing but congrats then and glad to see you on the way the better health.  I wish I could say not remotely tempted though.

 Awesome! John is among the ranks of non-smokers!!  But you know, even tho I quit, I still believe in Smoker's Rights. I hear that in some parts of California, it is illegal to smoke in your own home!!!

Congrats John, that's great news, good luck with the food!

THATS GREAT

congratulations on the 12 months teddy!!.....fantastic effort....be back here next year to check on you both again...

Hey John....WELL DONE!

About the food thing? Naaah, don't quit it...eat healthier and "The Ultimate 4 Letter Word: Exercise".

Here's some healthy food....looking for a Great Skinner!!!

Day Five for me on Chantix. Fingers crossed.

I'm rooting for you, Po'. Doesn't matter how you do it...just get it done with.  

Don't give up. You can do it!

*edit...durned double post.

woohoo!!!!!.... great Po'... 

my son's on about week 4 after best part of 2 decades  solid smoking....I never thought he could do it....he did patches for a couple of days and then just went cold turkey...amazed at how well it's been going....mind you..there is a female involved.... that helps the motivation...

please check back here and let us know how it's going.....

go Po'....

Chantix helped me quit Po, but it took 6 months after I had cut from 4 packs to 1/2 pack.  I just didn't want to let go.  I've been free for seven months now and still want one every day, but it gets better.  Now put that money back for a new super computer.

I'm proud of everyone who believes enough in him/herself and is willing to take the hell of quitting with or without medicines. MAJOR kudos to all who genuinely try. It's a harder addiction to quit than heroin.