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Wow can’t believe it’s been 9yrs already! Some days are still pretty hard.

I'm gonna try again. It's been a while since I tried to quit so maybe I'll win this time. I haven't decided on which NRT to use - what works for you folks? Thanks and good luck!

Imagine Your Life Without Smoking- Picture it for a moment.

Imagine waking up each day with energy, breathing deeply without any wheezing, saving money, and feeling proud of yourself. Now, think of every moment you’ve been tempted by a cigarette and how it felt to say no. That is the power of quitting smoking!

The key is small, consistent wins:

-Track your progress. Celebrate the milestones — whether it’s a day, a week, or a month without smoking. You’re building momentum!
- Replace the old with the new. Find a new ritual, like a healthy breakfast or a relaxing evening walk. Every new habit strengthens your resolve.
- Join on this community. Reach out when you need support, celebrate with us when you succeed, and know that you’re never alone on this journey.

You are capable of so much more than you realize. Don’t give up, you’re creating a life of freedom!

I've been researching moderation on the internet and applying what I've found to my life. For example, with coffee I was drinking 3 or 4 mugs a day and now I've reduced that to 2 coffees a day. That's my limit. With each coffee I have 2 cigs so reducing to 2 coffees a day means skipping those 4 cigs I would have had with coffee #3 & 4.

The internet says to be moderate you need to figure out what your limits are and establish boundaries around those limits, My limit is 2 coffees no more or no less.

I've been keeping a log of when I smoke and it is helping me to smoke less. I thought I was smoking more than my log told me the first few days. Still I want to continue reducing my cigarette intake. Keeping busy without being frantic helps to keep the smoking down.

45 days, 1 day at a time. 🎉

I am thankful for all the help here in the forums, daily sms and emails. Thank you! 🙏

1 month smoke free! I’m also 3 days post op. I truly believe my recovery from surgery wouldn’t have been this smooth without quitting smoking. Looking forward to many more years of being healthy. I would have to say my success is based on true stubbornness and loving how I feel.

Encouraging and inspiring a loved one to quit smoking when they’re not ready to quit requires patience, empathy, and understanding. While you can’t force them to stop, you can influence and support them in ways that may plant the seeds for change. Here’s how:

Live a smoke-free life: If you’re recently quit, let them see the positive changes in your life: better health, more energy, and saved money. Share your challenges and triumphs. Your experience can be relatable and inspiring.

Avoid judgment: Lecturing or pressuring them to quit may make them defensive. Instead, express care and concern for their well-being.

Be patient: Quitting is a personal decision, and they need to be ready. Let them know you’ll support them whenever they choose to quit.

Focus on positives: Talk about the benefits of quitting that align with their interests, such as better health, more energy for hobbies, or saving money.

Express concern for their health: Gently let them know you’re worried about their health because you care about them. Instead of focusing solely on the risks of smoking, balance the conversation by highlighting the benefits of quitting.

Share resources: Give them brochures, apps, or websites that explain how to quit and the benefits of doing so. Let them explore at their own pace.

Talk about support options: Mention quit-smoking programs, quit lines, or healthcare providers who can help when they’re ready.

Encourage small steps: If they’re resistant to quitting entirely, encourage them to cut back or set smoke-free times during the day. Suggest activities like walking, exercising, or cooking that don’t pair well with smoking.

Celebrate their strengths: Remind them of their ability to overcome challenges in the past and how those qualities can help them quit smoking.

Offer to help: Let them know you’ll be there to support them when they decide to quit, whether it’s being a cheerleader or distracting them during cravings.

Accept that it’s their choice: Understand that quitting is a personal decision, and they need to come to it on their own. If they’re not ready, it doesn’t mean they don’t value your support. Continue to be there for them without pushing.

By fostering a supportive and understanding environment, you can inspire them to see quitting as a possibility rather than an obligation. Over time, your patience and encouragement may help them take that first step toward a smoke-free life.

