I had smoked a pack a day since my teens. My daughter asked me to give up smoking as her seventh birthday present. I had given up numerous times before, but was able to justify cheating myself. This time I would be cheating my little girl, and nothing could have been a stronger incentive. We had a big glass jar in the hallway and every night when I got home we would gather around while I solemnly promised that i had "been good" and put the money saved in the jar. By Christmas we had nearly $3000 saved, which paid for a trip to HK disneyland. That was ten years ago and I will never forget how it made me feel to see her eyes when the money went in the jar each night. Still smoke free.

im on day 3 trying to quit smoking, i feel that im smoking less per hour and dont worry about having a smoke after that hour, day 4 stay tuned...

Hi All For 20 years I smoked & was at the 40-a-day stage when I decided to quit. I finally had enough of wasting money on cigarettes so I used the patches. That was 12 years ago & I have never smoked again. Since quitting, I've been on both local & overseas holidays, bought a new car (without finance) & done many things that would have been financially impossible for me to achieve if I was still smoking. My health has vastly improved since quitting as have my finances. Pity I didn't quit years earlier.

having smoked from the age of 13 i decided that im better than these filthy things , how can i succumb to the addiction ,i have , a strong man , an assertive man , i decided enough is enough , i can do this , so with no aids , i just stopped dead , it was hard but at times i would say to myself onya ed , then as time went on i started getting a buzz out of the fact that im winning , overcoming the strain of addiction, now i feel better than i have in many years , my finances better , and not a stinking leper ..........just do it ya sook .... man up to the task ....thank you ..

I am 51, and now for the first time in thirty five years, I am cigerette free. I thank the govt, my doctor, and my kids. 10 weeks of sheer will power, (first 2 weeks on Chamix to kill the urges, and keep my temper and anxiety under wraps), and I have new hobbies that are not habits.. The TV ads with families, real people, and taking the stigma off the smoker who failed his last 6 attempts to quit, enthasising that you will get there, try again. A heathly old age will benefit my children and the community.

Hi Everyone I smoked since I was 13 years old, some 40 years later I was still on this very adictive habit. I stopped after many attempts and the last one actually took me by suprise. I was watching TV with my wife and I just decided that from the next day I would stop smoking. It has not been easy and I have not had mood swings etc, I started with the patches but did not follow their directions, as soon as I thought that I did not need any nicotine (4 weeks later and no smokes) I gave this up as well. Am I better? well yes I can sleep well, no pains in my legs. I also started back to the gym which helps so much. But above all I think the driving factor is was... why should the smokes control me and have a detremintal affect on the rest of the family?

Its been 2 years since I put a cigarette to my lips and I can honestly say its been the best 2 years of my life. Quitting was something that I wanted to do for a long time but just could not master. In the end an amazing and persistent friend helped me get there. For all those out there thinking about quitting, do it. You will be amazed at how good you feel, how confident you become once you step away from that last puff. Think of the future and just think about that we only get one chance on this amazing planet, why leave it prematurely? I am now an anti-smoking advocate on a mission to get all those that I love around me to quit and start living their life. I am!

I quit smoking with my partner this year and i have noticed a big inprovement in my health, with my lungs, and fitness level. and i feel alot better

Imagine yourself lying perfectly still on a stretcher; 43 years old, frightened, confused, in pain. Surrounded by people, medical experts, who amongst other things are removing your clothes and shaving your groins. The head doctor is reassuringly confident when he tells you that despite the massive heart attack you're in the middle of having he's not going to let you die. He's just as assertive in telling you that the cigarettes have to stop as of now. The doctor is good to his word, you have a stent fitted and the slow recovery process begins, but you know you'll never be quite as you should be. That was 5 months ago and, without cigarettes I'm slowly getting better. Don't be fooled into thinking that giving up is impossible; it's easy. 100's of people stop smoking every day - they're just ordinary people like you and me. Smokers choose to smoke - I did, I knew one day I'd probably live to regret it, but that never stopped me lighting up. I've been lucky - I did live to be able to regret smoking, lots of smokers don't even have that luxury. Remember, you can step out of the path of the moving car before it hits you. Or do what I did, keep smoking, wait and see, I'll stop soon etc etc etc .... Good luck whichever way you choose to go!

