Quitting Smoking

Dot.Bomb

I plan to stop smoking soon as my general health is begining to become affected, its a disgusting habit and its too expensive! I've never tried to quit before so I've no ide how easy or difficult it is...

So, does anyone who has quit have any advice? pointers? basically, how did you do it? And did you pile on the pounds due to munchie attacks?

govinda

The best advice I can give you is to get yourself a copy of Allen Carrs Easyway to Quit Smoking or Only Way to Quit Smoking Permanently - you can (and should!) smoke while you're reading it and by the time you get to the end you will be questioning why you smoked at all in the first place.
His tone can be a bit arrogant at times, but the points he makes about smoking are excellent - there's no scare tactics, just helpful information.
I quit with Allen Carr after 10 years of smoking, with none of the bad moods, cravings etc. that I'd had when I quit cold turkey or with Nicotine Replacement Therapy.
Best of luck to you!

Dot.Bomb

yeah I've heard his book is very good but doesn't work for everyone

Pmc

You're not going to find any way that will work for everyone. Allen Carrs book worked for me!

Mr Dj

I was chatting to my mate on lunch and he seemed to think that drinking coffee speeds up the heartbeart, therfore this will assist a higher metabolism making it more difficult to put on weight?!

Does anyone know if there is any truth behind this or is my mate taking s***?

Mr Dj

sorry wrong post.

ambasite

Originally posted by Dot.Bomb
yeah I've heard his book is very good but doesn't work for everyone

give it a go, worked for me, only €11 - well worth it if it does work for you....

rocco

a few people in here went to one of his seminars and only 1 still smoking I think 6 went it cant be that bad

ZeFrog

Even if the book doesn t work, it is worth buying and reading.



If you wanna stop smoking avoid smokey areas and smoke of other people for a couple of weeks. Passive smoking will keep you addicted+frustrated (that s why the smoking ban is a good thing !)


It is easy to stop smoking. The trick is not to have "just" one after you quit. If you do so, you are back smoking in no time, I fell for that many times.

The other trick is not to put everything on the count that you stopped smoking : if you fail an exam, feel sad, go down for what ever reason, don t blame him on the fact that u stopped or, don t smoke and think that it will make you feel better. It won t in fact.


The other advice I would like to give is that it is necessary to realize that smokers live in denial. All ex-smokers know it. There is no point in telling them, but knowing it is good. They will try to convince you that "a bit of smoke" is not bad, or, "you have to die from something" ...etc .. ~Unfortunately for them it makes no sense : a bit of smoke is nothing indeed if you won t have to breeze another bit afterwards. And it s better to die from anything else than cancer at the age of 35-40 after a life of poor shape.
They will also come up with bull*** like "ok, then let s ban everybad things, air pollution is bad, "etc .. Yes, it is very bad, so there is no need to add tar in your lungs on top of it !
etc .. etc ..

Finally, there will always be a man or woman, who smoke and will be in good shape. (sportman, or old people, ..). Those are exceptions. 98 % of smokers would be better off.

Paddy20

Give up if you like life !.

P. :ninja:

Brian Houlihan

Bought this book over christmas for a friend. He really wanted to give up.

He has been off since january.

As someone said above try and stay away from other people smoking, it's only going to lead you down the road where you say "Oh i'll only have this and an odd one"

Good luck to anyone trying

EKRIUQ

No harm in just buying the book, only €11 euro, I had no intention of giving up but I said i'd read the book now i@m off them

Drexl Spivey

Originally posted by TIPPTOP
No harm in just buying the book, only €11 euro, I had no intention of giving up but I said i'd read the book now i@m off them

Same here.



Keep away from smokers for 3 weeks when you have decided to stop smoking.

No pubs for 3 weeks won t kill you and you have a chance to be ooff the fags afterwards.

ErinGoBrath

For the last few years I've attempted to quit smoking using a range of different methods but with very little success. Willpower was soul destroying, as were the patches. It was like having a permanent itch I wasn't allowed scratch.

