i wish to pass on my up most apologies,

I accept your appologies, Pete. You must really notice the difference as a non smoker now....

Well done mate........It is probably the single most disgusting habit one can do. Another ex smoker here.

Good on you mate. Keep you health and your money.
Never turn back

Greg

Well put Pete.... I too was a smoker for too many years of my life..... and when I finally kicked 'em, I tried my best to not be an "Ex-Smoker"..... i.e someone who gives smokers a hard time....... but as the years go by now, my dislike of the smell of cigarettes is growing, and although I don't "Preach" about it too people (as everyone has a right to smoke or not smoke).... as I get older it's getting harderto maintain hat philosophy.

Cheers

Brian

give those five smokers at work heaps of encouragment, if they dont like it, its still the best thing you could ever do 4 them

Congratulations on the 3rd year smoke free.

I have a few mates who are smokers, 2 of em have quit, One of em I was working with at the time, and just decided one morning at 6am he was going to give quitting a go, walked into work and throe a full carton of smokes on the table and 2 packets of rollie tobacco and told the other smokers to dig in, he was like ther GOD for the next month LOL.

You are doing well! Cograts.

I have up 32 years ago after doing me lungs some damage. Damage is still there today.

I make no apologies for telling smokers that I dislike their habit. If they don't like it they can lump it. I cannot stand the smell of tobacco smoke.

Yeh i am 2 years off them and yes the smell of smokers (not so much the smokes) really bothers me now.

I was a diehard, never ever gonna give them up, but a little heart attack was a good incentive, luckily no damage just a warning shot.

So I am now a non-smoker and like another poster here I have tried not to be a typical ex-smoker, but I can now, like you, appreciate how much we used to stink. When I am in close proximity to someone who has just put a smoke out I just want to gag....

keepkampen

I will hold my breath

I had my last cigarette on Sunday night, went cold turkey, Monday lasted until around 5.00pm and started feeling sick, when I got home I got Robyn to go and get some Nicabate CQ lozenges (taste like chit) but work

Day 2 better, writing post so still alive

Ive got 4 weeks Then my pommy worker comes back from leave (watching soccer) and he smokes so hopefully after then only 1 out of 11 people will smoke at work

Have been smoking for 29-30 years I'm 44 yr old started work at 15

Richard

I've been of the rotten things COMPLETELY for nine months and will remain so. I do notice the smell, but it's not like someone has dog bleep on their shoe. It's not like some dirty bastard with BO or foul breath.

Smokers have rights, and as a non smoker I respect those rights. They should have an opportunity to attend to their addiction in dedicated areas. It's a foul drug that is hard to kick.

There are far worse people on this earth than smokers.

I'm now at 7 months no smokes and Steve is at 9 weeks, and would have to say that the smell is awful, the smell that comes over from someone smoking doesn't worry me at all, sometime I like it. But the smell when you're standing in line somewhere and the person in front is obviously either a heavy smoker or just had one is awful.

I couldn't stand the smell on Steve when he was still smoking and now he can see what I mean!

Last week I went out nightclubing and in the morning the smell on my clothes and hair was absolutely purtrid!

Glad to be free of it and supportive of those who haven't gotten to the stage where they want to give up, it's a personal thing you have to be ready to do, I tried every fortnight for years and then finally the day came where I'd had enough.

Problem is we've picked the wrong drug to be addicted to, Where's our free patches, Plus the fact that we support the govt financially so well, if they were serious they would just outlaw it. Could you imagine if I stole ciggarettes and tried to use my drug addiction in court, would they send me to rehab, I think not!! I know - get off the soapbox

Anyway enough rambling, and congratulations!!! I look forward to being able to say 3 years!

Sandy

There are two types of smoker; the serious ones (that includes me) and the casual ones.

I stopped smoking 20 years ago after 19 years smoking (and have not had one since) but I still enjoy the smell of a cigarette and could smoke another one right now - I have battled this for 20 years and have no sympathy for all those "holier than thou" ex smokers or "never smokers" who pontificate on this issue - it's harder to come off nicotine than heroin for us addicts so try not to be too superior, please, people.

Mike Harding

mike_harding@fastmail.fm

I had the occasional packet years ago of mini cigars too or some pipe baccy in a meerscham. I didn't miss it and find the smells are not to my liking today apart from the occasional whiff of pipe smoke. Seldom get that now of course.

When I was in hospital back in 1983 getting some kidney work done I was intrigued by an attractive young woman who checked herself out after three days of no smokes. She was in the process of losing control of her legs from the constricted circulatory system - smoking. I wonder what happened to her but never fret about her choice. It was her choice of course, but in her early 30s :-( It is even more interesting that some highly developed European countries have not made the effort to help people stop their citizens getting to the same health penalties and continute to pay their health costs

I do look at people occasionally that have smoked and the skin wrinkling is often very apparent. Not that I have pure, clear skin. Sun penalties for me from outside work and the bald pate.

