Hi Mark,

>> I know that's true over here sadly enough. Ron quit when my daughter was
>> born some 40 years ago.. I quit as well then but it lasted a whole two
>> years :( Since then I've quit a few times . One time, I was
>> hospitalized for cracked ribs for a week and couldn't smoke in the
>> hospital for all of that week. As soon as I got out I started again.

> I can relate.

Yes, no doubt many have run into this.

>> I don't know there were any in NY to be honest... but anti-smoking aids
>> wouldn't help me but probably would help a lot of people. Patches go
>> right to my legs and I can't walk very well. E-cigs just make me smoke
>> more... Maybe I should try hypnotism 

> Have you tried the lozenges?

No, I did buy them once but just never used them much.

> I also quit many times in my life.  Everyone is different, but this was the
> winning combination for me:

> 1)  Tired of being addicted to smoking.  I hate all things controlling - so
> this was my #1 reason for quitting.

Same here :(

> 2)  Started the lozenges each time I wanted to smoke.  Never put a time limit
> on how long I would use them.

Ok I can see how that matters.

>3)  Kept an open pack of cigs with me all the time that I never smoked.  I hav
> no idea why I did that other than a to build more self control.

True, it's a good idea I think.

> 4)  Slowed up on my beer intake and avoided bars for awhile.

I generally don't drink - a beer or two once in a while but always here not in
bars and generally on weekends if I just want to unwind a bit.

>I would pro-actively take a lozenge after each meal.  I also starting drinking
> lots of coffee.

hehe.. I do drink a lot of coffee already but taking one after each meal is
also a great idea.

> It took me about 3-4 months to start to feel free from them, but a solid year
> at least before I stopped thinking about them all together.

I get so depressed when I quit, it's uncanny.. not sure why.  It's notable
though.

> I also took the lozenges about 7 months and slowly didn't need them anymore
> (and I mean slowly).

Ok.

> I forgot how long ago it has been since I smoked, but I would estimate it has
> been around 7 years now.

Sounds great, Mark.

>For me, it was never the cost, health, etc.  It was about the addiction that I
> hated more than anything.

Yes, that's the "problem" here as well.  It's not the cost.  Perhaps sometime
down the line when we are really old we will care about that but not right now.
It is the 'controlling' and addictive nature of the damn things that I hate!

Thanks again,
Janis

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