Quit Success Stories
The views and opinions that are expressed in the stories and tips do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions held by Quit Tasmania.
Clint’s story
It’s been 40 days without smoking and WOW what a change in health, confidence, energy, and general all round social contact too. Why did I not do this a long time ago? The positives that I noticed in just the first week were remarkable. Since quitting I have joined a gym and I’m working out 3 days a week now.
I almost never think of cigarettes now. When I am around smokers, although I don’t like the smell personally, I have learned to be accommodating and I try to be somewhat helpful towards others to help them to gain some willpower to quit rather than being a stuffy reformed non-smoker.
I am excited to continue my quitting journey as I now understand my cravings and the habits have been replaced slowly by other healthy things.
All I can say to those who have been thinking about quitting is “Wait no more and just go for it”. It is possible even for a pack-a-day 30 year smoker to give up, just look at me. Remember to start off by making a list of what is motivating you to quit and use the most important one to focus on. You will find this very useful, especially in the first week.
Well, here’s to your quit attempt, and if you’re struggling get some support from the Quitline people to help you stay on track.
Colin’s story
I am 34 years old and I have successfully quit for three years now. I had smoking induced asthma and was coughing up phlegm every day, on a bad day I could smoke more than 50 cigarettes.
My asthma has gone and I rarely even cough now... my skin is so much better too. Due to mental health issues I decided to quit during a quiet stable time in my life and that plan worked.
I am so happy to be a non-smoker, sometimes I even forget that I used to smoke. It gets so much better the longer you have quit for. I have nothing but positives, there was no gloom and doom. It is tough, but once you get through the initial stages there is no looking back. I used nicotine patches they made me feel calm and in control.
If I can do it, anyone can!
Paul’s story
My wife was at me for quite a long time to give up smoking, telling me that it cost too much money and that she didn’t like the smell. But, I still smoked.
We were expecting our second child and finances were a bit tight after going back to one income, but I still somehow found money for cigarettes.
I remember looking out of the kitchen window one day watching my 4 year old son put a cigarette butt to his lips and pretend to smoke, just like Daddy does. It wasn’t lit, but it made me think what sort of role model I really was.
A few weeks later we went along as a family to a community health expo and there just inside the front door were the Quit people. I went the other way, but my wife got a bit too close and they gave her a Quit book, which she gladly passed on to me.
I was at work a few weeks later and had an appointment with a client that I was running late for. I was driving along in the car smoking a cigarette. It was the last one left in my pack, so I thought I’d better stop and gets some more, but I didn’t have any cash on me. It was pay day too and I didn’t have time to stop at the bank to cash my cheque and then buy cigarettes as I’d be late for my meeting. It was at this point that I decided that smoking just seemed to be getting in the way. So, out the window went the butt, and along with it a 17 year habit. I remember looking at myself in the rear view mirror right between the eyes and saying “No more, that’s it”.
April 20, 1995 – The day I became a non-smoker, forever.
David’s story
I had been a pack a day smoker for almost 20 years. I resolved to quit by New Year 2010. I went to the Doctor before Xmas and got a prescription for a new medication that was available to assist with quitting. You start taking it about 2 weeks before your quit day. Initially I had some minor side effects like hot flushes, change in sense of taste and vivid dreams. However, soon the ciggies started to taste unpleasant. Anyway I am still taking the medication and have been smoke free for well over a month now. I feel much better – no more coughing. I also feel proud of myself for getting rid of a terrible addiction.
Sally’s story
I was 12 when I started smoking – that was about 34 years ago. Around 7 years ago I gave up for about 5 years, but I gradually started smoking again. I used to smoke about 25 cigarettes a day – the strong ones too! Back when I started smoking you could only get 16mg cigarettes, and we thought you got more value from the strong ones anyway, so we stuck with those.
I knew I had to stop sometime – with the changes at work I didn’t want to be trying to cut back with everyone else. I started cutting back about 6 weeks before the new policy came in. It was pretty easy to cut down – it was a hassle to get changed every time I wanted a cigarette, so I gradually smoked less and less at work.
I started the Quit Tasmania Fresh Start program held at work on October 28th. I just came along to the course to see what they had to say, although I really had no intention of giving up. After all, Cadbury was offering to help for free, so why not try and do it now? I was really just coming along to gather information for ‘later on’, when I was ready to quit. I even thought I’d collect the free patches and use them later!
But something changed during the course; I just realised I could do it. I didn’t read much of the workbook, and didn’t do any of the exercises. They made me too stressed.
On Nov 10th I had my last cigarette. I smoked a few in the morning, jumped in the shower, put on a patch and went to work. I didn’t really plan that this would be the day, although I was fairly strategic about the week. I was on day shift so I knew I would have more support from my partner that week. For me it was too stressful to plan in advance.
It wasn’t easy – my stubborn nature is the thing that has got me though. I know I am the only one I would let down, the only one who would get upset.
When I feel like a cigarette now, I just try to distract myself, move around, do something else. I tell myself I don’t need it. I never used to be able to smell them either, but I can now, so that makes me realise how awful they smell.
I used the patches for about 2½ weeks. I found sleep a bit tricky though, I think using the patches at night made me a bit wired. Since I gave up I have changed everything around so that there is no longer room for the ashtray next to my bed. It used to be strange that there was a blank spot where it always sat.
I am still confident and stubborn about my future without cigarettes. I hate being upset with myself, I can’t let myself down.
I am really grateful to Cadbury for providing the support to quit smoking – I don’t think I could have done it without them. Quit Tasmania were also fabulous – Craig our instructor was very inspirational and I am very thankful for his help.
I am buying a new PC with the money I am saving from not smoking. I think it’s really important to have new goals.