Hi All I had been smoking for 31 years when i told myself at the age of 45 that by the time i turn 50 that's if i was to make 50 i would stop.I'm now 51 & i stopped smoking just after my 50th birthday.I went cold turkey & yes it was hard at first but i kept telling myself that i could do it no matter how hard it would be.I'm so glad i stopped i have more money in my pocket,i feel heaps better,not going to Doctors,sleep better,taste bugs love me now & the biggest thing i have noticed is my lungs don't hurt when i exercise & i know i will live longer,so if you are thinking about giving up smoking than just do it & you will feel better for it.

i stopped smoking 7 months ago, cold turkey, and i just wanted to say it is really helpful to see these anti smoking ads on tv. so thankyou

Hi i'm Jason i have been smoking constant since i was 8 years old and i am really over it im 17 almost 18 now and i can just not afford it iv been bumming smokes off my mum the whole time and it really puts alot of stress into the family because we can not afford to smoke so thats hard at times lol but im very keen on quiting and getting the whole family to quit. i have just ordered us all a quit pack and i am going to be the team leader on the quitting train :) wish me all the best guys and i give out my congratulations to everyone that wants to quit, that is trying to quit and everyone who has already. i know it is extreamly hard to quit but keep in mind that isn't as hard as you perceive and all of us are behind you and beleive in you and wish you the very very best in your path to quitting!

I started smoking at the age of 17 i am now 33,I have tryed to quit many times before but have failed,this time round is much better.It has been 48 days cold turkey,i feel so much better without it.......I looked at my kids one day and said thats it time to give up.I want to be there for them later in life not in a hospital bed.IT IS THE BEST THING I HAVE EVER DONE....I will never go back to that life style..

peer pressure started me smoking at 18.50 years ater after almost 30 cigarettes a day. i finally quit. i tried to quit at least 15 times and always went back to the n oxious weed.getting emphasema and needing a puffer didnt stop me.i always put on a lot of weight when i quit and couldnt handle that. finally i went to the doc and got a script for champax.3 weeks later i was an ex smoker and now 2 years later have no wish to ever smoke again. even being with smokers doesn;t bother me. i am comfortably chubby BUT i DONT smoke

Finally I have stopped again... I was one of those annoying people who bummed a smoke at the pub when out with friends for many years... then in my mid 30's I went through some personal stuff and started using the smokes as a crutch. I saw the disappointment in my kids faces every time I lit up and it broke my heart but I still kept smoking. This time is different. It isn't just about wanting to please other people. I know that I am not getting any younger and if I didn't do something about it now, I may not get to be old and miss out on seeing my kids get married and have their own families. My whole mindset is about changing the way I think... shaking up the patterns from the past and making a new future, and quitting the smokes is a big part of that. I wanted to add colour to my life and it didn't make sense to suck black inside me while putting a colourful wrapper on the outside. I'm into my second week without a cigarette, and so far no nicotine replacement required! I'm actually starting to feel better, not so crappy when I wake up and my skin is clearer and I certainly smell a lot better... I've even started to notice how bad my friends who smoke smell when they come in after smoko break! Who knows - maybe smelling better and having shinier skin will be the start of a new, and much better, life!!

My husband and I decided it was time to quit when we were scraping together money to buy a packet of tobacco, and it was only lasting us 4-5 days between us. With our two kids growing up, it was time to set a good example. We started on Champix, and today is day 10 with no cigarettes, and week 3 of our quit program. They make us a bit sick, but a bit of nausea is worth it for the rest of our lives, our childrens lives, and our grandchildrens. We have money left over now, and have started saving for a Gold Coast holiday next year with the kids. It feels wonderful to be able to save for something we can all do. And I am not looking back :)

my husband my eldest son and myself had our last cigarette two weeks ago, we are using champix tablets, and they are making it so easy, i have given up severel times and never felt this good about it, we are saving in excess of $400 a week between us, I was actually smoking between 50-60 a day and by night time I was having trouble breathing, I only had 60% lung capacity, after only two weeks i can breathe, I blew out my candles easily with one breath, and im not cranky, i feel wonderful, best thing we ever did.

Yo, I'm Pixie and I've been a heavy smoker as of age 10, I am now 18 and pregnant.. I have found the strength thru the love of my unborn child, my fiance` and my friends and family to quit.. Unfortunately, it has not been easy.. I have tried quitting several times before and have never made it past 21 days.. But with the support of all your friends and family you can do it! Its been 4 months since I had a cigarette.. I wish everyone the best of luck.. I know its hard just persevere, its worth it! xoxo Pixie

I think the reason why I found it so hard to stop smoking was because I didn't know what I would do without it! It was always so comfortable hanging with friends with a drink in one hand and a smoke in the other. Once I got over having a "free hand" I always felt so much better about myself coming home from a mates house or clubbing knowing that I hadn't smoked. I have been 4 months without a smoke now and have inspired some friends to quit as well so none of us have to go to the smoking section on clubs anymore! Its great coming home and not having your clothes and hair stink of cigarettes!

i have smoked 30 a day for 15 yrs,im 31 now.i have just gotten a chest infection and had to go to hospital for oyxgen,whilst i was on the mask i was thinking if i dont stop smoking now in 30 yrs ill be here again but dying of cancer from smoking.bugger that.i have been chewing gum and find its not as hard as i thuoght to stop,i dont have any physical cravings,i am thinking constantly bout smoking but as long as im only thinking and not doing i will be oki feel proud of myself and pray that i can keep feeling this strong in the next few days and weeks and remain smoke free forever.

