Share your story about trying to quit or successfully quitting smoking.

Submit Your Story

Thank you to Quinton from Everett, Washington. I truly appreciate your encouragement. I smoked a pack a day for about 10 years. I have not smoked in 2 weeks and I feel like that is a great accomplishment. I am truly amazed at how much I still want to smoke. It is unbelievable that after this amount of time cigarettes still affect my life in this way. I pray that I can stick with it, for me and my family's sake. I know that at this point, it is all mental power. We can overcome it!!

I began experimenting with tobacco when I was about 14 or 15 years old. By the time I finished high school, I was using a can of chewing tobacco a day. I continued that for the next 12 years or so. One day at work, I saw everyone else smoking cigarettes, and thought I might like to try one. I did, and within a week, I had basically traded chewing tobacco for cigarettes. I continued that for the next 6 years. I always knew it was bad for me: gum disease, emphysema, cancer, etc. I tried quitting a few times, and I knew each of those times that I was in way over my head. I didn't seem to be able to do it by myself. A worker at the shelter where I was staying suggested I call the quit line. I did, and was warmly greeted by an actual live person who seemed to know what she was talking about (that was a good thing because I sure didn't). She was very helpful; she knew how to be supportive and encouraging in a way that most of the people I was with didn't. And it apparently made all of the difference in the world. After a brief discussion, I was already feeling better about the possibility that I could actually quit using tobacco. I chose not to use any patches or gum, so they sent me a package of helpful information. Included in that package was a small, polished stone that I carried with me for the next 4 or 5 months. That was one of the most helpful things I can remember receiving. I can't tell you how it worked; I just know that it did. I eventually gave that rock to someone else who was trying to quit smoking. Also, I received many phone calls from the quit line just checking on me and asking how I was doing or if I was having any problems. Those calls were very helpful. I've been tobacco-free for almost three years. Overall, the quit line has been the most significant and helpful element in any of my attempts to quit using tobacco. Calling that number was the best move I could have made.

My whole life I was the one who said I would never smoke, though I loved the smell of secondhand smoke. I suffered from social anxiety disorder (AKA I was shy), so I never worried about peer pressure getting me to start. What started me smoking wasn't peer pressure, I started using drugs and a cigarette felt so much better when I was doped up. After 3 months, I found I wasn't having fun unless I was using drugs, and I quit the drugs cold turkey. The cigarettes were a different story. No matter how hard I tried I couldn't stop lighting up. Kicking my drug habit was 1,000 times easier. I eventually began smoking about 10-14 cigarettes a day, my average for five years. I recently found out I would be a father, and she and I decided to quit. The first day wasn't so bad, but the second day was harder. I worked through the cravings by going outside (when nobody around was smoking) for a few minutes taking deep breaths. It really seemed to curb my cravings. I was smoke free for a whole month. The brain is a tricky thing. I had proved to myself that quitting cold turkey was not as difficult for me as I thought, or so I thought. My brain told me "Well, if you have one, it isn't so bad." After three weeks I am now up to 2-3 cigarettes a day while I am at work, and none on the weekend. I came to this site, and now I have decided, I will stop bumming cigarettes today. No more! I am sick of something controlling me so much. I guess my message is that most people feel horrible if they stray just once and have one cigarette. They lose hope about their ability to do it, and figure why bother and go buy a pack and wait for the patch. You need to set yourself realistic goals and reward yourself for reaching them. But don't let your brain tell you that you can stray once a day, or twice, or three times. That is how this addiction works; once you have it figured out in one way, it surprises you in another. Don't lose hope, just lose the habit.

Okay... I know I am only 16 but I am addicted to cigarettes. In fact all this cigarette talk is giving me a huge craving. But I have been smoking since I was 13. My sister got me into it. I am only 16 and I can't even run a half mile without my lungs hurting. I wish I could try quitting but it is the hardest thing in the world to do. My advice to others is to never start smoking because all you can think while you're in school is cigarettes.

