[Pturner]

Originally Posted by 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'.

Freeda,
I greatly admire you for sharing this story. It has to be painful to relive and tell. That you shared it anyway, for no benefit other than the possibility of helping strangers is an extraordinary act of kindness. I'm deeply touched.