Thanks everyone for your encouragement and replies. I smoke (smoked) about a pack a day. I get paid once a month and would buy three cartons (30 packs) of cigs for the month. The last cartons I purchased was May 30th. It was into June when I seemed to have a hard time ctaching my breath that I seriously considered quitting. Of course in CA this is a very smoggy time of year and that I'm sure was part of it. So roughly 2nd week or so in June is when I started to try.

Keep in mind that everyone is different, some people smoke way more and some way less and frame of mind and "readiness" play a huge part in a decision like this. I by no means will say I've quit and from what I hear it "can" be a lifelong craving. I'm not at an "I did it" place at all.

I started first, by cutting down the number of smokes in a day. Instead of smoking 4 cigs on my way to work (I have an hour drive), I made it 2 and same on the way back with 2 during lunch and 4 to 5 in the evening. You think I was goiing nuts on the drives? I had a certain landmark I'd pass that more or less gave me permission to light that first or second cigaret. I immediately noticed how difficult it would be. Yet, that cutting it in half right there, even if it sounds like more.

After about a week I would light up a cigaret and not inhale it. I know I know. Anyone who smokes knows it's the inhaling that is the refreshing part. That was the hardest part. It simply wasn't satisfying. For a couple days, I'd take one or two drags from the cigaret but that's it. Then I'd put it out. I guess I did that for about a week or maybe less. Finally I simply lit a cigaret and didn't smoke it. I know, again sounds weird. I'd let it burn down yet and it's tempting. Don't know if it's the surrounding smoke or what that I need as a crutch or not. In Vegas, I did that one time. I had a margarita in my hand was by myself at the time and I walked down the street lit a smoke and simply let it burn out. Never did take a drag.

It's been about two months now and it's probably been about 1 week since I let a cigaret burn out. However, on May 30th I purchased 3 cartons of Salem lites and I have a carton and a half (actually seven packs in the second carton) left. I know I'm making progess.

Sorry for being so lengthy. I'll call it good therapy just to write about it.

Thanks

TIS