Smoking. A lifetime addiction?

[swee'pea99]

I decided to stop so I stopped. I used to miss it a bit - I'd always liked smoking - and for a while I used to very occasionally bum fags off my sis or smoking friends. Just for the evening. I never felt any inclination to light up again the next day. After a few years even that went away. I really have no desire to smoke now, at all. So I'd say no - it doesn't have to be a lifetime addiction, despite what they used to say about once a smoker always a smoker (even if you no longer smoke).

 

[Hacienda71]

10 years. The kids were my motivation. Cold turkey worked for me having previously failed using gum or trying to cut down. Had a few minor alcohol induced relapses in the first couple of years, but now don't even feel the urge after a drink.

 

[Joey Shabadoo]

Started when I was 13 and it grew to a 40-a-day habit. Moved from cigarettes to cigars thinking I'd smoke less and ended up smoking 40 small cigars a day. Tried to stop on a number of occasions but when my wife was diagnosed with emphysema I kicked a 27 year addiction within a fortnight.

Unfortunately the weight piled on so I went to a gym then bought a bike. Now I'm here and thankfully, so's the wife.

 

[MarkF]

Never had even a puff in my life, although I am drawn to cigar conditioning rooms.

Cigarettes are like ferrets, no problem at all, until you stick one in your mouth and set fire to it

 

[Shut Up Legs]

My Mum smoked for 45 years, and quit it when she was about 65. I think it was mainly having a small lung cancer cut out that scared her into quitting. But the willpower it must have taken for her to quit must have been considerable.

 

[lutonloony]

Mrs LL announced we were both giving up when the backie ran out. I did she didn't, doesn't really worry me, although I was more of a social smoker than a 20/day. Prior to that I used to give up every time I went to bed, it was easy

 

[screenman]

I packed the day I found out my now wife was pregnant, I was 17 at the time and knew I could not support a wide and child and smoke, certainly made the right choice. I was at the time on 30+ a day and Dunhill at 31p a pack.

 

[Drago]

I quit in 2011. Had a year where I might cadge the occasional fag, or smoke a cigar at christenings etc, but since then nothing. Not even been tempted. I'm 100% over the habit. I didn't find it especially painful or difficult, but I really really wanted to give up this time, so had the right mindset.

 

[cosmicbike]

I quit in February 2013, shortly after Mum died an unpleasant death as a result of 30 Rothmans a day. It was my 6th attempt, and I started cycling at about the same time as I wanted a measure of improving health. Spent the best part of the next 2 years in and out of hospital, unable to walk for weeks at a time. Thankfully SWMBO found great Dr so now mostly mended.
I miss rolling my own, and if it weren't for the health risks I could start again tomorrow....
I'll always be an 'ex' smoker, never a non-smoker

 

[raleighnut]

Still a smoker, gave up the premade fags when they went over a quid for 20 and swapped to 'roll-ups'.

I did however stop smoking for 3 months after my 2nd op on the leg but used a 'vape' thingy, couldn't wait for the end of the 3 months though.

 

[gbb]

My wife has smoked for around 40 years and has no intention whatsoever of stopping.
Like PeteXXX my wife smokes outside, probably due to my moaning. I worry what it will do to her in the end but it's her life and I can't stop her.
I've smoked for a few years at a time but gave up maybe 6 years ago and not had one since, barring secondary smoke. Her cigs don't even make me think about trying again but I can see why it might for some.

 

[welsh dragon]

I gave up in 2012 after numerous attemtps, but as Drago said, I really wanted to do it this time. I havn't had a single cigarette since, but i also consider myself an ex smoker, not a non smoker as I always fear that given the right circumstances (or the wrong ones) i could be tempted to have just one. Normally i never even think of smoking, but there are rare times when i do. They tend to be very random times as well, but after a few minutes the feeling just switches itself off again. Thank god as well, as i never want to smoke again.

 

[Dave 123]

It took me many attempts to pack in, but I finally managed it about 10 years ago.
I'm one of those ex smokers who can't stand the smell of it, mostly.

There is a uni department near my office, I have to walk down a lane to get into college. A lad used to smoke outside. I found the smell of his fag smoke very nice. I asked him one day- Lambert & Butler. I'd gone over to these before I stopped as they were cheaper. He has since given up too.

 

[PaulSB]

I used to smoke. It took me years to quit, my downfall each time was the classic "just one won't hurt."

I still have moments when I want a cigarette and always have Nicorette lozenges handy to help out. Sitting in the evening sun after a long day touring with a glass of whisky, cognac or whatever - it would easy to slip backwards but I know this time I really have kicked it even though the urge does reawaken from time to time.

 

[Deleted member 1258]

I stopped in 1977 after 10 or 11 years, I'd been having lots of coughs, colds and general chest problems, went cold turky. Two years later I sold my old motorbike and returned to cycling.