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Those of us, who are old enough, remember exactly what we were doing, when we heard a plane had hit the first tower. We were glued to the T.V., for the rest of the day. It is still a very vivid memory. I’m sure we smokers had a few extra cigarettes on that awful day. I lived in NJ, at the time. New Yorkers were leaving the city, in droves, crossing into NJ, to escape the carnage. Many of the people who worked in the towers were from NJ. A nurse I worked with lost her brother. He was a civilian, who worked in one of the towers. I had friends, who lived in NYC, who could see the towers falling. How traumatic that must have been. I tried to volunteer to help, but was told I wouldn’t be needed. Needless to say, it was a day none of us will ever forget. It led to my son-in-law, Tony, deciding to enlist in the Army. He would be killed in action on March 4, 2010., in Afghanistan, another day I’ll never forget. Let us all pause for a few moments, today, to reflect on what happened 20 years ago, and pray that we never experience a similar tragedy. Also, please pray for the souls lost on that day, and their families. And let us never forget those brave young men and women, who sacrificed their lives, in a far away desert, so that the rest of us could continue to enjoy our freedom, here at home. Thanks for listening. Kat

I'm really gratified that my college has finally gone entirely smoke and nicotine free (including e-cigs). For the last five years or so, we had a policy that smoking was permitted only in parking lots, but the smoking would creep towards the buildings--especially (but not only) in inclement weather. The administration realized that the best approach was to adopt a more universal prohibition, and so far compliance seems to be pretty good. I'm glad, too, that they've tried to support this new policy by expanding access to cessation tools (meds, group therapy, etc.) that are available to members of the campus community. I remember advocating a policy like this about twelve years ago during a full, formal faculty meeting and being pretty much shouted down as being a representative of the "nanny state." Well, perhaps I was getting a bit ahead of where we were as a college and a broader culture at the time, but I'm thrilled that it's finally come to pass. Maybe related or not, I had a student see me after class last week and share that her significant other was trying to quit; she asked if I had any advice for him. She knows I'm a former smoker because I included that fact in my initial introduction to them on the first day of the semester. It's important to me that my students to know me as a person, and few things are more central to my identity than that. I also wear a pretty obvious (some might say garish) lanyard around my neck every day that proclaims "Proud to be Tobacco Free!" I was really touched that she thought I might be able to help; however, I'm realizing right now that I forgot to mention this site. Ugh. What got me thinking of this is the 3 month celebration post by a quitter about how, as a teacher, he's really happy that he's no longer smoking. I totally understand that, and for me, a lot of it has to do with the kind of example I wasn't and now AM setting for my students. Of course, I don't want to overstate that influence: as an educator of adults, I'm hardly the most significant figure in their lives, and often they're taking my class just to fulfill a requirement. But, still, I'm pleased that I no longer have to try to hide my addiction or internalize feelings of shame for it. And maybe a couple of people will, in fact, be helped as a result of my presence. Keep up the great work everyone-- Christian99 Nearing 20 Years Quit

G’day NOPE .....Not One Puff Ever.... (replace Ever with Min,Hour, Day as required)

I also wear a pretty obvious (some might say garish) lanyard around my neck every day that proclaims "Proud to be Tobacco Free!" I know this feeling ....I have a huge sense of pride I finally kicked this horrible addiction ... I don't think it will ever leave me .... It's a wonderful feeling ...

Welcome back, Tara. You're in the right place to get support and learn more about the addiction and ways to confront and overcome it. I can't tell you how much I admire the courage at the heart of the new quit(ter): there's nothing more life and health affirming than the decision to free yourself from smoking. As you said, you know the drill, and your plan to remain connected after the worst of the initial recovery seems really promising. That can definitely help solidify your identity as a nonsmoker. We're all pulling for you, friend, and know that you can do this-- Christian99 Nearing 20 Years Quit

Keep up the fantastic, inspirational work, Freedom: I love your name, BTW, because that's precisely what you're gaining in this process. Exercise helped me a lot, especially in the early stages. It gave me something positive and active on which to focus, instead of just the thing I was seemingly denying myself. As importantly, it served as medium for excess anxiety that--in retrospect--I realized that I had been "managing" (and actually exacerbating) through cigarettes. We're all pulling for you friend, and don't hesitate to reach out privately or publicly for help. We've all been where you are. Christian99 Nearing 20 Years Quit

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Congratulations on four months free @Katgirl, that is awesome And thank you for your support throughout our forum. I hope you do something just for you today

I have no doubt that more than just a couple will be helped by you Christian. You have always been so open about your first year quit struggles and willing to share them through your blog and in bits as they pertain to other's posts. It meant so much to me as a newbie to have members with long quits take the time to support me and respond to my threads. That you would still be here helping people find their freedom almost twenty years after you quit means a lot and I thank you for that In California our campuses are all smoke free for many years now. And the use of vaping as well now. In fact there's very few public places that allow smoking. Smoking has even been banned at parks in my county.