I first took up smoking with my best friend when we were in school.. we started going to all of the basketball games, parties and anything the school had to offer just so that we could have a smoke.. we would smoke a packet of 25s between the two of us in that one night. As we grew older we kept smoking, getting more and more addicted, but now being able to afford different smoke brands, and being able to buy them for ourselves. It made it harder for us, because we were able to buy them all the time, and when ever we wanted them.. meaning we had no limit and no one to tell us to stop. After 5 years of smoking my best friend became ill, after going to the doctors she was informed that she had lung cancer. It made me stop and think about smoking. and soon after we got over the fact that she had cancer, we began reminiscing about the days that we used to have, and how much fun we used to have smoking and going out... it is sad that we are not able to go out like we did bak then, but i am happy that we cant. I was there for her through her whole experience and luckily all of the cancer is gone. I have not had a smoke since the day that we found out that she had cancer. And i hope that this story will help to inspire people who were or are just like us.

i smoked for about 3 years which isnt that long compared to most people but it seems like a lifetime now. the thing that inspired me the most was my family. my sister has 5 kids and seeing how healthy and happy they are, made me realize that i would love to have healthy kids someday. so i quit.

I tried my first smoke when I was 12, although I din't take it up until I was 14. All the girls who I hung round with at school all smoked, so I did too. I thought I looked cool. I am now 20, have wasted thousands of dollars on smoking and am on my second day of not smoking. I feel so determined and I know i can do it. I am worried that when i go out with friends that i may be tempted, but I have a lot of non smoking friends who say they will do whatever they can to help me give up. I know i can do this, and i plan on saving all my "smoke" money to go towards an overseas trip. I did love smoking, but i love my health and my body more.

Hi my name is Belinda & i had my first puff at 9 years old. I became a serious smoker at 14 years old & am now 31 with 2 beautiful children who i am always telling how discusting smoking is whilst i was puffing away. I am now on day 22 of not smoking with the help of nicotine patches & i must say i am very proud of myself. Although i have not enjoyed smoking for over 12 months i was under the impretion (from other quit attempts) that it was useless for me to try to give up because i failed & always went back to smoking in less than 6 days. Well this time it is different because i will not give in to nicotine & i just allow myself to feel the cravings i have & remind myself that they will pass & that with each craving that passes i am one more craving closer to never craving again & one more crave closer to becoming a non-smoker. I must say that this time i am more determine that ever to finally getting away from the habit that controlled me for so long no matter where i was. My motto now is never quit quitting because i can & will succeed & i also live by a couple rule i have picked up on other sites on the internet one is N.O.P.E which is not one puff ever & also you are only one cigarette away from a pack a day which is what will happen if i have that just one cigarette which will undo all of my hard work. I am having these 2 mottos ingraved onto my dogtag which i have bought for myself to celebrate my 1 mth quit. So to all of my fellow quitters don't give up on giving up because you can do it if you put your heart & mind into it with everything you have got. Good luck to you all. P.S My wallet also loves me & my children are proud that mummy doesn't smoke yukky stinky smokes anymore.

Hello fellow nonsmokers, I hope everyone is doing well. I am on my 2nd day without that awful smoke around myself & it feels goood! my story is that I have been a slave to those things for about 25yrs & have tried to give up wihout success.It has got the point of not been able to breath at night,coughing night & day, I am also sick of been a slave to such a time waster.But most importantly I want to be here for my kids & enjoy being active with them.I am on the patches though,any way is better than no way, right? will keep you posted.This site & quitline are wonderful! I hope more & more people register so we can do this together. Take care, Determined Simone.

I started smoking at the age of 14 because I thought it made me look older and more sophisticated. It certainly does make me look older but at the age of 36, this is not something I want anymore. Hiding for a smoke break in a filthy alley is skanky and cheap and not sophisticated. I have stopped smoking after 22 yrs and have not had a cigarette for 3 months. I dont feel deprived, I feel healthy, happy, confident and strong and it is getting easier everyday. Still dream about smoking though.

