10 Ways to Quit Smoking Cigarettes & Be Smoke Free Forever

If you are thinking of quitting smoking cigarettes then you must know how bad they are for you and those around you and I applaud your decision. You have also probably heard many nightmare tales of how hard it is to quit which may be scary and demotivating. To help you kick your addiction to cigarettes and the addictive component nicotine here are 10 tips and ways to quit smoking cigarettes that can show you it can be done and it is not as hard as people can make it out to be if you have a plan!

1. Write a list of reasons you LIKE smoking

It may seem counter to your needs to quit smoking but ignoring why you like smoking and why you continue to smoke is important so that psychologically you can overcome these things or leave them behind or replace them with something. Ign

oring them simply means when cravings hit those reasons subconsciously attack your reasoning and resolve.

2. Make a list of reasons it will be hard to quit

Wow, I sound so negative so far which I am sorry for but bear with me! Honesty is massive part of overcoming an addiction to nicotine and cigarettes because many people try to quit without being honest with themselves first and those people usually fail on that attempt. So write down a list of reasons you think might make it hard to quit or the reasons you know from experience have made it harder.

3. Write a list of reasons you want to quit

OK now we are getting more positive! Again HONESTY is the big word here for the same reason stated before. You need as many solid positive reasons for quitting cigarettes so that these ways to quit smoking cigarettes work! HINT: List them in a positive way so instead of writing “Scared of lung cancer” write “I want to be healthy and live a long life!” … negative reasons are not as strong as positive ones.

4. Write down a list of ways to tackle cravings

When the cravings hit all reasoning and resolve can suddenly go out the window as you may already have experienced and is not something to be ashamed of. You just need a way to overcome these things, having something to distract you from the cravings is a very important things to do whether it is to get your joggers on and hit the pavement or if you are at work to maybe chew some gum, get a coffee or clean up your office space.

5. Compare lists

Now you have a few sheets of paper (or for some people nearly a book!) you can compare your negative and positive reasons. This is important because often if you have more reasons you like smoking compared to reasons you want to quit smoking cigarettes then you may not be ready to quit and might need to find some more reasons and support to quit. Also if your list of things to do to overcome cravings do not have an answer to all your reasons why quitting might be hard then you may need to revisit the former list and add to it. Once you have done this not only have you been introspective enough to see things clearly and plan ahead you have created the base work for a contract with yourself to quit which is a cornerstone of quitting cigarettes for good.

6. Set a quit date

Having firm goals is important when dealing with addictions and when looking for ways to quit smoking cigarettes this is a vital step. Having a set date you set for yourself and can plan for means you will not make snap decision when you are not ready and you will also force yourself to commit to a date than a vague “I will quit next week” then that week never seems to come …

7. Throw out all smoking paraphernalia

Get rid of them when that quit date hits! Get rid of your smokes, if you hold on to any cigarettes it is a temptation and a subconscious easy way out. If you are serious break the fags and toss them out, if you can’t do that you are not ready to quit. Also get rid of lighters and anything else that has to do with smoking in your space.

8. Busy your hands and mouth

One part of the addiction to cigarettes that people ignore in favor of concentrating on the dependency effects of nicotine is the habit that has formed over many years of the actual ACTION of smoking. IF you carry some toothpicks you can suck on or some nuts you can crack open and eat you will busy your hands looking for a familiar action, no need for anything terribly elaborate just keep them busy or they may stray to a cigarette.

9. State your intention to quit smoking cigarettes

Tell your friends, tell your family and tell your co-workers that you plan to quit smoking cigarettes for a two reasons. One, you need a support network to help you so it is good to get as many well wishers and helpers as you can. Two if you are not announcing it does not become REAL to you and is less substantial because it is like you are a keeping a secret often as many do not want the stigma of people knowing they failed if it comes to that which is just another excuse!

10. Stay Positive, Quit positive

Research has shown that those that quit when in a good and positive mood stand a much greater chance of achieving their goal. If you plan to quit and map out your ways to quit smoking cigarettes while under stress of when depressed it does not bode well as a negative reason as has been mentioned is no where near as strong as positive ones!

Stop Smoking Tips

Millions of Americans are addicted to smoking. If you are among them but don't want to be, here are some tips to help you kick the habit.

Avoid doing things you associate with smoking, such as drinking, eating, walking, and being awake.

Get thrown in jail, where cigarettes can only be acquired in exchange for painful sexual favors.

