Time to try and quit again.

**bigmarco** · 7th September 2013

For the umpteenth time I will once again try and quit smoking.
Been to the stop smoking clinic and have been prescribed Champix. Today is day 1 and you don't actually stop smoking until somewhere between days 8 and 14.
I know many people who say this worked for them and although there can be 1 or 2 side affects I've decided to give it a go.

**Terpe** · 7th September 2013

Whatever 'support' you employ you'll need determination and targets.
I sincerely wish you determination and boundless will-power and look forward to your success.

A big well done for taking the decision to start

We're going to keep you at it for sure.
Once you do quit you'll notice a huge difference even after 3 weeks.

Don't replace the habit with snacking

**raynaputi** · 7th September 2013

Marco

The husband of Keith's cousin is on his 6th months of no smoking. He tried few times to stop but hasn't succeeded, until he had suffered difficulty breathing and had to be taken to A&E by the ambulance. It really scared him. And now he says he feels healthier.

**Michael Parnham** · 7th September 2013

So pleased your attempting to stop smoking Marco, I tried 25 years ago but to no avail, but 21 years ago I just threw half a packet of cigarettes away and somehow will power kicked in and have never smoked since, also after you have stopped you will notice in a few months that food tastes better and you will begin to feel better in yourself and of course you won't smell of smoke anymore. When you go out you will be able to tell who smokes from quite a distance away, and unintentionally your friends will all become non smokers , in other words favour being around non smokers. sincerely hope you succeed because you will certainly live longer and have a more healthy life, I notice that you enjoy swimming, why not concentrate a little more on that to help you forget smoking. Anyhow I will give you moral support to just try and help you succeed, good luck!

**gWaPito** · 7th September 2013

Originally Posted by bigmarco

For the umpteenth time I will once again try and quit smoking.
Been to the stop smoking clinic and have been prescribed Champix. Today is day 1 and you don't actually stop smoking until somewhere between days 8 and 14.
I know many people who say this worked for them and although there can be 1 or 2 side affects I've decided to give it a go.

Greatest incentive is wanting to see your kids and grandchildren grow up!!!!!!!. ..what more incentive does one need to stop a habit what directly kills 12000 people in the UK every year.

It's a mindless, senseless, selfish habit. It's stinks as well. ..you won't know this being a smoker but, it hangs all around you like a halo. ...and stinks your house out.

Just a thought

No offence meant Marco....just jack the filth in, please!

**stevewool** · 7th September 2013

must be so hard to stop something you have been doing for so many years,
I have never smoked in my life so i feel lucky,
good luck, and think what you could do with the cash you could save

**Slip** · 7th September 2013

Good luck, I quit my 10 a day habit about 10 years ago.... I managed with just will power after smoking for around 10 years.

**Dedworth** · 7th September 2013

I'll keep my fingers crossed for you Marco - You can't be a total slave to the habit with all the hours you spend in the tube cab. Good luck

**Arthur Little** · 7th September 2013

Originally Posted by Dedworth

I'll keep my fingers crossed for you Marco

... thumbs up, anyhow. And good luck!

**Doc Alan** · 7th September 2013

Good luck with the " Champix " ( varenicline ) Mark

!

For those who don’t know, this is a prescription drug in the UK, which partly mimics nicotine action ( " agonist " ), and is usually started a week or two before " target stop smoking " date, then carried on for about 3 months. It needs to be taken under medical supervision, because of possible side effects and doesn’t always work.

Everyone must by now realise the hazards of smoking ( if only it did just kill 12,000 people ! - there are over 100,000 deaths each year in the UK alone, and 6 million in the world ).

What is perhaps less well known, and more surprising, is that a fifth of males AND females – 10 million adults - smoke in the UK, and that has hardly changed in the past decade.

Half a century ago it was over a half of males and 2/5 females. Smoking is still highly prevalent in the Philippines ( about 2/5 males ; less than a tenth females ) and so far the " sin tax reform law " has failed to cut down smoking – smokers have just shifted to cheaper brands. " Graphic health warnings " on packets are being considered, just as plain packaging is in the UK.

