Stop Smoking?

[chrissie1212]

This question was posed to me just after being diagnosed with throat cancer (oropharynx). A serious smoker since the age of 16 and now 60. Yes - give up - but how? Had tried various methods to no avail, but perhaps half hearted. So tried in earnest with e-cigs/e vape. The day I started treatment (radiotherapy and chemo) I switched. I have not smoked cigarettes since - nearly 4 years. My Ocologist has been more than happy with that method. I know that without this aid, I would not have succeeded to stop smoking tobacco. To anyone out there wanting to stop, this is worth trying, especially before being diagnosed with anything like cancer. Just saying...! What do you think?

[Mamyalynne]

I think you've done very well given the added stress of the diagnosis - good advice.

[Samuraisan]

I think you have done fantastically well Chrissie. Good luck.

[Cloverjo]

Well done, Chrissie. Best wishes for a full recovery. I gave up smoking by using the Inhalator, where you get a hit of nicotine and the 'hand-feel' of smoking a ciggie. I don't know if they're still available with vaping now.

[mikey4444]

Well done Chrissie...I am very proud of you !

[anneasquith]

I agree, hope you keep well.

[chrissie1212]

Thanks to you all for your good wishes. Yes - I am proud that a die-hard smoker like me gave up tobacco (albeit with the crutch of nicotine replacement e-vapes) but I dont mind any naysayers saying thats not giving up. As far as I'm concerned, it is. The treatment (radiation) for cancer (being throat) left me deaf and unable to chew and swallow food forever (I live on a liquid diet). But, I'm still alive and cancer free to date. So, all I'm trying to say is to any die-hard smokers like me - give these alternatives a try and dont wait for that "wake up" call, like I did.

[trt]

Well done Chrissie,

I gave up 3 years ago, after being diagnosed with COPD.

I smoked since I was about 16, and running pubs for 40 years, didn't help.
Now I am 73, and first started trying to give up with the nicotine patches, then a white plastic thing, like a cig holder, then a mouth spray, which none never worked for me.

Now ciggy free using e-cigs with VIP, but their battery's didn't last long, so changed to a company called minnyciggy.com, they have 4 different strengths, their service is 5*, and will replace free, if you are not happy.

[hc4361]

I stopped when I was diagnosed with asthma over 20 years ago, after smoking at least 40 a day. I couldn't have done it without the patches.

[Caran]

OH was diagnosed with lung cancer. He gave up that day as he knew he would not be treated while still smoking.
He had smoked for about 65 years on really strong baccy and roll ups.
He didn't want to give up but knew he had to, that was the difference.
I am so proud of him he has not wavered since.

[chrissie1212]

trt & hc4361. Congrats to you both. I guess we can all find a method that suits us, but it takes trial and error and perseverence. Thanks both for replies and good wishes.

[hc4361]

Chrissie, like you I had tried and failed to stop smoking before and I think there has to be more than wanting to stop. You need to know you have to stop to succeed.
One thing I do know is that nobody can nag a person in to stopping smoking - however well intentioned they may be.

I admire you - you've come through a nightmare situation with a positive attitude and that counts for a lot.

[david small]

Death cures all habits. Strange how impending demise doesn't have the impetus to stop us doing the thing that's doing you in. Vaping will save many lives, I don't smoke but my wife vapes and no longer uses cigarettes.

[chrissie1212]

Caran and david. Best wishes to your OH Caran. And to david - you're quite right - no amount of nagging and "another nail in your coffin" ever worked with me. However, one thing about giving up smoking - I have saved thousands of pounds over the few years that I have stopped. When I stopped, I kept a half-full pack of cigs (like a safety net, I suppose) and they are still here (somewhere) and I never touched them. So, good luck to all of you that are thinking of quitting and to those who dont want to, I'm glad that we all have the freedom to choose.

[cleodog]

My friend used to smoke and gave it up for the third time about four years ago. She put what she saved in a box every week so she could see what progress she was making. After a year she counted the money up and had two thousand quid which she put in the bank and later bought herself a nice new stair carpet. She said it took the three years to give up because she kept getting cravings when she smelt someone else's smoke! It helped when she retired as she wasn't around other smokers so much. So to all you who want to give up, keep trying and well done to all who have succeeded. She now can't stand the smell of cigarette smoke!

[waterboatman]

I gave up smoking when cigarettes went up to 3/6 (17½p) for twenty. Just stopped.

[gangesboy]

I gave up almost 2 years ago after smoking for 50 years. I went to my GP and was prescribed Champix. I saw the nurse every 2 weeks for a checkup and progress monitoring. Within 8 weeks I gave up completely.

[Islay]

I went cold turkey in October last year - I smoked 10 a day so compared to some a light smoker but it was the habit - I loved a cigarette when driving!
However I had to give up sooner rather than later as I was undergoing major surgery and my surgeon warned me that he would not operate if I still smoked!
I still get cravings but funnily not when I smell other people who's smoked that actually turns me1
Well done for giving up in whatever means you have managed to do it.

[katie942]

Hey chrissie.
Very happy to know that you have quit smoking. Let your story be a motivation for many others. Cheers.
Katie smith
sortmyassignment.com