I've been smoking since I was 18. All through High School I was 100% against it, I hated the fact my father had the occasional cigarette with a drink. As soon as I turned 18, I started. Started socially and quickly worked up to smoking 25-30 cigarettes a day. I quit December 5th, 2005 and was smoke free for 13 months until my girlfriend of 2+ years left me. Unfortunately for me, I fell back into the habit. I'm now smoke free again (not for long at the moment) but am confident I can do it this time - for good. I've tried many times since taking the habit up again and kept falling back into the habit by saying to myself "it's only one more pack, I'll quit tomorrow" and tomorrow never came - until a few days ago. I will keep you posted on my progress. I've found that deep breathing helps the most or doing 20 pushups everytime I feel like a cigarette - that way I'm not only keeping my body free from the pollution that is cigarettes but also improving my physical health. That's my story...hope it inspires someone to quit...it'll be the best thing you do - just don't let hard times get you back into the bad habit.

Im 27 and have been smoking since I was 13. I have tried numerous times to quit and even managed to go 4 months without one. I thought I had won until one night I had just one and began smoking again. But Im stronger now. I know I can quit. Ive cut down to only 2 a day. I never smoke before work, at work or after work. Its when Ive done everything and sit down on the couch and I begin to think about it. This is my second day without it and I am so determined to never smoke again. Good luck to everyone. We dont need smokes.

I Have been smoke free now for just over a week. And i cant believe how much better i feel. It Has really changed everything. I smoked for 10 years, and it is all in your head, you just need to tell yourself to stop smoking. There is no such think as cannot stop. Its very easy.

I have decided to quit. I thought it would be hard, but I have my family behind me 100. I have chosen patches as my quit aid, and having my son at home is helping to keep me occupied. I have turned to scrapbooking with my mum too to keep my hands busy when my son is at day care. After 13 years of smoking all the time and never going more then a day without one, I have done really well. Ill keep you posted how I go.

Here i was ,just turned 30 moved 1500kilometers away from the main home that i had alway known. Change of life my husband and i thought would be great for our family, a new start for our little family. I started smoking around the age of twelve at the corner store just to be the same as everyone elese. For seventeen years i wasted my life and my money. What a fantastic new lease of life i acheived a year after moving to North Queensland Feb 14th 2001 Vanlentines day was the day of new found freedom. This has been one of my best and smartest decisions i have ever made. The big 5 years of complete freedom.

Hi everyone, My name is Kellie and I am a youth worker on Queensland's Sunshine Coast. A few months ago I had a young person identify through her case management that she would like to quit smoking but also recognised that she may not get enough support from home. She is only 15. So to assist her in her quest to stop smoking we decided to start up a group who could get together each week and support each other in our endeavours to quit. Currently we have 3 staff and 3 young people in the group. We have only just started our group and most of our quit dates is today (24th July). 3 of the five of us have started today but that's Ok, we recognise that it isn't easy and people will be encouraged by others efforts. We got a number of the dog tags and are using these as an incentive for the young people. Each week as we don't smoke we progress onto the next colour which signifies the next stage. So far we are all wearing dog tags that have been engraved wtih 'Decision Made' and hopefully some of us will move onto 'One week' next Monday. They have produced much discussion with the young people who are not apart of the group. Another aim of our group is to raise money for cancer research and we are all participating in our local Relay for Life event next month. We hope we have much success but also that our story may encourage others to start up a group for that extra support!

I worked out its been 29 years since my first smoke. I have always enjoyed my smokes, and never really thought about giving it up. About 4/5 years ago my daughter decided she was going to stop smoking, so I thought I'd have a go too, give her some support. I still didn't really want to stop but thought maybe this would be a good time. My daughter succeeded without a hitch, but I had some dramas going on in my life and that was a good enough excuse for me to buy a packet a smokes again. Then after seeing all the "No Smoking" ads on the Television, in the shops, pubs, Clubs etc. I decided to give it another go. I got some patches and stopped within 5 days. I haven't looked back. I don't like the smell of cigerette smokes, and when I thought about it I never have. I couldn't stand dirty ashtrays and realised I should never have been a smoker it was something I started when I was 16 to keep up with my friends. My best inspiration was the money I have saved. I make sure I put my cigerette money in a money every week, after evey 4 weeks I get out that jar, 'count my blessings' then off to the bank I go. Thats feels heaps better than having a cigerette.

