The biggest thing is that you REALLY have to want to quit. If you do, then your determination will carry you far better than anything else. I used to calculate just how much money I was saving each day (I used to smoke 60 a day at my peak, then gradually weaned myself down to 10 a day, and then just went cold turkey). The money saved was a great incentive. I also gave up drinking for 3 months as I wanted to break that psychological link between a pint and a fag. Convincing yourself how fucking ridiculous it looks and how damaging it is to your body also works a treat.
Good luck. As others have said, if you can get through the first 2-3 days, that’s more than half the battle won!
I did it with patches in 2007. Best thing I ever did. Plus the Alan Carr book before that. Multiple attempts is OK, you get better each time IMO. I gave up for a year and a half and started again, but when I finally did it I really understood what my triggers were.
I made a habit out of not having a smoking habit, that little shift in my thinking was key. Best of luck
Patches worked for me but I just kinda whacked them on when I was really struggling. Would advise strongly against vaping at all it just makes you want to smoke. The patches worked for me just for the nicotine without the smoking bit which is actually much more than just nicotine obviously, and possibly the hard bit to crack? Loads of amazing advice above. I found taking deep breaths and feeling my lungs, visualising swimming - in my case it was also surfing, but could be any other bodily thing not smoking will benefit I’d guess - was a weirdly helpful thing to suppress urges to smoke. I guess that was what drove me. Good luck. I remember it feeling impossible ahead of actually trying it, it wasn’t. First day and go from there.
If cutting down, push back that first ciggie of the day by 30 - 60 minutes every couple of days. Before you know it, you’re into the afternoon before you’re lighting up your first
Quitting cigs sounds horrendous - I was always a “social smoker” (I know that’s such a cringey trem) and could take it or leave it. That was ages ago - I’ve not had one in years, I can’t imagine what a full blown smoker must go through psychologically - knowing it’s killing you, that you stink, that it’s pretty ostracised now in society, the huge cost of a single pack (here in Australia it’s around 30-36GBP per pack) etc.
To anybody trying to quit - best of luck. Australia has a free Quit line you can call. Maybe try the UK equivalent if there is one. I’ve also heard a lot of people claim that the Alan Carr book is really helpful.
my gf went cold turkey on the cigs (previously heavy smoker) and apart from the odd puff at parties (very rare) has never looked back after 4/5 years. I was amazed by how she did it with minimal fuss/zero cravings now
I did exactly the same. I had just had enough and one day said to myself that’s it no more cigarettes. I used to smoke first thing in the morning with a coffee aswell. Next day no ciggies and stopped. Haven’t touched one for ten years now and certainly don’t want too. The first week is the deal breaker after that it gets easier. I found breaking up routines and daily habits the main thing to help. So no going to the back door in the morning with a coffee. Just changing day to day behaviour as it’s mainly all subconscious when it comes to smoking. You generally don’t realise half the time you’re doing it.
Good luck I hope you succeed you will notice the difference for sure it’s one of the best things I did health wise. I’m now doing the same with drink.
I did similar on Nye 1999/2000. Smoked my last cigarette at the party and haven’t had one since. I imagine a lot has to do with genetics, personality etc and how disposed you are to addiction. I count myself very lucky to be able to call time on these activities and realise it is very difficult for some so good luck.
Something i’ve been pondering lately which may or may not help is related to ultra processed foods etc.
I’ve cut out all the crap in my diet and I’ve found that if i view not eating UPF as a way of sticking it to the man then its easy.
The sole reason for UPF is to increase profits for shareholders etc and is harmful, much like cigs. So to say F you to that is easy and takes you immediately beyond any fancy packaging or advertising and cravings.
I hope that makes some kind of sense. It works for me.
For me Alan Carr didn’t resonate, but “How To Stop Smoking And Stay Stopped For Good” By Gillian Riley was brilliant and worked on the second attempt, no patches or other substitutes involved and now 15+ years smoke free. Worth a look, and good luck on your journey!
An old friend of mine used to buy two drinks at the bar so she didn’t have a spare hand to smoke with.
A few years later she had to give up drinking but that’s another story.
Not yet studied Labour’s plans but if Starmer (and other world leaders) had the courage to declare war on the sugar industry with the same vigor as tobacco, it would benefit millions (billions?) of people worldwide, myself included. But it still seems to be a massive taboo.
yeah me too. It’s a dirty, secretive addiction tbh and the self-loathing afterwards is pretty bad at times. My gf tries to steer me away from convenience stores but the danger time is when you’re tired or stressed
I would add to treat yourself to something with the money you save. Either buy something smaller regularly or setup a transfer of your fag money into a savings account for a bigger purchase. It’s amazing how much of an incentive this can be!