When you quit - Why doesn't anyone tell you that it gets worse before it gets better? I started smoking 22 years ago and have been smoking at least a pack a day for the last 18 years. I've been smoke-free now for 8 days. I had a much easier time the first day than I have had for the last couple of days. The longer this drags on, the more irritable, anxious, hungry, headache-y and sleepless I get. Even though I haven't smoked for a week, I still think I'm gonna walk out the door and light up with my cup of coffee every morning... and after dinner and, and, and... Like now, I've been sitting at the computer too long and need a (smoke) break. I am chewing nicotine gum, eating fresh veggies all day long, and drinking ultra strong, dark, decaf coffee when things get really hard, which helps me a lot - it helps me replace that strong, hot, aromatic feeling, taste and smell that's missing and gives me a chance to sit down , focus my attention, calm my nerves and relax for a minute. Before, a cigarette did it - now it's on a wicked strong cup of coffee. I know I could not do this without God. But there are nights when I haven't had any sleep and get irritated at my seeming lack of progress. I remind myself that I do not ever want to go through these "worse" days again. And if tomorrow is yet another "worse" day, at least I'm through one more "worse" day and one day closer to the good days.

I have been smoking since I was 16 and ever since then I have smoked everything you can think of. I had no friends when I was in high school because they didn't like me smoking. The only reason I started was because when I was 15 my mum died of cancer and I had to look after my younger brother and sisters because my dad was an alcoholic. He died a few years after my mum died and I just couldn't cope and then just a year ago I was diagnosed with cancer and I quit.

I decided one day in early January I was going to quit. Then, I called the quit line and I got some patches, which helped a lot. I quit February 2nd after smoking off and on since I was 12. I smoked consistently for the last four years. I now have been smoke-free for almost three months and patch free for a month. I still get occasional cravings but it's getting to the point where they are easy to shrug off. Just breathe or take a walk.

18 year 1 pack a day smoker here; I was tired of smoking altogether when I decided to quit I had 10 cigarettes left. I chain smoked every one of them and then was literally sick for several hours. Every time I thought I wanted a smoke I thought about that, it maybe nuts but it has worked for me. I quit cold turkey with no nicotine replacement. The biggest thing in my opinion is having the will to quit.

At 10:00 PM tonight, I'm on day number 4. I went "Cold Turkey". Friday night I headed to the store to grab a pack of cigarettes, you know you have to have that one for the morning. As I approached the driveway of the store I asked myself why I was doing this. For a few minutes, I sat stopped in the street arguing with myself, out loud mind you, about why I should or should not do this. I swear there was an angel on one shoulder and a devil on the other! I decided to pull ahead and pull in to an empty parking lot to "discuss" it with myself. Here were my thoughts:

1. My father currently has cancer (not smoking related). I felt horrible and lost and angry when I found out that he had cancer. Why would I selfishly choose to put my 13 year old son through that.
2. I recently met a man who treats me like a queen. Why would I purposely choose to possibly cut that relationship short by choosing to smoke?
3. I'm a single mom. I have been in bad relationships in the past and when I "grew up" enough to get out of them I vowed I would never let anyone control me like they did. YET...This inanimate object, the cigarette, has more control over me than anyone ever has...that's sad.
4. Here a quick calculation for your thought?
   • It takes me 10 minutes to smoke a cigarette.
   • There are 20 cigarettes in a pack.
   • I smoke 1 pack a day.
   * 10x20=200mins (3+ hours), the amount of time in a day I spend smoking (and I think that I don't have enough time in the day).

• Put your reasons for quitting on paper so you can refer back to them.
• For those of you getting ready to try....The first 3 days are the toughest. I spent a lot of time sleeping and crying. Symptoms I can only guess go along with drug withdrawal.
• Drink all the water you can.
• When you feel the need for a cigarette, fight with all your might and read through what made you stop to begin with.
• Breathe deep - lots of deep breathe help. If you listen to your body closely you can actually feel the craving go away after 5-6 deep breaths.
• If you are going to chew gum, make sure it’s sugarless.