Lobby your elected representatives to pass a $6,913 sales tax on packs of cigarettes.

Write a rap song about how smoking is not cool. Perform it at local elementary schools.

Move to California, where tobacco possession is illegal.

Avoid thinking about the rich, full flavor of Benson & Hedges.

Fill your home with motivational placards bearing such slogans as, "Smoking Is For Pussies" and "Only A Fucking Retard Would Even Think About Smoking."

Kissing a smoker is like licking an ashtray. If a loved one quits smoking, keep an ashtray around as a handy substitute.

Attractive people smoke because it makes them look cool. Acknowledge that you are neither attractive nor cool.

Cover yourself in egg whites. No one knows why this works.

Join a stop-smoking support group. Be sure it's one that meets on a different night than your other six support groups.

Hypnotism has helped many people quit, but you risk becoming the hypnotist's slave. It's your choice: quitting smoking or freedom.

Teach yourself a valuable lesson by slowly dying of lung cancer.

Source by: http://www.theonion.com/article/stop-smoking-tips-8080

Top Five Tips to Quit Smoking

While you are contemplating ways to quit smoking, remember that you are not alone and then realize why it's so hard for you to quit smoking - there is a physiological basis and apsychological basis to your addiction.

While there is no wonder cure to stop smoking cigarettes, here are the top five tips to quit smoking:

Prepare Yourself to Quit

Be sure that you make a stop smoking plan customized to your personal needs. If you usually smoke while sitting in front of the TV, for example, then plan other activities to occupy yourself when you would usually be watching TV. Set a date and tell your family and friends that you plan to quit. Understand the challenges that you will face on that date and beyond, get rid of all tobacco related items from you home, car, and work place prior to your quit date.

Research Methods for Quitting

Investigate methods such as nicotine replacement therapy (nicotine patches, lozenges, inhalers, nasal spray and gum) and non-nicotine medications that come in pill form to see which smoking cessation methods may be right for you. Look into alternate treatments for nicotine addiction such as natural treatments that utilize stop smoking herbs.

Learn to Manage your Cravings

Some methods to keep your mind off of cigarettes include getting active by exercising, distracting yourself with crossword puzzles or other things that make you focus on something else, chewing gum, nibbling on carrots, learning to relax find a calm space where your are comfortable, and avoiding situations that trigger the cigarette craving (such as a bar).

Get Support for Quitting Smoking

Find a local support group. You can find a Nicotine Anonymous group near you, call a telephone help line like 1-800-QUIT-NOW, take a smoke-free workshop or call the American Cancer Society near you for a list of resources.

Prepare to Relapse

If you do relapse, understand that it is normal in the process of trying to kick your nicotine addiction. You should examine what happened right before you started smoking again, identify the triggers or trouble spots that confronted you, and make a new stop-smoking plan that removes them.

These top five tips to quit smoking are not the only solutions. You may find other alternatives that will help you to stop smoking for good. Keep trying. Check out our Editor's Choice stop smoking product.

Source by: http://www.stopsmoking.net/5tips.html

Tips To Help You Stop Smoking

Stopping smoking is not easy. Below are some tips which may help you to quit smoking. At the end of the leaflet there are details of further resources that may help.

Write a list of the reasons why you want to stop, and keep them with you. Refer to them when tempted to light up.

Set a date for stopping and stop completely. (Some people prefer the idea of cutting down gradually. However, research has shown that if you smoke fewer cigarettes than usual, you are likely to smoke more of each cigarette and nicotine levels remain nearly the same. Therefore, it is usually best to stop once and for all from a set date.)

Tell everyone that you are giving up smoking. Friends and family often give support and may help you. Smoking by others in the household makes giving up harder. If appropriate, try to get other household members who smoke, or friends who smoke, to stop smoking at the same time. A team effort may be easier than going it alone.

Get rid of ashtrays, lighters, and all cigarettes.

Be prepared for some withdrawal symptoms. When you stop smoking, you are likely to get symptoms which may include feeling sick (nausea), headaches, anxiety, irritability, craving, and just feeling awful. These symptoms are caused by the lack of nicotine that your body has been used to. They tend to peak after 12-24 hours and then gradually ease over 2-4 weeks.

Anticipate a cough. It is normal for a smoker's cough to become worse when you stop smoking (as the airways 'come back to life'). Many people say that this makes them feel worse for a while after stopping smoking and makes them tempted to restart smoking. Resist this temptation! The cough usually gradually eases.