When a friend told me about Allen Carr's book I was more than keen to try it out. After reading the book I extinguished my last cigarette and haven't had a craving since. The book dispelled all myths about smoking and doesn't use scaremongering to make you quit. Six months later I'm still of them and have more energy, very healthier, better off money wise and mentally strong. All these I was deprived off as a smoker.

I've recommended the book to all my smoking friends and all off who was open enough to do it have quit with ease.

If your not into reading (it's quite a large book and takes a long time to read) I'd suggest you go to the clinic in Castleknock. The clinic lasts 4-5 hours and you'll walk away free from the trap of smoking. The clinic costs €250 (not expensive considering the amount you will spent on cigarettes!) and comes with a money back guarantee. The clinic also offers support for after the session so if you have any doubts a free visit will sort it out.

Check out the link for bookings and book orders:
Allen Carrs Irish Webbie

Hope this helps as it's sorted me out very painlessly!
Andy

PS: I'll be happy to answer any questions you may have.

Brian Houlihan

did you mean to post a link. if so ain't working.

newgrange

For those in the process of giving up, this prog can be of encouragement.
http://mwilden.com/QuitTime/
It keeps a record of how you are doing in terms of cigs not smoked, money saved etc..
newgrange
---
4yrs 2mths 2weeks 2days 08:28 smoke-free
76,955 cigs not smoked
€17,430.31 saved

Paddy20

Brian Houlihan,

If ErinGoBrath's link above to the Irish Allen Carr website is not working for you. I find that strange as it works for me !, and why on earth did you not simply post a link yourself. It would certainly have been of more help to other Boards.ie members.

Would it not ?. Heres another link:- www.allencarr.ie/

Hope that one works for those who may need it !, including your goodself. :rolleyes:

P. :ninja:

Brian Houlihan

If you noticed he edited the post, so i presume the link wasn't even there when i read , all i seen was text. I would have posted the link if I knew it.

€17,430.31 saved!

Must admit thats a nice little some

Captain Trips

You could do what I did, which sounds ridiculous, but could work for you.

Basically, when you want a cigarette, stop first and say to yourself "But I am not a smoker. Why would I want a cigarette? I don't smoke".

Soon enough you will have hypnotised yourself into believing you don't smoke and wallah! You're quit. After all, you don't smoke. You are not a smoker. Why would you buy cigarettes?

EKRIUQ

Originally posted by Jeff Bond
Same here.



No pubs for 3 weeks

:eek: Shock Horror:eek:

Vicky

Hi my name is Vicky and I built a website for Irish people who are trying to quit smoking or who are ex_smokers and willing to offer advice to others who are trying to quit. Have a look and see if you think it is of help to smokers. I am not sure if I am allowed to post the address but I will as it is a not profit making site.

I have installed a chat room and a support forum so we can support each other in our quits. Many thanks for reading this Vicky


http://www.smokersquit.com

http://www.smokersout.com

Paddy20

Excellent, timely and very badly needed. Did you set that up all on your own ?...or did you get any grant aid .

Strange if the Irish Department of Health has not set up something like this 'Lifesaver'.

Congratulations.

P. :ninja:

Vicky

Hi Paddy...Thanks first of all for looking at it. I set it up on my own. No help at all. It was never meant to be as big but I am finding my self becoming very involved in it and adding to it all the time. I even got the local school kids envolved by drawing images of what they thought of smoking.. Now I have to judge a winner http://www.smokersout.com/Kids_drawings_smoking.htm. Plus come up with some easter eggs as a prize...

Yes I have asked the powers that be for help as I saw the site growing but they just ignore me. I did not ask for money just for help in putting in the right information and advice.

Paddy20

Vicky,

Have you issued a Press/Media release announcing your new [meaning newsworthy] socially important and possibly lifesaving website ?... if not then I would suggest that you do this.