I have been smoking for 21 years. The other day I saw a little kid smoking and I was like what the heck. Kids are smoking at young ages. This worries me. After I saw that, I knew I had to quit. It has been three weeks so far and I am doing ok. I have cravings all the time, but I just chew a lot of gum and sunflower seeds. I just don’t want to see so many people smoking that’s why I quit.

I think this site is really great for anyone trying to kick the habit. Just reading other peoples’ experiences is really encouraging and lets you know you're not alone in this battle. I first started smoking at about 14 when I wanted to be with the “cool” gang at school and really looked up to my older sister’s boyfriend who smoked. When I got to about 17, I started smoking more often… then when I got to college it got even worse, and the last two years I’ve been a pack-a-day-smoker. I tried quitting several times... but it never worked. Used the gum, the patches, but something always happened that made me go back. In the last few months, I really had serious personal problems: came close to being mentally ill on one occasion last summer… after that, I knew something was very wrong in my life. I knew I had to do something to change my life and follow my dream, I knew it would be hard but I was determined to do it; and the first step was to kick the habit for good. I started cutting back gradually since January... and last week, I just cut them completely. I haven’t smoked in five days and I’m already feeling better. The cravings do come hard every now and then, but I just look up in the web and read what damage smoking does to the body and read stories like what is on this site, and next thing I know, the craving is gone. I really am going to try hard this time... I’ve set up some goals for myself with this... the first was to get through one day, the next was to get through the weekend, now it’s to get through one week. Then it will be two weeks, a month, and hopefully by then, I’ll be on my way. And if I manage this... then anything else will be possible! I feel like I’ve lost the last 10 years of my life to smoking... and I refuse to let it take another single minute of my life.

I started smoking after freshman year in college–I was 21 at the time. My roommates smoked (often more than tobacco); to fit in with them I would grab a cigarette or two and sit out on the patio. I used to be very much in shape at the time–an avid runner and weight trainer. One of the people I used to study with used to smoke and would take frequent "study breaks" to have a cig. Between my study partner, my roommates, and just turning 21 (bars/alcohol abounds), I found myself picking up the habit. Even though I knew it wasn't healthy, I didn't figure it was much of a big deal. Over time, I found myself at the gym less and less, until I noticed that I just couldn't run anymore. Once I turned 23, after two full years of smoking, I was up to about 3/4 to a full pack a day. I began getting colds much more frequently. Additionally, my left leg started having some odd spasms which I just couldn't figure out the cause. I had also gained an enormous amount of weight. My doctor told me that with me being overweight and a smoker my leg problems, frequent colds, lethargy, and stress were all probably interconnected. I made it my new years' resolution to quit. I took my doctors inquisition to heart and searched the internet–I found quitline.com. Even though I had “quit” several times in the past, my efforts never lasted more than a week or two. This time, I've been smoke free for almost 6 weeks… I think I’ve done it folks! After the first couple days, when the insomnia started setting in, I began going to the gym and attempting to run again... After the first few weeks I began noticing my strange leg problems subsiding. I can breath quite a bit better now too! I know everyone's different, but for me exercising 3-4 times a week and ALWAYS having some kind of candy or minty cough drop nearby helped. Also, I still take frequently work breaks; however, I grab a long-lasting mint and go outside and walk around a little bit… to breath some fresh air. My roommate still smokes, as much as ever, and encourages me to smoke. He actually laughs when I tell him about my success. Little does he know it only adds to my resolve. I encourage everyone out there to quit. It is not worth the health risks. I feel so much better and liberated now. I pray for you all to find the will to do it for yourselves, as well as for the people you love, and those who love you.