Be aware of situations in which you are most likely to want to smoke. In particular, drinking alcohol is often associated with failing in an attempt to stop smoking. You should consider not drinking much alcohol in the first few weeks after stopping smoking. Try changing your routine for the first few weeks. For example, despite the UK ban on indoor smoking in pubs, outside the pub might still be a tempting place to drink alcohol and smoke. Also, if drinking tea and coffee are difficult times, try drinking mainly fruit juice and plenty of water instead.

Take one day at a time. Mark off each successful day on a calendar. Look at it when you feel tempted to smoke, and tell yourself that you don't want to start all over again.

Be positive. You can tell people that you don't smoke. You will smell better. After a few weeks you should feel better, taste your food more and cough less. You will have more money. Perhaps put away the money, which you would have spent on cigarettes, for treats.

Food. Some people worry about gaining weight when they give up smoking, as the appetite may improve. Anticipate an increase in appetite and try not to increase fatty or sugary foods as snacks. Try fruit and sugar-free gum instead.

Don't despair if you fail. Examine the reasons why you felt it was more difficult at that particular time. It will make you stronger next time. On average, people who eventually stop smoking have made three or four previous attempts.

Stop Smoking Clinics are available on the NHS. They have good success in helping people to stop smoking. Your doctor may refer you to one if you are keen to stop smoking but are finding it difficult to do so.

Various medicines can increase your chance of quitting. These include nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) which comes as gums, sprays, patches, tablets, lozenges and inhalers. You can buy NRT without a prescription. Also, medicines called bupropion and varenicline can help. These are available on prescription. See separate leaflets called Nicotine Replacement Therapy,Bupropion (Zyban®) and Varenicline (Champix®).

There are also electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes). They are designed to look and feel like normal cigarettes. They have a heating element inside that vaporises a solution - this looks like smoke. It may also contain nicotine. They are substituted for normal cigarettes or cigars. There is some uncertainty whether this is more effective than the other ways of stopping smoking. A recent research paper from The Lancet (see under 'References' at the end of this leaflet) showed that the e-cigarettes were as effective as nicotine patches. Further studies are needed to ensure they are safe to use over a length of time.

Source by: http://patient.info/health/tips-to-help-you-stop-smoking

With so many options on the market for programs, pills and treatments to help you kick the habit, how can you tell which is the best method to use? TIME asked Dr. Michael Fiore, a professor of medicine at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and founder of the school’s Center for Tobacco Research and Intervention.

TIME: How can people know what the most effective methods are to help you quit smoking?

Fiore: The good news is that the United States public health services have reviewed the scientific literature on ways to quit smoking and has incredibly thoroughly, systematically and impartially analyzed those methods. They actually reviewed more than 8,000 scientific articles and they pulled them together to give what are called meta-analytical results, so not just one single story or one anecdotal report, but rather, the whole body of research on the most effective ways to quit smoking.

TIME: And what are their findings?

Fiore: Those guidelines really emphasize three core components to successfully quitting. The first is counseling, and counseling is always a pretty nebulous term, but there are quit lines across America (1-800-QUIT-NOW), which anybody can call and get the government services to help them to quit. What they’ll do is give you coaching—one-on-one personalized, individualized coaching to help you to quit. And that has been shown to substantially quit rates.

The second action that has been shown to really increase quit rates is systematically identifying smokers when they present to health clinics in America, having a system in place in those clinics to help them to quit, and having it brought up every time they visit. We know that seven out of 10 smokers visit a primary care doctor every year, so those physicians have unequalled access to smokers.

The third scientifically proven therapy is medicine. All three of these are important, they work additively, each of them by themselves boost quit rates, but when you combine them it reallyboosts quit rates.

TIME: What medications have been shown to work?

Fiore: The government identified seven medicines that the FDA has tested and endorsed. There are five nicotine medicines: the gum, the patch, the lozenge, the nasal spray and the inhaler. And then there are two prescription pills: Bupropion, some people know it by the brand name Zyban, and the other is called Varenicline, which people may know by the brand name Chantix. Those two have been shown to boost success rates. Of course, any medicine you need to talk to your doctor about. Each of these medicines have some people for whom they’re not appropriate, but for the most part the medicines can be used for most smokers.

TIME: How long should people be one these medications?

