Ciggyfree Blog

Okay, I’ll come clean. I once smoked. This surprises people, as I don’t look like a smoker, whatever that means.

Smoking is serious and quitting is very difficult. I quit for good 20 years ago. I told myself that all I had to do was get through that day. I smoked no small amount and I am not proud of it. Smoking promotes dishonesty. Smokers don’t really tell you how much they smoke.

Smoking is a serious addiction. I still say that I am one cigarette away from being a pack-and-a-half-a-day smoker. While the first puff may be nauseating, soon I’d be craving another one even if I didn’t really want it.

My mom died of lung cancer at the young age of 63. Smoking kills and it doesn’t do it nicely. Smoking puts stress on your heart, affects your blood pressure and if you are pregnant it has been associated with a higher incidence of miscarriage and low birth weight. One day I woke up and realized smoking controlled me and it was time to be honest with myself.

I had to be ready and no one could push me to quit. I didn’t just have to quit smoking, though. I had to relinquish an entire set of events that over the years had become connected to smoking. This was the hard work. Smoking signaled relaxation. It was wonderful with a cup of coffee, a conversation, a meal or a phone call. I needed to learn how to laugh, cry, drink a beverage and drive a car without a cigarette.