OK, a couple years ago, a kid moved in next door and we went to the same school. We started hanging out. But after a while, he got me into smoking. We'd smoke every day before school, during school and after school, then it turned into a few times during school, then sometimes we would skip just to go try to get a pack from the corner store. After that, it was summer; we started mowing lawns just to get money for cigarettes. And now I’m REALLY, REALLY trying to quit. We don’t even go to the same school anymore, and we still smoke as much together as we did last year. I regret even starting to hang out with him. I hate it. I already have trouble breathing sometimes, and I used to be the star of a swimming team for a high school and I’m in middle school. Just because I started smoking, I couldn’t keep up with all the other swimmers. And now, my best friend is threatening to stop hanging out with me if I smoke. I’m so desperate and addicted that I go searching through ashtrays for cigarette butts, ewe! I smoke at least five of those butts on my way home from school. Also, my girlfriend doesn’t even know I smoke, and if she finds out, she would be devastated. I’m trying so hard to quit, be healthy, and get stronger.

I have been smoking for nine years now. I have been trying to quit smoking for about one year now, and let me tell you this is so hard. I am getting married in 13 weeks and I want to quit. The hardest part for me is when I am at school, parties, bars, or when I am really mad. I don’t know how to handle it. That is why I came to quitline.com so I can get some help.

I never really considered myself to be a smoker. Sure, I bought cigarettes frequently, smoked five or six a day, sometimes more on the weekend. But I was not addicted to cigarettes. Or, so I thought. When I realized that smoking might possibly be as bad for me as the Surgeon General suggested...and I'm talking about several years of smoking, I finally smoked my last cigarette. It was not until the second day that I realized I was indeed very much addicted to nicotine! That was four months ago today. I have not smoked since September 13, 2005 but I have wanted to smoke at least one time every day. It's scary when I think about a chemical (or anything for that matter) having such a mighty strong hold on my body and mind. Quitting smoking was the most difficult thing I have ever done. It was also the best.

Well, you are probably thinking that I am way too young to smoke... and I am. But just like everyone else on here, I am addicted. I have been smoking for two years now and I enjoy cigarettes, but hate them at the same time. Cigarettes have taken over my life. When I have them, I smoke them like crazy... and when I don’t have them, I spend all of my time bumming them from people. I don’t want to live like this. No one does. It seems as if the only thing that will stop me from smoking for a while is a movie. But then I see someone in the movie lighting up a cigarette, I want one too. For everyone who is trying to quit, good luck! And if you are thinking about starting up again, don't! You need to be in control... Not your addiction.

The one thing that I am NOT going to do is tell anyone what they should or should not do. I can never, ever know what causes others to do what they do, however, I do believe that wake up calls are all we need to put our life into perspective. In numerous ways we are blessed and have so much to look forward to, that when we sit down and realize that all of our time here is short and something so bad for your health and not to mention costly could take you away from those who love and cherish you the most. It's sad, but true. Think of how devastated those left behind would be. Don't you want to see your children grow up, finish high school, go off to college, marry, become parents themselves. Don't you owe it to yourself to enjoy life for all its worth.... Tomorrow is not promised, don't take it for granted. If you WANT to stop smoking, here is the beginning!

I used smokeless tobacco for about 20 years. June 14th 2005 I quit! I have done this cold turkey. I crave the tobacco mostly when I am at work or when I am bored. Hard candy, sun flower or pumpkin seeds help sometimes with the cravings. I also bought a mountain bike and ride it about 60 miles a week; the exercise seems to help the most with the stress. Good luck to anyone giving up the tobacco.

I smoked from the age of 16 to 38. My father was a life long smoker. He had a stroke and died 8 years later. He was wheeled down the aisle at my wedding and died shortly after the birth of my first daughter. Still I continued to smoke. It wasn't until my daughter started making comments about the smoke that I woke up. I realized that smoking had stolen my father from me and my children and I was not about to let that happen to me. It has been two years since either my husband or I have smoked. I now have two beautiful children. I lost my infant son at 5 months. Once again this brought home how fragile life is. Life is too short and my family is too precious.

