How I Quit

I'll start my first entry by explaining how I was able to quit without too much difficulty.

For some background, I'm in my early 20s and smoked steadily for about five years. My habit began as many others did; trying a smoke and having a cigarette in the morning, after meals, etc. At first, I was smoking maybe five cigarettes a day and didn't feel a terrible craving for one if I didn't have any. That all began to change once I surpassed the "five mark".

Before I knew it, I was smoking a half-pack a day; Camel filters, no less. I smoked as soon as I got up, after breakfast, after lunch, after dinner, and several at night. Soon, I was at a pack a day. Also, I took up another nasty and illegal habit, and my smoking of cigarettes increased partly to cover up the smell of this substance so I began to smoke even more. Interestingly enough, I gave that stuff up no problem. I put it down; that was it.

Wasn't long before I was smoking well over a pack a day, nearing two. I also didn't notice that my lung capacity was nearly non-existent and abstained from any sort of strenuous physical activity because I became short of breath in an instant. It was time I put my habit down. I did; lots of times. Never did I successfully quit, mainly because I wasn't motivated enough to stop. I was still getting tobacco fairly cheap and the convenience store was always my first stop on the way to work every day. Too convenient, too inexpensive, too satisfying.

Prices began going through the roof as the government began placing higher and higher taxes on my beloved cancer sticks. Didn't stop me, though, and there was really no end in sight until April 1st, 2009 when the newest (and most outrageous) taxes were placed on tobacco. At the time, I was rolling my own, and the taxes on rolling tobacco was higher than for any other. It was time. Slowly but surely, I began to cut back. This actually happened for a few months prior to the April 1st tax, so it wasn't too difficult for me. I've noticed that with a gradual cut back, withdrawal symptoms are few. That is, until I put it down for good.

I want to sit here and tell you that quitting smoking is easy, and I do believe strongly that my method in particular is easier than most. On the other hand, it was among the most difficult things I've ever done. Simply amazing that I put down the "incredibly dangerous, illegal and horribly addicting" stuff without a second thought; yet this legal drug felt like a life-long relationship with heroin. However, I'd also like to tell you that it's probably the best thing one can do for their health.

I've noticed some strange things since quitting for good, not all of them positive. After years of self-abuse, the body can't rid itself of these toxins overnight. Some of these things include: shortness of breath, chest pain, persistent coughing, a feeling of general melaise and illness, sinus infections, weight gain, insomnia, irritability, fatigue and other physical as well as psychological side effects. However, a couple months of these symptoms pale in comparison to dying of lung cancer, bone cancer, throat cancer or any other wide variety of illnesses and conditions that are largely smoking related. You'll also be amazed at how your senses change; from smelling things you couldn't smell before to food tasting better. The changes are quite miraculous, really.

That's just a small portion of my journey, but I'll wrap it up there. I hope that others will chime in with their own stories. Your successes, failures, or current attempts are all welcomed and I hope that me or others may be of some support to you. That is, after all, what I've intended this blog to be. With a little personal faith, dedicated and a true WANT to quit, it's most certainly not impossible.

Thanks for listening and I look forward to hearing from you.

Welcome!

I'd like to start by welcoming everyone to The Quit Smoking Coalition, a blog intended to help the blessed souls who have taken the giant leap to stop smoking. I hope you will find a home here, and former smokers such as myself are more than welcome to join and offer their support for others that are either on the fence, considering stopping, or simply need help to maintain themselves if they've recently stopped.

Firstly, I'd like to let you know that you're doing a wonderful thing both for your livelihood and others around you. Smoking cessation is considered to be one of the toughest thing to do, but with perseverance, dedication and motivation, anything is possible. My best of luck to you, and please feel free to comment at any time. If you ever need help, me or anyone else who decides to jump in will be glad to be of service.

Best Regards,
IT