Giving up the smokes

[Caz]

All the people I know who are trying to give up are using those electronic substitute cigarettes and all seem to be progressing well even a close friend who's tried to pack up 3 or 4 times before without success is even managing to not use the real ones.

Go for it Mick, you won't regret it in the end, I packed up 35 years ago (30/40 a day) and haven't regretted it since and spent what I've saved on giving me the lovely life I now have.   

[Mustermark]

Hi Mick. I have never been a smoker, but i have been chocoholic (dont laugh, really i have). I gave up the chocolate but i have no will power and it was hard.

Baccy is a much worse addiction, so you have my sympathy.

Cutting nicotine out is likely to slow your metabolism, so watch what you eat as you give up.

I worked on an anti-nicotine vaccine a few years ago. It didn't work because there is as much 'habit' as there is addiction. The fake ciggies are supposed to help both aspects so well worth a try and wean off gradually.

One thing that really is supposed to help (based on the results from the vaccine clinical trials) is cognitive behavioural therapy. Might be worth looking into, if you can afford it and if you want to go the touchy feely route.

Good luck with it and just take it one day at a time.

[petercharlesfagg]

If it is any consolation, I smoked both pipe and cigarettes and various substances until 1982.

IT IS difficult to stop BUT, hopefully you have your family to back you up if you need a drag.

You might need counselling, you might need a substitute, it is better for you mentally if you concentrate on giving up without these aids it will strengthen your resolve to continue.

I and many others understand only too well the trauma but if you feel the urge to smoke do something about it, do something that will occupy your mind AND your hands.

You have a lovely family and they deserve to have Daddy around a lot longer than poison inhaled will allow!

Contact your friends, that is what we are here for!!!

Regards Peter.

[daveg]

Severe bronchitis was my incentive.

Couldn't hardly breathe let alone smoke for best part of a fortnight. Felt better so went for the cigs. Yuk!

A week later I was still walking around with a pack in my pocket but couldn't smoke one. Boss said I'd never give up, but I did and haven't had a cigarette, cigar or pipe for more than 10 years.

Despite all the years tobacco free, I'm still addicted  so am very grateful that the no smoking rule came into force in so many places.

Good luck Mick; it's hard but it is do-able and you'll then have loads of dosh to spend on N gauge kit! Much better than waiting for bronchitis!

Dave G

[Mustermark]

and various substances.

Does that count?  In that case, I stand corrected.  I have been an occasional smoker... 
I prefer the home made brownies... Never mind the chewing gum, maybe that is the cure, Mick???

so am very grateful that the no smoking rule came into force in so many places.

That's a good point... it is much harder not to smoke in a pub if everyone else around you is lighting up, and who wants to have to put their drink down and go outside just to have a puff?  That has got to help.

I remember walking into the Hobgoblin in Reading the week after the ban and commented how different it was in there without the smoke.  The guy next to me at the bar says " You got a def-wish or summink, mate?"  You could certainly tell the nicotine shortage was taking its toll.

[surfaceman]

Hi, Mick

Like "Robmag", I was offered Champix and it worked for me - there are side effects but the only one I experienced was the vivid dreams, mostly of a sexual nature!

What really helped was a weekly "Stop Smoking" clinic at the local health centre - just talking with others in the same boat helped to stiffen the willpower. The drug and the support took the edge off for long enough for me to realise that I didn't need nicotine!

SWMBO stopped at the same time so we could support and encourage each other. We've both been stopped for 4 years now, and what we saved paid for a cruise to celebrate my 60th birthday and our 25th anniversary!

Like others here, I'd advise you to do it - you know it makes sense. Don't try it alone - you'll get plenty of support from friends and family ... and that includes your friends on here.

Go for it, and good luck. We're all rootin' for you.

Rgds,

Alex

[Geoff]

The wife gave up the fags and she was on tender hooks for about 6 months, she never used any of those patches or false cigs she just bit the bullet and finished with them, I think its been over 15 years now and she is better for it, you never hear her coughing her guts up no more and she feels a lot better for it, I would say to you is if you have a soft touch for sweets then chew on them to keep that urge away,it will not be easy but I tip my hat to you and wish you well giving up them money burning drugs.

[Kipper]

My parents decided to give up, after many years of smoking. They were sitting in the living room, puffing away, and I had a bad cough, and was choking on their smoke. After a very brief discussion, they decided to stop and, rather than stopping after the last one in the packet, they actually threw their half full packets on the fire (followed by my dad's pipes). They never smoked again - real will power.

