Two years without a smoke...no joke

Today marks the second anniversary of my quitting smoking. What a joy to be free of it, especially since the taxes have gone up so much as of today! On April 1st the cost of a pack of cigarettes has gone to $9 a pack in NYC. Click here for story.

My daughter wanted to quit back in 2007 and asked me to stop with her, but she wanted to wait until after her birthday on March 29th. We settled on April 1st, and both stopped that day. I didn't really want to quit, but thought it a good idea for us to give it up. We both took Chantix and I think it did make me a little nutz while on it, and I used the online help they provided. It wasn't much, but did help to have an invisible hand to hold while going through withdrawal...and it really was withdrawal. One day at work I had to call a lot of people and my hands and voice were shaking like crazy. That was the day I decided I did need to give up the smokes...without question.

My daughter became very cranky and irritable while stopping and eventually went back to smoking. When she told her staff they cheered. ...her father and I did, too. My daughter is still smoking, but maybe with the cost increase she will begin to cut back.

If you are going through stopping, my thoughts are with you. It is not easy and at times quite painful, but believe me...it truly is worth it. My "allergies" improved so much I couldn't believe it and I no longer cough myself to life every morning. I can go where others go without having to try to find a place to grab a few puffs. And believe me...everyone knows you have been smoking even if you can't smell it. No joke.