I quit smoking a little over two weeks ago. Went cold turkey, no patches or gum or anything and haven't had one since. I wasn't a very heavy smoker, but I would smoke at least 5 a day on a slow day, and if I went out, I would smoke up to 30 maybe 40. I quit when I went through a 25g pack of GV in two days. Its a ******* expensive habit, and I do feel a lot healthier since quitting already.
I still feel the need to smoke though. It's hard to explain to someone who hasn't been addicted, but it's very perculiar. Every time I'm in a situation where I used to smoke, I want to smoke. Every time I see someone smoking, I want to smoke. Every time I have nothing to do for ten minutes, I want to smoke. Sheer willpower has stopped me from going back, and I'm actually fairly confident I won't start again - The last few weeks have been pretty rough emotionally for me (girl troubles, don't ask), and that I've managed to get through that without smoking makes me think I'll probably last.
Why did I start? Well, I was kinda unusual. I started smoking weed about 6 months before I started smoking. We'd smoke it mixed with tobacco in joints, which is the most common way around here. A few months later, I got caught by the police with weed and cautioned. This led to me getting kicked out of school, and subsequently quitting weed for the time being. The risk was too great. Of course, by then I'd actually smoked a fair amount of tobacco, and was probably slightly addicted. So, when someone offered me a cig, I took it. I wasn't a heavy smoker straight away, it just kinda crept up on me. Why did I continue? Well, don't believe anyone who says it isn't cool, smoking IS cool and it always will be to teenagers. It's also a great way to socialise and meet new people at pubs or clubs or parties. That's why I continued at first, but eventually it was cause I was addicted. It took a while for me to realise that I was, and at first I didn't care. It has a really powerful effect on you - I've heard people say it's the most addictive drug. I don't know if that's true, I've heard crack and heroin are pretty bad, but either way nicotine is simply the best. Satisfying that craving is just a great feeling. And if I was to cave and have one now, I'd hate myself for it, but I would love the hell outta that smoke.
Non-smokers: I don't know what to say. Part of me wants to tell you to grow up and get over it, but I completely understand your point of view now that I no longer smoke. However, you must understand (or at least pretend to) what a smoker feels when he smokes. He needs it.
