It's time to retire your smoking habit.

This Thanksgiving Day marks my sevent week smoke-free.  I kicked the habit.  I've done it, and I have to tell the world!  http://www.icanquitsmoking.org/

As most smokers, I started smoking when I was a teenager.  It began slowly, a celebratory cigar from time to time and blossomed from there.  At sixteen I was smoking cigarillos because I "liked to flavor".  By eighteen, I was a full fledged Marlboro fan. 

I smoked for the next twelve years.  Through two colleges, one trade school and several jobs, I was a smoker.  I was a proud smoker.  I smoked because I liked smoking, not because I felt that I had to have it.  I wasn't obnoxious about it, if I knew that someone present was easily bothered by smoking, I'd simply not smoke. 

Recently, during a discussion with my girlfriend (who smoked at the time).  We decided that we should try to kick the habit.  It stems from several issues.  The three important ones are:

• It's proven to be bad for your health (seriously......)
• As taxes increase, it's a very expensive habit (close to $400.00/mo for the two of us)
• We've decided to attempt to get pregnant (yeah....we're that couple)

She quit about a week before I could bring myself to do it and she did it like a champ.  Not even the first single complaint from her.  I couldn't have been more proud.  Finally, my turn.  I went through the house and got rid of everything that could even lead to thoughts about smoking.  Lights, ashtrays, matches, cigarette packs (full and empty), cigars, cigar boxes, posters, magazines.  Anything and everything that had anything resembling a cigarette, someone smoking a cigarette or someone talking about cigarettes. 

The first day was the hardest, and it wasn't even all that hard.  The "habit" that I needed to break was the physical act of buying the stupid things.  Re-programming myself to not be tempted to pull out a cigarette at those pre-determined times, like all smokers do.  You can't fool me folks, I use to be one of you.  I know how this works.   Some of you are a first thing in the morning smoker, some of you are an after dinner smoker, after sex.....the list goes on.  These are the things that I had to tell myself not to do anymore.  It really had very little to do with cigarettes, other than telling myself that I need to find something other than cigarettes to enjoy at this times. 

Going into it, I felt a little overwhelmed having heard for many years that it was tough to quit.  Having seen many ads pertaining to nicotine gum and patches.  I figured that I had my work cut out for me.  The more I didn't smoke, the more I realized that I didn't need to anymore.  I feel cheated by mainstream media in that I didn't go through this period that they claim that the gum and patches will help you through.  I've deduced that the gum/patch companies are subsidiaries of the Tobacco Companies.  Would it surprise you?

As the days progressed it was easier and easier to manage and after 3 or 4 short days.  I was loving the no smoking thing.  About a week into it I was noticably breating better and it continues to improve as everyday goes by.  I'm sleeping better.  According to nonsmoking family and friends, I smell better.  My sense of taste has improved to the point that I feel like I've never eaten anything before because the taste of just about everything blows me away.  Most importantly, I'm happy.  I'm truely, genuinely happy that I have kicked this God forsaken habit and I encourage every single person to take my advice and throw away your cigarettes right now.  Do not delay.  Do not schedule.  Do not make excuses.  Just give it up. 

From personal experience.  It takes more effort and will power to smoke than it does to stop smoking.  If you don't believe me, try it for yourself.  You will not be disappointed.