A story from a non-smokers point of view. Hi my name is Suzie. I have never smoked and never will. However I have been surrounded by people in my life who do smoke. I would like to tell you about my two best friends. They have been smoking since they were 18 and are now 25. About a month ago, I saw the ads on the TV and thought it looked like an interesting campaign to encourage smokers to quit. So I found this website and ended up ordering some tags. One each for my smoker friends and one for myself. I was nervous about giving my friends the tags, and thought they might think I’m being pushy or intrusive. But I was sick of having to put up with being a passive smoker every time we got together, so I owed it to myself as well as my friends to do something about it. I invited them over for dinner one night and gave them the tags. They absolutely loved the idea and they both gave up the next day. I couldn’t believe it!! They have both been off the cigarettes and on the patches for 1 week now, and I would just like to congratulate them both on getting this far. I’m very proud of you both. I know they have a long and bumpy road ahead of them, but I know they can do it. Although this website provides great support for smokers, it has played an integral part for me as a non smoker. I have read other past smoker’s stories and it has educated me on the difficulties and many ups and downs that smokers go through during their giving up process. I feel my role so far in helping my friends quit has been challenging yet rewarding. Everyone needs support to quit, and for those other non smokers out there thinking of helping a friend or family member, I urge you to give it a shot. You may just help save their life and even your own. I would also just like to congratulate all the other family and friends out there who are already supporting someone giving up. Without the support and understanding you show towards them, it might not be possible for them to succeed. My next challenge is to encourage my older brother to quit. I know he wants to, but I can just tell he can’t do it alone, so I want to offer to support him every step of the way. He has young daughters, and I am going to order a tag each for him and his daughters. I will keep you informed on this topic in weeks to come. Good luck everyone - feeling good for life! Suzie.

I know smoking is more mentally addictive than physical; you have convinced yourself you enjoy it, you need it and feel better each time you do it; that is a load of rubbish and you know better because you has seen the adds and people do die from smoke related illnesses each and everyday. It is the most preventable cause of death on the planet because you can stop easily if you start believing in yourself’ you have the inner strength you really do! 40 years ago I was a sweet little girl who loved watching musicals and danced and sang my way around the house. It looked so romantic (smoking) the stars all seemed to do it. My father and Grandfather both did it so I thought I would give it a go; I was in my 8th year of life the first time I sneaked a butt and have a few puffs. I don't remember drawing back however I do remember coughing and my mother saying something to me about getting brown spots. It tasted bad but I kept giving it a go because a young teenage girl who supervised me and my older sister smoked, I wanted to be grown up and she taught me to draw back; I know I was still in primary school I think I was 10. We also had new neighbours who all smoked and drank so it just seemed like the right thing to do at the time. High school came around so quickly now I was a full time smoker even purchasing my own ciggies (packs of 10). Most adults didn’t seem to care or notice; shop keepers where selling them to me or older teens and adults would freely hand one over when I asked; “It was as if they where saying you poor little thing I know how it feels to be hanging out so here you go puff away”. I remembered a story my grandfather told me about The Great Depression; he said he would pick up butts, take out the tobacco and then roll his own with papers, I thought hey money is tight so my friend and I collected butts and rolled our own (12 years old) “It makes me sick to remember those days”. I started worrying about my health at age 16 because my immune system was suffering and I had a permanent cough. My doctor talked to me about asthma and how I should stop smoking. I kept smoking and cigarette packs kept getting fuller 20’s, 25’s, 30’s, 40’s and more expensive. I started restricting myself to one cigarette before work, one at each break during the day and so on however night would come and I would be with friends or drinking at a club (disco) chain smoking. The final crunch came when I was 21 I thought 'boy' I am an adult now and I need to start acting like one, I started taking control of my life I was sick of smoking and being engaged to be married I didn't want to be one of those women I saw with a baby in one hand and a cigarette in the other. That thought was the turning point I cut down to 5 cigarettes per day until I realised one morning I had proven to myself that I was already in control and I stopped for good (2nd of August it will be 26 years) but whose counting.

i started smoking at the age of 13 and i am now 16 and i am a heavy smoker. I feel it makes things better which makes me disappointed that i have to rely on smokes to make myself happy. I am planning on quiting tomorrow and i am very exited i have tried to quit in the last few years but i have never felt so sure that i was going to suceed i think its an awful habit and i have seen the ads many times and for some reason they really draw me in i believe that the help and support being offered in australia is great but sometimes i think even though young people shouldnt smoke and it is illegal alot do and Australia should take notice of that and help them too. We cant buy the things that are supplied to adults to help them quit which can make things hard. but i believe i am going to do well this time and i cant wait to start i hope that people realise that anything is possible and people do it everyday. one of my favourite sayings is "reach for the moon and if you dont make it at least youll be among the stars" remember girls (and boys) dont give up you can do it and alot of people believe in you that you may not even know.