A good source of information on the media/contacts etc, can be found in a very useful annual paperback called :- The Writers & Artists Yearbook. It is a real gem and used widely in the media. Issue your 'Release' on the same day to as many good popular newspapers, magazines, radio and TV station 'newsdesks/newsrooms' as possible. Try not to leave out any important publications as they can be easily insulted if they think they are being ignored.

Your local Health Board has a fund for grant aiding this type of 'not for profit' organisation. If you get a negative response, try writing direct too the Chief Executive Officer. It is not unusual for badly needed websites such as yours to be given the cold shoulder at the beginning, but with the right type of publicity, funding can become much easier too obtain. One good local TD on your side who is prepared too support you verbally and in quotes to the media can be very helpful.

I have no doubt that your website will receive an enormous amount of publicity. So be prepared and fear nothing as it is providing a vital service. I also note that you have a telephone number which the general public can contact. Do not forget to include that in any Press/Media releases.

Finally, Monday is about the best day for issuing media releases, as you should catch the dailies, the weeklies and the following weekends Press in one hit.

A great project.

Good luck. BTW, Fergal Bowers [Editor] at the award winning website:- www.irishhealth.com
should be sent full info asap, as they are a highly respected not for profit established website with over 50,000 members. Could be very useful to you in many ways
P. :ninja:

Vicky

Hi Paddy.

I am not so hot on writing press releases as I have never done anything like this before and I have never had to write a press release and would not know where to start or who to give it to.
I am finding it all fascinating and such a learning curb.

My family are beginning to think I do not exist anymore as this website has taken a lot of my time, energy and money away building it. Not to mention the time I have spent on the phone begging for information from our health people in Ireland and all the emails and all the posts on boards like this trying to get it noticed.

I have contacted so many people in recent weeks about this site. Interest nil including my own health board maybe am I talking to the wrong people. Times I have become disheartened by our system. No one will listen to me. I made a website that will work and I know it if it is given the right response. Here I am one person doing something that I feel is good and helpful and what response do I get. None!
I telephoned newspapers. I emailed newspapers. I contacted by email every doctor I could find with an email address in the south east of Ireland and only one answer and that was from my own doctor. I asked them to give the address to patients and tell them help was available online in the line of information and a support forum etc. I personally went to our health board on a couple of occasions. I even spoke to the smoking cessation officer. I asked her for advice etc. She showed as much interest as a Christmas tree with no decorations on it. Lights on but no one at home. I got the feeling I was bothering her big time and go away.

I heard very true words the other day if our government were so keen for people to give up smoking why are they not giving out free nicotine replacement therapy. If I was a heroine addict they would give me methadone freely.

Paddy20

Hi Vicky,

I am not in the least surprised at your story. Apathy is a common response from the type of people you have been dealing with, especially so called 'civil servants' pen pushing in secure overpaid health board admin jobs waiting for their healthy pensions.

Step 1; Follow the 'Media release guidelines in the book I recommended.

Step 2; Do a search on Google Ireland for 'Fund raising for community projects'.

Step 3; Have a look at www.oasis.gov.ie

Step 4; Contact your nearest Citizens Information Centre (CIC) or you should find a link to their website on the above 'Oasis' site, or call:- 1890-777-121 and explain your plight.

Step 5; Ask your local bookstore for a list of cheap ;- How to fundraise in Ireland books or Funding sources for Irish voluntary organisations. I know their are a lot available, and many are free. In fact I am sure:- The Department of Social and Family Affairs publish a guidebook. The Minister of that government department should be of help to you. Her name is 'Minister Mary Coughlan T.D'. A very influential woman. Send her an e-mail.

Finally for now. In my opinion your website should be highlighted on Boards.ie with it's own 'thread' !. As it is much too hidden away where it is !.

Keep going and good luck.

P. :ninja: BTW; Who is answering your phoneline ?...

Vicky

Thanks for all this information Paddy. I have taken on board all you said and tomorrow is a new day. I will start with new ideas and ways to go about getting the PR this site needs to make it a great support area for people who are or who have given up smoking..

