h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

There is only one way to stop as far as I'm concerned and that is to just not do it. It's easy to say, but hard to do.

I quit smoking twice. The first time, my mother locked me in the house for a week. That really sucked, the physical withdrawl is really bad. After she let me out of the house, I went a couple of months before I started again.

The second time I quit was after two late night visits to the emergency room for asthma. I was incredibly sick for about two weeks. I couldn't eat, much less smoke. After I got better, I just decided not to do it again, it wasn't worth the suffering.

That was about three years ago. I've had one cigarette since and that was about a month after I quit. I got in a wreck and was stressed, so I had one. Then thirty minutes later I wanted another one.

The big difference is that the second time I quit, I did it because I wanted to. If you aren't absolutely positive that you want to quit, don't even try. It's just a waste of time and effort. You have to really want it, because it is hard not to pick it back up. It's been three years and I want a smoke at least once a day.

It has gotten better though. I couldn't go out for a year after I quit. Then I had to drink whenever I went out so I had something in my hand. Now, I'm actually comfortable when I go out. I still want to smoke though, it just doesn't bother me as much. I don't think it will ever go away though.

The only thing that you need to stop smoking for good is willpower. I'm lucky that I have the willpower not to do it. I just wish I had the willpower not to complain to my smoking friends because I'm bitter.

I think a good, healthy dose of willpower can help keep you from acquiring the habit, too. I went through a period of my life where I was at the pub just about every night (because there weren't any shining alternatives, this is a long story best not covered here), and my drinking was getting out of control as a result. So, in order to keep myself from getting to the retching stage, I would instead request a cigarette or three, and let a nicotene buzz maintain me until I was okay to get another beer. I could do this a few nights in a row, but I've resolved to never give in to the temptation other than when I'm drinking, and I've done it. I don't know why someone would want to smoke regularly anyway, since they become so used to it that they don't get the buzz, and it makes you stink.

You're one of those lucky people who can take it or leave it. I was drinking with a friend of mine last night who's like that. I am so jealous. If I did that I would just start back up again.