How To Quit Smoking

The day I am writing this entry is Great American Smoke Out Day. It is a great service this day does to promote ways for people to stop their cigarette addiction. I do not know how many people actually stop smoking because of the one day event, but it at least draws national attention to a potential health issue. As a former smoker, I know how difficult it is to quit the nasty habit and have come to realize that the best way to stop smoking is to never have started. Unfortunately that does not help those who currently are addicted.

I know that I quit smoking at least 10 times before I quit for good. I am from a house where both parents smoked while I was growing up. Both my parents quit smoking but it was long after I started. I was 13 years old and it was an easy transition. I never stole their cigarettes because they did not smoke the cool brand Marlboro. My father smoked Kool and my mother smoked some non-menthol 100 length. I smoked for 12 years and during my last year in the Army, stopped for good. How did I achieve this feat that I had failed at 10 times previously?

I ran out of cigarettes and went to grab one from my roommate. He had two left and the next day was payday. He threw a fit and told me I could not have it. I got pissed at him for being so stingy and stopped talking to him for a week. At the same time, I told myself that I would show him and stopped smoking. My trigger was to get angry at someone and that provided the bridge to get past the cravings. I also started drinking orange soda. I hated orange soda but for some reason it helped diminish the desire to have a smoke. I have been smoke free for 20 years and my lung capacity is back where it was before I started smoking. Of course I have put on 50 pounds since I stopped. Now I need to find the trigger to get me to stop stuffing my face. Maybe I should go look up my old roommate.

Icool

Cobb