[Pengi]

Good luck Mick, I am sure you will succeed

[Gogs]

Mick, the most sensible advice you are getting from this thread is the bit about YOU HAVE GOT TO WANT TO GIVE UP. Once you are sure on that then any substitute can be used to get you through the first month, whether that be patches, gum, sweets or glasses of water. Then it's down to will power and achieving small staging posts onto your eventual target. My method for giving up was shock therapy! My wife had a heart attack brought on by smoking. She survived it and I gave up smoking the next day, for her health and mine. Still have the occasional nicotine craving, even after three years, but trust me, life is more important. When your ready to quit go for it. Also let the forum know, that way you are made accountable to your fellow modellers but also, if you have a bad day, you can get the support that you need as well. You know it makes sense.

[Sprintex]

I hope this thread will not cause folks to pour scorn and derision on me for having no willpower ...

I'm sure non smokers will say "Huh - no will power", and I guess they're right but it ain't as easy as that

Well Mick, as a life-long non-smoker who's never even tried the stuff (can a miniature bonfire in a paper tube really taste good? ) I can honestly say . . .

I would NEVER deride anyone who at least tries to give up, taking that decision alone is to be applauded 

Been some good suggestions so far to help you but only you will know what is workable for YOU. One of our RS club members gave up using the same psychological approach as 'trainsdownunder' suggested, convincing yourself that you're not actually quitting for good, just that you're CHOOSING not to have one right now, saves you from the "fright" of having to do without something you have come to rely on Every day that he didn't have to buy a new pack he put the money in a jar - amazing how quick he saved up for lots of shiny performance bits for his car

Talking of addictions . . .

. . .  but i have been chocoholic (dont laugh, really i have). I gave up the chocolate but i have no will power and it was hard.

Oh dear Me too Mark, and it is just as much an addiction as smoking, temporarily relying on the feelgood factor it gives you. Could still eat it every day easily (and lots! I used to eat 200g bars like sensible people eat biscuits ), but I severely limit myself to 'occasionally' and it's getting easier since I've lost over two stone in the past two years from generally eating healthily 

One final thing to say Mick: If you try and don't succeed, don't see it as a personal failure, just that whatever method didn't work. Never give up giving up


Paul

[Newportnobby]

Strewth
Just logged on and seen there were 25 replies. A big  to everyone for your supportive words. I will get there, I am sure. It's very true that at present I don't feel a huge urge to give up as I only smoke about 14 a day (I know that's 14 too many) and can afford it money wise. However, I am taking early retirement in 7 weeks time and will have to live off savings for the next 5 years so I won't be able to afford it then. My Mum packed up 20 years ago and still says she could take a smoke off me any time
Twice I have tried the patches but. like i say, the side effects were grim. Vivid weird dreams (sadly not sexual ) were just the thin end of the wedge. Tomorrow I will be buying one of the electric thingies and see if I can get on with that.

Most humble apolgies for confusing Phil with Dodger. I hope no offence was caused

To anyone else considering giving up smoking, I hope this thread can help and encourage you to do it too. It's a vile habit with serious consequences.

Thanks again - I'll keep you posted.

[longbridge]

Great news Mick, I gave smoking up on Boxing Day 1985 after smoking for 30 years, I must give the credit to my ex missus as she nagged me to death until I gave it up, co patches, no doctors just a cranky woman, I am afraid being nagged to death is not one of my stronger points so that put paid to the fags.

I found sucking or chewing XXXX strong Peppermints helped quite a bit when I stopped, every time I felt like a fag I shoved a peppermint in my gob.

I have a lot to thank Barbara for as I know she saved my life, had I continued smoking 50 a day I would not be sitting in front of my computer now, I have never looked back except for wondering why I spent so much money of smokes and wondered why in the hell I smoked in the first place.

You can do it Mick, it seems many of us on the forum have kicked the habit so any time you need encouragement give us a yell.

[Oldman]

Go for it Mick,
I have tried and failed several times.
The last time I survived 4 weeks and then cracked due to a family bereavement.
Tried the electronic ones and was going great guns till I lost the charger.
Patches, and all the other stuff that the doctors tried caused allergic reactions.
I have now been smoking for 47  years and would like to stop but will power is not my strong point on this.
Booze is a different story can take it or leave it. Have even been known to throw away a half drunk glass of  my favorite tipple (Uncle Jack would turn in his grave) because I did not feel like finishing it.

[Newportnobby]

Now I know I'm on the road to wrack and ruin, as I've just eaten half a 200g bar of chocolate and am finishing off a couple of fingers of Southern Comfort before retiring to my pit