In last week's Health Supplement, Jane Shorthall, a veteran of smoking, outlined how she managed to kick the habit, without any aids. We invited readers to share their own experiences of trying to give up. Below are a sample of readers' responses.
From Noel McEntee
I first experimented with smoking when I was eight, resulting in my burning my parent's couch when I tried to hide my cigarette under a cushion and then promptly forgot it was there.
At boarding school I started smoking in earnest whenever I had the money to do so. My dependency resulted in my hanging around fellow smokers and "bagging the butt" - that precious last inch of tobacco at the bottom of a pal's cigarette.
A letter from home, with the all-important 10 shilling note enclosed, was followed by my buying and smoking until I became dizzy in the head.
My addiction was total. I could not even succeed in giving up cigarettes on the annual "no smoking days" - sneaking out from the office to smoke in the toilet.
I finally discovered that I had willpower during a severe winter week in the early 1980s when the water pipes froze at home, there was no heat and I was confined to bed with both bronchitis and pneumonia.
Luckily, I had a good GP who implanted the idea of giving up "if not for your sake, then for the sake of your two small kids".
My conscience would not let this go away and it became a mantra in my head. After one week of cold turkey, I was off cigarettes for good.
Once I had the cast-iron motivation, nothing was going to get in the way of my giving up smoking. It was either the fags or me. There was nothing else for it.
Looking back, it one of the best things that I have ever done in my life. I tend to be "chesty" as I suffer from chronic sinusitis. If I was still smoking I dread to imagine just how bad my chest and lungs would be now. I enjoy wine, food, walking and fresh air like I never did when I was a smoker.
I was initially tempted by the smell of cigar smoke at Christmas but I treat my recovery from smoking as an alcoholic treats drink - just one slip and I would be back at the bottom of the tar pit once more.
My tip to anyone is to "get thick" (I'm a Cavan man) with the notion that you can beat smoking. I amazed myself by what I could achieve. You can do it too. Only you can do it for you. Believe it and you will make it happen.
- by e-mail
I started smoking at around 15 for all the usual reasons - rebellion, coolness, like-minded friends.
I loved to smoke and was known for this fact, smoke-rings being a particular crowd-pleaser.
The habit continued through the remainder of secondary school and really flourished in third level. I was never a particularly heavy-smoker, approximately 10 to 12 a day (in the days when you could buy packs of 10).
Obviously this would increase towards the 20s on a night out (the smoke-filled night-clubs and pubs being of huge influence). The morning after was also a personal favourite for lighting up.
Like Jane's story, I suspect smoking was a reason I never did the student J1 summer away thing. I figured eight hours on a plane, smoke-free was not worth the trip.
Anyway, 11 years later I began to have enough. So, after waking one morning with what felt like my lungs on the pillow next to me, I decided enough was enough. That was that, my first and only attempt to stop smoking and just over five years later, I'm still smoke-free and pestering those same friends to be likewise.
I never felt smoking especially damaged my health (beyond the smoker's cough) as I played football regularly. But now I'm 31 and semi-footballing retired, my chest can feel constricted at times.
I stopped on a Thursday, mid-pack (I've still got the box with four cigarettes in it), and knew I'd be out boozing the next night and thought it wouldn't last but it did.
Now, with the smoking ban , it's a much easier process. I've never been tempted and have been greatly surprised in my steadfastness in abstaining.
- by e-mail
From Bernadette Grogan, Malahide, Dublin
I was a smoker until l0 years ago when I gave up, for similar reasons to Jane - I came to the conclusion that smoking was taking over my life: I could not lift a telephone, put the kettle on or do any small action without lighting up.
So I know the difficulties of giving up, having finally succeeded after many attempts. However, my mother lies in a different category.
She will be 80 in September, and smoked consistently since she was about 13 years old. She could not survive without a cigarette and never ever went anywhere without them. When the smoking ban came in, she had no hesitation, despite her mature years, in standing outside pubs and restaurants with fellow-smokers.
About three years ago my mother gave up smoking, with no assistance whatsoever.
She has not had one cigarette since. When she gave up, she was on over 40 cigarettes a day. She cares for my father, who is a semi-invalid, is 8l years old and has been on dialysis for the past l0 years, and she has a son who suffers from an illness.
Despite such obvious personal difficulties that may have forced her in days of desperation to turn back to her beloved cigarette, she never has.
My mother was renowned for her smoking, as she was rarely seen without a cigarette in her mouth, either inside or outside the house.
Her family and her many friends still can't believe that she has given up.
I think she is a true inspiration to anyone who wants to give up: if she can do it after more than 65 years of consistent and heavy smoking, I say anyone can do it.