You lost me on this question Paddy...BTW; Who is answering your phoneline ?...

Paddy20

Vicky,

My question refers to who is answering the phone calls coming in too your websites 1850 phone/adviceline i.e. do you have any volunteers ?... Sounds as though you are going to need help.

Another thought. Have you given yourself an official title. It is important from the Media point of view to feel that they have a reliable contactable person that they can contact for quotes/interviews. You should call yourself the Public Relations Officer i.e., P.R.O./Founder using your full name in all correspondence as that appears to be what you are, and it gives a more professional impression.

A constitution for your voluntary org is also vital. For obtaining grants, opening a bank account and in order to be able to accept donations etc, etc.

You are correct, worthwhile voluntary work is extremely draining and disheartening at the start. Did you know most voluntary organisations do not last more than 2 years. So if you are prepared too stick with it and be stubborn and determined for more than two years. Then your chances of your organisation becoming a permanent public service increase dramatically after that time because you will have a track record.

When did you start your organisation, or do you consider that it is still in the process of being organised officially and has not as yet been formally launched ?....

Be lucky and yes you are going to be busy and challenged at every turn.

P. :ninja:

Vicky

Hi Paddy,,,

The phone line is not mine it is the national one set up by Minister Martin. I just put the link in case anyone wants to ring it. Like I have a link to the cancer society.

A title for me...No ....the site is a help area non profit making and a source of support that I hope in time will be run by others not just me.. I am just the webmaster the person who built and designed the site. Paddy its not even an organisation. It is just something I did and my hope is that many will join and support each other in quitting. Already I have a couple of quitters. To keep it alive it needs many people to join and partake and support. When it becomes lively then I will know it has worked.

Am I making sense?

Paddy20

Vicky,

It is vital and a legal requirement that you have a voluntary management committee, consisting of :-

1; A legal voluntary org constitution.
2; The Committee has to have a minimum of 7 members.
3; It must appoint , a Secretary, a Chairperson, a Public Relations Officer [PRO] etc.
4; It should open a bank account, not for profit, voluntary org type. Two signatories on cheques for security reasons.
5; Hold monthly meetings, at least in the beginning.

Have you started working on a Media/Press release ?...
Did you manage to get a copy of "The Writers & Artists Yearbook ?..
Another book comes to mind. As far as I can recall it was published by Focus Ireland {A well known charitable organisation} I think it was called:- The Funding Handbook.

Thats all for now. Keep going.

P. :ninja: N.B. Do you have a fax ?. Its the cheapest and fastest Media/Press release distribution method.

Vicky

Paddy... I am not sure I want to go down that road. It is a website for smokers and ex_ smokers a help area built by me in my spare time. I thought it was a good idea seen as Ireland has nothing like this that is all to do with smoking. I only want the PR for it to let people know it is here and that they can join and get help from other smokers or ex-smokers in the same situation as themselves.

hmmmmmmmmmmm
Press Release

NEW LEADING IRISH WEBSITE LAUNCHED TO HELP SMOKERS QUIT

A new professionally designed Irish website has been launched in anticipation of the forthcoming smoking ban which provides comprehensive support to people trying to stop smoking. Unusually, it is run by a current smoker who herself is trying to quit, Kilkenny-based web designer Vicky Comerford, whose aim is for the website to become an on-line support community for people wanting to stop.

A committed 'web blogger' - she writes an on-line journal on the progress of her desire and action towards quitting - the new website tells you everything you need to know about how to stop.

Smokersquit.com has a smokers' forum, a live chat room, information on tobacco legislation, how to quit, the health effects of smoking, a smoking calculator and Vicky's Blog on Quitting. It provides information on journalist Joe Armstrong's World Health Organisation-backed new book Write Way to Stop Smoking.

