Ask a smoker

[Aroura]

You CAN quit!  I know how hard it is, I tried many, many times before doing so successfully. 
Think about the issue you are having now, and how it will only get worse.  Think about how it might ge better if you quit!  There are a lot of smoking cessation programs out there, many of them are free. If you live in the states, I think most states will give you one box of either patches or gum for free.  Counseling can also help.  If you know someone else who smokes, get them to quit with you, so you have a support buddy, or make a friend at the smoking cessation program and lean on each other.  Put $1 a day in a jar every day you don't smoke, save up for something you really want.  Use sunflower seeds when you get a craving (I ate bags of them, they really help).

Sorry, not to be on a high horse or anything,  I just know the pain of wanting to quit and struggling, so just trying to give helpful advice.  Its been almost 9 years for me since my last cigarette, and it is sooooo great not to be a slave to tobacco anymore. I still fear the smoking I did will come back to haunt me someday, so the sooner you quit the better. I hope you get to feel that freedom again someday.

Thanks Aroura for you concern   I think my biggest problem is not the actual quitting method, but having faith in the idea of what it would be like to be a non-smoker... and perhaps you can help me with that as an ex-smoker. I just can't imagine what it would be like not to be able to have a short mental break (which is ultimately what a fag break is) every time I'm triggered to smoke... say between different activities or when I'm stressed. Do you still have those sorts of breaks in a different form (eg coffee or something) or did the need for them disappear after you'd quit?

Ah, I think that is a common worry, especially if you take smoke breaks at work.  I think the need for them mostly disappears after you quit, but when you still feel the need for that mental break, you can find something else to replace it. Depends on what you like.  Reading?  Music?  Gaming?  Use someting else enjoyable and rewarding to replace it for those times you really just need to get away from everyone and have that 10-15 minutes to yourself. 

I used to read while I smoked, and I worried that reading would trigger that desire.  I did need to change where I read, but it was fine to keep doing those things.  I did pretty much quit drinking because it lowers my inhibitions and made me more likely to give in and smoke, but that is temporary. I think think the key to being able to do the things you associate with smoking is to just do them in different settings.

Yes, I still take short mental breaks.  It depends on what kind of breaks you want.  You might find an app on your phone or tablet that you can play mindlessly, or bring a book with you everywhere and sit and read a bit when you feel a craving come on. If you are the type to try meditation, that works really well.  Music alone can help too, but music with mediation together gives you that mental quiet you might miss.
For some people doing something quiet might only make the craving worse, you might find you are the need to stay active and distracted sort, instead.  In that case, go for a short walk, play PvP or something more engaging on your computer, wash your dog, etc.  Anything that gets you through those cravings. They feel like hell, but they pass in 10 to 15 minutes.

Also...deep breathing. For me, just breathing and thinking about my breathing for 5 minutes, followed by 10 to 15 minutes of keeping my mind busy elsewhere worked.  And have someone you can call or text (or PM!) who you can talk to.  You will want ot cry, punch things, kick things, etc, on occasion.  Don't e ashamed of the emotional outbursts, just find whatever works to get you through them.

I'm a pretty big wuss, so if I can do it, I know others can.   Feel free to ask here, or PM me anything.  Don't rush it.  I understand setting a date bout 2 weeks away and preparing yourself mentally as you get closer to that date really helps it to stick.