Smoke Free: 4 years
Irene, 57, Greensboro
"I have been smoke-free for 4 years. I started smoking at age 12 and smoked for 41 years. I wanted to quit smoking for my health and for the health of others around me. Recently, I had a test for my lung capacity, and the results could have been better if I had not smoked so much and for so long. Smoking made me tired and smelly. Because I am smoke-free, I have energy and feel great. I think that at times, stress triggered me to smoke. But, knowing how to manage the stress and being reminded of my health risks is keeping me smoke-free."
- daily use:
- 1.5 packs per day
- duration:
- 41 years
Smoke Free: 6 months
Charles, 72. Ridgely
"I have been smoke-free for 6 months. I had smoked for 60 years and have tried to quit about 8-10 times. Because of my smoking, I have borderline emphysema and was concerned for my health. So, I started to go to classes, and found strategies to help me cope with my smoking urges like painting, working on other projects, and just being active with my family. My wife helped me keep my quit calendar, and the rest of my family were so supportive in the process. I feel that you really need to have support and it's okay to ask for help."
- daily use:
- 1 pack per day
- duration:
- 60 years
Smoke Free: 3 months
Lisa, 39. Federalsburg
"I have been smoke-free for 3 months. I had smoked for 24 years and have had one quit attempt. On one car ride, my kids said to me, "Mommy, the smoke is killing us." Their statement really hit me hard. I would smoke 2 packs a day and would wake up coughing. I would tell people I coughed of allergies. My advice to people wanting to quit is not to try unless you really want to. Now that I am smoke-free, my house smells clean. I found the patch and gum to help me and I have great support from my family."
- daily use:
- 2 packs per day
- duration:
- 24 years
Smoke Free: 9 years
Charles, 65. Denton
"I have been smoke-free for 9 years and have made 2 quit attempts. The sudden death of my sister really prompted me to quit. I feel that I can make it through the day today, without a cigarette, I can make it tomorrow. I know how stressful life can be, and think that is why people smoke. But, people need to find other ways to handle their stress. People need to re-program or re-train themselves to deal with stress without a cigarette. I know they can stop because I stopped."
- daily use:
- 1 pack per day
- duration:
- 8 years
Smoke Free: 1 year
David, 44. Ridgely
"I have been smoke-free for a year and have had many quit attempts. I smoked for about 12 years and had many changes in my life. I felt like I needed the cigarettes to handle the stress. I had my lungs checked and the results scared me. So, my goal was to get them looking better, stay healthy and stay alive. I have really found support in my local program. For anyone who is not smoking now - great! Never start."
- daily use:
- 1 pack per day
- duration:
- 12 years
Smoke Free: 16 years
Mary Jo, 51. Denton
"I have been smoke-free for 16 years and have had about 4-5 quit attempts. Because I traveled so much for my job in pharmaceutical sales, it sometimes was hard to find a place to smoke getting on and off planes. So, I decided to quit and have been successful since then."
- daily use:
- 1 pack per day
- duration:
- 8 years
Smoke Free: 16 months
Heather, 29. Denton
"I have been smoke-free for one year and 4 months. I had smoked for 13 years and have tried to quit 5 times. My two boys really were the driving force to help me to live a smoke-free lifestyle. My children would say to me, "Mommy, smoking is bad for you." I also think about how smoking has played a toll on my looks. I did not realize how smoking would age me so much. If I get the urge to smoke, I go for a walk. My advice to people who want to quit is to find support. It worked for me."
- daily use:
- 1 pack per day
- duration:
- 13 years
Smoke Free: 6 months
William, 47. Denton
"I have been smoke-free since January 17, 2006. I was a 34 year smoker and it was time to stop. I feel like I have a better quality of life now. You just really need to stop."
- daily use:
- 1 pack per day
- duration:
- 34 years
Smoke Free: 2 years
Mary, 62. Greensboro
"I have been smoke-free for 2 years. I had smoked for 25 years. I really decided to stop smoking for my daughter and husband and because I wanted to enjoy life again. I think that in order to quit; you have to just stick with it. Sometimes I had good days and sometimes bad days. I tried the patch, but it was not working for me. But I stuck with m y plan to quit and feel better - I can breathe now and I feel like I am 40."
- daily use:
- 1 pack per day
- duration:
- 25 years
Smoke Free: 17 months
Olin, 69. Denton
"I have been smoke-free for one year and 5 months. I had smoked for 25 years and have tried to quit about three times. I think sometimes people use smoking as a crutch to deal with their problems. However, I feel that you owe it to yourself to quit and nobody can do it for you. I worked with my group at the local health department and used them for support to help me quit. The smoking cessation classes really helped motivate me, and continue to keep me motivated."
- daily use:
- 1 pack per day
- duration:
- 25 years
Get ready for your quit date.
Decide about medicines.
Learn coping skills.
Choose your allies.
Set your quit date
On your quit date
Follow up on progress
Final check-in
I have energy and feel great.”
other projects, and just being active with my family.”
That statement really hit me hard.”
But people need to really find other ways to handle their stress.”
get them looking better and obviously stay healthy and stay alive.”
People that want to quit need to be ready. There is no quick fix.”
I did not realize how smoking can age you so much.”
I feel like I have a better quality of life now.”
with it and feel better in the long run. I feel like I am 40 now!”
them for support. You owe it to yourself to quit.”