I stopped smoking 7 months ago and this is my first holiday since. MY GOD!!! How hard. I did not think it would be as hard as it is. Every where I look people are smoking. I still love the smell and think I always will.
At home it’s easier as I get up after meals and start cleaning so any slight cravings pass.
Did anyone else feel like this on their holidays after stopping smoking.
Still feel jealous of the smokers which I know is ridiculous and they should and probably do feel jealous of me as a non smoker.
On holiday I used to smoke loads and I remember the cough I would get by the end of the holiday and I’m glad I remember as it spurs me on to stay stopped.
Please assure my that the next holiday I have it’ll be easier ?!?!
Thanks
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Kathy321
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Your next holiday will be easier. I quit 11 years ago and it helped picturing myself as a non smoker and being able to do things easier than smokers. For example: going on a 10 hour flight and not getting antsy and wishing the flight would hurry up so I could have my smoke. Some smokers won't even go because it's too long without. I do have the occasional craving but I don't like the smell anymore and it passes in seconds. I also really enjoy a good cup of coffee without a cigarette and that's something I thought would never happen. Yes, there are many people that look at you and wish they could be a non smoker too. I used to be one of them. 🙄
I think you still have to be wary of the triggers to smoke that will appear on occasion.
You’ve managed to overcome most of them in your home environment very well, and found ways to resist the cravings.
But then you go on holiday, probably a time you would have relaxed and smoked a fair bit more, often with a drink or at the end of a lovely meal, and you’re hit by the association cravings again.
But you’ve done this for the first time now, and managed to get through it without smoking. You’re setting up new learned behaviours for your brain, and overwriting the old ones. It does get easier, but it will catch you on occasion.
One of the lovely things I’ve finally realised after nearly 4 years smoke free (as a person who loved smoking and found any excuse to do so) is that I don’t have to do it anymore, no searching out the smoking area, eg cramming in the last one before going into the airport - I am a free agent! And I’ve also finally found that I’m not drawn to the smell, I’m relieved that I don’t stink like that anymore - I had absolutely no idea then.
You’ll get there, just never give in!
Seven months is a great achievement. It will get easier but even after fourteen years I still get the occasional desire. It passes very quickly now though. Just remember why you stopped and keep up the good work.
Well done for quitting. Beware your mind will play tricks on you. There are only one in five adults who now smoke, welcome to the human race. The craving will reduce in intensity over more time, but as with any addict the craving may still be there for a long time yet. When the craving appears try to imagine carting a tank of oxygen around everywhere, because that is what will happen. Quitting is hard, but so worth doing.
Hi Kathy. Been there done that so I know exactly how you felt. I gave up smoking ten years ago and six weeks into my smoke free life we went on holiday to Rhodes. Hotel was great, weather fantastic, island beautiful. But everywhere we went there were people smoking. Everywhere we walked there was a shop stocked high with cheap cigarettes, every bar we stopped at for a refreshing drink in the heat had an ashtray on the table. To this day I do not know how I found the resolve not to break. I fantasised about buying a packet of cigarettes and sitting on the sea wall to chain smoke all twenty. I’m pleased to say I did get home still smoke free and I’ve never, ever touched a cigarette again. I readily admit that I found cigarette smoking very, very pleasurable and I know that if I ever so much as smoked one cigarette then I would be back on them. So for a latent cigarette addict like myself the only way is to never, ever put one in my mouth ever again. It took a long time for the cravings to disappear and for me to stop feeling envious and deprived when I saw a smoker enjoying a cigarette. But you will get there. If I can do it then so can you. Just take one day at a time and say to yourself ‘I’m not smoking today’. Good luck and stay strong.
That’s the issue, the ash trays everywhere. On tables and on my balcony. Only 2 more days of my holiday left and then back to normality. Back again in October and will have been stopped nearly a year then so hopefully it’ll be a little easier. Thanks for your reply
Well done on giving up smoking,although I have never smoked i am moderate COPD,they say it's down to my work environment,however,having never smoked going abroad where they still smoke in most areas is really annoying,especially people who smoke in between meal courses.
The worst case for me was La s Vegas last year where people smoke everywhere you go,huge great cigars etc,it may be different for yourself having been a smoker but believe me it's horrendous and for me doesn't get any better even after a number of years,carry on the good work with the no smoking i hope you get used to the feeling soon.
Well Done, it is hard and yes the smells and cravings ate there, But you have Done it, I'm 3 years without now, it's hard as my Hubby smokes, only out side and not a lot. If I had one I know it would kill me. After waiting for transplant, I'm not going to jeopadise my Future. Bless you Kathy, Stay Strong. Xxx
Hi, it does get easier but you must bear with it, the craving will continue but do fall into temptation on hols and think well one won't matter it will, do not be tempted.
Well done for lasting the course so far don't ruin it now.
As an ex-smoker I do know what you are going thro'. Your lungs will thank you.
I'm 15 years in on the giving up smoking and I have to say that, for the last 10 years, I have had no cravings, no desire to smoke at all and absolutely hate the smell of anyone smoking, or a smoker - they really stink. I am continually mortified when I thing what I put the people I worked with through all those years ago - I just didn't know. I used to smoke in the car, not at work, but it must have clung to my clothes something wicked. There is hope, and the cravings do get milder and easier to ignore over time, until one day, you pass someone outside Tesco (other stores are available) and the smell is disgusting. Then you know for sure that you will never go back to it.
Hi Kathy I am currently in Costa Rica which is a breath of freah air literally as the hotel is no smoking ! not in the bars not in the rooms not around the pool. My partner has to go to allocated spaces onthebeach, at the fromt day of the hotel or to the only designated smoking area tucked away. I wonder if there are more no smoking hotels. That would certainly help us n your next holiday. I havent seen an ashtray yet never mind a smoker apart from Dave of course xx You are doing a brilliant job, stick at it Kathy xx
Congratulations for stopping the cigarettes. I initially stopped for 18 months, went on holiday and started again. I really felt I had let myself down for starting again and found it hard to motivate myself to stop smoking again. We ran a very busy social club and were surrounded by smoke and there was always some one offering me a cig. I did manage to stop again and haven’t smoked for 34 years. That longing for one will stop and instead of liking the smell it will start to disgust you. KEEP AT IT, YOU CAN DO IT!!!
Well done for holding out! Seven months already! My habits are benign - tea and coffee - but even giving up such mild addictions would take me to the outer limits of my will power. Hope you'll feel better and better as time goes on.
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Non obstructive chronic bronchitis 
Results of recent X-ray-Early signs of COPD non acute 
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Holiday oxygen- south of France