It also includes an impressive library of helpful articles on smoking cessation by Joel Spitzer, with articles ranging from 'Are you a nicotine junkie?' to 'Sleep adjustments', given that quitting smoking can temporarily affect a person's sleep patterns.

Whar do you think?

Paddy20

Excellent, just one point. You do not mention that it is a voluntary website that could do with some funding, but your efforts to obtain same has met with nothing but negativity ?...

I think I now understand a bit better, exactly what you are creating. My advice about having a constitution etc, was because in order too get funding from most agencies. A voluntary org/website usually needs firstly too have some type of formal and accountable legal set up with a Secretary.

However, as you state that do not wish to go down that road, and I can understand that. If I were you I would still chase funding for monies to cover your overheads and a state of the art computer set up i.e. hardware and software etc. Do not underestimate your overheads.

Have you issued your Media/Press Release yet ?...

I would be interested in the coverage you get. I personally do not buy newspapers and tend too miss a lot of items.

One final tip in relation to Media/Press Releases. The media always looks for something 'NEW' as that is 'NEWS' hence the word newspaper. So if possible always include the word "New" where possible in releases as it will catch the eye of Newsdesks.

Also for a worthwhile project such as yours in which there should be ongoing public interest and participation. You need to keep the website name in the public eye. One way of doing this would be to release a giving up smoking:- *TIP OF THE WEEK at the end of which you should include full details of your website. Hopefully, the media would use this every week, thereby giving you ongoing 'Free' publicity.

Keep me posted and be lucky .

P. :ninja: N.B. Also in all releases to the Media 'always' include your full name and contact telephone number. So that journalists can verify that the release is genuine and comes from you personally.

leeroybrown

I've never smoked but from what I can see one of the more annoying obstacles for someone quitting is advertising for products to help you stop. There must be nothing more irritating than seeing TV ads deliberately designed to remind you of smoking so you feel you need to get a product of some kind.

Paddy20

Personally, I quit in November 1999. I just stopped without any aids/patches etc. I use the "One day at a time' method.

I never say I no longer smoke. I simply look at the craving and say too myself subconsciously "I will not smoke 'just' for today" or at times it has been "I will not smoke for the next five minutes" and by the time the five minutes have passed, so has the craving and overwhelming compulsion too buy a pack or light up.

Willpower on a daily basis has worked for me up to date. If I was to say I am never going too smoke ever again. I think that would be putting myself as a nicotine addict under too much pressure.

P. :ninja:

SantaHoe

I've tried gum, patches, cold turkey, Alan Carr... I'm still smoking like a chimney.
I know the reasons not to smoke, and whats more I truly believe that smoking is pointless and offers nothing.
I've wrote a list of reasons not to smoke and made at least 13 major points, then a list of reasons to smoke and could only find two, which were quite pathetic and don't bare repeating.

RE: Alan Carr:

When I finished reading the Alan Carr book, and I'd extinguished that last cigarette I was ready to continue life as "a happy non-smoker"... but then reality hit home... withdrawl.
The book goes into some detail about how withdrawl symptoms are all in your head, and with 'easy-way' you won't feel any at all... well I'd like to be able to wish-away my nicotine withdrawl, but in practice I can't... it's not something I'm imagining as his book so cockily implies.
But if the book works for people then it's a great book, it just hasn't worked for me... it's distressing and frustrating to find that the silver bullet of smoke-quitting techniques hasn't worked for me, and that's all I'm trying to convey here. I'm sure anyone else who this hasn't worked for can relate.

I've come to the conclusion that I am weak-willed, and maybe have a deep seated death wish which smoking appeases on some level.
I don't think I'm ready to quit, or at least I don't want to quit badly enough.
My main problem is that I cave under the pressure of withdrawl... I ask myself is it worth it... and in the long run I know it is... but the moment takes over and there seems like nothing else in the world but my next cigarette.
So like a zombie, I wander off with my arms outstreched and stagger down to my local shop.