I had been thinking about giving up for a long time, but always found excuses to put it off. The catalist that finally pursuaded me to give it a go was when I discovered that, by giving up, I could regain the health of a non-smoker. Until then I had always thought that the damage I had done to my body was irreversable. I've been a non smoker for 6 years now. It was tough to start with, but having a positive attitude and not looking at it as something I was giving up, but rather something I was gaining (my health), and knowing that every day of not smoking was making me healthier, really helped. I've never looked back, and now I can't imagine why I ever did it.

It's been 3 days so far and no smoking ... I'm finding it difficult but i know i must push on. I can beat this ..... i know i can. I've been eating more and exercising more and it's helping .... I know the addicition is all in my mind and it's willpower that will get me through. Every hour at this point is a sucess. I just try and think of that awful taste, cough & smell and let another hour pass by .....

The most daunting thought is knowing I wanted to quit, but not having the motivation to actually to the dreaded and chosing "that day". Being 25, and smoking a packet of cigarettes a day for 6 years, and working in a health-care environment, I knew I had to do something. So, I didn't think about it anymore, nor did I put it off anymore, I finished work, walked into a pharmacy and the staff couldn't have been more helpful, I had a feeling that they wouldn't be quite as helpful or 'understanding' about it, but, the pharmacist was more than encouraging. Day 1: First patch .. AND IT ITCHED! .. of course it subsided but the first week of wearing them, also brought trial and error of where to place them .. (won't tell you where putting them worked best for me) .. No craving even within an hour .. Day 2: Nothing ... still no cigarettes, no real cravings .. For me, day 2, doing well .. Day 3-6: A slow build up to a big let down. Day 7: A WRECK! I was crying over spilt milk, I was ready to tear hair out .. so, I brought a packet of cigarettes .. got home, ripped the patch off .. lit up. That, was the biggest mistake, the taste, the smell was appauling. I have never ran to the bathroom so quick in my life. I couldn't find the tooth-paste and mouth-wash quicker. Alarm bells rang .. after day SEVEN! .. so back on with another patch. Day 8: FINE, woke up with a smile. It's amazing how better everything smells, how things taste .. Day 9: Back to work .. nervous as anything, this was the one place where I KNEW I would crumble again and want a cigarette .. NOTHING .. not even a slight craving. Shift 1 back at work completed (not to mention my workload!) I never worked better, my concentration, my attention to detail, my mood everything, couldn't have asked for a more surprising result. So, over a week, and I did ok .. actually, I did great, I buckled once, but I QUIT! Week 2 .. GREAT, I blitzed this week, being around or seeing other people smoking, isn't even affecting me, which I thought it would make me want to have a cigarette .. but the added benefits of even 2 weeks of not smoking, are apparent and FAR more appealing than having a smoke! Week 3 .. Never better Week 4 .. I weighed myself .. hmm 6kg I'd put on in 4 weeks of EATING PROPERLY - not because of the cravings, but because I had an appetite again, and was eating healthy foods.. Week 5 .. First time out clubbing with friends since I quit .. nothing, no craving, no wanting, now I realise what non-smokers smell when they're in a night-club .. not an appealing smell .. Week 6 - Where i am today .. I don't think I'll ever look back .. already got 2 friends and my mother to start using patches .. so .. all in all .. It's a new Dawn, It's a new Day - It's a new Life .. and I'm feeling good! :)

I'd just like to say that this is the best anti-smoking campaign I have ever seen. For once, smokers are regarded as normal people, that usually don't even like smoking that much. Alot of people tend to act like smokers are complete idiots, So thanks for all the positive re-inforcement because I feel so much more confident about quitting now rather than trying to ignore all the bad stuff. Actually, I think I might even try to start today with a pack of chewing gum.

This is the most exciting day of my life! This is the first 24 hours I have gone in 7 years without a cigarette. I feel so great already, simply knowing that it's only going to get better and better. I cannot wait to be a non-smoker. We can do it, its a matter of being ready and really wanting to quit. Good luck everyone, times may get tough but rememeber that support is always at hand we can do it :)

Smoking from age 15 for 35 years, I never thought I would be able to quit. I had quit once at age 25, but took it up again when I married a smoker. I quite again Jan 1 2005, because my new partner is a throat cancer survivor and went the whole year. After quitting my long term career job and spending too much free time with smoking friends, I thought I could have one .... just one. SIx months later I was buying them again and so disappointed in myself. June 1 was the new quit date - with absolute resolve to NEVER EVER put one in my mouth again. So far, so good. It is a new dawn and any time I'm feeling a little weak, I sing the song - I really can't get it out of my head!! Most of my friends still smoke and it's hard to be around them - I am so looking forward to July 1 when it's banned indoors - then we will no longer be the ones asking for space and air. I LOVE being a non-smoker!

