Commentary: Kicking the Habit

By Michael Springer

Buffalo, NY – I say this with all due respect to my wife, Dawn but she had been nagging me and that is the word for it...nagging...for years to quit smoking. She said my car and clothing smelled bad, that I smelled bad and she worried all the time about my constant coughing.

So finally, I am proud to say that I took her advice. I am now an ex-smoker. I did it for my wife for my kids but mostly I did it for myself. I knew I would be around a lot longer for both Dawn and the kids, if I gave up the cigarettes.

So this 30-year Marlboro-smoking man threw out the pack. I feel better. Food tastes better and my car and clothing definitely smell better.

You can do it too.

No one ever says quitting smoking is easy. In fact, some say tobacco is more addicting than cocaine. But if you made a New Year's resolution to stop smoking keeping that resolution can be easier when you have an expert in your corner helping you. My wife, Dawn, gave me the telephone number for the New York State Smokers' Quitline. Calling that number was one of the best things I ever did. And it worked. Finally after more than 30 years of smoking and quitting and smoking and quitting...I was able to quit for good.

What made quitting different this time? I think it was the support I received from the Quitline. I received free nicotine patches which really helped cut back on the cravings. I received lots of information with tips on how to stay tobacco-free. I also received telephone counseling from trained coaches. In fact, they checked in a few time to make sure I was doing ok.

The counselors talked with me about those times when you automatically reach for a cigarette - what they called triggers and how to combat the cravings during those times. I found out my strongest triggers were having a cigarette with my first cup of coffee and smoking when I was in the car. Knowing my triggers and being ready to deal with them helped me to not smoke during the usual smoking times.

And we haven't even talked about the money yet. I started smoking when I was 12 years old when cigarettes were about 50 cents a pack. Now they are - what - 8 dollars a throw? I really enjoy having the extra bucks in my pocket rather than burning those dollars away on cigarettes.

I won't deny that there have been other setbacks along the way such as when I was in a car accident and when my mother died. I admit I slipped a little during those times. But I didn't let it become a relapse, I again quit right away.

Now, I am not the kind of guy that goes around telling people what to do but if you are thinking about quitting or made a New Year's resolution to stop smoking and have already slipped. know that it is never too late to try again. Your family will love you even more for dropping the habit. You will make a significant difference in your life.

And for all those family members out there - giving a nudge now and then to your partner - just may be the support your smoker needs to quit.

All I know is that I thank my wife every day. Because now I can proudly say that I am an ex-smoker.

Listener-Commentator Michael Springer is a retired police officer and anti-smoking advocate for the Erie Niagara Tobacco-Free Coalition.

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