I only smoked for 3 years and quit when I was 19 so I don't think I faced the difficulty quitting that most of you did.  I did however watch my father die of emphasima 7 years ago.  I'm pretty certain that would have been enough to make me quit had I still been a smoker then.  I remember how he used to be so full of energy and then within a very short time the effects of the disease became apparent and he had to have an oxygen tank with him wherever he went.  He was pretty much confined to a couch with his television and radio the last several years of his life.  Just getting up to use the bathroom was an ordeal for him as he would have to stop and rest after a few steps, then continue on until he got there and then he'd take a few moments more to catch his breath.  It was hard to watch.  I remember my sister's phone call telling me that he had passed and how I felt great relief, not sadness for him.

There are many people out there struggling just as my father did but they're not readily seen because it's such a struggle to go out in public.  Think of the end result from time to time when the urge strikes you and know that you'll have no regrets when you look back and know that they no longer own you.

The 7 year anniversary of my father's death is this coming Monday.  I look back at all that has happened in my life these past 7 years and I think of times when I sorely needed my Dad's advice.  I think of special times he wasn't there, where I've really missed him.  Maybe he never would've made it these last 7 years even if he'd never smoked...I'll never know.  I'll bet he would have though.

Good luck,

Kevin g