The SmokeFree Star

Thinking about quitting smoking? If you smoke, or love someone who smokes, you've been living in the suffering section. You can't smoke today without suffering. Your body suffers from the damage each cigarette does, and your soul suffers from the lack of respect you get everywhere you go. Your family suffers from fear for your health and theirs.

Quitting is difficult, but it is acutely difficult. In a month the hard part is over, and then the suffering is over. So it's like this: you have the choice of two pains-keep smoking, and keep the chronic pain forever, or quit, feel more pain for a while, and then no pain. Plus--power; self respect, and the respect of all who care about you. You don't just get a longer life, you get a better life too.

So how do you start? By stacking the deck for success. Buy a pocket-sized notebook, and every day write the reasons you are quitting. Look for immediate reasons "as a birthday gift for my daughter and to smell better" as well as long term ones like "to live longer." Try to write at least one new reason every day. In the month after you quit, you'll forget why it was so important, and this notebook will remind you.

Then, put together a support team. Smokefree people who care about you and are strong enough to stick with you. Not the one who bought you a pack the last time you quit because you got so mean. Your children are good candidates, but find an adult too. Ask them to support you by walking with you, talking on the phone every day, planning fun activities that don't include smoking. Instead of going dancing at a smoky bar, go to a dance lesson. Remember, you are stacking the deck for success this time. No testing, not a contest, you are saving your life. When you think of things to do, jot them in your notebook along with the support person who'd be best company.

Next, start looking at smokers. Are they having more fun? They're out in the rain and the cold, huddled over their smokes, while all the fun is going on inside. Even when smoking is allowed it isn't welcomed, and more people will be wishing you stayed home than glad to see you when you light up. I know you think they're being unfair, but the fact is smoking stinks and harms nonsmokers too. It's never going to be suave again.

Buy yourself toys like waterguns and maybe a new computer game and some colored pens for doodling. Get books or magazines that are worthless but fun (libraries are smokefree!) Get a lot of whatever mints you prefer, and gum. Buy a water filter pitcher or the water you like best, and maybe some lemons or limes. You are giving yourself great gifts-freedom and the money you've

been contributing to the tobacco industry, and you are protecting yourself from abuse. Start now to treat yourself better than ever before.

Need a little more motivation?

Each year, your pack a day habit costs you the price of a great vacation. Hawaii next year? Europe the next? Start planning your dream vacation and put the money into a special account.

Half of all smokers will die from their addiction, and half of these will die before age 55.

It's never too late to quit. Your heart and lungs are capable of miraculous healing once you stop poisoning yourself 20-60 times a day.

85% of successful people don't smoke, and don't date smokers.

Next week: more getting ready tips. Our quit day is in two weeks!

--- (c) Jeneene Brengelman