Fiore: The recommended treatment for nicotine medicines—in fact all five of them—is anywhere from eight weeks of the medicine up to six months. That’s the recommended course of therapy, and that’s pretty much across the board for all of them. People tend to use the gum and the lozenge longer and the nicotine patch shorter.

TIME: Can any of these methods used to quit be addictive themselves?

Fiore: Here’s the really core issue. Cigarettes contain 4,000 chemicals, of which about 40 are carcinogens, which can cause cancer. Nicotine is only one of 4,000. It happens to be the addictive one, but it’s only one of 4,000. What the idea is in designing these medications is that you get rid of your cigarettes with those 4,000 chemicals, you use nicotine as a bridge to then get to a point where you’re using no nicotine and no cigarettes. That is the goal.

The rub of course is the 5% of people who successfully quit with nicotine products, but end up using them long term. Is that a goal? Absolutely not, the goal is to be free of both cigarettes and nicotine, but if the alternative is, Do I use one chemical—nicotine—indefinitely, or do I return to cigarettes with 4,000 chemicals, many of which are deadly like arsenic and carcinogens? Without question I’d say to a patient, our goal is to get you off these medications, but if the only way you can stay free of cigarettes is to use them, then the risk of that nicotine is so minimal that it’s reasonable compared to the enormous risk of the 4,000 chemicals in cigarettes.

TIME: Nicotine gum, such as the brand Nicorette, is one of the methods people tend to stay on longer. Can extended use of the nicotine gum be harmful?

The jury is still out on that, there are at least some theoretical risks of nicotine in terms of the cardiovascular system. Some of these risks may be associated with the way it’s delivered—particularly if it’s delivered to the lungs in cigarettes it appears to be much more harmful than through a gum or a patch. The risks are possible, but probably minimal. But, realistically, it’s a no brainer when you match it up against the risks of smoking.

TIME: If people have kicked smoking, but are trying to ditch their quit method, is there anything you can recommend?

Fiore: There’s not a lot of science to guide that, but my clinical experience is that there are a few strategies that can be used. One is to take the gum on a more scheduled basis, a particular time throughout the day, and over a couple of weeks lengthen the time between pieces of the gum. The second approach is to cut the gum in half, and mix it with a piece of regular chewing gum. The third approach that we’ve used in our clinic is to buy a really spicy cinnamon gum like Big Red, and use that to substitute in between pieces of the Nicorette, and you get the same taste sensation that you’ve gotten used to, but you don’t get the hit of nicotine. You then increase the amount of spicy gum and decrease the amount of pieces of nicotine gum.

TIME: When you have a new patient trying to quit smoking, what method do you prefer?

Importantly, what I start with is coaching and counseling. This isn’t all about a medicine, it really is taking a person who has made a decision to quit and giving them some extra tools. So we talk about setting a specific quit date, some specific time over the next week when, on that date, you’ll start with not even a single puff. The second thing we do is review past experience. Almost every smoker has already tried to quit, but got into trouble and eventually relapsed, so how can they handle that situation differently? And also, what worked, and can we build on that?

The third point is to ask them to anticipate challenges to the upcoming quit attempt. Smokers know what’s going to get them into trouble, and if they practice coping strategies or plans before they quit, when they’re in withdrawal, they’re much more likely to implement those plans and make it through those dangerous situations. Another element to consider is alcohol—the leading factor that is associated with failing once you’ve started a quit attempt is drinking. 50% of people who try to quit and then relapse have some alcohol in their bloodstream when they have the first puff of smoke that leads to that relapse. So we urge them to, maybe for the first month or two, to totally abstain, so you don’t let your guard down in a way that will lead you to relapse. The link between drinking and smoking is a powerful one. And the last of the five points is smokers in the household. Probably the hardest thing is if you’re married to a smoker, you’re trying to quit, but your spouse is continuing to smoke. You really need to set up some ground rules for the house, and let them know that I won’t be at my best for the next couple of weeks and I’ll need a little slack.

We then link this type of coaching with one of the seven medicines, and which of the seven medicines we use depends on the person, and their history.

What ends up happening is you start with a person who feels helpless and overcome, and instead you have a person who has a really specific plan to quit.

Original post found here:

http://healthland.time.com/2009/08/21/whats-the-best-way-to-quit-smoking/

1 / 21

Are you among the 70 percent of smokers who wish you could quit? Then you probably know firsthand that quitting smoking is not easy, and usually requires multiple attempts before you successfully stop. But quitting smoking for good is possible: According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, about 48 million adults are former smokers; there are more former smokers in the nation than current smokers.

