- When did you start smoking?
I had my first cigarette when I was 12 years old. I smoked socially for the next few years. When I was 16 it became a full time habit. A pack a day was generally my limit. If I was around people who smoked like trains, I seemed to smoke more.
- Why did you start smoking?
I tried my first cigarette to be cool. I became a smoker because everyone I knew smoked. I was around it all the time. Plus I had a lot of hard times at school, because I was a little guy (at the time LOL).
- When did you quit?
Last summer
- Why did you quit?
I was disgusted with the habit. I hated being controlled by them. I would catch my self thinking about smoking all the time. I would spend time with friends and be more concerned with when I was gonna go out for a smoke. So one day I decided to quit. It was very hard, because the house was full of smokers.
- How do you deal with cravings?
I got the spiciest sugar free cinnamon gum I could find. I figured if I could keep my mouth busy, and I had a good tingling sensation on my tongue it would help take the edge off. I still chew gum like a cow, but at least it's good for my teeth. Another thing that helped and still helps is seeing other smokers. They stink, and their teeth are yellow. It's like watching a slave when you see a smoker. I just look at that and it makes me glad I quit.
- Do you have any tips for quitting?
I don't really have anything. Gain a healthy habit or something. Sunflower seeds were an occasional help, along with hefty amounts of sugar free gum. I used to be the guy that had the cigarette in my hand laughing at the people who had pictures of black lungs.
In the end, you have to want to quit more than you want to smoke. You'll never quit if you don't want to. As for me, I have a dad that smokes too much, I can't help him quit, he loves it too much.
I still think about cigarettes. I think about just having one more. I am still addicted in my mind. I've lit up a cigarette hundreds of times in my dreams. You just have to focus on what is good in life. You just have to fight it.
Now about the weight gain, that was the sucky part. I used to could go most of the day without eating anything just riding on nicotine.