It's a real kick in the teeth every time you fail quitting, every time you have that forbidden cigarette... quitting just seems a harder and harder thing to do.
The the impression forms - "it must be hard if I've failed so many times".

GinjaNinja

Hi all,

I was a smoker for 12 years.

Quiting smoking was the easiest thing I have ever done in My life. None of the dreaded crving everybody talked about,no pangs, no guilt. Just simple satisfaction.

How. Well once I realised how much I didn't like smoking it was quite simple.
I read Alans Carr's book twice. And each time I got something quite different from it. In itself the book is a great insight in the mind of a smoker. a great read.
BUT
It will not make you stoip smokin.
It will not give you the supposed magic key.

It's a book.
The only thing that canmake you quit is yourself, like any other addiction self realisation will wake you up quick smart.

This book is a good aid, and and aid only, to make enjoy life all the better.

Remember once you realise that you don't like smokin(and never had), you'll never smoke again. That simple.

No lcuk needed its easy


Chris

Paddy20

SantaHoe,

I know exactly what you mean. I remember when I quit, I deliberately left my half finished pack and lighter on the mantelpiece, as I was too scared to throw them away and did not know how long I could resist the compulsion too light up to satisfy my addiction which was literally driving me crazy, costing me a bloody fortune, and ruining my health.

After a couple of months the fags and lighter were still sitting on the mantelpiece, and if I am honest just seeing them there was in some strange way a help to me. Then one day a friend who still smokes was sitting chatting too me when he ran out of cigarettes. So I said take those ones on the mantelpiece andthe lighter as well. I had reached the stage where I felt that I could survive without the re-assurance that my fags were within reach if needed.

Anyway, can I suggest that you click on Vicky's new ;- www.smokersquit.com
It has already helped some too quit .

P. :ninja:

Vicky

Hi Guys at last we have a thread going on this.

Paddy I guess I should clarify a few things.. Yes I asked the powers that be for help with the website. Never once did I ask for a cent for my site all I asked for was information to put into it, medical advice etc. Only one site helped all the rest said it was copyright and not to touch. haha well all the information on these sites are the same,,,if you get my drift same advice same health issues same props to help you give up.. Ireland will not help me with this site I figure but America and England have. I asked for info from Ash UK. Go ahead take what you want. Joel's Library. Go ahead and use it. Irish Heart don't touch. Cancer society could not be bothered answering any one of my emails I could go on and on.

All I want for this site and for all my hardwork is PR and plenty of information to make it a number one source for smokers who are trying to quit. The site will be updated as much as I can to keep it fresh.

I also need members the more members the more support that site can give.

Well if anyone wants to throw money at me either I will not refuse but I doubt if that will happen seeing how our system works...

Vicky

SantaHoe
You and I seem to be on the same wave length as far as smoking is concerened.

cmonks: It is easy for some to quit and so very hard for others.

Paddy20

Vicky,

Looks as though some American mob have a new website 'under construction' using a name that is uncomfortably similar too yours. I have sent you a PM with a link to the website which is already up and partly operational. It also appears to be a typically American profit orientated/motivated organisation with a lot of links too sites selling various products which claim to help people stop smoking.

Imo they are in breach of your copyright of your websites name, and they are also possibly causing your 'intellectual property' unestimable damage.

A complaint to Google might help to block them before they go fully operational. This type of greed is unfortunately something you must protect your website from, it happens all the time.

Good luck.

P. :ninja:

Vicky

Thanks Paddy I sent you a PM. Not a thing I can do about it.

Paddy20

Vicky,

If I started a website called 'micrsoft.com'. Thats with 'one' letter missing from Microsoft. How long do you think I would get away with it. I can assure you that Bill Gates would rightfully be down on me in an instant, and he would win outright as well as probably being awarded an enormous financial compensation claim as well ?...

P. :ninja:

Vicky

Lol Paddy. If I had Bill Gates money I too would be able to do so much.:D