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Tears have surfaced. Thank you for the kind support and replies. Hugs to all of you.

Hi Tara, welcome back. What you wrote there says it all, right? Congratulations on your decision! Do you remember what helped you last time and is that something you can incorporate in your plan again?

Welcome back aboard @Tara smith. I too like your plan to stick around. We encourage all new quitters to stay close to their support for the whole first year to help you get past most of the triggers that you will encounter. We are here to help you reach your goal of quitting for good

NOPE! NOT EVEN TODAY!

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Hey @Katgirl, Congratulations! You're doing so great not only with your quit but overall physical health also. Great job!

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I joined here back April. Did ok until about 3 weeks ago. Quickly jumped to 7-8 cigarettes a day. There, I said it . It’s been a yo-yo ride for quite a few years so relapsing is not new to me. For the last 3 weeks I have purchased a pack every day only to take out a few and destroy the rest of the pack. Today I smoked 2 and destroyed the rest of the pack. So here I am wanting to become a nonsmoker again. I know the drill. I have proved that I can quit but I keep relapsing. I really like myself and feel so much better when cigarettes aren’t the center of my attention. My hope is that I can start right now and take this one moment at a time. And something that would be of benefit is to stay connected here even after I feel all good inside and nicotine free. But right now I want to get passed these first few days. I hope I can do it. I want to make all sorts of promises to myself but it’s one moment at a time. Last night I was low down about life, about smoking and really let out a good cry. This is all for now. Thank you.

@pixiedust Thank you!! My friend is doing a little better. I know this pandemic just sucks. Good luck on your quit!! There are a lot of good people on this forum and they just want to help win the battle!! I too got a little upset with some comments when I first started my quit But don't give up!! Take what you like and leave the rest. Hang in the there and good luck.

NOPE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Welcome back, Tara. You are doing a great thing in quitting smoking. Stick around, there is a lot of support and knowledge here to help you quit for good.

@Linda I just wanted to say thank you for this wonderful thread. I've had a very difficult few weeks but I've read your contributions on here every single day. These posts have got me through some very dark times and I'm not sure you know just how special these postings are. Thanks for bringing hope when sometimes it felt there was none

Glad to see you back Tara.... Take time to reread all the great information on the Main Smoking Discussion Board.... It wil help you along .... Maybe stay closer this time ...and don't forget our SOS ....post there before you take a puff. It has save countless of Quits ....

I have had some struggles the last few weeks. I have to dig and find the positivity in me again This to will pass and I will get there!!!!!

Don't forget you're human its ok to have a meltdown just don't unpack and live there cry it out and then refocus on where your headed

Congratulations Katgirl, this is a solid foundation for your forever quit. A reward is necessary for this great accomplishment.

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Congratulations @Katgirl !! Keep up the awesome work!

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Congratulations Katgirl !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Congratulations on your great 4 Months of Freedom ....

Good job Katgirl. Congratulations.

WooHoo! Happy 4th @Katgirl!!! It’s been great having you here with us!

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So true and couldn't agree more. I'm not adding any fuel to the fire today, just simply not going to do it!!

I'll be traveling next week for a few weeks. I remember hating airports and going through TSA multiple times so I could go outside and smoke. Hotels sucked also because smoking was difficult. How awesome is it that now i'm worried about finding a lap pool and what type of equipment they have in the fitness center er.

Thank you everyone. I was busy tutoring at the library again. It was nice to focus on teaching and not worrying about when I could go outside for a cigarette. Also, I'm sure my learner and the staff appreciated me not reeking of smoke anymore.

Congratulations on another month smoke free @Steven Drojensky. you've got this!

Upset mice trying risky entrees Hpdlb

I napped just so I could dream

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