Pete, good on you, keep to it, you can only be better for it.

Another Ex addict here. Gave them up about 6 years ago.

One other advantage not mentioned yet is that the taste buds recover and that bottle of Red tastes even better than before.

I agree, the effort to give smoking away is considerable but the benefits of doing so are also considerable.

I won the fight by using the Nicobate patches.

I don't preach to others about the habit. I don't even mind the smell of tobacco while it's being burnt, in most situations. (dining areas excluded)
BUT, above all else, the residual smell of tobacco smoke, left on the clothes and breath of those who do smoke is definitely Anti-Social.

Good work, Pete. Keep it up and you'll win in a number of avenues. Know the feeling about smoking workmates, we have 7 young people here, with one exception, they all smoke. I give them heaps, from time to time.

Anyone who gives up needs all the support they can get, hard work. Smelly clothes are a pain, one of the most sickly parts of the smoking trip.

Pet hate is the smokers who light up just before they are to get into a vehicle, use a spray or two of Auto Kologne to equalize the equation.

Good luck,

Hooroo...

Hi keepkampen,
Keep up the good work. My wife was a dedicated smoker for over twenty years. She had tried to give up and failed several times so I have some idea how difficult this is to do as she normally achieves anything she sets her mind too. When she gave up, a smoke was always a temptation. Then a friend recommended the book “Easy way to stop smoking” by Allen Carr. Allen Carr was a 100 a day smoker and the book describes how he gave up cold turkey, no patches no nothing. Viv read this book a few times and just stopped. After a few days no more cravings and she says she has not felt like a smoke since even after a few drinks. It has been 9 1/2 months now. From my point of view it was the most painless transition ever, normally I would be heading for cover. It does not use scare tactics or any form of intimidation. For anyone finding it difficult this book is worth a go.

Steve

A Tip?...maybe.....i smoked the pipe for the last few yrs of smoking and on the day I quit I had enough to fill it that morning...had a few cups of coffee and by mid morning I was on the way to being an ex-smoker.............

From what I hear and compare to cigarette smokers, it didnt seem that hard to give up...may be it was the lesser added chemicals????

but I still long for one now n again

Ex addict .. gave up 20 odd years ago took up beer instead LOL ........ I have a few smokers around me and I just ask politely if they could smoke elsewhere and they do.

NO one smokes in my car and I prefer they don't around where I camp. All i can say is well done and keep off them you will be better for it :)

Brian

Thought the sky was clearer today!!!!!

Well done. I only smoked for 2 weeks at school & couldn't get it passed my throght.

Well done keepkampen. Keep it up and try not even to think about the horrible things.
I gave up after around 15 years of very heavy smoking and it was the hardest thing I've ever done but that was 30 years ago now with none of the modern aids to assist.
I should never ever have taken it up after watching my father dying of foul diseases, coughing his guts up, sitting in chest hospitals and with the rest of the patients going outside for a fag "'cos it helped them to clear their chests"!!!!

And they'd light up, have a deep puff and then clamp the oxy back on their faces!

I had chest probs. some years ago and it's still the same, wards clogged with smokers and they all go outside at the end of the corridor for a quick puff every 20 minutes or so.
As the Doctor said to me after I put on a bit of weight following giving up "Better to be a bit fat than a smoker, you won't smell as bad or die as horribly".
I went into a local pub a couple of days ago and the non smoking bar was locked, I asked the beer puller if she was going to open it and she said "NO" so I walked out and went where I could have a beer without being choked by smoke.
Strangely I'm nearly always on my own in the "No Smoking" bar but that doesn't bother me.
Good luck.
Alan.

I gave up about 3.5 years ago, this time around I do not miss it, like others, I hate the smell on someone who has just finished having a smoke, and has come back inside to the office etc, it makes you want to throw up.
Ive put on a bit of weight, but I definately breath better, and my beer tastes great, and my wallet is a lot thicker, though my Wife thins it out a bit.

To those that HAVE given up the habbit, and got over nicotine addiction, good on ya and well done, to those that ARE giving up, good luck, be strong, because it aint easy.

I am a smoker.

Have been for some 30 years now.

I stopped a few years ago simply because I was aware of the cost and what i would save if I didnt smoke.

It was easy to give up........went cold turkey and never hade a problem but then i am strong willed.

However I turned into a monster who had a short temper and was not a very pleasnt person to be arround. I had no idea that it was the non smoking that caused the problem untill I happenned to have a few at christmas time and within a week I was feeling like my old self again.