I QUIT SMOKING, farewell the ashtray girl! I had been smoking for around 3 years when I decided I was going to quit. I told my family I was quitting and I have been getting a lot of support. I haven't smoked for three days, it doesn't sound long but if feels like years. People my age: QUIT! It gets harder as you get older. Throw your smokes out. You don't need them, they make you smell bad. They make you unhealthy and burn you money

I have been smoking for over 30 years! In the last two years I have tried to quit five or six times. The Great American Smoke out is Nov. 17. I plan to give it up for good that day. I have told all my friends and family: if they see me smoking to tackle me! I have a huge support network and this time I also have God so I know I can do it! I encourage anyone else out there who wants to quit, to join me!

I have been smoking now for five years, I held out for a long time before finally giving in to the pressure. I have had Acute Bronchitis about three times so far this year. I sometimes wake up in the middle of the night coughing and gasping for any air that I can get. This has happened about four times, typically when I go out the night before and smoke close to a pack in 4-5 hours. I do have a very mild case of asthma. At my age and how long I have been smoking I just find it hard to believe that something serious could be wrong with me. The doctor doesn't seem to be worried, probably because of my age and the fact that I have only smoked 7-8 cigs a day for a few years. I just don't know what could be the cause if it is not from smoking! Just curious if anyone else has these same symptoms and or has an idea as to what it could be. Oh, and yes I am planning on quitting very soon.

The first time I ever smoked, it was a clove cigarette I stole from my sister. I smoked off and on all through my freshman, sophomore, and junior year. I was like "Hey, I can quit whenever, so why not?" I was so wrong. I'm a senior in high school now, and I chain smoke, which is awful. It is so hard to try going all day without any. A normal day, I have one when I get up, one before I leave, then when I get home in the afternoon I have one about every 10 minutes. Weekends are so much worse, and when I go to friends houses... I smoke so much more socially, which for me is hard to imagine. I have tried quitting so hard, and I can't. I tried the patches, gum, cold turkey, nothing works. All I can say, to anyone who just started, wants to start... DON'T!! It is the worst habit you will ever pick up, and one you will never drop. It would haunt you for the rest of your life. Make a healthy choice.

Well I see a lot of underage smokers these days. Some people really don't know what they're doing. There are a lot of problems going on in today's society. Gang wars, famine, war and hunger, and some people have got the front to tell me that they are smoking because they're stressed. With other people it's a different story. They just don't realize how lucky they are. I know a girl who is 19 now, she has never smoked in her life and she has cancer and has only 30 years left to live. For everyone out there that is relying on smoking to keep away stress, don't do it! There is too much happening in the world today for you to sit back and commit suicide. It will NOT do you any good in the short or long run.

Just like the rest of you, I too started smoking in junior high, to be cool. That first coughing fit on that first cigarette should have shown us the nastiness of nicotine. I've been smoking for over 30 years, and when my mom died of Lung cancer in 2000, I smoked even more. I am tired of the merry-go-round and just read the Easy way to quit smoking by Allen Carr, and put out my last cigarette at 10pm last night. It's been 17 hours. I feel really good and for the first time in an awfully long time, my nose is not plugged up. I can breathe again. I recommend this book to anyone that is ready to quit. Its not going to be easy, but getting rid of the poison monster in my system is the best I can do for myself. Good Luck everyone and happy non smoking!!!

Raizin, I just heard about you quitting smoking and I think it's great. I am 20 years old and have been smoking since I was 12. I quit smoking a little over 2 months ago. I relapsed within the past 2 weeks. I haven't bought any cigs or anything, but I have smoked a few and I got very sick from it (that's my body telling me that it's not good). Good luck on quitting because I know you can do it just like I know I can do it.

