For the Former Smokers..

I quit smoking in the fall of 2007 when I found out that I was pregnant and it was the easiest thing I had ever done. Then I gave birth to my daughter and I was suddenly hit with cravings like never before, but I just kept telling myself that I was going to continue not smoking for her.

Now, I still have cravings sometimes (strong at times) so I chew gum or have a lollipop or just play with my daughter to keep my mind off of it.
My husband is still a smoker (which makes it harder for me sometimes), and I recently picked up a pack of cigarettes for him...OMG the amount of money that cigarettes cost now is certainly enough for me to NEVER start again!

Good Luck!

with time it gets easier. i will say for the first 2 or 3 years, it did haunt me. ...haunted me MOST when I was alone, driving in the car or just bored. I would go exercise when I had a craving or just keep busy...seems like after 3 years, it was something "i once did" I havent smoked since 1999...so I am 11 years clean. I can smell a smoker in the next CAR and a mile away. I still like smelling cigarettes (as long as it doesnt get in my clothes or hair..just a smoke breeze is nice) but I have ZERO desire to do it anymore...its such a pain in the rear.

Oy, I did really well for a couple of months (quit on new years) and then started again about a month ago. It so sucks and I am so mad at myself. Dont pick one up or you will be back to square one!

I smoked for 10 years, quit in 2004. I haven't really had cravings, but if I did, I would probably chew gum or have a piece of hard candy until the craving passed. I would also be extra careful to avoid "smoke-friendly" situations (i.e. bars) unless I was positive I could avoid giving in to temptation. And remember how crappy you felt when you woke up after a night of smoking? Ick.

I quit 9 yrs ago, and I still crave them from time to time.
Never serious enough to have one, but it's still there.

Unless you think you'd really go back to it, try smoking one now. I did, maybe 6 months after I had quit. The taste was so hideous that I have that in the front of my mind, every time I think about wanting one.

(Of course, don't try that if you think you'll fall off the wagon!)

I'm like Grandma T... I gave it up for a while and started again. Nicorette really did help me when I wasn't smoking. I couldn't contain the desire when my husband started back up again though.

My MIL tells me that she still craves them on occasion after TWENTY years of not smoking!!!!

Good luck on keeping up the fight!!!

I started smoking when I was 16 and am 30 now. I have quit off and on several times, sometimes for years at a time. For me, the cravings are not prominent but they come back pretty strong in times of stress. I also have a hard time being around smokers, or seeing people smoke in movies/television. I quit smoking a few years ago but I have smoked a few cigarettes here and there.
Have you been going through something stressful lately? You probably need to come up with a game plan to deal with the stress. Running has helped me a lot because I can't run well at all if I have been smoking, so if I am stressed out I often will choose to go for a run instead. You could also make a list of all the reasons not to smoke and keep it in your wallet so when the craving hits, you can give yourself a dose of reality.
I think it is good (for me) to recognize that these feelings most likely will never go away fully and also recognize what brings them on full force. Good luck!

I quit in October of 08 and I had quit many times before that but this last time I never felt done with cigarettes like I did this last time. Something inside of me just said thats it you are done. I have actually had cravings here and there but nothing that would ever posses me to pick up a smoke again.
Good Luck

I am about five years quit and yes occasionally I do get a craving when I am around someone who lights up. However I immediately remember that I no longer desire the chronic cough, high blood pressure, shortness of breath and the desperate addicted feeling that comes with it.

I myself just recently quit smoking too. However I had done so several times in hte past. The difference this time around is I just felt like I was done for good and for oh so many reasons. When I feel the need I just remind myself as to "why" I quit and there are so many reasons....remember all the excuses you used to use when you did smoke?? I'll quit when I turn a certain age, I'll quit when I get married, I'll quit when my life isn't so stressed out....the list can go on and on but the benefits to NOT smoking is much much longer ;()) I don't think the cravings ever totally go away. I smoked since I was 18 and I just recently quit again at the ripe young age of 35 ;()) However I have talked too many who quit several several years ago and they still talk about ow they get a craving every once in awhile....I've always said that if you have never smoked then you will never understand how hard it is to quit and to STAY quit!

Have you try acupuncture?

I NEVER have cravings anymore! I have been smoke free since 2002 I think. Maybe longer. I cannot remember. It was actually pretty easy to quit. And I really didn't even have many cravings. For the longest time now, the smell of cigarette smoke makes me sick! I hate it! I just cannot beleive I smoke for as long as I did.

When I'm around smokers for a long period of time, yes, they come back for me. If I'm able to stay away from smokers, then I'm ok.

I get the cravings ALL the time. The cravings were at their worst when I was pregnant with my 3rd. Normal pregnant moms craze pickles and ice cream and all I wanted was a cigarette. I didn't smoke when when I was pregnant but the craving was there.
I still get a craving every once in awhile but I never act on it.

I quit in 08 too, after 14 years of the habit, yuck. Sometimes when i smell it or when i am stressed i crave it a little but i have gotten used to my life without it, and my lung capacity, and my full wallet!. Just keep reminding yourself of why you quit and how hard it was to quit.

Its worth it!

UGH! I am absolutely fine not smoking, even if I am around people who smoke...until I have a few drinks. Forget it! I guess it is because I started drinking and smoking at the same time. It is soooooo hard. Good luck!

I quit over 15 years ago while I was pregnant with my first born...I cannot remember when it was but I was making a road trip ( without kids) because either my grandmother or grandfather was sick at the time and really was craving one ( or so I thought) so I broke down and bought a pack ( this was over 7 years ago) Goodness...it was hideous...could not even get through the pack. Now I Never crave a cig any more. My Significant other however quit 10 years ago and he swears the insides of his gums itch when he craves a cig and doesn't think he will ever not want to light one up, although he won't because he knows how bad it is for him. All I can suggest is keep gum and hard candy on hand...also hold a pen...I still walk around holding a pen and for me it has been YEARS and years!