Two in three smokers claim they want to stop ( or 1/3 don’t ! ). Apart from supportive Forum members, friends and loved ones, there are many possible sources of help – especially in the UK – from pharmacists, nurses, and doctors to NHS " Stop Smoking Clinics ". However, we should all know smoking is an addiction which is hard to cure, even with willpower and determination.

If the hazards have been increasingly well known for at least half a century, so also should the benefits of stopping. Obviously the younger the better to give up, but you reduce your risks no matter what age ( they’re said to be reduced by 50% by stopping before 50 ).

Breathing improves within days ; this continues over the months with less coughing and chest infections ; by a year the risk of a heart attack reduces by half ( other factors may affect this ) ; and in a decade the risk of lung cancer is halved compared to a smoker. Taste and smell sensations soon improve ( and eating a little more is less hazardous than continued smoking ).

It’s never too late to give up and I wish all the best to those who DO give up

. On the other hand, it’s a lifestyle choice which I don’t judge, provided smokers try to respect wishes – and health – of others.

**Rosie1958** · 7th September 2013

Wishing you the very best of luck in stopping smoking Big Marco!!

My partner smoked for 30 years. Just two weeks after he moved in with me he decided to give up smoking and hasn't looked back. He took Champix on day 1, on day two he smoked half a cigarette but had to throw it away as it tasted so foul and he continued taking the Champix. That was more than 2 years ago now, he hasn't had a cigarette since and can't bear to be around others that smoke. He told me to tell you "it's easy on Champix" ....... he also didn't have many side effects. I wish you every success

**Ako Si Jamie** · 8th September 2013

Personally I wouldn't touch Champix with a bargepole after hearing about the side effects.

Have you tried E-cigs Marco?

**Michael Parnham** · 17th September 2013

How are things going Marco ref smoking? just checking!

**les_taxi** · 17th September 2013

Champix is wonderful it worked for me

About 8 years ago i was smoking 40 a day

Try as I might will power did not work so after patches failed i tried champix
This is how it went, i knew i could smoke and have Champix so on day one i took the Champix and still smoked.
By day 4 I noticed that I was not getting the kick any more of the nicotine and the fag was boring
i ditched the fags and maybe a week later ditched the Champix.
for about 3 weeks it was tough but but now I was getting used to not holding a fag in my hand.
After about3 months I was hardly thinking about it and after 6 months I was cured and the sight of a fag and the smell was horrible.
Thats my tale its a thing of the past now and can't believe how I smoked 40 a day, btw it paid for my trip to phils after about 8 months - great incentive

**Terpe** · 18th September 2013

It's not easy whichever method is used.
You need to 'cure' the addiction and 'cure' the habit. As long as the outcome is quitting all is good

I quit 10:30 pm December 31st 2010
Never a single puff since that time.

Like you Les, I can't stand the smell now at all.
I would say I've become a born again anti-smoker

**bigmarco** · 19th September 2013

So far so good Michael thanks.

As Les states you start off by taking the Champix and continuing to smoke. By the 8th day I was lighting up getting nothing from it and throwing half a cigarette away.
Pleased to say that this is now my 2nd full day without a cigarette.
I agree with Terpe there's 2 things to cure here addiction and habit.
Champix seems to be taking care of the addiction and the habit is my job. Still instinctively put my hand in my pocket for the cigarettes when I'm having a cuppa but their not there

One or two side effects from Champix like interrupted sleep and some strange dreams but a small price to pay I think.

**Dedworth** · 19th September 2013

Stick at it Marco - well done so far so good

**Terpe** · 19th September 2013

Well done Marco.......dig in.....it's all worth the 'pain'
Don't even think you can have 'just one', that's a slippery slope to failure.

Take each hour at a time.

**Michael Parnham** · 19th September 2013

Thank's for your reply Marco and I respect you for your determination, will check with you at a later date, well done!

**bigmarco** · 16th October 2013