For those non-smokers out there I am sure you could care less about this.

Day 1-

I have been a smoker since I was in 5th grade. My mother smoked (and still does) and I would regularly steal packs from her at this early age and go out and "play." In reality my neighbor and best friend at the time and I would meet on top of a overpass, that was between our houses, and sneak under it and smoke away. Over the years this addiction has grown ever so powerful that I was smoking 2 packs a day and chewing half a can of skoal at work (where I can not smoke.) On top of my heavy habit my wife also smokes two pack a day.

We now have two kids and the wifey stays at home with the kids because child care is way overpriced. It has gotten to the point that even though I have always preached that I would never EVER quit smoking and had no fear of cancer or early death it has gotten to the point that the money spent on the habit was stupid. Also I look at my two kids and realize I want to provide them with a healthy house and parents. I sat down and counted it up and for the last numerous years (and prices have kept going up) that I have been spending roughly $500-$600 a month on a habit that offered nothing good. It was time to quit!!

Today is day one. I smoked my last cigarette last night and I have made it through the day so far. It has not been easy but I have made my mind up that I would rather have $600 extra a month than be a slave to pack of smokes. My wife is completely on board with this too and she has quit at the same time too. We aren't quitting cold turkey, I did buy the patch so we don't try killing each other. My goal is to stay smoke free and use this thread here to keep a journal of some sort of my journey.

FUCK I WANT A CIGARETTE!!!!

Wish you the best of luck with it dude! I've never been a smoker but plenty of my mates smoke/have quit smoking. It'll be interesting to read how it goes!

Just wondering, you say you spend between $500 and $600 a month on cigs, is that just you, or you and your wife combined?
Either way, if ever you start to lose motivation, just remember the extra $6000 in the bank at the end of the year!

$500-$600 is the wife and I combined. Thanks for the encouragement!

Good luck. I just quit cold turkey 2 weeks ago. Haven't caved yet but it's been tough as hell. Especially at the bar when I need to get away from people...god damn did I rely on those things for a bunch of shit. My incessant pacing is driving the woman nuts...cigs were how I curbed that shit. And dude, just wait for the afternoon hunger pangs you didn't know you had!

How much did you smoke a day? Why did you choose to go cold turkey instead of the gum or patch or whatnot?

Good for you, dude!

I smoked since I was in 7th grade until 2006 (I was 25).

Quit cold turkey. I just didn't want to prolong the agony or slow the process whatsoever. I just STOPPED.

The first three days were THE WORST. After that, it was mostly just adapting for me. I still struggled (though it became less and less) over 3 months. After that, I had nothing more than one-off cravings.

I never want cigarettes anymore, and I've become one of those douchebags that are like "awwww! How do they smoke that shit!? Gross!"

Stick with it, man. Just remember this: You don't have to do anything to quit. You have to make a conscious effort to attain a cigarette, light it, and inhale it. Just be lazy and don't do it. Get through that first week and it'll get easier and easier if you stick with it.

Day 2-

The morning was way easier than I expected however I didn't sleep worth a fuck and my dreams were a mess of wackoness. I did realize as I was getting into the shower that my sense of smell is already better and all day I am constantly surprised of the things I am smelling. Also it is worth noting that my typical morning cough and flem hacking was nearly gone. It is amazing that all this has happening in 36ish hours.

Side note, my jaw is sore from chewing gum all day but that is a small problem to deal with. Last night while recording the Traumatic Cinematic podcast with The Wicker Bill I found myself constantly looking for my pack of Newports out of habit. I made it through and in all honesty I am pretty proud of myself so far. This weekend shall be a challenge since I won't have work to distract me for 9 hours each day but I have confidence in myself.

I will add more to this post later this evening.

I was a minimum pack a day for the last 10 years (more on heavy bar nights). I decided to go cold turkey because I'm a firm believer in will power. I carry around a pack in my pocket just for temptation and/or to smoke, if I make that choice. Because thats what it is...a choice. You either do it or you don't and that is entirely up to you. I've tried to quit in the past by picking up a light chewing habit but it always back fires and next thing I know I've got a chaw and a lit cig at the same time. That's why I decided to just cut nicotine entirely.

Dude, the first two weeks have been rough. I didn't sleep for the first 4-5 days but after that I've been good. I am perfectly fine at home and work without smoking. The main trigger now is a social situation in which I always smoked before. As of right now I don't admit that I've quit, just merely "stopped," because I know I'm not out of the woods yet. Once I can break a few more nervous habits I'll consider myself quit.

To be honest I am to the point that if I had to wear this patch for the rest of my life I would. Being able to smell young pussy before it comes around the corner is amazing!

Day 3-

I made it through the whole day but it was no easy task. It is the weekend and I don't work weekends so I have had a lot more free time today to think about wanting to smoke. Regardless I made it through and day 3 has come to a close and I am proud of my wife and myself. I can say without question this is the hardest thing I have ever given up in my life. Bring on day 4!