Ex-smokers have taken to an online forum to reveal the successful strategies they used kick their smoking habits.
In a Reddit group, one user prompted others by asking:”Ex-smokers who successfully quit and have been smoke free for years now, what did it?” A range of former smokers responded with personal anecdotes about their journeys to smoke-free lives.
One individual disclosed that the motivation to quit came from not wanting to lose a bet with a friend. This person shared their story saying: “I’m probably like a lot of former smokers that tried to quit a number of times before being successful.
“Then a friend and I were out fishing and he began talking about quitting smoking “He wanted to bet $50 (£40) that he could outlast me. Beer drinking and trash talking commenced and the bet got up to $500 (£401).
“So I am way too cheap to lose a bet like that and so I went weeks without the butts. My friend came around, admitted that he was back on the smokes and paid up the $500. I was tempted to go back but was feeling so much better without the cigs, kept it going.”
Meanwhile, another ex-smoker confessed to using a peculiar technique involving a “serious phobia” to curb the craving. They detailed their unique approach: “I am 4 years smoke free. I have a serious mouse phobia.
“So, when I decided I no longer wanted to smoke I would force myself to look at pictures/videos of rodents. My brain quickly started associating smoking with mice.”
One user shared a touching story about their grandmother’s clever tactic to make their heavily-smoking grandfather stop the habit as his dementia progressed. The Reddit user shared that one morning, their grandfather couldn’t find his usual cigarettes and ashtray.
Confused, he asked his wife, “Where are my smokes?” Her response was unexpected: “Smokes? What are you talking about? You’ve never smoked a day in your life!” The user added: “He bought it. Gotta be cruel to be kind I guess.”
A different tale came from someone who managed to quit smoking following an unpleasant road trip with their father-in-law. They recounted: “Drove 10 hours with my father in law in the car.
“He smoked a pipe and inhaled it. At one point, he coughed so hard he puked out the window. Quit the next day.”
How to quit smoking
The NHS suggests that the cycle of short-term pleasure from nicotine and subsequent withdrawal symptoms plays a significant role in the difficulty of quitting smoking. As nicotine swiftly impacts the brain, it provides temporary relief and a sense of calm, but as it wears off, negative sensations like irritability and anxiety urge the individual to reach for another smoke.
The health authority warns: “In fact, many smokers often mistake withdrawal symptoms for everyday stress, leading them to smoke another cigarette. This vicious cycle creates the false belief that smoking is easing your stress when it is actually causing more harm over time, both physically and mentally.
“It is a cycle that keeps you hooked, making stress harder to manage in the long run.” Moreover, the NHS pinpoints the benefits of kicking the habit as improved physical health and an uplifted mood.
Crafting a personal ‘quit plan’ is suggested by the NHS, including picking a quit date, understanding your personal motivators, and pinpointing triggers. Suggestions to combat cravings include keeping your hands and mouth occupied, strategising stress management, and how to get an energy boost.
The NHS provides support materials for those aiming to quit, such as the free Quit Smoking app and a tailored Personal Quit Plan accessible on its website. If you’re considering quitting or finding it tough, seek advice from your GP.