I am a single parent with two children, aged 12 and 2.  Both are very intelligent, and also demanding! Sometimes I get really stressed out.  When I try to give up smoking, I end up snapping at my son, which I hate.  Smoking is something I have given up and then restarted several times when I have had problems in my life.  I want to kill this habit once and for all.  Thank you in advance for any help you can give me.
135679
Just quit. My husband quit about a week ago. He just came home from work, said I quit smoking today, and hasn't touched one since. He used Nicorette gum the first couple day, now he chews regular gum. I know it's hard, but if he can do it, so can you. (He's been smoking since he was 14.) Just think how much healthier you will be and in better shape to play with your kids. Plus, you are setting a bad example for your kids by smoking. By having a parent that smokes, they are twice as likely to smoke themselves.
419980
I feel the same way. I have no sympathy for those who start smoking knowing that it is addictive, like people who smoke crack for the first time. If you didn't think you would get addicted, then you are delusional. I don't smoke and my husband doesn't smoke, so there is a great possibility that my son won't smoke. Us, as parents. are the most influential role models for our children. My mom smoked and my dad didn't, but I wonder if he did would I have turned out to be a smoker like my sister?\n\nAnd for the people that continue to smoke with all the programs out there to help you quit, stop making excuses and do something good for you, your family and friends. Quit.
559025
You can try this , cut back but be serious about it. if you smoke a pack go to half until you are use to it. then cut that in half again. do this until you can get to 1 cigarette a day and keep that routine for a year. Now , when you do one a day, you will have stressful days where more than one will seem needed. It's okay to smoke another as long as the next day you go back to just ONE! after a year of one a day, then go to one day off a week without any smoke. after that is easy for you , you are ready to try more days off, until you are without the craving. it's not the nicotine as many think , it's the actual act of smoking that stick that is hard to kick. you need to rehab yourself and time helps. you'll feel much better once your all through, and your skin and hair will show the improvement. God bless.
109909
Don't beat yourself up for "cheating". I was a smoker for close to 10 years I quite last year. It took a long time and I had to scale down on my smoking. That is all your doing. Be proud of yourself. Only smoking a couple of times today is great! Your on the right path. Take it slow. I tried once to quit cold turkey and it did not work. Smoking less and less each day was the right method for me. If your husband can quit  cold turkey then more power to him! But if you can't it is okay. The end result will be the same. You are just taking 2 different roads to get there. Stick with it! You know this is the right thing to do! Good luck
584930
the cost of smoking MIGHT give some people the encouragement to quit. You have to realize we not only enjoy it, but we are addicted. I did manage to quit for 6 yrs and in those 6 yrs that craving NEVER left me. I finally gave in due to some extreme stress in my life and honestly I don't know if I could quit again or not. No matter what they cost. I always caution young people-don't take that first puff and you'll never become addicted.
155811
the best thing to do is just cut back on the amount your smoking... say if you smoke 2 packs a day> well only smoke one pack a day... and if you only smoke 1 pack a day then start smoking half a pack a day... if that doesnt work try smoking LIGHTS... smoking less the amount you are smoking now until eventually your maybe smoking 5 or so a day... then talk to your doctor and maybe he can get you some help> ever tried the gum or the patch? and if that doesnt end up working... try talking to a close friend and see how they feel about your smoking... maybe they can give you some encouraging advice on how quitting is better. everone knows that smoking isnt good but being a smoker myself... i just smoke when im stressed out or out in public places where everyone else is smoking because when i see other people smoke it makes me want to smoke. anyways like i was saying dont take the risk of getting cancer because a smoke isnt worth your health or even your life.... cut down then get help because it will be so much easier on you. dont do cold turkey becuase if you just suddenly quit without smoking ANY... the only thing you'll end up with is a migrain and a pissy mood.