My name is Mallory and smoking has ruined my family. My mom was a smoker for 30+ years. She tried to stop many times, however she just couldn’t. On March 13, 2005 we found out she had terminal lung and brain cancer .She had a tumor removed from her brain a day later. Lung cancer made her die. She passed away August 23, 2005, only a few hours ago. I was on the Web site when my sister called and let me know. Smoking can and will kill you. I am stopping... It’s the hardest lesson.

I have been smoking since age 18, right after I had my son and graduated from high school. I stopped smoking once before when I became pregnant with my 2nd son, then lit up again the day I came home from the hospital. I've wanted to quit but honestly I didn't know how. The cold turkey thing did not work for me. I got pneumonia earlier this year and thought "Ok, this is a sign, I will quit now". But I didn't. It's uncontrollable. My sister sent me and article today about Quitline and I decided to check it out. After reading all the stories and seeing how many people are the same age as me and taking advantage of this service, I don't feel weird about asking for help. I have made my quit date the same day as my upcoming wedding, which is Nov. 5th. I hope to encourage my soon-to-be husband to join me in quitting as well. I admit that I am tired of listening to my 7 year old ask me to stop smoking and feeling the waves of guilt. I'm calling the quit line today and I hope to have a healthy and smoke-free wedding and stay that way for the rest of my life.

I'm ready to do it. I'm going to stop smoking and this time, it's for good. I watched my mother smoke forever. She is 73, and has had breast cancer and several strokes. The strokes (and tobacco) have taken away her ability to speak clearly or use her right hand well. I tried my first cigarette at about age 10. I started smoking full blast at about 13 years old. I guess we emulate our parents more than we realize. I have reached that place that tells me "stop". I don't want my beautiful 12 year old daughter to smoke and end up fighting it her whole life. I decided to do this about a week ago, and today is my quit day. I'm ready.

No smoking for 2 months has left me irritable, restless aggressive, impatient and hungry, but with more oxygen and ability to work and exercise.

I have been smoking since I was 14 years old. I quit both times I got pregnant so that I wouldn't harm my children and I thought that I was being a responsible parent. However when I started smoking again, after their births I was exhibiting a pattern of behavior that I did not want my children to follow. I started feeling really guilty when lollipop sticks turned into cigarettes in their little hands and statement of "I want to smoke when I grow up Mommy or how old do you have to be to smoke" began to happen on a daily basis. I decided that I could not teach my children about the dangers of smoking while puffing on a cigarette and be very effective. I have tried to quit numerous times for numerous reasons and this time I have been smoke free for 2 weeks but this time is the last time I will have to quit because I know this time is different. If you are trying to quit and you can't then keep trying it will happen and the "practice" attempt will better prepare you for the challenges you will face. Thank you.

"I'm not addicted, I can stop when I want to! Sure it will be hard, but it's not as bad as people say; that Nicotine is more addictive, and difficult to quit than heroin? Ha, what a joke!" --This is how my mind excused my 6-years smoking habit. Thankfully, my friend straight up told me that I was addicted, and asked me to quit for him. I thought about it, and I did plan on eventually quitting-- but I had tried in the past, and well, I like the feeling of smoke rushing throughout my lungs filled with nicotine--it felt nice. Yet, I am an educator now, and I need to be a good example. That Tuesday night, at 9pm, I quit. The first night, and next day wasn't so bad; I had mild cravings but that was it. Then it hit me; my arm muscles would contract and be filled with involuntary painful spasms, anxiety attacks hit during class, at night, on the phone, tears would flood my eyes, and hunger would constantly fill my stomach. Overall, I felt that I had no control over my body, or the longing for nicotine. Thankfully, I did not give into the temptation, and instead started to walk, now run, and exercise on a daily basis. Now, day number 11 of my lungs healing, I am still going through constant cravings, but my symptoms are down. It might not seem long, but I am determined, more confident, and I will do my best not to pick up a cigarette again. And for this reason, I plan on posting my ongoing story so that I may stay strong throughout this process. Peace

