My inspiration why i quit smoking

I decided to quit for Robert, to make him proud and to avoid a disease that would impact my independence. The day before my quit date, we threw out my cigarettes, picked up the prescription my doctor recommended to help me quit, and stocked up on healthy snacks in places I'd normally go to grab a lighter or another pack. Robert kept me busy and made plans with our friends and my family nearly every day.

He was my rock and supported me through every craving. I'm 3 months smokefree, thanks to his support. I started smoking in high school behind the dugout. Everyone who was anyone smoked. I kept the habit through my late teens and early twenties and told myself that I could afford to enjoy smoking. I knew the health risks, but I never worried about my health. I thought that as long as I stayed active, I'd be fine.

The day before my youngest son's 20th birthday, I had serious chest pains that landed me in the hospital. When I woke up, I was told that I had suffered a heart attack and needed two stents. I felt 90 at I looked over at my worried sons and wife and knew I had to quit. I didn't want to miss out on my sons starting families of their own. Going from up to 40 cigarettes a day to quitting was one of the toughest things I've done.

I'd smoked for over 45 years! I have a fast-paced job and whenever I'd feel my stress level go up, I'd normally reach for a cigarette. Now, the medications I took every morning were a daily reminder that I had to quit for my health and find new ways to manage my stress. Every time I felt tempted to light up, I'd take deep breathes and look at a photo of my family that I kept on my desk.

That helped me stay grounded. As a businessman, I started calculating the savings. That meant I could buy an e-reader after about a week without cigarettes. After a little over a month, I could have the latest smartphone.

By giving myself a reward for reaching each early milestone, I was able to get through the darkest hours. Today, I'm proud to say that my wife and I have paid off our mortgage and I haven't touched a cigarette in 6 years!

These stories are inspired by documented personal experiences of former smokers and those trying to quit. The photos are of actors representing the person in the story. Join over , people who receive the latest news about lung health, including COVID, research, air quality, inspiring stories and resources.

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Korean J Fam Med. Association between cigarette smoking behavior and infertility in women: A case-control study. Biomed Res Ther. Smoking and infertility: A committee opinion.

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For the urge to totally receeded but not die, I passed the toughest exam - to get over the cravings. I did not inform my family and my wife, noticing something was strange in me though she never ever thought of my quitting. After almost 8 months or so she observed that I was not smoking and broached the subject - which I confirmed that I am trying my best. Finally I knew that I won and its now 30 years since I touched a cigarette. I still remember the date when I lit my last cigarette - 27 July I smoked for almost 23 years - the best brands available in the world.

I believe nothing is impossible and it is ultimately willpower which helped me. My health improved, my appetite grew and I became more active. Even now at the age of 71, I still exercise a lot. Certainly smoking would not have helped me to be what I am today. I want to let all smokers know that you will succeed, when you have the will.