348308
Credentials: I used to be a heavy smoker (3 packs/day, menthol). Quit previously 3 times. The last time took. Non-smoker for over 15 years.\n\nFor me, the hardest part about quitting was removing all of the associations around smoking. Example, whenever I had a beer, I had a cigarette. Whenever I finished eating, had a cigarette. You get the idea. I purposely and deliberately "weeded out" all the associations I had with smoking until I only had a few. In other words, I consciously did not smoke after each of these other co-occurring activities, until the urge was diminished. Once this was done, I had already reduced my smoking to a few cigarettes a day. To completely quit, it was a combination of negative imagery and getting the flu. I imagined coating my lungs with a thick goo of tar and nicotine while I smoked. I was never able to smoke when I had a cold or the flu, so after 5 days of various orifice purging, I realized I could probably go another few days without. Bottom line for me: discipline of living how you want.\nAs for the stress, good time to involve yourself in a very detailed kind of hobby, like model rocketry or exercise like biking. If you can weather through the first few days, you'll start to feel the benefit of being able to breathe without getting winded, and smell wonderful scents of nature and/or aromas of baking and cooking seemingly for the first time! Good Luck!
306513
i hate people who smoke around their kids. Have the habit fine, but have some respect for your children. I see them blowing smoke in thier faces all the time - makes me sick
44021
Nonsmoker: I'm under 18 and already I know that smoking is REALLY BAD!!! I hate it. I know a lot of things by joining after school groups and they teach about in school sometimes. I would never really want to be around someone who smokes, unless they are family or really close friends.
603101
.\nFriend\nWe get into a habit easily and then the habit controls us.... once it becomes a habit, it destroys our Will Power\n\nThere are numerous web sites offering help in a professional manner..... there must be some help you could get in your town as well\n\nI have tried to find some helpful websites for you\n\nHope you soon get rid of this habit and find your health and happiness\n\nhttp://www.nicotine-anonymous.org/\nhttps://www.stopsmoking.ucsf.edu/index.aspx?src=GIndiaOnline&gclid=CKTzkJHgtIUCFQKIIgodVBKU0Q\nhttp://www.quit-smoking-guide.com/quit-smoking-product-reviews.htm\nhttp://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/how2quit.htm\nhttp://www.ash.org.uk/html/factsheets/html/fact24.html\n.\n\nI found 12 useful TIPS\n\n1--- Get professional help\n\n2--- Prepare mentally\n\n3--- Understand what to expect… Most people find the first few days difficult and for some it can be a long struggle, but things will typically start to get better after the third or fourth day.  Nicotine withdrawal may make you restless, irritable, frustrated, sleepless, or accident prone - but these things will pass and you will quickly start to feel the benefits.\n\n4--- Make a list of reasons why you want to stop smoking\n\n5--- Consider the money spent on smoking\n\n6--- Set a date…  Some people make a New Year’s Day resolution, others pick their birthday \n\n7--- Involve friends or family…  If you live with someone else who smokes, it will be much easier to quit if you do it together.\n\n8--- Deal with nicotine withdrawal.... you can roughly double the chances of successfully quitting smoking by using nicotine replacement therapies such as patches, lozenges, inhalers, and/or gum.  The idea is to come off nicotine gradually by using a low nicotine dose to take the edge off the cravings\n\n9--- Other treatments may help… Hypnosis, acupuncture or other treatments\n\n10--- Find a (temporary) substitute habit…It might be an idea to use chewing gum, drink more water, fruit juice or tea,  or to chew or eat something\n\n11--- Avoid temptation… In the difficult first few days you can change your routine to avoid situations where you would usually smoke. \n\n12--- Watch out for relapse… You will need to be on your guard especially in the first few days and weeks...You could lose everything you've achieved just in a momentary lapse.\n.
