[Freeda]

I agree that it boils down to wanting to quit; having a strong enough motivation; because smoking is a very strong addiction. I started smoking while I was in law school; there was so much tedious reading, and I thought that smoking would curb my tendency to snack while studying. I planned that as soon as I graduated, in 3 years, I would just quit smoking, to avoid any health consequences. Well, eight years later, I was smoking up to 3 packs a day. (I guess I had overlooked that even after law school, law practice would require alot of complicated and stressful reading). (Smoking 3 packs a day had occurred because I had switched to the 'low tar' cigarettes, since they were 'healthier' - what a joke that was; what happened was that I just smoked more cigarettes than ever, because I still craved the nicotine fix, so I gradually increased from 1 to up to 3 packs per day).

After smoking (but I did 'cut down'!) through two pregnancies (something that I now can only view as totally shocking to have done) in the early '80s, and luckily having had two healthy babies, I lost my third child in a mid-trimester (very rare) miscarriage; and of course, I had been heavily smoking throughout that pregnancy, too.

I was devastated by grief, which was worsened by my guilt and shame, as I felt then, and still do, that my smoking was a big factor - possibly the only factor - in losing this child. I still can't tell this story without tears. I decided that at least something 'good' would come out of this tragedy, and that I would stop smoking; and that I wouldn't get pregnant another child unless I had stopped smoking. It still took me a few stops and starts, but within a few months I had stopped. I later had my perfectly healthy third child.

I am telling this story because it illustrates the idea of having a strong reason for quitting; and because it might help someone - maybe some of you have daughters or nieces who smoke.

I did go to an American Cancer Society stop smoking clinic, which had good education and pointers, such as to carry cinnamon sticks as a 'cigarette substitute'.