I smoked 3 packs a day for over 40 year. Quitting was probably the hardest thing i ever did. But i quit cold turkey. It was a habit for me to reach into my shirt pocket for a smoke. So i quit wearing shirts with pockets. When i would be craving a smoke i would grab a piece of peppermint candy. Took me about a year to quit reaching for a smoke but i finally beat it. I think the biggest thing to quitting is will power. I've been smoke free since 94. My wife was also a heavy smoker and she is coming up on a year of not smoking. She used the prescription Chantex and an electronic cig. to quit. Good luck in quitting. And i'm sure you can do it.

The fact that you are ready to quit is the biggest step of all toward success! I quit 7+ years ago, and it was really hard, especially since DH continued to smoke. We had a deal that he would not smoke in my presence and he was great about keeping his promise.

I used the patch for one week; the second patch made me sick, so I switched to Nicotrol Inhalers (there were no ecigs back then). I drank gallons of water with lemon juice, which helped a great deal with the cravings. I suffered for two weeks, but it was worth every minute to be successful. I have not had one cigarette since that time. I remind myself that I am always "a puff away from a pack a day".

I have heard that the ecigs are great. DH uses them when he can't have a real cigarette (like in the hospital), and they keep him from climbing the walls.

SamKaren will probably check in. The last I heard from her, she was using the ecigs and was down to 3 or 4 real cigarettes a day (she hadn't yet made the decision to completely quit).

There are many former smokers here who will provide encouragement or help you through the rough patches. I wish you the very best because the rewards are so great. Keep us posted on your progress!

Having been using the e-cigs for a couple of months now, (and not completely successful), I think the biggest advice I can give you is to give yourself time to adjust. It's not the same as smoking a cigarette and there is definitely a learning curve to it. For instance, I've found that I prefer my cartridges to be a bit on the dry side rather than full of the "juice". And not all liquids are created equal. I ordered my liquids from ecblend but was not happy with the harshness of the flavor even though I've never been picky about cigarette brands. I then found some liquid at the mall, at a higher price, and was pleased with the taste.

I'm trying to keep my expectations low. I know that the majority of the cigarettes that I smoke are due social habits and routines my husband and I have gotten into. I smoke more when I'm in the car and when I'm alone. At work, I have my last smoke at 7:20 am, in the door at 7:30 and don't have to have another smoke until 1 pm or so. We only smoke at the stove and under the exhaust fan. I refuse to allow it anywhere else and that has worked for us. I cut my coffee down over the past year to litterally less than a cup a day which has helped. My biggest challenge is that I don't smoke without something to drink. Not alcohol mind you. Pepsi is my down fall and trying to come off it and the smokes will be a challenge. I figured with the ecigs I can still have my pepsi so that I'm not trying to bite off more than I can chew. I haven't ordered yet but I will tomorrow. I'm taking a week off next week and thought I could start them without the additional stress of work.

I quit in 1993 pretty much just like nod702. Cold turkey but I chewed on toothpicks instead of sucking on peppermints. It took at least a year to get to the point I wasn't reaching for a cigarette 40 times a day. It took several years before I quit dreaming about having one. It was THE hardest thing I've ever done. I cannot believe drug addiction could be any harder. But, then, I've never taken drugs. I distanced myself from all contacts and activities I associated with smoking. No going to happy hour with the office crew on payday friday, no spending time with friends who smoked, no going dancing in smokefilled places, no coffee. I can do all those things now but not in the beginnng. I visited with friends by phone and those who cared about me understood. The ones who didn't weren't real friends. Nowadays, there is texting and email and facebook to keep in touch. Back then not. Your true friends will help you through this. They will not smoke around you or they will understand that you can't be around them for the time being. Just remember, this is well worth the effort. Don't give up.

Oh, I think you could probably raise your expectations. Although I haven't quit smoking, I have been very pleased with using the e-cigs. No, it isn't the same but it does a good job of easing any cravings. Hopefully you aren't as poorly self-disciplined as I am. And to top it off, I really don't want to quit smoking but know I should.

What I really like about the e-cigs is that I can use it when I don't want to smell like smoke. I'm sort of a closet smoker and don't like people to see me smoke, much less for anyone to smell it on me.

I think everyone has their own personal smoking habits. I can't drive without a cigarette and crave them after eating. Even working hard with the e-cig, I could not get through wanting my morning cigarettes. The rest of the day was a breeze. A few weeks ago, for some reason, I just dropped off using my e-cig.

The other day I was listening to "Fresh Air" on NPR when Terry Gross was interviewing a NY Times reporter who has written a book on the science of habits. He recommended that people wanting to quit smoking should travel to do it somewhere away from their smoking triggers and people.

I can second that recommendation because I quit (40 years ago) by accompanying my DH on a business trip to Wisconsin. I was a heavy smoker and an enthusiastic one, not thrilled about quitting. But my DH had, and insisted it was time for me to do the same. Of course it was one of the best things I ever did. I think being away from home helped enormously.

That's a good idea, alisande! I say we take up a collection for me and 2.25acres to travel to the caribbean! *passing the hat* :)

All joking aside, I did quit once for two years and I was traveling when I did it. Of course, I had come down with strep throat so was hardly able to hold my head up. That helped, though I don't wish that on anyone.

two.25acres - Did you place your order? if you'll let me know when yours arrives, I'll make a greater effort and maybe together we can stick with it.

I am hoping to order today. Somethings came up the past couple of days. My mom's husband is battling Alzheimers and now congestive heart failure. He's been in the hospital twice in the past two weeks so I'm trying to help mom keep her wits about her. I had to set aside my projects and goals this week to make sure they were taken care of. That has settled down, I'm at work today and hoping this afternoon allows me to get them ordered. I have alot of support from mom and my husband. I haven't told anyone else because I am concerned with letting people down. I haven't tried to quit before so this will be a first. I'll let you know how I'm progressing as I progress. Thank you

I also vap and smoke. I get sooo mad at my self about the cigs...if I'm around non-smokers my vapping is fine, get me around a smoker, I'll lit up a real one. GRRRR
It is so hard!
Ok JoAnn....Make your comment! LOL

shame on you.
Time to give up that nasty stuff, its stinks!

LOL
JoAnn, how did I know what your comment would be????

Hey everyone...just checking in.
Two.25acres...glad to assist you.

Well....I am still at 3 smokes a day but compared to what I did smoke I think I am doing good. I have not had any smokes at work so there is 8 hours in itself.

It takes a day or two to get used to but I love my ecig. It is so nice being able to smoke in the house and not have to worry about the smell or forgetting "did I put it out".

I'm actually having my ecig as I type...

The kit I bought came with 2 ecigs and the atomizers & filters. I bought extras to have on hand. I gave the other to DH and he uses it regularly. DH is also a smoker so I know what you are going through. It is difficult to quit but once you start with the ecig you will notice that you are cutting back more and more. Just don't give up...I know I am not. Also...the nicotine drops will last a LONG time. I use an average of 7 drops a day....YEP...A DAY! Charging your ecig only takes about 10-15 minutes and I do that twice a day.

Let me know if you have any questions and I will be happy to assist.

SamKaren
your resident DJ

Thanks SamKaren, the order is placed. I will let you all know how I am doing. Thanks and have a great evening.