The aim of No Smoking Day is to raise awareness of the dangers of this addiction and to spotlight resources available to help people decide who are trying to quit.
We’ve been helping people stop smoking for over 20 years. Our online Quit Support forum is here to give you practical advice, as well as support and encouragement whenever you need it. It’s a friendly, welcoming community who know exactly what it’s like to quit – because they have been there, or are currently trying to stop too.
Here are some personal stories from the forum that may inspire you in your efforts to quit.
Please note, the Quit Support Forum is anonymous; we have edited the following content to respect the privacy of everybody taking part.
It always seems impossible – until it’s done
From ‘Share2Care’: “I gave up smoking in 2017 and have never looked back. I read all your posts and recognise a lot of the horrible withdrawal symptoms because I had a lot. Please stay strong they do eventually go away.
I remember that fear that you get on Day One and the feeling that it would never feel better. The drug is still fighting you, but it does give up in the end.
I have saved a huge £5570 in un-smoked cigarettes and enjoy my new smoke-free life. I have really enjoyed being part of this amazing group and relied on it during times of anxiety and when I needed a boost. Stay strong everyone – you’re doing great!”
Response from administrator ‘Johanna125’: “Hello Share2Care, how apt is your name! Well done, a wonderful success story, which I’m sure our newbies will appreciate! What are you going to spend your savings on? Something nice for you to acknowledge your hard work, you deserve it!”
‘Share2Care’ replied: “Hi! I bought a new bag! I’m not sure how I afforded to smoke now.”
Tough at times – but worth it
From ‘Kanga23’: “I find it amazing that I can actually say the words ‘I have been stopped smoking for 3 months’! My stop-smoking journey has been tough at times. The physical side effects made me struggle with my mental health. However, my running helped me quite quickly; this created a cycle… I would not be able to sleep, feel depressed, go for a run, feel amazing, remember that stopping smoking helps me run better – and REPEAT!
Now I’m sleeping like a baby once more; I don’t think about smoking every second of the day, and better still I can cuddle my two-week old grandson and not smell like an ashtray! Life is good, but it has taken 3 months to get here.”
Response from Administrator ‘Libby45’: “WOW! Kanga23 You are a star! It’s lovely to hear from you. 3 months quit, even if you had a bumpy start. Congratulations on becoming a grandparent. At the rate you’re going you will become a great-grandparent too. I’m so happy for you! Thanks for dropping by and sharing.”
One year quit. It took me years, but I did it!!
From ‘LadyDubstar’: “Hello everyone. I just want to let anyone know, wherever you are in the journey, that it is so possible and so worth it. I am so proud of myself.
I am one year quit this January, after years of trying and failing. One day I decided the years of trying were not wasted. Each quit was a lesson, and now I was a professional quitter. I knew what to do. In my final attempt I decided I may have lost the battles, but I would win the war. I quit, cold turkey. And it wasn’t so painful.
Happy to say I am a non-smoker. I am vigilant and don’t flirt with the idea of having tobacco again. I still exercise and meditate, and remind myself what it means to have my breath and dignity back, the breath and dignity smoking stole from me for so many years. So, anyone out there trying / wondering / failing – just keep going. It will click into place and get so much easier.”
Response from Administrator ‘BartonMillwood’: “Hi, lovely to see you and thanks for your post. It will inspire others to keep going just like you have. Thanks so much for sharing your adventure! It’s so important for anyone just beginning a quit to know there’s a light at the end of the tunnel, no matter how many attempts it takes.”
Whatever it takes, however challenging you may find it, quitting smoking is always a good idea. It’s one of the most positive steps you can take to protecting your own health, helping to protect the health of all those around you and reducing your risk of getting lung cancer.