Hey there! I've quit smoking for a month now! I went for the whole of the month of May without a smoke! What i am really proud of is that i had my first birthday in 10 years without a smoke! Yay! I'm going cold turkey and taking each day as it comes. It's such a good feeling knowing that I have achieved this, and this feeling keeps me motivated to keep going! Good luck everyone- I know we can do this!!

Hi Lynn, Again! It's now nearly 6 weeks smoke free and I'm feeling great, I was really worried that I would put my family through hell when I gave up but have realised I was putting them through much worse with my continued smoking. God, I hope I can keep this up, thank you for support,(Falcon, you rock!) Stay strong everyone and good luck to us all. LynnXXXX

I started smoking when I was 13. I quit at 22 got married, had 3 children and was happy but then I got depression and stress on my marrige put me back onto the cigarettes. I was soon smoking around my children and I new this upset them but I had to be ready. All of my friends don't smoke and deteriating astma made my mind up. I quit 15 days ago and I can't suvive without my nicotine lozenges but I feel fantastic and my kids mark the calender everyday I've not had one. Quitting is the easy part committmet is the biggest challenge. Don't let any excuses blind you. With the money I have saved so far has given me a new winter outfit and playing netball has been asthma free GOOD LUCK!

I started smoking at 13 due to stress within the family (an acholic father who was abusive to me and my mother as well as violent) Through the years i was able to over come many obsticiales but never smoking (this includes smoking grass also) I never thought I would be able to stop smoking but I have proved the smoke companies wrong. I am 49 years old and have not had a smoke now for 2 years this june.So my story is that your may think that you are hooked YOU ARE NOT and with willpower and determination you are in contol not the smoke companies that hold you to ransom every time you buy a tabbaco product!!!!. I have never had a cold flu, or any lung disorder since stopping 2 years ago and have never felt better in my life (up yours rothmans and peter morris) shove your smokes where the sun does`nt shine

Hi, I have given up for 3 weeks only now, finding it hard but getting stronger and more in control every day. Had smoked heavily since age 15, now aged 44, lots of wasted time.

It's been 2 months. And one day. I surprise myself each time I awake from a 'big night' - my first instinct is relief as I draw my first breath and don't have a sore chest or stale breath. I am 36 and have been smoking since I was 13. Whan I was 23 I thought "oh, yeah, I've only been smoking for 10 years, I'll give up when I'm 30". That birthday came and went. I started training 2 years ago, running, boxing and strength training, but I had that nagging feeling my 'fitness' was a hoax. Giving up was a natural progresssion - I read Allan Carr's "Easy Way to Stop Smoking" (for a month!) which tapped into the psychology of smoking. Essentially it reminds you that, once, a long time age, you didn't smoke. And it is possible to exist, socialise etc without the habit. To think THANK GOD I DON"T SMOKE! rather than OOH I MISS CIGARETTES! But the most unexpected benefit is my new 'can-do' attitude, oh, and seriously, I have never been on so many dates! I've been missing out all this time!

well this is the 2nd time i have quit in my life..i started at a young age about 14(mostly to be cool i thought amongst friends) and i continued to smoke till my early 30's....i was a 20- 25 a day person back then...i was living in another country and decided to give it a go...i had help from an quit smoking aid. and with the help of that i quit for 13 years...and then 4 years ago i split with my hubby and took it back up again... feeling stressed while out i asked someone for a smoke and that was me ...hooked on that first smoke..i continued smoking about 30-40 a day until 4 years later with my new partner..we decide to try to quit together..we used the patches for a week or so...and that was 6 weeks ago...he had a harder time than i did..but i would get a real smoke and pretend i was smoking it...that is what helped me to feel less stressed...its not easy to quit smoking when u are such a heavy smoker...but the combination of going to a funeral of a friend who died of lung cancer (early 50's) and having a patient to look after who has a hole in his throat (from throat cancer) and needs to talk with a machine pressed up against his throat to be heard and also my own horrible wheeze at night..told me it was time to quit if i wanted to live a longer life...and i feel so much better for it..apart from the huge amount we are saving (about $170 a week) between us...we are going to save towards overseas holidays and enjoy life more..we smell better..breathe better...i am glad i have given it away for good this time...because i know if i was to have 1 smoke again...i would be hooked and i dont ever want that to happen again...

i have been contemplateing quiting for quite some time but always convinced myself that this was not the right time, i'll try next week or i'll start on monday fresh week fresh start, monday would come and i'd still have some smokes left, just finish this packet. i have been smoke free for 3 days it's hard because my husdand smokes but i have put all my money aside that i save on smokes then i'm going to treat myself to something lavish. I'm looking forward!