It was my doctor who put two and two together and so now I am a happy smoker although still wishing it didnt cost so damn much.

I have a suspicsion that a lot of the worlds anger is thanks to the bloody do gooders who are putting pressure on smokers to quit.

You may not like me as a smoker buy I can assure you its a damn site better than me as a non smoker.

And dont look at me as a second class citizen simply because i smoke..........I can guarantee that you are not so god damned perfect yourself............but you wont hear me complaining about you.

Congrats to anyone who has been able to give them away. It's just a matter of the right motivation. I tried several times. You know the old story, I'll only smoke ultra milds, then smoke twice as many! Or I'll only smoke when I'm drinking...almost turned into an alcoholic!!

Then my little girl, who was 4 at the time, asked me to stop because she didn't want me to die. Never had another smoke, and that was 7 years ago.

Didn't use any patches or anything, I figured that the only way to stop smoking was to STOP SMOKING.

Strangely the smell doesn't bother me, and walking past a group of students lighting up is quite pleasant.

Now if I could only shake these extra KILOS!!

Greg
Bribie Island.

Hell, I am blown away by all these new facts about smoking. I thought it was good for you, I mean don't the butts have vitamin "C" in them? No, Butt seriously I am on my third week of kicking the habit for about the tenth time after smoking for approximately 19 years. Can I have a medal/pat on the back too. And I do feel for those poor pedestrians too, sucking in all that green house gas producing exhaust smoke. Bring on alternate fuels Johnny.
Regards to you all.

thanks everyone, some great success storys , congratulations to each and every one of you.
Pete

I would give up for a few years then pick it up for 6 months or so then give up again for a few years.
I did pick it back up again on Boxing Day last year when we went to my Uncles for a bbq, I really want to put it down again but my head is not quite there yet.
My head just works itself to the place of 'I don't want a smoke anymore' and I can put it down no problems, no cravings no nothing just stop. (until a few years later when I might be somewhere and have a social smoke and that starts me off again)
But my head is working to it again to put it down, I'll go without where need be, I won't put buying smokes over food or whatever. But it is just getting my head to that point again to completely let it go.
But I am working on it!
Jo

I too when I stop notice just how strong the smell is, especially normal smokes! (am a menthol smoker) the minute you have put it down yourself you really notice and it certainly makes you understand a non smokers perspective and you keep your distance.)

Giving it up ................. piece of cake, did it around 87,652 time myself !

BUT.....
True Story here ..... I did gave it up about '86, after starting in '57 when I joined the Navy .............. after all, all the other wanna-be sailors were doing it !!
I went "cold turkey for a hot chick" ....on account she made the "like kissing an ashtray" comment.
She came and went, iffen you'll pardon the expression and in '91 my true love [and now my wife!] flew down from Cairns to join me in Adelaide, hopped off the plane at 2 pm, leapt into my [then] Nissan Urvan and after exchanging 'pleasantries' we visited a few mutual friends in Adelaide and departed 4 hours later for the drive to Cairns. Yes ... a committed woman !

Or so I thought ..........

Because she knew that I had stopped smoking the devil's weed, she also had [voluntarily] decided to stop smoking the moment she stepped off the plane! However to my surprise, I spied a CARTON of fags in her bag ...............
adroit questioning elicited the fact that she meant to buy just one PACKET for the flight down to Adelaide but "forgot and inadvertantly bought a CARTON !"
Yeah, right ............

Being a caring and understanding partner I agreed that this was an understandable error and that no further action would be taken.
Yeah, right ............

Before we left Adelaide we had visited some of her friends, one of whom insisted on feeding us, to fortify us for the long trip back to Cairns.

To cut a long story short .............. that 'dodgy vindaloo' and some find Adelaide Reds reacted somewhat vigorously on me the next morning, neccessitating an emergency stop in the middle of nowhere. Thusly I scrambled frantically into the bushes with my trusty shovel ...... AND surreptitiously grabbed the afore-mentioned carton of fags.

An appropriately deep hole was dug, the carton of fags was deposited first then another more urgent deposit was made and both were then committed to Mother Earth ...... returned to the Urvan and set off again.

Then came the tricky bit ......... after my confession, it took about 2000 kms to finally get her agreement that 'it really was for the best' and that she would thank me in the end, if you'll pardon the expression.

Due to the extreme nature of the dodgy vindaloo it was mutually agreed that the carton was considered "irretrievable !!!"

Me and the Beagle had really indepth conversations for those 2000 kms !!!!

To her credit, SHMBO has not touched the evil weed to this day ...... that's willpower, hey ! And she even laughs about this story today, too.....

And, yep .. it is true.