Well, I've been avoiding the inevitable for years, but now with another new tobacco tax making cigarette prices go up a $1 per pack, bringing even the "cheap stuff" to $35 a carton, its time to quit for good.

So, July 1st the new tax hits and we're not spending another dime on 'em!

Aside from during pregnancies, I've been a smoker for 24 years. Its going to be a tough row to hoe, but I think it will be well worth it in the long run.

Anyone have success stories or tricks to get past the bad times?

Sorry 'K' there ain't no easy way.I know it can be done cause I done it ,seriously I used the patches.Then we drove to Pittsburg from Ft. Laud. without any ciggies.Here is the problem, we both quit but she cheated and I didn't so her patches didn't work for her.Now her cigs are going up and she has to 'Requit'. It's a super bad habit. But you can do it.I know it won't be easy.But you will feel much better and food will taste better and you won't smell like an ashtray lol.A friend tried hypnosis and that worked for her. Be careful with the patch cause it can give you strange dreams.With in a week you will see your not as addicted as you thought. Good luck. I will try to send yall good vibes, --She has 1 carton left then 'we' quit. It's been 12 years for me and I am sosososo glad I did it. GOOD LUCK. :wavez:

I've temporarily quit for a day or two at a time, just to see if I could, and the biggest drawback was boredom. I had ALOT of free time on my hands and I didn't realize it. Time to do some projects!!

Its easy for me to screw up when I've lost my connection to a higher power. So, I'm getting back in to practicing Yoga, meditation and prayer. I think it'll come in handy when those really bad cravings hit like a freight train, you know?

I forgot about that time thingie.After I quit I saw just how much time is consumed by ciggs.and all the lost work and such.And when peeps get ready to do 'anything' they have to wait and smoke.B/4 and after. It is actually boreing waiting for some to smoke.The best thing besides health your house will be cleaner, no tobacco stained smoke on your walls etc.I swore that I wouldn't be one of those reformed smoker.It doesn't bother me if someone smokes but I don't care for the smell.No cigg smoke in my house.Now 'incense thats different lol.Good luck to you.Melodie is next,OH the horrors !

i find i smoke less when i have things to do

Ciggs are a great pacifier .It's hard to smoke when you are busy.I truely feel sorry for anyone that has to go thru quitting.

I worked for a pulmonary specialist for ten years. I used to tell people who were trying to quit smoking to sit in our waiting room for a day and watch our patients come in wheezing and dragging their oxygen tanks.

Just remember that you need to be around for many more years to help raise lots of grandchildren and little snakies! I've known people that have tried to quit several times before they were successful, so don't get discouraged if you backslide a bit. Good luck; we'll all be pulling for you!

Thanks, Ginger.
When I saw the new tax date, I had one of those "epiphanous moments" where you hear that inner voice say, "Now is it time?"
I figure I am sick and tired of feeling sick and tired and I betcha I can think of much better ways to spend $140 a month.
I've got "replacement habits" in place for alot of my smoking triggers. The only one that really has me concerned is driving.

Oh. As a reward for not smoking for a month, we've decided we're driving up to NC and giving the grandsons a couple hundred Pixie Stix! (Lets hear it for Candy Crack! YAY!!)

Yay!Were pullin for you good luck

How's it going, K? I've been thinking about you and sending good thoughts your way to keep you strong. I've never smoked (though I have plenty of other bad habits...LOL), so I can't personally relate to what you're going through. But some of my friends who have quit have told me that it's one of the hardest things they've ever done. I hope each day is getting a little easier for you.

Giving Pixie Stix to the grandsons?? You're just plain EVIL! Hahaha

It went great... until call number 12 last night. My animals still hadn't been taken care of, I hadn't been home for 19 hours and well... I cracked. It was shear stress impulse. I had had a few cravings before that, but was able to just shrug them off.
I'm not giving up, though. After being smoke-free for 4 days, it was remarkably easier than I thought it would be. It was the massive amount of driving and knowing my family and my animals were being neglected that drove me over the edge.
I'm taking a weeks vacation in another week (or so) and if not before, I'm putting them down for good then. I really enjoyed not smoking and I'm looking forward to being a non-smoker for good!

I definitely gotta look for a new job, though. This ones killin' me in more ways than one...

I wish you the best K :D .

I had quit for 3 years, but then started up again :oops: :x .