How Long Have You / Did You Smoke?

[katharina]

Whether you have quit or are still smoking, how many years have you been smoking? If you've quit, how long did you smoke?

[ozzie]

I smoked for about 30 years so it was a really difficult habit to break 8 years ago. I'm really glad I did though because my breathing had started to be a problem....shortness of breath sometimes. In the past 8 years that has gradually diminished and my breathing is fine.

[katharina]

Originally Posted by ozzie

I smoked for about 30 years so it was a really difficult habit to break 8 years ago. I'm really glad I did though because my breathing had started to be a problem....shortness of breath sometimes. In the past 8 years that has gradually diminished and my breathing is fine.

Good news, ozzie! It's been 4 years for me and I'm so glad that it's behind me once and for all. There's not that feeling of dread and doom over me constantly wondering if I'm giving myself a death sentence now. I'm sure you know the feeling.

[MHJ]

I never smoked but I had relatives who did it for decades. Then, all of a sudden, virtually all my relatives gave up the habit.

[Serenity]

I smoked from seventeen until I was thirty nine years old. It took me a couple of attempts before I managed to give it up, but I have and just celebrated my three year anniversary of stopping. I don't think I'd ever be tempted to go back to it, that's for sure.

[Swastik]

I never smoked. But my husband do from the time he was just 16 years old. And i want he should leave it forever. But i ma not finding a better solution for this.

[HealthNiche]

I smoked from 16 to 31. I've been smoke free for 5 years. Quitting was one of the hardest things I've EVER done!

[katharina]

Originally Posted by HealthNiche

I smoked from 16 to 31. I've been smoke free for 5 years. Quitting was one of the hardest things I've EVER done!

Great work, HealthNiche! It's a good feeling for me when I can see that every month and year that goes by, it goes further and further back in my memory and that's a very good thing.

[mollyL]

I smoked ciggies from age 15 to 30. I didn't smoke for the longest time but then I started working graveyard shift at an ER, and everyone smoked there, believe it or not, so I started again and smoked for about two years after that. That's about fifteen years I've been tobacco free.

[katharina]

Originally Posted by mollyL

I smoked ciggies from age 15 to 30. I didn't smoke for the longest time but then I started working graveyard shift at an ER, and everyone smoked there, believe it or not, so I started again and smoked for about two years after that. That's about fifteen years I've been tobacco free.

15 years is great! I've been in those places where everyone else smoked and that is so difficult for someone to be smoke-free in an environment like that. I guess it feels like if you're going to be getting the toxins in the second-hand every day anyhow, why bother quitting?

[Sandy B.]

Hi there! I am new to the board. My name is Sandy and I was a smoker for 10 years and successfully quit 8 years ago! I hope that everyone else has the same success!

[ACCER]

I've been smoking for about 10 years and I currently have no intention of quitting. But congrats to those who have. I understand it to be a difficult process for some so good job.

[katharina]

Originally Posted by Sandy B.

Hi there! I am new to the board. My name is Sandy and I was a smoker for 10 years and successfully quit 8 years ago! I hope that everyone else has the same success!

Great, Sandy... It's 4.5 for me. It often takes a very real health scare for someone to reach the point of being successful. Has to hit home before some will take action... but I'm so glad I stopped when I did... just wish it had been years earlier.

[mrfadedjeans]

Ive been smoking for 20yrs and i quit for three weeks since and thats the longest i lasted.

[trshk]

I am 47 and have been smoking on and off since I was a teenager. I read alan carrs easy way to stop smoking and have now been 5 weeks free of cigs. Wow and do I feel better.

[christinequits]

Originally Posted by katharina

Whether you have quit or are still smoking, how many years have you been smoking? If you've quit, how long did you smoke?

Hi,
I smoked for 24 + years and I am on day 2 with no cigarettes!

[trshk]

HI
Just thought I would update you on my progress for healthy living. I have now been smoke free for 3 months and although I put on a few pounds, I have joined a health club and have lost 7lb To be non smoking and fit is a miracle after all these years of being a smoker. yipee it feels great... All you ex smokers, keep up the good work, but remember, it only took one cig to start smoking in the first place...

[cherrylee]

I started smoking when i was 15 years old , now im 32 and i quite smoking three days ago and im not going back. Im on the patch right now and its working realy well for me .

[jimcarter]

I am smoking since 10 years, I had started smoking at the age of 15 but now i'm facing problems in breathing and getting regular cough. Now I'm willing not to smoke can anyone suggest what should I do?

[jackson]

Originally Posted by jimcarter

I am smoking since 10 years, I had started smoking at the age of 15 but now i'm facing problems in breathing and getting regular cough. Now I'm willing not to smoke can anyone suggest what should I do?

Well you should start thinking about giving up the habit.
Understand that you are addicted to the nicotine and the habit of smoking so it wont be easy.Do use some form of Nicotine replacement therapy for at least 6 months when you decide to quit, for me the 4mg nicorette losenge did it.
After smoking for 45 years i too was having breathing difficulties, what really gave me most of my motivation was when the price rose to over $10 a pack, i could no longer justify taking that much money away from my family so i could blow $4000 a year on smoking.
Been 2 and a half years since my last smoke and even though i get the occasional craving for a smoke i let the feeling pass as i cant afford to re-establish the habit and i really dont want to go through the hassle of quitting smoking again.
So tell your mind its over,you aint ever going to be a slave to that addiction any longer, take that monkey off your back and put him down with extreme prejudice,its ok to get mad..

good luck