I gave up 5 years ago

[damzel]

but still want one when I've had a drink. Is this forever?

[damzel]

anyone got a virtual cig? I think I've got my old zippo somewhere..

[Jah Lush]

I'm smoking one now. Drink in one hand, fag in the other. What perfect combination. Marvellous!

[Dorothy]

I think it probably is damzel. Just think how marvellous you are for resisting through all the many thousands of drinks you've had since giving up :)-D

[ruffers]

It wore off for me, eventually..

[LadyTaTa]

I gave up for five years, and then started smoking again. It happened soooo easily... please stay strong! I have given up again for just over 3 years, and it's a lot easier now.

In my humble opinion, it's a case of re-educating your brain as to what is fun and a reward.

[steveo]

Life is a cigarette

You smoke to the end

[SteveT]

I felt freer somehow when I packed it up and also found any smokey environment made me feel sick.

Ten years on I could still smoke one but my one advantage is I do not drink alcohol, which I think makes it easier.

[ratty]

Off them for 3 years, now back on them due to drink. Stay away!

[karter]

a friend on here attended the smoking club in Peckham to help stop. Maybe he will come on this thread with his feedback.

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

I like the sound of a Smoking Club. Where do we join?

[expat]

It is not forever but for a long time - I stopped about 20 years ago so I can't remember excatly but it was more than 5 years before I could have a drink and not crave a cigarette.

Apparently alcohol expand the thin blood vessels for example in your hands/fingers and tobacco contract them so there is a physical excuse at least that is what I used... 8-)

[PeckhamRose]

I have never been able to give up smoking.

Mainly because in my entire life I have never once held a cigarette to my lips.

I hope you manage to last without ever smoking again, my health as a child and thus an adult has been ruined/dominated by my parents who smoked and my lungs are crap.

[damzel]

I joined a stop-smoking club at work which was how I finally managed to kick the habit. Recommend them. For various reasons it's probably only the fact that I have a kid now that stops me going back to it however. I've been known to weaken when out drinking with smokers. Always regret it the next day but it doesn't stop me the next time! Stupid.

[SteveT]

I used the nicotine chewing gum, I would get a square of gum and cut it into four fingers then leave one in my mouth lying between the gum and teeth, when the craving grew I would give it a couple of chews and put it back, leaving it to do it's work.

It took a few months to break the habit but I felt smug when I no longer needed the gum.

It is my greatest personal achievement.

[waynetta]

Save money on expensive nicotine gum by simply chewing ordinary gum and smoking a cigarette at the same time.

[????]

I gave up 6 years ago just decidedon the spot, not touched one since, very rarely got cravings and always manageable and went quickly even when drinking. Didn't find it difficult to be honest and made me wonder why I didn't pack in the smelly, killing, expensive habit yonks before. IF you ever have one, even occasionaly you haven't given up, you've just cut down.

[waynetta]

*Smokers. Save ???s every year on matches and expensive cigarette lighters by simply lighting your cigarette with the butt of your previous one.

*Done this one already in Top Tips. But what the hell....it makes me laugh if nobody else.

[Strawbs]

I gave up two months ago and have had two relapses both times when drunk in the pub.. I fear I may not ever be able to drink again! (Ive only drank twice in the past 2 months to give myself every chance of stopping)

[Goodliz]

I gave up about 10 years ago and now and then still fancy one - especially when I have been drinking or feel a bit nervous about something. I gave up smoking when I took up running.

[Brendan]

I also gave up 5 years ago. Then I did it again about 4 and-a-half years ago. I gave up a few more times over the next 4 years and once again about a month ago.

[DJKillaQueen]

I've never smoked but I do think a lot of non-smokers don't realise just how difficult it is for many smokers to give up.

[Brendan]

Och it's a doddle.

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

Fancy a fag and pint Brendan?

[giggirl]

Brendan you are fabulous!

V Sorry OP but it will be years before your brain unscrambles the drink/smoke combo thing. It gets a lot easier though. Well done.