I have recently had a close friend diagnosed with a smoking related illness and as a pack a day girl I am petrified of giving up. I have tried so many ways before including cold turkey, patches hypnosis and acupuncture to no avail. Has any body got any ideas or alternatives that have worked for them?

Non-smokers don't smoke. Simple as that.

I gave up about 3 years ago. No secret to it Mper, just don't.

There's no easy way. Which is what everyone looks for. It never gets any easier either. You've just got to make a conscious decision and just don't do it.

First coupla weeks is easy. Then the two years after that is hard, then you just don't do it after that.

Sorry there's no magic fairy dust or anything.

Having a motivation helps first up. When I first gave up I traded that $100 a week I was spending on smokes I spent on a new car for myself.

hi, I'm new comer here.
And I'm smoker. But I want to quit from this bad habits.
Any advise for me ?

Your Friend
my-herbal

I once was a walking ash tray.
Pay day saw after my bills, first purchase, two cartons of cigarettes, 4 packet of roll your own, and a box of mini cigars.
No kidding all would be gone in the two weeks till next pay day.
4 lighters, one in my shirt, one in the lunch box, one in the truck I drove, the last by my bed.
I always lied to myself saying I could never give it up, would not know what to do with myself.
30 years ago, in hospital and really sick, with Q fever long before immunization, I went cold turkey.
No one knew what was wrong with me for a month, I was even thought to have aids, treated as if I did, being in the cancer ward with those waiting to die.
Any one can give up smoking, you too, if you understand loving your body is better than not.
In truth once seen as smart and sexy smoking is the reverse, its plain dumb.

Ah, that is easy, I have quit so many times :)

My problem is not so much quitting, but staying off them.

Studying me the addict has been interesting and I've learnt
something new each time.

I found it easier, once I knew what was going on in the
brain, so when I was going nuts, I knew why I was going
nuts :)

Smoking increases dopamine levels, which is an important
neurotransmitter linked to the pleasure and reward centres
of the brain. When you quit and can't think straight for
a while, its because the brain has to kind of reprogramme
itself to naturally increase dopamine once again. If the
worst comes to the worst, go to bed and pull the sheets
over your head or have pay tv handy. I've had some
close shaves driving whilst quitting and it can in fact
be dangerous at some times.

Another thing that I have found helped was magnesium
tablets. Apparently our diets are low in magnesium
and I know from animal nutrition that magnesium has
a calming effect, so helps deal with anxiety, depression etc.

yabby I was too stubborn to try quiting, until I saw death all around me in that hospital.
I got to know each of them as good people, watch one die.
I turned that stubbornness into my reason to quit, forever.
I refused to smoke, never once did.
Now its that same tool in use, I am dieting and 5 weeks 9.2 kg is gone.
Every one is different but surely it comes down to do we like ourselves enough to do it?