And many of them are Everyday Health Facebook fans, who recently shared the strategies that helped them kick butt. Here are some of our favorite motivational tips and inspirational stories.

2 / 21 Keep an Inspiring List

"I smoked two packs a day from age 15 to 35 and quit cold turkey 15 years ago. I wrote down all the reasons for quitting and looked at them several times a day. I kept a running total of how much money I was saving. I kept lots of hard candies. I scrubbed my house and car so they smelled good. And I walked when I really needed a smoke. The first three weeks were miserable. The next year was challenging. The second year I realized how much better I felt and freer I was." — Sharon Blavier Hargrove

3 / 21 Start a Healthy Hobby

"I gave up smoking and picked up running. The fitter I got, the less I wanted to ruin that feeling by smoking." — Janice Gadd

4 / 21 Find a Go-To Healthy Snack

"The hand-to-mouth habit is hard to break; hence why people typically gain weight, so I recommend almonds to snack on." — Tara Smith Caron

"I used lollipops at first but then I switched to baby carrot sticks because I didn’t want to put on weight. I never even noticed that my pants were getting tighter until I couldn't get into them. I have gained a lot of weight since the day I quit, but I would take that because dieting is a lot easier and less drastic than dying." — Celeste Lamasa

5 / 21 Hang With Non-Smoking Pals

"Quitting is easy when you hang out with people who don’t smoke." — Erica Field

"I had to stay away from people who smoked and never picked up [a cigarette] again. Just like any other addiction, you can't have just one. I’ve been smoke-free for 10 years." — Joan Campbell Kramer

6 / 21 Stop When You're Expecting

"I quit when I got pregnant. [It was] easy, because it wasn't about me... It was about the little baby growing inside of me." — Casey Strabley

"I smoked but would stop while I was pregnant and start again after the baby was born. But when I got pregnant with my third baby, I took one last hit and never smoked again. My babies’ health is too important. When you smoke it’s on your clothes and your hair and I didn't want my kids breathing that. My baby also had really bad ear infections and smoking would've made things worse. My kids are the reason I quit." — Tiffany Castile

7 / 21 Use the Patch

"I smoked for 15 years, quit cold turkey a few times, then I wound up starting again, so the last time I really wanted to quit — which makes the difference; you have to want to quit — I used the patch. It’s been five years since I quit, and I can't stand the smell of the smoke on people. That's what keeps me from starting again: I don't want to smell like that!" — Kimberly Campbell

8 / 21 Rely on Your Faith

"I smoked for 17 years and started getting sick of the smell all over everything! I prayed the night before my birthday that he would take [cigarette cravings] from me. When I awoke on Dec. 7, 2009 I didn't smoke again and haven't wanted to since. I saw too many of my loved ones die from cancer and refused to let that take me too!" — Patrice Grant

"I prayed and asked God to take away the desire to smoke. I used patches and chewinggum. It's been 20 years and I have not smoked another one. Now I can't stand to even smell them!" — Mary Hall

9 / 21 Seek Out Support

"I quit cold turkey, but I was successful because of two co-workers who were supportive. They brought me things to chew on and would come take me walking. I don't know if I would have made it without them." — Sandy Akers

10 / 21 Read a Helpful Book

"I read The Easy Way to Quit Smoking by Allen Carr … It worked for me and a few of my friends." — Amanda Gill

11 / 21 Consider Your Cancer Risk

"[I stopped] cold turkey! My best friend was diagnosed with breast cancer and it [spread] to her bones. When the cancer went to her brain, I quit — for myself, and my son! Watching her slowly die was one of the worst things I ever had to do. But I had to be there for her. If that wasn't enough to make you want to quit, I don't know what would! It’s been five years, and I crave a cig once in a while. I breathe in and out think of something different and then it’s gone!" — Pam Goodwin McGee

"I quit cold turkey five years ago. My grandmother passed away from cancer andemphysema; watching her suffer and smother was all I needed." — Dana Brantley McMullan

12 / 21 Quit for Your Kids

"I gave up [smoking] 25 years ago when my 4-year-old was imitating me with a cigarettewhile she was playing with her dolls! I was a pack-a-day smoker, and am happy I quit. Our mind is a powerful thing ... make up your mind and stick to it!" — Simona Vasquez

