Four Months

[Jen_Cole]

It's been about that long since I quit. Unfortunately I kept going until the 33rd week of my pregnancy, but at least I stopped. I bought some smokes around Labor Day weekend, and when I tried to smoke one I about died. It tasted awful. I gave them away and I don't think I'll ever buy any again. The nasty smell is out of the house, my clothes, and my body. I feel so much better and have lots more energy. My in-laws were over last week to baby sit so my husband and I could go out. While my hubby was showering my MIL tells me she started smoking again. She then says, "So, did you start again yet?" I guess she meant it to be funny but I was not amused, since it really was a struggle for me. Before we left she asked me for an ashtray. I wish I had put my foot down and told her to please not smoke in my house. It really bugs me because back when I did smoke, I wouldn't have smoked in anyone's house who had recently quit. I need to figure out how to say it politely because at Christmas, there will be five of them in my house that smoke and I will quietly go insane if I have to put up with it. I'm definately throwing those ashtrays away.:)

[ICNDonna]

It can be tough to stop people from smoking in your house when they're used to doing it. But --- if you think about how much damage second-hand smoke can do to children, it's worth it. For a long time, I had a framed sheet that said, "If we see you smoking we will assume you are on fire and will take appropriate action," in huge letters so it couldn't be missed. And if you have a porch or other roofed area outdoors, you can put some chairs and ash trays out there for guests.

I absolutely don't allow smoking in my home. After I quit smoking I ended up buying new furniture, drapes, carpets, etc., because I couldn't tolerate the smell. You might let family know ahead of time about the new rules so they won't expect to be allowed to smoke inside.

Good luck!

And congratulations on quitting --- I know it's not an easy thing to do.

Warm hugs,
Donna

[VickiB]

Yes, congrats on quitting Jen! I smoked close to two packs a day for twenty-some years before I was able to get out from under it. -Still remember the date of my last smoke, Sept 19th, 1997. Now I no longer have any cravings for it when I find myself around people who are smoking. But I can't stand the smell. Not so much the smell of the cigarette burning itself, rather the smell which lingers on the body (mainly hands) of someone who smokes. If they only knew how bad it makes them stink, I'd think that would be reason enough to quit! Yet from personal experience I know when you smoke, you don't notice it.

It is hard when you have others who smoke over to your house, especially if in the past they've been used to smoking in your home. I guess there's the chance they'll take your asking them to go outside as a personal insult. I would think, knowing that you've quit, they'd try hard to keep any incentive to start again far, far away from you! (It's called being 'supportive'!)

Again, CONGRATS!! You're one strong lady!

Vicki

[work it]

Congratulations...you must feel so much better health wise and I am sure your kids would thank you if they are old enough. The way I look at it is that it is yuor house and she is a guest so she should not only respect the fact that it is your house your rules but also respect the fact that you have quit. When I have smokers come to my house they know they have to step outside to smoke and the also I supply an empty can to deposit the butt so I don't have them in my yard.

Good luck

[arcticfox]

Congrats Jen on quiting smoking! Your doing great! I know it is really hard. I used to be a smoker to. But I quit, cause I have asthma. Now I can't stand to be beside someone who smokes, yuck! You will notice it too.
As to your ashtrays. Throw them out and anything else you can use as an ashtray. As to your friend and relatives who smoke, you might want to so consider putting up a sign in your house 'Thank you for not smoking" and then provide a large tin can outside so that people can smoke outside when they want a puff. You would think that this would be the hint they need to not smoke in your home. You might have to tell them that you have quit smoking are still tempted and it would be helpful to you if they could smoke outside.

Hope it helps.

Lynn :)

[jeanniebug]

I just wanted to say congratulations on quitting smoking!! :dance: That is awesome! I've cut down to a few per day for quite awhile now. But I know that I have to give those up-and soon. I'm trying the patch for the first time this week. As far as people smoking in your home-I smoke and don't even allow MYSELF to smoke inside. Even though I do it outside, I can't stand the smell in my furniture or home. My sister quit awhile back, and she put a large flower pot on her porch and just filled it with sand for the cigarette butts. That way she could just sift out the cigarettes and it did not leave an "ashtray" smell on her porch. Plus she would put a few silk flowers in it, in between visitors, so it did not make her want to use it when guests weren't over! If it were me I would use the second hand smoke as an excuse. I would just say my doctor has advised I should not be around it..due to (fill in the blank..IC, pregnancy..anything!) and could they please smoke outside? I've had people ask to smoke inside before and I just tell them nicely no smoking in the house there's an ashtray outside. :) Anyway you are my hero for quitting!!

[Jen_Cole2]

Thanks everyone! It was hard and if I can quit smoking, I can do ANYTHING. At least that's how I feel, we'll see...:)

You know how some people just don't 'get it' sometimes? Like no matter how many HUGE hints are dropped, you still need to spell it out for them? That's what I'm going to be dealing with. I think a sign would work, but since I'm on a roll, I'm just gonna lay it all out. I just hope my husband will support me. I have a feeling he's just not going to care if people smoke in here or not. I hate being around smokers now. I'm afraid I'll fall off the wagon!

Jeanniebug-thanks! No one has ever called me that before! If you are down to a few a day then you are almost there, you know?