I had smoked since just before my 15th birthday. I started out of spite - thinking I was cool. Every year for the last 3 or so years to quit smoking was on my list of New Year resolutions. This year it just seems to be my year - I've realised I won't succeed in my resolutions if I don't see them through. I turned 25 Feb just gone. This year my body was getting it's first real present in ages. I set my quite date. The night before, I took my last cigarette out of the packet, and put the rest under the tap - no temptation for me. I had that last cigarette and so wish I had done it so much earlier. I was a pack a day smoker. This new ad campaign is just what we need - to see how great life is without smoking. I can still smell my perfume at the end of the day, my running has improved dramatically (I'm in the Army) and I now have the $$$ for a massage every fortnight!!! I can't believe how horrible I used to smell - even a smoker who hasn't had a cigarette in a little while smells repulsive. I do feel free. To Desley who is trying to quit, but removes the patches… I had been trying to quit for the last 6 months – but only half heartedly. I finally got sick of saying I was going to quit, but never really doing it. If you quit, it is quitting. Taking that patch off to have a cigarette is succumbing to a weaker you. Remember, if you really want to quit you will work through it. I used the patches. I also used special toothpicks flavored with menthol and cinnamon. I went out with the smokers at work still, but chewed on the toothpick. I did start to drink a lot of coffee. I don’t think adding a few kgs (2 in my case, but I am fairly active) is a detriment to your long term health!!! You have to remember that to get through the process of quitting you WILL have obstacles. You need to keep your goal in focus and talk your way through it. Each time I did have a craving to have cigarette I just talked my way through it. I grabbed a glass of water and one of my toothpicks and reasoned with myself that this was part of the process. If I did choose to succumb to a cigarette I was not staying true to myself with my decision to quit smoking. I knew I wanted to quit. And I have just past my seventh week of no cigarettes!!! I wish I had’ve done it such a long time ago. I had my first real venture with alcohol 2 weeks ago – at my one month mark. Piece of cake! I’m just trying to convince my friend’s now how great life is not smoking – I LOVE IT!!! And if I can do it, anyone can!

i quit 3 months ago and it was the hardest thing i have ever done... every smoker has a routine. one in the morning, one going to work, one at lunch and so on. the hardest thing is to break the habbit and stay in control.. its worth it. i feel so much healther and have loads of energry. just try it, it's worth a try...

About 8 weeks ago my brother who had already quit smoking had a real heart to heart with me about me giving up smoking. For the first time ever it hit home to me about the dangers of smoking. I had my first cigarette when i was 11 and by the time I was 15 I was smoking approx 20-30 ciggies a day. I never believed I would be able to give up, smoking was like a friend, i relied on smokes when I stressed or emotional, smoking was a huge part of my life. My children started on at me as well and I thought its now or never. I HAVE BEEN SMOKE FREE FOR 24 DAYS. I KNOW I WILL NEVER SMOKE AGAIN! I found the first 10 days to be the hardest, but I just did something else to distract me. I found the urge to smoke would only last a minute or two and it would pass. I found the quit pack really useful, especially the Delay, Drink water, Deep Breaths and Do something else. I had the sticker stuck to the back of my pocket diary and would refer to it often. I FEEL BETTER.... I LOOK BETTER... And the feeling of accomplishment is AWESOME!! I say JUST DO IT... you'll be so thankful you did...

I have been smoke free for nearly 8 months now. Yay! I did have one little lapse in November last year at a work party but luckily I was able to put my slight stumble behind me and move on. In my opinion, to remain smoke free is a day to day choice that will always be there. Fortunately as time goes by it does get largely forgotten. I will never regret finally keeping my quit promise and would encourage any woman to do the same.

Yo, I'm Pixie and I've been a heavy smoker as of age 10, I am now 18 and pregnant.. I have found the strength thru the love of my unborn child, my fiance` and my friends and family to quit.. Unfortunately, it has not been easy.. I have tried quitting several times before and have never made it past 21 days.. But with the support of all your friends and family you can do it! Its been 4 months since I had a cigarette.. I wish everyone the best of luck.. I know its hard just persevere, its worth it! xoxo Pixie