Hi..

I'm 16 and now a non-smoker. I started smoking when I was 14.. towards the end of 2006.

Now I know I've made the right decision but I could really use some input from an external point of view.


At first my parents were extremely outraged when they suspected me of smoking. My mother would daily search me and my room for cigarettes and my dad would beat me when he found out I had smoked.

I started smoking because of peer pressure, but then I really got addicted. Later on I actually made myself believe that smoking is cool. I smoked with "style". My dad gave me my first zippo lighter when I turned 15 and I loved it. It kind of pressured me to smoke more because it felt cool using it.

Since then I've received 3 more zippos which I adore. Moreover 2 months ago my dad gave me a cigarette case he had kept for over 30 years. Solid silver and he even got it engraved for me.
In the end.. almost a year ago my parents finally gave in and let me smoke. I decided to give up 11 days ago because I just had enough.

Everyone in my grade/year used to make fun of me, calling me an "alcoholic" and then casting me out cus my smoke stank.

They followed up both those habits only months after me and now it seems the tables have turned and I'm one of the few who doesn't smoke.

I know it's extremely childish thinking that I looked cool with my cigarette case and zippo. But now I feel like a part of me is missing.

I haven't smoked for 11 days - on the inside I'm proud of myself. My mother is very happy with me, but I don't think my dad even noticed yet lol.

I've realised that smoking is just so not worth it in the long run.

I am correct, right?

-Xm8

asking

That would be so cool.

XM8

Hehe... Day 13. People at school said I won't make it past 3 weeks - what wimps lol

N0help4u

Also realize the trap many smokers fall into after they have quit for so long they decide just one cigarette and then I will quit again. They say it gets harder to quit every time they start again. So don't fall into that thinking,

XM8

Thanks n0help4u,

You're so right about that. 2 days ago I even resisted going to smoke a water pipe with friends. I knew it would put me back on the road to destruction - and anyways I want to be as healthy and as smoke-free as possible so smoking in any form is a no-go for me.


-Xm8

asking

Good for you!

Do you feel any different yet?

ja77

I might quit too! Snap I have been feeling the same way since the start of 2009

XM8

I don't have any real friends so no one really supports me except my parents. Of course it's nice, but I wish people at school would be more supporting cus in the end it does help.

Whatever...

-Xm8

ja77

Xm8 you will find a lot of support here on the forum keep up the none smoking and its good that your family are supporting you.

XM8

Ja77,

Thanks a lot, it's great to know that people support me here as well.