I learned to control the desire

Keith had one motto for himself which pushed him to stay quit: no more addiction

I started smoking at 17. It was the worst decision I ever made.

I had been trying to give up since the age of 30. I tried every nicotine replacement therapy known to man, with no luck. I even smoked while on patches and chewing gum... I was hopelessly addicted. I was so desperate to quit that I thought by eating tobacco it would make me so sick I would stop . When that didn't work there was only one choice left... COLD TURKEY!  I had never tried that option as I thought it would be too painful and stressful, however I decided I had to stop smoking.

The coughing, never having money (always had cash for cigarettes mind you) not to mention the smoker's 'death breath' and stinky clothes. I chose a date - my birthday. I was prepared with a pack of chewing gum and will power. 

I prepared myself mentally by telling myself that if I felt like a cigarette I would give in only after 20 seconds and then another 5 seconds and so on. Seconds turned into minutes, minutes into hours. You get the picture.

Slowly I learned to control the desire. It didn't take long for the sense of achievement to kick in. I felt awesome. I also enjoyed having more money in my pocket every week.

It's not easy to stop smoking but it is possible. It's been two years since I've smoked. I am free of the addiction. There is absolutely no reason to smoke, there is no value in it at all. All it will do is drive you to despair and eventually kill you.

Good luck to all those trying to give up. Never stop trying! Besides being healthy, you may also find yourself richer.