I started smoking when I was a teenager. I quit when I had my children, 18 years ago. I started smoking again about 4 years ago, when many people I worked with at the time smoked and one day I was offered a cigarette. I had been smoking ever since. I quit yesterday with my boyfriend; I quit because he wanted to quit, because I also wanted to quit and to be supportive of him. I know I will stay smoke-free; I only smoked about 4 cigarettes a day but he smoked a lot more. I know it must be very hard for him but he needs to quit for himself. I love him very much and I hope he stays healthy and smoke-free for the rest of his life. I will be his biggest cheerleader and will be there for him every day. I am so proud of him for taking the first step towards good health.

I have been smoking for six years, and I am only 20! When I was born I didn't have any celia hairs in my lungs or nose or esophagus. It finally grew in but it left me with asthma. I have a very slight case, and rarely use my inhaler, but I still loose my breath faster than if I didn't smoke. I started to smoke because my friends were smoking and it was cool! (Peer pressure) I played sports in high school and was pretty good; I would quit smoking for the season then light right back up after the season was over. My senior year I couldn't quit and I couldn't run either. So I quit the soccer team. When I was 18 I got pregnant, and I still couldn't quit. I knew the risks, and what could potentially happen to my baby, but I just couldn’t quit. I tried and had panic attacks, saw spots, shook. So I decided it was better to smoke than go through withdrawals. My daughter was born and thank god, she is very healthy, and happy. I have been wanting to get back into soccer and getting healthy. So about six weeks ago I just didn't feel the urge to have a smoke. It could be because I am taking medication for other reasons and that is helping, but I still quit! I have not had a cigarette for six weeks today. And I have not had one panic attack, the shakes, nor have I seen spots. And I joined a soccer league, and I can almost keep up. (It may take a little longer to get up to speed, but I will!) Just get help and you can quit just as easily.

I've been smoking for over 10 years now, and I've finally had it. I'm sick all the time and I can't even sleep through the night without waking up in coughing fits- sometimes I cough so hard I make myself sick- and the crud in my lungs is just disgusting. My twin sister smokes too. I decided to quit and now she has too. Supporting each other has helped. It's only been four days since I stopped but I'm determined to quit for good; I have to.

I have smoked since I was 14. If I would’ve known then, what I know now. I slipped up a couple of times but O won’t give up, I will keep trying until I’m smoke-free. This is only my second day. I am wearing a patch and yes, it does help. The reason I’m trying so hard to quit is I’m trying to get pregnant and after seeing my doctor, she told me that people who smoke are 50% more likely to miscarry. She told me that smoking causes blood clots in the placenta and it is hard for the baby to receive oxygen. I have had three miscarriages, I’m not saying that smoking caused them, but I’m sure it helped. If you smoke and are trying to get pregnant think about this, and if by the time you find out you are already one or two months pregnant, in that time you could’ve already caused harm to your baby. Just something to think about.

Hey there! Thanks for reading my story. I started smoking when I was 18 - not because my friends did it. Oddly enough it was because I have always admired characters like Frank Sinatra, Cary Grant and James Dean. They made it look so suave and sexy. Well, the older I get the more I do not need to smoke to be suave and sexy - it's inside me already! The leftovers from the smoking are also inside me. Yuck! Now I have to take control and quit. This is my first morning, hour - and day of being smoke free, and I am going to take advantage of the fact that I have access to Quitline. I know it will be a challenge now, but even more so if I put it off every day. I can sing well, and I want to keep it that way!! I can do it! Quitline can help!

Just making the call is the most important step in the quitting process. One woman told me that she had put the quit line number on her fridge and looked at it every day for eight months. After finding the courage to actually make the call, she was ready to give up the cigarettes for good. By making the call, people begin a journey that will change their lives.