Keep trying. I quit on my birthday a week ago, today is day 8 and I haven't cheated once. I am alone 24 and have smoked for about 10 years. I simply tried quitting once before but I cheated terribly. I am using the patch and it works for me. I am distinctly not craving the nicotine, but I still crave the habit of it. I have to be doing the same things you have...chewing on straws, candy, etc.

Quitting smoking is a true testing of will power, you have to believe in yourself and discipline yourself. My aunt told me to surmise of a craving as a telephone ringing, just don't answer it and it will step away in a minute or two.

Good luck, I am experiencing the same article you are. As hard as it is, you (and I) have to remember that it will get easier. Don't give in.

www.smoke-n-cough.com

Stopping smoking is one of the hardest things you will EVER do...but you CAN do it. I smoked for 25 years and after 8-9 attempts, which they say is normal, I stopped, cold turkey. It is a psychological and a physical addiction. Tons of candy is not the answer either. You will just own a new problem with your teeth and will probably gain unneeded weight. Both things that will end up frustrating you and make you smoke...again. The first 3 days is the worst. It takes 72 hours for the body to rid itself of the nicotine contained by your body. Then is when the problem rears its revolting head. Drink water if you can when you bring back an urge, walk for exercise. read a book, keep doing the non-stressful things if you can...you will have urges for months, but if you really stay focused and stay away from people who smoke! ...you CAN DO IT. You will be adding years to your existence and to the people around you. I could say Lots of luck, but when the urge comes, just pray for strength. It will be the healthiest thing you will ever do for yourself and the Lord. Your body is the temple he lives in and he doesn't want his temple filled with smoke and tar that in the end would kill you.

I don't have an honest answer for you. I too am a smoker and want to stop. I am going to set a stop date and follow some planning others have posted. Thank you for asking this question because it have given me a little more will power to stop smoking. Wish me luck too and pray for me as I will pray for you. Keep up the good work and don't give in to the temptation.

I had dreams for a week during my cold turkey session. I've been off for almost a year and I still overcome urges.

You could start eating hard candy. My dad did and he quit. You just need will power.

Be a quitter. It's the easiest thing in the world to do and the reward is peace. Just don't get up and move about thinking buy some cigarettes. Just don't do it. It takes more energy to smoke than it takes to quit. Make it through 72 hours, and the worst of it will be over. Research shows that quitting cold turkey is more successful and usually lasts longer among those that relapse with nicotine replacement.

It sounds like you're doing just fine. You hold to wanting it; you have to be strong. Keep repeating, mind over matter. You are surrounded by control!

I gave up. It was the best thing I have ever done... that said I haven't done that many good things.

Don't beat yourself up if you crumble and have a couple of cigarettes, just rapidly say that you are still giving up and start again. It takes time, lift yourself out of the situation where you are most likely to desire a cigarette. Once you are no longer chemically addicted it becomes easier to work on the psychological addiction.

Keep trying, it does make you better, and there really are few true reasons to continue to smoke.. Try and put the money to one side that you spent on cigarettes. It soon mounts up and becomes quite motivating... assuming you are not a millionaire!

I know you can do this!

You could also use a nicotine patch (they really work well for some) and stay busy. Keep your mind off it. Cheating and smoking "only just one" sets you back seriously.

Find the entity that really motivates you to quit, and concentrate on that when you feel the urge to smoke. Everyone is different, and we all need to find that one point that keeps us from going back. Mine was seeing my 6' 2" hulk of a father lying surrounded by a hospital bed right after open heart surgery, but maybe yours won't be that huge. Just find it, and use it every time you feel the need. Trust me, if it's the right motivator for you, it will work out fine.

I am not trying to be rude but, just say to yourself, get a life! Many folks who have become Christians were smokers including several close friends of mine and my Mother. Meditating on a few scriptures will probably help you.

Why is smoking Wrong?

#1 It shows a disrespect for life. Acts 17:24,25 "The God that made the world and all the things contained by it...gives to all individuals life and breath and all things."

Former U.S. Secretary of Health, Education , and Welfare, Joseph Califano, said: "Today with our technology no one can doubt that smoking is truly slow-motion suicide."

#2 Smoking is a violation of the divine requirement that we love our neighbor.

James. 2:8 "You must love your neighbor as yourself."-Compare Matthew 7:12

"A recent study...revealed that the nonsmoking wives of men who smoke die on the average four years younger than women whose husbands are nonsmokers."

I know it is tough but you MUST quit. I have never had to pass up the addiction, but I know it is possible. Keep yourself busy with lots of things. At least get through 2 weeks and afterwards you will probably be home free. Your creator will be smiling down on you, you will be more pleasant to be around, your body will thank you and the control that cigarettes had over your life will after be non-existent. Imagine how great that would be. I hope this helped somewhat. I am working on my Dad to quit as well.

You also could try a product called Smoke Away

Remember I know cold Turkey is the best way to quit but you have to replace smoking with something else and it should be something healthy. Buy some fruit and every time you are tempted, eat a cold orange or tangerine or apple or pear. Get a friend to encourage you every time you are tempted. Just pick up the phone and call them. ly i am 2 years clean

I was up to nearly three packs a day once and now I am clean.

I realize that I was smoking without even realizing it much of the time. One morning I caught myself standing by my running shower with a lit cigarette holding it over the top of the curtain to keep it from wet!! Once, I was clearing out a clogged fuel filter under my VW and it was a good friend who pointed out that I was literally covered with live unleaded gasoline and smoking at the same time. I could have effortlessly removed myself from earth!

I believe that to really quit cigarettes, you have to grow to detest them. And then you will simply quite buying them. You are on the right track. Once I made up my mind it was really time to quit, I began to hate them. Once I hated them, quitting all together was not so difficult. People who vacillate back and forth with smoking have not really made up their mind with the fact that they still desire to smoke and that desire is more significant than the things that smoking costs them. Everyone knows the down side. When you really want to quit and you get very committed to quitting, avoiding smoking becomes easy. When you are not committed you will argue back and forth with it.

Last note and possible solution is to Buy Smoke Away. It helped my dad, and he stopped smoking! Best wishes for success.