113811
Firstly, good job on quitting smoking! I've never smoked, but I know how hard it must be to stop, since I've had 2 relatives who've smoked, and they've tried several times to quit but were unsuccessful.\n\nSecondly, I have never smoked, so there's nothing for me to quit. But good job to you!! And good idea on getting it off your mind!\n\nThirdly, I think you should watch the movie "Thank you for smoking" as a reward this week. It's a very funny movie about the people behind Firearms, Cigarettes, and Alcohol. They only show it in select areas, so check your area (movietickets.com is a good site) to see if they're showing it.\n\nI think with your enthusiasm you'd love it.\n\nOnce again, good job on quitting!!! \n\n< 33 Ana
12035
I stopped cold turkey about 1 1/2 years ago. Let me tell you: it's a constant struggle, especially when I drink alcohol. You really have to convince yourself that you need and want to quit. It makes it easier when you can justify it by looking at your kids, family, etc and realizing that you want to be around them for as long as possible. That's about the best I can tell you. Good luck! If you really want to quit, you can do it without patches, gum, etc.
294494
I smoke because sometime I enjoy it and other times because I feel the need.  I have quit several times and each time is a little longer than the others, but my weakness in times of high stress brings me back.  Yes I know the health risk and I am aware that it is unsightly and smelly, and I am really glad that you know all of these things and will be a much wiser person than those of us who have the habit.  I am glad you brought this up because it gives me a good idea for a question.  Thanks
422122
Congrats on the decision to stop.  I quit a year and a half ago after smoking for 17 years and this is how I did it:\n\nI started out with 1 smoke every 30 minutes the first day, every 45 the next day, then every 60....I increased it by 15 minutes everyday until I was up to 16 hours between smokes.  Yeah, it took a while, but by the time I got toward the end, I actually forgot to smoke sometimes.  Also, I have convinced myself that it's not that I can never ever have another smoke for the rest of my life, but that I'm just choosing not to smoke right now.  That way I don't panic at the word "never" and it kind of puts me in the driver's seat instead of the nicotine.  Silly, yes, but it works for me.  In fact, I did try a couple months ago to smoke one just to see if I had really kicked the habit.  Yuck!  I can honestly say I don't want to smoke anymore.  Plus I smell it on other people and in their homes and cars and it STINKS!  \n\nYou can do it!
311360
Set a date 4 months into the future and say you will not smoke until then. If you still want to smoke then, take it up again.\n\nAfter 3 months you will find the craving has vanished. This worked for me. I wasn;t going to spend the rest of my life craving a cigarette. Nicotine patches help some. But the important thing is to not smoke at all while you are giving up. Throw them away now, and if you want, take it up again in 4 months.\n\nMy mum died of smoking related causes, and she was still asking people to take her outside for a smoke while she was in palliative care. Don't end up like her, it is not a pleasant way to die, and not pleasant to watch it.
309251
giving up smoking is HARD.  I have done it several times, this last time for several years.  I am still smoke free, but it's kind of like being a alcoholic.  You need to just quit cold turkey.  No patches, no gum, no tapering off.  It's nonsense.  Just don't light a cigarette.  You will need something to replace it with.  People will tell you exercise, walking, etc.  People are crazy.  You aren't ready for that.  I recommend baby carrots.  No, i'm not kidding.  Eat a baby carrot everytime you want a cigarette.  They take about the same amount of time to eat and they will give you something to do.  Baby carrots cost about 1.50 for a plastic bag of them.  It's cheaper than cigarettes and no one ever got fat eating carrots.  And they are even healthy.  I quit for my son too.  I want to hold my grandchildren someday.  You CAN do it.  Congrats on your decision.
33403
I have tried several things patches, gum, cold turkey etc.  I quit for 3 months and during a stressful period in my life I started again.  This time I just threw them away and instead of buying more I've  made a vacation fund.  I usally go through two cartons a week, so every week I  put $60.00 in a little trash can I bought.  A trash can is symbolic of me throwing my money away on smokes.  By this time next year I will have enough money to take a nice little vacation, be smoke free, and be able to breathe again!!! I hope it works...one day at a time.