Nov 19 2008
Great American Smokeout November 20th
Great American Smokeout is November 20th
Thirty-three years ago I participated in my first Smokeout.
That was only the beginning, as I then participated for the next THIRTEEN years, FINALLY conquering the tobacco habit in 1989. Perhaps I should NOT say “conquer,” because the craving, believe it or not, still emerges from time to time.
How did I “quit”? Staying out of the bar scene helped a lot. Dating non-smokers helped a lot too. Thinking about living long enough to see grandchildren (and actually draw Social Security) was a big factor. So I quit every year for 13 years.
In the end…if this is the end…I am pretty proud of myself for quitting smoking on July 4, 1989. I still only dare say: “it has been “nineteen years since my last cigarette,” because nicotine is so addictive, I know that I could fail again.
Amongst all the ”national days” for such and such “national months” to commemorate virtually everything, the Great American Smokeout stands out as perhaps the single most effective campaign to improve our health in my lifetime.
The Great American Smokeout was inaugurated in 1976 to inspire and encourage smokers to quit for one day. There are still over 45 million Americans who smoke. Statistics show that about 40 percent of smokers have tried to quit (for at least one day) during this past year alone.
The success rate is frustratingly low. (How well I know and remember my own struggles.) The American Cancer Society has a “Quitline” where quitters can talk to a trained professional and receive some confidential counseling too. The “Quitline” is said to DOUBLE the success rate. Wow. Perhaps it will only take you seven years to quit! Here is the number: 1-800-227-2345.
It may be the most important battle you ever fight. Good Luck.
I quite for good in July 1994.I started quiting in 1984 and it took me 10 years to quite and stay that way.
it’s a good thing my hubby quited the day I was about to have our baby c:
I quit almost 2 years ago,mainly due to the expense of maintaining the habit.There are days when Iwould love a cigarette,but remind myself of the $$$$ thus saved.
Thankfully, I have never smoked nor even tried a cigarette. I can remember trying to persuade my parents over and over again to quit and as a child couldn’t understand why they found it so difficult.
There are so many things that we get addicted to in life, often without even knowing. They say the biggest addiction to people in advanced cultures is sugar and I can believe that. Sugar apparently turns into fat which accumulates throughout the body and is difficult if not almost impossible to lose. White carbohydrates change into sugar then into fat and we can all see what that is doing to us all - it’s frightening.
Anyway - I have deviated from your post, so apologies - I think that you have done very well and I applaud your strength and resolve to be strong enough to be able to call yourself a ‘quitter!’ Well done to you - and I hope that you will always keep up the resolve.
I posted about this today also. This is so important even though it is not as in the public spotlight as it once was. Nice job!
Congratulations on being smoke-free for so long! That is a very huge accomplishment (from what I hear). I am thankful I never smoked at all, not even once to try it.