I share my experience, story of quitting smoking, and methods.

Like others, I started smoking in my first year of university and have been smoking for over 20 years. I have been smoke-free for more than 7 years after quitting. Since I have been smoke-free for over 7 years, I consider myself successful and will write about it.

 

Summary of the written article:

I have seen countless cases where, after trying to quit smoking, individuals either lack strong willpower or succumb to cravings, experiencing withdrawal symptoms and physical changes, using all sorts of excuses and reasons to justify their relapse.

It is said that the success rate of smoking cessation attempts in South Korea is 5%. The remaining 95% fail and end up smoking even more, making quitting smoking extremely difficult.

Posted my smoking cessation experience, successfully overcame it, hoping that at least some people will find it helpful to quit smoking, and I left a review hoping many more reviews will come in...

 

 

  

In the early 2000s, each office desk had an ashtray, and smoking was permitted anywhere, including homes, streets, and even public transportation like buses. I remember the cigarette prices being around 600 to 800 won (ashtray behind the high-speed bus seat, office smoking scene).

 

 

During military service, after 50 minutes of training, during the 10-minute rest period, the instructor would say, "One cigarette, load," and it was common to smoke almost a pack every two days, indicating there were no restrictions on smoking (many men even learned to smoke while in the military).

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

While working, I smoked cigarettes at my desk, wandered around, and smoked excessively in the car and everywhere else, not realizing I was damaging my lungs...

By the time I finish smoking and leave work, I am the main culprit of chain-smoking to the point where my chest feels painfully heavy.

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1. Motivation provided...

After about 20 years of working including military service, I became 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 forms, submit them for approval, come to get approval, and explain everything directly to ensure understanding before approval.

I was in the middle of explaining;; 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 this smell will also stick to me... The shocking smell of "this is not right" became my motivation to quit smoking.

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2. Implementation Process

First, I created an opportunity for change.

I think I am using my summer vacation now, but at Tongdosa Temple, I am participating in a 3-night, 4-day summer school program focused on Buddhist scripture study (including basic meditation). I handed my lighter and cigarettes to the staff and entered holding hands with a friend. By my own choice and somewhat against my will, I am temporarily separated from cigarettes for four days.

After finishing and going to work, I declared a smoking ban saying, "If any employee sees me asking for or smoking a cigarette, I will charge them 10,000 won." (There are many similar places to try, such as smoking cessation schools.)

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3. The Time of Pain

The 1st, 3rd, 7th, 15th... a month... three months... It was truly as exhausting as dying.

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 a smoking cessation acupuncture once (maybe psychological, but I felt a bit more stable).

Before breakfast, breakfast gathering, annoyance, stress, anger, after meals, after drinking, the first thing that comes to mind is smoking.

The following two years were truly painful, as I did not smoke and spent my time in a non-smoking environment. Now, conditions have improved, and there are many non-smoking areas, but at that time, whether it was the waiting room, subway, bus, room, or office... you could smell cigarette smoke whenever you put your nose near. It was the smell of cigarettes themselves and the naturally burning smoke... in short, that taste is deadly.

Side effect to watch out for) During the quitting period, one more thing... Since you are not smoking during this time, should I say your mouth feels bored?

So, they try to chew on anything and snack constantly.

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

Another side effect~~ Gaining weight makes losing it also extremely 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

I have quit smoking so difficult, so hard, and I am now in my 1st, 2nd, 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th year of perfect smoking cessation.

Now I have somewhat forgotten about smoking, but if I let my guard down and smoke again, I will become a smoker once more.

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5. Review..

Do you know why you should quit smoking? Cigarettes, they are extremely persistent. They seem like living creatures.

Since temptation and restraint are so difficult that if you give even a little chance anywhere and anytime, it will immediately sneak in, you must be especially careful during the quitting smoking (or rather, for life~) period (quitting smoking is essential no matter what).

 

Now, I feel that my sense of smell in my nose, which was paralyzed by cigarettes, has also recovered. I can taste 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 contemplating, and try to avoid getting angry, stressed, overeating, or drinking excessively. It would also be helpful if those around you 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 this in the message, but if you quit smoking and gain weight, it wouldn't be good, right? These days, people are carrying water and drinking it, so let's go with that vibe.

Please do that.

If you're feeling thirsty or thinking about smoking, drink water.. I also chew gum sometimes, but I didn't do that.. Only water.

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6. Conclusion..

The text is too long..

For those who are quitting smoking or considering it...

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, just keep trying and trying again; there's no other way.

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, I strongly ask them to absolutely avoid learning about cigarettes, and let's make sure that happens...

Let's restore the lungs overwhelmed by nicotine~~

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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 a single puff when no one is watching... it won't work... it's an immediate failure).

 

May everyone who attempts succeed...

Autumn arrives in October.. Stay healthy during the seasonal change!!

 

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