With The Great American Smokeout coming up on November 16th, I thought I would start this thread for those who have already quit smoking to give useful information and support to those who would like to quit.

As many of you already know I quit smoking in March of this year having been told to do so by my doctor. I haven't had so much as a puff since and although I hate to admit it I am fitter!

How did I do it?

I didn't 'give up' smoking, I have merely delayed having my next one ..... by eight months so far! there are cigarettes and a lighter inthe cupboard so I know that if I really want one then I can, this strengthens the 'delayed' part, had I thrown them away I would have craved for one.

As I was diagnosed as diabetic, hence the order to quit smoking, I couldn't take up eating sweets (candies) etc so haven't gained any additional weight.

Most days I don't even think about smoking, from time to time I could murder one!

Good luck to those of you who decide to give a whirl, just hink of the money you will save.

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From over the pond....

Both my husband and I will celebrate 1 year as non-smokers on November 22nd!!! YEAH US!!!!

How did we do it? Zyban. We tried the patch and the gum and this and that but Zyban did the trick and it was sooooooo easy. We took the pill for 1 week while we smoked and on the 7th day we simply put the cigarettes down and never picked them back up.

We both feel so much better. I have actually been a full year now without a bout of bronchitis (sp?), which hasn't happened in about 15 years! I don't get winded as easily. My nose works better, I can actually smell things now. My taste buds work better, I can actually taste things now. I don't have nearly the problems with my allergies that I did before.

I don't see how our non-smoking friends ever stood being around us. Judging by the way our still-smoking friends smell, we must have smelled like a couple of ashtrays! How embarrasing!

Since we don't have to fork out for cigarettes now, we have like $50 extra bucks a week! It's like we got paid to quit smoking.

I haven't found a draw back yet! Do yourself a favor...give it a try!

I also quit smoking, it will be 1 year on December 31. I feel so much better now. My house doesn't smell of stale smoke anymore. I did gain a few extra pounds, but with my parents passing away about the same time, the stress built up, but I didn't reach for a cigarette, I reached for food instead, and I am working on losing the extra weight. I have lost a few pounds in the last few weeks.
For some tips on quitting, drink lots of water, it really helps.
Also keep veggies on hand like carrots, celery..etc, keep your hands busy, learn crosstitch or needlepointing.
Good Luck to those who are going to try to quit.

Lung cancer rates have declined in California since the state passed tough anti-smoking ordinances, researchers say. New figures, released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the California Department of Health Services, show decreases in lung and bronchus cancer rates were more rapid in California than in other selected sites. In 1988, California became the first state to pass an initiative to raise tobacco taxes and dedicate a portion of the revenue for a comprehensive tobacco use prevention program. Funding for the program began in 1990. California's lung and bronchus cancer incidence rates decreased by 14% (from 71.9 per 100,000 in 1988 to 60.1 per 100,000 in 1997), while the rates at the other selected U.S. regions studied declined by only 2.7% (from 67.7 per 100,000 in 1988 to 64.7 per 100,000 in 1997).

Major kudos to all of you who quit the habit. In case anyone needs support or inspiration to quit, we are here for each of you.