Discover the journey of overcoming nicotine addiction through this personal story of resilience and determination. From the allure of smoking to the challenges of quitting, explore the pivotal role of family support and the mental fortitude required to succeed.
One woman’s story of triumph over tobacco
Quitting smoking can be extremely challenging, especially without support, as nicotine is so addictive.
Being the daughter of a heavy smoker, I witnessed firsthand the difficulties my father faced in giving up the habit. Despite his best efforts, he occasionally gave in to his nicotine addiction.
He was only able to quit completely after suffering a stroke, which paralysed the left side of his body.
So, I wonder, can smokers quit their unhealthy habits completely while they are still in good shape?
Fortunately, I met a heavy smoker who had been smoking for 15 years but managed to quit smoking entirely, and she was the answer to all my questions.
Here are excerpts from our conversation:
Q: Tell us how and why you began smoking.
A: I started at the tender age of 17, right after completing my Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia exam. The desire to explore the outside world, once given permission to be out and about without much parental supervision, made me feel free.
My parents had placed considerable trust in my brother, and as a result, I often accompanied him when going out.
Since he was a smoker (and still is), his influence had a significant impact on me. Initially, I only wanted to take a puff, but that one puff led to more for the next 15 years.
When did you quit smoking?
I attempted to quit once, at the age of 25, when I remembered the price of cigarettes skyrocketing. I was a student in my final year of bachelor studies at the time, and money was crucial for survival.
I typically smoke at least 10 cigarettes a day, which means I can go through a pack in no more than two days. This amounted to spending around RM500 on cigarettes per month.
However, my body didn’t react well to quitting; I experienced severe nausea, shivers, headaches, and fever. Unable to tolerate the discomfort, I resumed smoking. Even after getting married, I remained a heavy smoker, as my husband was also one.
But when I discovered I was pregnant, I quit abruptly. Although I attempted smoking again once or twice afterward, I didn’t enjoy it as much, so I quit completely.
I remained smoke-free for two years until I started vaping, which eventually led me back to occasional cigarette smoking.
Since my husband also smoked, it wasn’t much of an issue. However, we made sure never to vape or smoke inside the house; instead, we smoked outside when our child was asleep.
We did not want our child to witness us smoking, which we knew was not a good example, so we refrained from doing so whenever she was around.
I continued to smoke on and off for another two years, but my dependence lessened, and I quit completely last August because I no longer enjoyed the smell of cigarettes or the flavours of vapes.
What motivates you to give up smoking?
I stopped because I realised how much money I could save by not spending on cigarettes or vapes. When you have a child, your expenses increase, and I don’t see why I would spend money on things that could impact my health in the future.
My child needs me to be in good health so I can watch her shine and thrive, achieving her goals. I want to be able to do that, and I want to provide that for her.
But most importantly, she’s growing bigger and smarter, and I do not want her to follow in my footsteps if she ever catches me or her father smoking. I don’t want to set a bad example for my daughter; I want to be someone she looks up to and is always proud of.
I have always emphasised eating healthy and drinking plenty of fluids for her, but it’s contradictory and hypocritical when I’m not doing it myself.
What improvements did you notice after you stopped smoking?
I am an avid runner, even though I used to be a smoker. I would run and smoke as a treat post-run, which was very dangerous because it could lead to cardiac arrest.
However, after I stopped smoking and continued running, I noticed improvements in my stamina; I can run longer with fewer leg aches. My breathing has become deeper, and I am more focused on tasks and calmer. Additionally, my asthma has disappeared.
Could you share with us your journey to quit smoking?
Honestly, I am not going to lie and tell you that quitting smoking is easy, but it is possible.
I stopped smoking without using nicotine gum to ease the cravings, but I chew on sugar-free gum whenever I feel like smoking.
In 2019, I was hospitalised due to a lung infection caused by both vaping and smoking combined, which led to the development of asthma.
Despite being told that I needed to rely on two different inhalers during an attack, I still smoked. The number of relapses was countless, but quitting a habit that had been ingrained in me for the past 15 years was not easy.
My body didn’t react well when I quit abruptly, and the adverse events that resulted from that were challenging.
I started eating a lot, gained weight, craved mainly sweet things, experienced severe mood fluctuations, and told myself that I should just go back to smoking so I won’t have to endure all these symptoms, as they are equally bad.
However, I think the biggest challenge was when I was out with my friends, most of whom are smokers. It was very difficult not to smoke while chilling with them.
Maintaining strong mental resilience was crucial, but sometimes I gave in and asked for a cigarette from my friend.
Some of them are supportive of my journey, but they won’t give it to me, and I am really grateful for such friends.
Is family and partner support crucial in helping someone to stop smoking?
My husband quit completely three months ago, with no relapse so far, after learning that his elder brother was hospitalised for a low oxygen reading and a severe lung infection due to smoking and vaping.
Taking it upon himself to quit, alhamdulillah, he’s currently doing very well, even when he’s around friends who smoke.
I must say, his mental strength is much stronger than mine, and I am very proud of him for that.
When I relapsed, he didn’t judge; he wasn’t angry at all. Instead, he encouraged me, reassuring me that it would be easier in the future because I had already accomplished it once.
Having a partner who is supportive of your decision to quit smoking is crucial, and being able to share the journey together is even better.
What advice would you give to others who wish to quit smoking?
Take baby steps. Know your goals, and remind yourself that health is wealth.
If you think professional help will make your journey easier, quit-smoking clinics are available around you.
Read up on how to channel your craving for nicotine into something else, and believe in yourself!