Day 42 without a cigarette.
It ain't easy and there are times when all I want is a smoke and I still have the feelings of losing a friend.
I have been second guessing myself, why I quit.
Some days I smell a cigarette and it makes me nauseated, other days I wish I could have one.
I will keep chugging along and doing my best to stay smoke free.
One day at a time. I have to stay focused on my reasons for quitting, but right now they do not seem like enough.
I know I will not smoke because I am a strong person and have come too far to cave in to temptation now, but darn it's hard.
I look at my non-smoking friends and hope that someday I will be like them and not even think about the filthy habit. I wish I would have never picked up a cigarette.

So, I am not even 30 years old and I was recently diagnosed with shingles and Ramsey hunt syndrome. I saw this as the perfect opportunity to quit smoking as I have been bed ridden for the last week and a half. Since the nausea has gone down and my mouth has started to heal I have been getting a lot of cravings but I’m still not sure if it’s even possible to have a cigarette yet. I’m a little nervous for when I can. One week without a cigarette is still very encouraging for me so I celebrated with an easy to eat slice of pizza as I haven’t been able to eat much!

I have ADHD and smoking is how I self medicated. Smoking (as bad as it sounds) is probably my favourite thing to do. I need a smoke with my coffee, in the car, before any task, before bed, after I eat, I even need transition smokes between every task as small as it may be.

I’ve tried quitting more times than I can count all of which have been unsuccessful, however this time seems different. I’ve never made it more than a day before now and it gives me a lot of hope for the immediate future.

Reading all of your stories on here is a real confidence booster for me and it gives me a lot of hope that I can make it through this journey successfully!

A quick update: today has been much easier sticking to one coffee a day instead of 3 or 4 and the associated cigarettes. The last 2 days were so hard and I have no idea why today went so much easier. The green tea is working, I have one or two cups a day and sit with it to think about things. I'm still back to walking my dog once or twice a day which was my goal. Thanks to everyone for your support, the forum is a great help, more than a great help.

I bought a packet for me and my friend and I have four left. I'm finding it hard to get back on the lozenges and drink and get back to just that. I did most of January in jail and I was smoke free. Tonight I wonder if you have been here where I am.????
Together we can work this out and come out victorious.
Peace and mercy and love to you
Shalom alaikum

Great posts today, with lots of people fighting the cravings successfully. My latest smoking reduction strategy is to cut down from 3 to 4 cups of coffee a day to one in the morning. Even though I don't smoke and drink coffee at the same time, I still have 2 cigarettes following each coffee so that's 4 to 6 cigarettes I don't have.

Today, it is day 2 of using this new strategy and I'm finding it very hard. I really miss my coffees and cigarettes. It's been all my life how I get myself centred when stress hits, I have a coffee and some smokes and think deeply about things until I find peace and acceptance. It's going to be hard to replace my former strategy. A cup of green tea and sitting in silence helps. Doing this post helped because I have a bad craving for coffee and cigarettes right now and I posted instead.

I'm a deep thinker and need to have a new ritual that supports my deep thinking. I can drink green tea as much as I want with no problems. That is all I can think of right now, green tea. How do people on the forum take some private time to think about things? I'm desperate to know.

Taking it one day at a time. Day 38, so, just over one month.
Today I find myself thinking about a cigarette more then usual. Again like I lost my best friend.
I do feel much better, my sinuses are clearer and no more cough or spitting when I first wake up, yuk!!
NO more wheezing in my chest.
I remember my aunt wheezing and I watched family that eventually had to rely on oxygen because of the Nico demon.
At this point I have NO intentions of smoking. I feel too good about myself and my progress. I know it is just thoughts and I can get passed them.
This app and forum helps me so much with all the support.
I read daily the reasons for my quitting, I write in my journal and I look at my greatest reason for quitting my grandkids.
Thank you everyone for your wise comments, it makes it much easier for me to keep going knowing I have all your support and I am not alone. I am truly grateful.

Well here I am 26 days smoke free! Some days are harder than other but all around this hasn't been as bad as I was anticipating. I have smoked since I was 15 and now am 46.
My husband has quit too and between us we have saved almost $800! The signs are showing up everywhere that this was the best choice we could have made for ourselves. I look forward to the rest of my life being healthy!