What's your one big reason for quitting?

[Rainbowlilybet]

I have lots of little reasons, but my one big one is I couldn't get a referral to the NHS surgeon while I was a smoker. If I'm still smoke free at the start if March the referral goes in. So why are you doing it?

[Hidden]

I stopped because my dentist kept moaning on about how smoking had caused my gum disease, but I think now that they're just drip fed that line at dental school. An older private dentist I saw never even mentioned smoking. So the reason that kept me going and still just about keeps me going - money. Could I just ask, is that because operating while you were still smoking would have endangered your life?

[Rainbowlilybet 9 MONTH WINNER in reply to Hidden]

The two reasons they gave were the safety aspect, and also because it's an elective surgery, stopping smoking shows commitment.

Do you put aside the money you would have spent smoking? Do you keep a tally of how much you have saved?

[Hidden in reply to Rainbowlilybet]

Oh, OK, I just wondered. Isn't all surgery elective unless its a dire emergency. I only ask because I feel they single out smokers when it comes to treating health issues and yet an awful lot of complaints and stuff that needs surgery is down to lifestyle these days, so where do they plan to draw the line.

No, I don't actually calculate savings and put the money aside but I have bought stuff like a tablet, a camera and a new bike. Haha, probably spent more than I've saved but I certainly saw the money start to accumulate in the bank much better than it used to.

[Rainbowlilybet 9 MONTH WINNER in reply to Hidden]

I do think that by doing a blanket ban on smokers for most things they use it to keep waiting lists down. They also tried saying that I couldn't be referred because I have mental health problems but I'm fighting that one.

A tablet, a camera and a bike sound like much more fun than fags!

[Hidden in reply to Rainbowlilybet]

Yeah, you're right they are more fun. I never looked at it that way, I think maybe I need to appreciate things a bit better.

[jillygirl Administrator Queen Bee]

I stopped due to chest infections. 9 month down the line cancer set in so that was the big excuse not to even think of smoking.

[Rainbowlilybet 9 MONTH WINNER in reply to jillygirl]

I imagine that would have been the kick in the bum to stay off them. I hope once you fight it,non smoking will bring you good health xx

[jillygirl Administrator Queen Bee in reply to Rainbowlilybet]

Hi Ellie, I dont have cancer anymore, if you go into jillys story on quit stories it comes under thank you quit support. or in the search bar you will see what I mean. Stopping when I did saved my life.

[Rainbowlilybet 9 MONTH WINNER in reply to jillygirl]

I might be being very blonde but I can't find it

[Jmcf81 in reply to Rainbowlilybet]

Type Jilly's story into top right hand search box. I just read it there a minute ago. A truly remarkable story Jilly.

[jillygirl Administrator Queen Bee in reply to Rainbowlilybet]

Ellie go into the search bar top right of this page. put in thank you quit support

[Rainbowlilybet 9 MONTH WINNER in reply to jillygirl]

Just read it. Wow. I hate that you had to go through that and I totally admire that you are so passionate about helping others that you are willing to share the horrific experience you had

[MMoo]

1,Kids

2,Health

3,Anxiety (not smoking is meant to ease it. I beg to differ)

[Hidden in reply to MMoo]

On No. 3, yeah me too (beg to differ I mean). Had a pig of a day today, tho to be really honest I am starting to wonder if too much nicotine (probably more than when I used to smoke) is the cause of my ever increasing black moods, angst and what seems to be depression.

[Simbalage 6 MONTH WINNER in reply to Hidden]

I read somewhere that smoking actually contains a chemical that works on the brain exactly like taking an anti-depressant and thus why when you smoke you feel a sense of relaxation and calming effect. when I smoked it was opposite as in it helped me calm down, and quitting created a lot of it

[Rainbowlilybet 9 MONTH WINNER in reply to MMoo]

Anxiety is a hard one to try beat. Do you get help with it?

[MMoo in reply to Rainbowlilybet]

Yeah. I'm seeing a thepiest and doing self relaxation and may do some CBT as well. I went on A/D for little while. But didn't agree with me

[Rainbowlilybet 9 MONTH WINNER in reply to MMoo]

You probably have, but have you checked out mind.org.uk? They have really good information and support to use alongside professional help xx

And remember one day it won't control you, you will control it.

[MMoo in reply to Rainbowlilybet]

Thanks. I will take a look xx

[Pinkiezoom 26 Months Winner]

I am giving up because I had a very vivid dream that I wouldn't see my grand children grow up, and I was dying as my son announced his wife was pregnant. Scared the life out of me, as felt real, and although my son is only 20 and not married or in a serious relationship yet, I cant wait to be a grandma when the time is right, so I saw my dream as a warning, all the women in my family have not lived long, all cancer victims, but not lung cancer, but why risk it.

So that is my driving force

I do have a glass jar on my kitchen side and i will be putting the £10.00 i save from not buying fags in it everyday, so i can physically see the money, which will be exchanged once a month for beautiful things.......i have a shoe/boot/bag fetish, so i may need to buy more shoe racks the first month

My official quit date is feb 1st. but today i am having a trial run at being totally smoke free, but i am still vaping. Since starting my vaping i have cut down from 20 a day to 5 or less, and now not really enjoying the real ones, so thought i would have a practice today, and just note down when i feel the need for a real fag, but hoping it doesnt bother me until after my evening meal, and i have that one sorted as walking the dogs straight after dinner now. Problem solved lol.

Have a good weekend x

[Rainbowlilybet 9 MONTH WINNER]

Wow, that dream just have frightened the life out if you (excuse the expression)

I love the idea of swapping smoking for shoes! Pretty sparkly pointy shoes!

[Pinkiezoom 26 Months Winner in reply to Rainbowlilybet]

That's my plan x

[chrisb63]

I quit 16 days ago cold turkey after being a 20 a day man for 40 years, and did so because of my health: Severe back pain and insomnia plus the risk of dying too young (63 years).

It is literally like HELL on earth, but I want to see my grandchildren get older and not miss out on their lives.

[Cherylle 5 MONTH WINNER]

Health,Grandchildren and money.When I started 40 years ago smoking was so cheap but today,To expensive I can spend that money on my granchildren.I recently had a cough and cold and I promised myself that I whould give up and iv kept my promise.No more x

[Simbalage 6 MONTH WINNER]

Dying and struggling to breath. Copd is like this. go get a plastic bag, hold said bag over your face tightly.. Then try to breath and when you really need the air, pull the bag tighter... yes... that stuff sucks but I don't want to die suffering for air. we can can days without food, and days without water, but cannot go very long without air! NTM I don't want my kids to bury me

[Hidden]

my reason.....there are several. I am not athletic when i smoke. And my 17 year old started joining me on the porch when i would smoke. Sort of a bad thing for me to see.