Wiix, I can relate - it took me a long time (many attempts) to quit.

Two things helped me:

(1) Nicotine patches (prescribed by my GP) - I started on a fairly high dose and tapered off over a few months under medical supervision.

(2) A spread-sheet which I used to keep track of the money that I saved by not smoking. Every so often I would use some of that money for a treat (a nice restaurant meal, a book that I always wanted, etc).

I still use that spread-sheet - it helps me to stay motivated.

I think you may have hit on a reason.

I have all kinds of money socked away so it isn't money. Nicotine patches at a high dose turn me off. I don't even smoke as much as they dump into your system.

Yes, I can buy patches but I didn't have the money then plus I thought they offered some kind of counsel, which they didn't.

What about one of those nifty "vape" e-cig things? They take care of the oral fixation and you get the nicotine too. They are pretty affordable, I bought 10 starter kits for some of my clients and they seem to prefer them to actual cigarettes.

There are many warnings against e-cigs.

Just one of many:
http://www.medicaldiscoverynews.com/...264-ecigs.html

There are also warnings against the use of the many "flavors."

A quick google search will show so many warnings against e-cigs.

Some people argue e-cigs are better than tobacco cigs. It's very a very controversial topic at this time.



DejaVu

Wiix,

Have you had any luck with the nicotine gum?

My brother quit using nicotine gum and then started using ginger candy, the very hot kind that bites back.

The ginger might also settle your stomach?

Many people use mints or gum to help in quitting.


DejaVu

I still remember my journey to quitting, I was a young woman and for my age a very heavy smoker. I had the hacking cough of an old gentleman and would without hesitation reach for a cigarette after a coughing fit!
There were 3 things only that helped me to give them up, and I made the choice at 21 on Xmas eve.
1) I had the misfortune of smelling my own breath after I had exhaled from a quick drag. I was talking to a lady whom I had a great deal of respect for, she was close enough for me to see the look on her face as she smelled it the same time as did I! That was my motivator, it was terrible!
2) I found holding and rolling a soft pen shaped object between my index and middle finger just where I usually held a cigarette provided a soothing comfort.
3) chewing and having something in my mouth, at the time I had long hair, after realising I was constantly chewing my hair ends I cut my hair short and swiftly moved to replace it by popping my long necklace in my mouth. All done subconsciously and once acknowledged I replaced again with my pen or pencil, while still unattractive it was much better than my hair or jewellery.
In later years I observed others giving up and I see it is easier not to tell other smokers you are giving up, without meaning to they often sabotage your efforts because they themselves don't want to be a lone smoker.
I gave up overnight, I went from 30 plus a day to nil. Never underestimate the power of your mind, if you can find the motivator, you will achieve it.

I quit many times as well.

Four motivators....
1. I worked with a woman whose husband was a surgeon and she knew I wanted to quit. She brought in photos of lungs from surgeries where lungs had been removed and autopsies from smokers. It was so disgusting, I quit that day. Honestly, it was just horrific. I'll find some and send them if you want.

2. You stink and so do your clothes. Think about what your hair smells like and your clothes and home smell like. Offensive to others but most are too gracious too say anything. Think about when people hug you, how your hair smells. WHen you are kissed what you smell like.
My best friends home stinks and she asked me if it did, I was honest and said yes. It wasn't until she quit, 6 months later she said she couldn't believe how bad it smelled, not to mention staining walls and smell getting into furniture, drapes and rugs. Your car stinks too.

3. Lung cancer is a terrible illness to deal with and an awful way to go.

4. The people who love you don't want you to smoke. Do it for them.

I'm trying to quit too and tried all possible stuff.
My friend recommended me to try vaping. Was a little skeptical about that.
Then I looked through all possible articles and researches.
Was choosing my vaping pen **There are good reviews.
What can I say now? I definitely vape not so often as I smoked cigarettes. And it's a great achievement.
Soon I hope to give up vaping too as I feel much better.

Yep, I quit smoking cigarettes in April by switching to a vape. I lost the vape in a lake in New England in June and never looked back