Former Smokers Reveal What Made Them Quit

Anna Lindwasser
Updated January 9, 202018 items

Quitting smoking can be one of the hardest things a person ever does, but it can also be one of the most rewarding. Sometimes, quitting is a matter of finding the right motivation. Why do smokers quit? Everyone who takes up the challenge is motivated by something unique, but common triggers include the high financial cost, the threat of health issues, becoming a parent, and a change in environment.

The people of Reddit have shared their stories of giving up cigarettes. For some, it was easy to kick the habit, but for others it was far more challenging. These stories of what made smokers quit provide insight into what it's like to beat an addiction. If you're a smoker looking for your own motivation, you can find solidarity here - and if you know someone who is, these stories may help you understand them a little bit more. 

  • They Caught The Flu And Couldn't Smoke

    From Redditor /u/oneeyedcarpenter:

    I got the flu really bad. It lasted over a week. I didn't smoke the whole time because it made the illness worse. By the time I got better, I was already past the worst withdrawals so I just quit. This was about 4 1/2 years ago.

  • Having A Child Inspired Them

    From Redditor /u/Skyrmir:

    Find your reason to quit. For me it was having a kid, and realizing I better straighten up, or I wouldn't live to see my grand kids.

    Think of it similar to working someone away from suicide. They have to find their reason to live. Once you've found that reason, you realize smoking is probably going to keep you from it.

  • Using DMT Made Them Reevaluate Their Life

    From Redditor /u/Needs-More-Hands:

    I tripped on DMT awhile ago, and over then next days, weeks, I couldn't help but re-evaluate a lot of my long-held assumptions, like whether smoking was cost-effective. I have smoked several times since, but it lost its luster. Like a hard reset.

  • They Saw Their Grandfather Suffer

    From Redditor /u/onetimeuse1xuse:

    Watched my grandpa go from a healthy, happy man to sucking oxygen on his deathbed because of emphysema.

  • It Wasn't Fun Anymore

    From Redditor /u/random_username_94:

    I stopped enjoying it. It wasnt the money or the potential diseases. It was the smell. I signed up with a nurse who breath tested me every week, so I had somebody I couldnt lie to, went on Champix; but in truth I felt like I had quit and stopped the Champix half way through. And I had quit. Then I gave my teeth the hardest descale you can imagine.

  • Their Parents Got Cancer

    From Redditor /u/kwadd:

    I'd "quit" six times in as many years. Vaping helped me quit. I was never a heavy smoker, but at one point (a lot of pressure at work), I was smoking a pack a day and feeling like sh*t. Then my dad got cancer. My mom got it too, within a few months of my dad.

    This frightened the f*ck out of me. But because of stress at work and a f*ckton of stress at home, I knew I was only going to need nicotine more. Checked out vaping (including r/electronic_cigarette), found out that it had progressed a lot since the days of crappy cigalikes, bought my first kit. I stopped smoking the day I got that kit and have been smoke free for nearly two years now. Now looking at going nicotine free and working towards it. Wish me luck.