"I quit July 1982 after my 5-year-old son came into kitchen pretending to "smoke like mommy does.” Immediately threw out the rest of the pack, and have never looked back. It can be done. Where there is a will, there is a way!" — Eileen Kaye Carter

13 / 21 Stop for Your Grandkids

"I smoked for 40-plus years when my grandson started visiting regularly, and everyone who was a smoker had to go outside. There was no smoking around my angel! I realized there is no cigarette worth more than my grandson, and dirtying my lungs was no longer a priority; my grandson was. It’s been three years now, and oh don’t get me wrong, it was very hard and sometimes I crave a cig. But I want to be able to breathe when playing with my little boy. Look at what’s important to you — a cigarette or your life!" — Deborah Irene Green Beecham

14 / 21 Go One Day at a Time

"Getting through that first day was hard. Giving up the morning smoke was impossible — it made my day unbearable. Finally [on the day I ultimately quit] I allowed myself to have the morning smoke. Once I had one "day" under my belt, it was an investment that made the following days easier." — Thomas G Schell

15 / 21 Pick a Milestone Birthday

"Last January, I quit after smoking for 16 years. I had always said I would quit before I turned 30, which I just did a few weeks ago. I no longer enjoyed it, so I waited until the cravings were just absolutely unbearable, and I would smoke a part of a cigarette. After a few re-lights they would taste terrible, and I would get nauseated and light-headed. After three days of this, I found I just couldn't stomach the thought of smoking, even though I wanted it. I was done." — Abby Sheetz

16 / 21 Consider Hypnosis

"I went to a hypnotist on July 16, 1991, and haven't smoked since." — Connie Connell Ingersoll

17 / 21 Change Your Outlook

"I just realized that I'm far too precious and valuable to be poisoning myself. Once I started looking at things that nourish my body, mind, and spirit versus things that are toxic to it, I began to have a great deal of love for myself and choose not to fill my body full of toxins. Self-love is good motivation. I just finally decided to be my best friend." — Dezarae Starnes

18 / 21 Try Toothpicks

"I had promised myself I would quit at 50, which I did. I chewed cinnamon toothpicks! Just to make sure my lungs were healing I participated in a British Columbia Lung Cancer Project one year later. The test confirmed that I had the lungs of a 47-year-old with no cancer — [quitting] was so worth it!" — Sheryl Beach>

19 / 21 Keep Yourself Busy

"Someone told me whatever you do, don't keep smoking after age 40. At age 38 I quit cold turkey on January 1, 1990. That following December, I gave birth to my beautiful daughter, my only child. I substituted cigarettes with cough drops and a lot of coffee. It was very hard but I got through it. One thing I do remember, I couldn't believe how much more time I had by stopping. You have to keep yourself busy." — Catherine V. Ackerman

"I [haven’t smoked] for 10 years now. I just changed my routine. I put cigarettes out of reach where I would have to think before lighting up. [I made myself wait] so gradually the cravingwould diminish, but it was rough at first. And I did have a couple of puffs, which made me sick, and so I didn’t do that anymore. The best thing is keep your hands busy and be committed. If you don't have the commitment to doing it, you are not gonna make it." — Tonie Lesia Dalton

20 / 21 Distract Yourself With Candy

"I smoked for about 20 years and about five years ago I took the first step and stopped smoking indoors (my house, other peoples’ homes, etc.), which helped me to cut down. Last November I decided one day to quit. I had smoked my last cigarette on the way home from work the night before and told myself I wouldn’t buy anymore. So I bought myself a bag of Dum-Dum suckers, and would take them to the places outside where I normally smoked. Within two weeks the cravings were practically gone, and I have been nicotine-free for a little more than six months now!" — Traci L. Henry

21 / 21 Learn From a Health Scare

"I collapsed at home from an asthma attack. (Yes, I was stupid and smoked with asthma). But after my heart stopped twice, both lungs collapsed, and I had to be intubated, I woke up two days later, luckily with no brain damage … yeah, I quit!" — Donna McArthur Hill

"I smoked for 23 years, then had a heart attack and double bypass [surgery] and then quit cold turkey. I haven’t had any urges to smoke since. I don’t like the smell and have been smoke-free for five years." — Cathy Lockhart Hall

Original post found here:

http://www.everydayhealth.com/stop-smoking-pictures/reader-tips-to-stop-smoking-for-good.aspx#21

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