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QUITTING SMOKING MIGHT be the most rewarding thing you do in your life.
Anyone who quits will tell you it’s the best thing they’ve ever done – and possibly the hardest.
But it doesn’t have to be as difficult as you think it is. You don’t have to do it alone.
To help you in your Quit journey, we’ve rounded up some people who have successfully quit smoking – some after as long as 35 years, and shared their stories to give you inspiration.
So pull up a chair, get inspired and get ready to quit.
In order to quit smoking successfully, you need to stop lighting up cigarettes. Sounds easy, right?
Unfortunately once that craving hits, it can often feel like a freight train about to hit, but there is a way not to give in – the 4 Ds.
Try and keep these 4 Ds in mind next time the craving hits and see if you can work your way through it, rather than lighting up.
For my health.
The thing that is really helping is keeping a few different apps on my phone that I can look at to see the progress I’ve made and the targets I’ve yet to reach. Also, telling other people and getting their support was a huge help.
I beat the cravings by drinking water, exercising and reading my apps!
The best thing about being smoke-free is being free of guilt. My immediate family never approved of my smoking, and I don’t have to sneak off in the night, during days out or at different family functions to have a smoke anymore. A day shopping with my mum is just that – and I have more money to spend too!
My advice for other smokers is find a way of reminding yourself of your motivation, be it a smartphone app or a picture of your family – and keep it with you. Remembering why is the key to keeping focused.
It has been over five years since I QUIT smoking. I have tried dozens of times and gave up very easy each time. The easiest thing in the world is to give up smoking, the hardest is staying off them. I couldn’t have done it without my friends encouraging me to succeed – they were great. The best thing is saying I smoked for 35 years and I quit. If I can do it, you can give it a try. The way it worked for me was, get over the first three days then the next three weeks, three months and you’re well on your way.
If you want to quit smoking, you don’t have to do it alone. There’s loads of support at Quit.ie, from personalisation plans, to inspiration to live chats. Head over to Quit.ie and find out more about your Quit Journey. Start today and be someone’s Quit Hero tomorrow.
I smoked for 35 years gave up two weeks ago.no craving no mood swings just stopped
Why didn’t ya just stop like 10 years ago? If it was that easy
That’s how my late father did it (died of natural causes btw) He said one morning ‘ think I’ll stop now’ – and he did!! He was off them about 15-20 yrs before he passed away.
quit 2 years 10 months ago after 30 odd years. Have even taken up running now.
Well done man, well done indeed.
I think it’s all about timing. The right time + being determined + being in the right frame of mind + a bit of luck = winning formula. I gave up a number of times. Keep on trying and failing and trying again and one day it will fall into place. I am off them 2 years and in that 2 years I have no desire to smoke. My husband gave them up with me and he went back on them. It doesn’t bother me. Just keep trying that’s all
Hardest thing to give up
Taking a quote from Mark Twain:
“Giving up smoking is the easiest thing in the world to do. I’ve done it hundreds of times.”
Off them 8 days. I, randomly, bought an e-cigarette to see what it was like and haven’t smoked a cigarette since. The difference in breathing, in 8 days, is astounding.
Smoking makes you look super cool
Best way to give up is the Alan Carr way as you don’t use the methadone of patches. You actually feel you are breaking free and don’t want to smoke once you get the right mentality and you actually feel empowered
Agreed. Off them 14 months thanks to that book after 12 years of smoking. Only regret is not reading that book sooner!
I am 3 months smoke free. I have good days and bad days. I have never got more than a week before. My next target is to reach 6 months then a year.
I also started swimming which reminds me never to smoke again with the breathing.
Best of luck to all trying to beat the habit.
All rubbish. Easiest thing I ever did and pity I didn’t do it earlier. You will understand afterwards! Book a clinic at http://www.allencarr.ie/product/dublin-november-21-1300/
Very true. I read his book in 2004 and I haven’t smoked since.
I went to a seminar in July of last year, I’d previously read half the book and stopped smoking for 2 months or so. Work paid for the seminar (they sent a mail to all staff offering it for 50 quid).
Since the seminar, I’ve neither had nor wanted a smoke. I still love my morning coffee, love a pint with mates and realised that smoking had nothing to do with why I enjoyed those things before I quit.
My fiancé quit about 2 weeks later with the book, since then we’ve saved about 400 per month so nearly 7 grand at this point between us. (Both smoked about 15 a day each). Can’t recommend the course enough.
There’s a fag in your mouth in your picture?!!!!
I wish anybody giving up all the very best of luck. Different things work for different folk but the end result is the same. I am 15 (almost 16) years off them now. (I was a very heavy smoker)
2 years smoke free on Jan 1st….feel brand new but it was fcuking hard
Good for u keep it up
Haven’t had a cig in 7 years after smoking for nearly 20 years.
I listened to the Allen Carr on audiobook while working in a warehouse all day.
Best way to give up for those who experience Withdrawal is to vape
As a 100 a day former smoker I quit about 7 years ago . I was listening to 98fm dermot and Dave show and Dermot said he quit with the help of the Alan Carr seminar desperate to stop I attended a seminar which I got for free on the day thanks to their card mechine not working dud the seminar and never smoked again .it might not work for everyone but it did for me
A lot of people have mentioned the Allen Carr method. I have to agree because it worked for me. I watched the DVD ‘Allen Carr, the easy way to stop smoking’ last January and I haven’t smoked since. I was a 20 a day smoker- sometimes more if I’ve been to the pub. I was ready mentally. I wanted to stop smoking. I think that’s very important. The Allen Carr method worked for me because it makes you feel like you are breaking free- a sense of empowerment. No smoker wants to see images of blackened lungs etc. nothing like this is shown on the dvd or in the book. I’m off them almost 11 months and it’s the best decision I’ve ever made.
I’ve quit on and off for 10 years, back off them now for 13 days,though going but taking it one day at a time..
Five weeks yesterday and feeling great hope it lasts!!
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