Smoking was my friend for 30 years. It was woven into my life and habits in ways I didn't even see before quitting. My determination was always sufficient, my family was willing to put up with the withdrawl "grumpies", but quitting eluded me. Gum, pocket computers, patches, hypnosis and others too embarrassing to recount all failed.

For me, it came down to self respect. The dang things OWNED me and I knew it. The thought of being controlled by smoking got to me. The habit began as a demonstration of defiance, and was now a fully integrated addiciton. Like Luigi said, so many rituals - eat then smoke, start the car and light up, answer the phone and smoke. It was everywhere. I could not stand the idea of cigarettes controlling me.

I picked a date, my birthday, about two weeks away. I told EVERYONE that I was going to quit. I made lists of reasons not to smoke. I had my kids make lists for me. I accumulated them and carried them everywhere with me. The day before my birthday, I opened a new pack (my last) and enjoyed a couple of smokes. Just before midnight I took all but one of the things and made a pyre in my fireplace, and doused it with lighter fluid. I lit my last smoke, took a last drag and threw it and the match onto the pyre. I sat and watched till it was cold. I read all my lists and went to bed. Happy birthday. I still have those lists nearly 15 years later. You can do it. You must do it. Be strong. Tom