(Successful Smoking Cessation) 10 Years After Quitting

Many people in this room are 고민하고 걱정하는 about quitting smoking, so I am posting a 후기 about quitting smoking.

Based on my experience, I will try to write comments to answer any questions I can.

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I also started smoking in my first year of university, similar to others, and have been smoking for over 20 years. I have been smoke-free for about 10 years after quitting.

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At that time (early 2000s), smoking was accepted anywhere—offices, homes, or while walking on the street—and I remember the cigarette prices being around 600 to 800 won.

During military service, it was common for instructors to say "load one cigarette" during 50-minute training sessions and 10-minute breaks, and smoking was so prevalent that a pack of cigarettes could last only two days (many men even learned to smoke in the military).

As a result, I smoked 1 to 2 packs of cigarettes a day without hesitation.

While working, I smoked at my desk, wandered around, and smoked in the car without any particular purpose.

By the time I finish smoking this much and head home from work, I am the main culprit of a chain smoker whose chest hurts.

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1. Motivation provided...

After about 20 years of working including military service, I have become a mid-level executive overseeing 6 to 7 employees.

At that time, the circumstances were different from now, so I had to manually fill out the approval form, submit it for approval, come to get the approval, and explain it directly to ensure understanding before approval.

While an employee was explaining the content enthusiastically, ;;Oh~~~ Ahh;;...

I could smell the odor coming from the employee standing in front and explaining.

An indescribable stench... It was truly shocking.

I also have children and family, so I do skinship and all, but I will also smell like this... This is not right. The shocking smell became a motivation to quit smoking.

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2. Implementation Process

First, I am using my summer vacation now, and I think I still have time. I am participating in a 3-night, 4-day Buddhist scripture study program at Tongdosa Temple (with a basic non-smoking rule). I hand over my lighter and cigarettes to the staff and enter holding hands with my friend. Half voluntarily, half involuntarily, after four days of abstinence,

I went to work and declared a smoking ban, saying, "If I see any employee asking for or smoking cigarettes, I will charge them 10,000 won."

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3. The Age of Suffering

The 1st, 3rd, 7th, 15th... a month... three months... It was truly exhausting enough to die.

There were almost nightly drinking gatherings at that time, and on the days I drank, I only saw those gatherings; after meals, I only saw cigarettes.

I endured and endured, and on the day I reached five days, I went to the public health center and received acupuncture for quitting smoking once (maybe psychological, but I feel a bit more stable).

Before breakfast, during the breakfast gathering, annoyance, stress, anger, after meals, and after drinking, I smoke cigarettes first.

The following two years were truly painful, as I did not smoke at all during that time. Now, conditions have improved, and there are many non-smoking areas, but back then, no matter where I put my nose, I could smell cigarette smoke. The smell of cigarettes themselves and the naturally burning smoke...

In a word, that flavor kills.

Since I haven't smoked during this period, should I say my mouth feels bored? So I tend to chew on anything and snack constantly.

This causes another problem.. my weight has increased by about 6 kilograms..

It's a side effect~~ Gaining weight makes losing it again very difficult (those on a diet will understand).

In short, I tried to quit smoking recklessly without experience, not knowing the precautions to take during the process~~

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4. Smoking cessation period

Successfully quit smoking for two years? Not quite.

I have been successfully quitting smoking for 10 years now, despite the difficulty and challenges.

Now I have somewhat forgotten about smoking, but if I smoke again, I become a smoker once more.

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5. Review..

It's a cigarette, and it's extremely persistent. It feels like a living creature.

You need to be especially careful during the non-smoking period (or rather, lifelong) because if you give even a little opening anywhere, it can immediately sneak back in.

Now, I feel that the sense of smell in my nose, which was somewhat dulled by smoking, has been restored. I can taste the flavors of food through my nose and perceive various good and bad scents just like others.

The dull complexion has somewhat returned to a healthy pink.

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If you ask what the secret or method is, I have no choice but to say "there isn't one."

You need to create motivation and ensure unconditional isolation (partial isolation makes quitting smoking impossible).

Enjoy your time alone to reflect, and to prevent anger, stress, overeating, or drinking from causing shock, it would be good if not only the individual but also those around them could offer support.

Creating an environment where those around you offer encouragement and praise through words like "You're doing well, thank you" is also necessary.

Perhaps it's like quitting addictive drugs on your own~~

I posted it online, but if I quit smoking, I shouldn't gain weight, right?

It creates an atmosphere of carrying and drinking water.

Please do that.

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6. Conclusion..

The text is too long..

Create reasons, motivations, and incentives for why you should quit smoking.

No matter what reason or excuse arises after starting to quit smoking, if you smoke even one cigarette, all the efforts you've made to quit will be lost, and you won't be able to quit by reducing the number of cigarettes. Therefore, start with complete abstinence from smoking.

After quitting smoking, all you can do is keep trying and resisting again and again; there are no other methods.

It's a battle with yourself from 1 to 10.

Let's create a smoke-free Korea... Let's make KT&G a company that eliminates the T.

To the children, during their college years, strongly ask them to never learn smoking, and let's make sure that happens...

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※ In conclusion...

This is a health-related duty that no one else can do or help with, and it is the top priority for self-care and protecting your family.

Be sure to succeed. You can do it...

Create a sense of obligation, find an opportunity to block cigarettes even for a few days, inform those around you and your acquaintances about quitting smoking, and continue to quit (smoking one puff when no one is watching... it doesn't work... it's a failure).

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Believe in yourself and keep walking... Go with the conviction that you will definitely succeed in quitting smoking~~