I quit smoking my last year in the Air Force, and at that time, it was not easy to quit. And, that's because back then (1970), smoking was fashionable...it was the "thing to do," and it was trendy, etc. If you didn't smoke back then, you were some kind of square or cube. People smoked everywhere...on talk shows; in eating places; at work, etc. And, there were cigarette ads everywhere...on television, radio, newspapers, magazines. on billboards. At that time, smoking was acceptable...but, not any more!

When I was growing up, my father made a belt out of leather for my mother to use on as kids if we mis-behaved, and my mother used it when necessary! She used to keep the belt in the bottom drawer in the kitchen, and when I heard that bottom drawer open, I knew somebody in the family was in trouble! It was the discipline of my mother, that helped me to accomplish things in my life that I would have never attempted before.

When I enlisted in the Air Force, it was four years of discipline that helped me to accomplish things in my life that would be difficult without it. So many things in life require discipline such as losing weight; starting and finishing a job; building a website and completing school, etc. So, it was discipline that helped me to quit smoking, etc.

Peer pressure was a factor as well, and I had to decide if peer pressure would have an effect on my quitting smoking! Peer pressure is not just for teen-agers. Peer pressure will follow us all to the grave, by those who want us to go in a different direction with our lives! Yes, there were people who didn't want me to quit. They would do such things as: blow smoke in my face; leave a pack of cigarettes laying around for me to see; light up a cigarette in front of me and so forth.

These were negative people, who couldn't quit smoking themselves, and they didn't want anyone else to quit smoking either. They're what I call "excuse-makers." People who always have an excuse as to why they CAN"T do anything! They never talk about what they CAN do, and they're the jealous and resentful type! In writing this piece, I am not a crusader or an activist for anything. If people want to commit suicide one puff at a time...be my guest! I don't really care!

Thirty years ago, smoking was the "in" thing to do, but how things have changed! Today, smokers are slowly being pushed off the planet, by those of us who place a high priority on our health, and the health of those around us.

I was never a heavy smoker...about a pack a day, but that was a pack too much! I quit smoking in the most unusual way, and that was by getting sick. I got the worst cold, flu and chest congestion that I had ever had. But, it turned out to be a blessing in disguise...a silver-lining in my life! You see, I tried to quit smoking twice before and couldn't do it, so I didn't know what to do. Back then, there were no medications and patches to help like they have today.

Getting sick was lucky for me and I'll tell you why. With the stomach flu, where I couldn't keep food down; a deep chest congestion and all the rest that went with it, I was miserable! The last thing I wanted was a cigarette! (YUK) And, during this awful time in bed, I went about TEN days without a cigarette, and YAHOO was I excited! TEN days without a smoke, and this turned out to be the beginning of the end...the end of smoking! TEN days without a smoke, and who knows, maybe I could go all the way, and then it was 11 days...14 days...without a smoke and I felt I was on my way to quitting.

Like the little train that could...I know I can...I know I can...I was headed up the steep mountain. I thought that if I could just get to the 30 day mark, I think I could make it. It would be quite an accomplishment starting out! Agony; depression and suffering is how I would describe the next few days. I had to stay out of my whining and self-pity mode, and just keep going straight ahead. Up the mountain I went...16 days without a cigarette...21 days...I was going crazy!

FINALLY, 26 days...28 days...and 30 days without a cigarette! I DID IT! (Yahoo!) I loved to "X" out all those days on the calendar, which was a feel good feeling for sure. I thought the first 30 days would be the toughest part, but there was a long way to go. With all the temptation around, it would not be easy the rest of the way, and it wasn't!

Week after week and month after month, I struggled in my effort to quit smoking, and now I would never give up! This was the best start I had ever had, and I intended to make all the way. I think quitting smoking or losing weight, is not so much a physical challenge, but requires a "mental toughness!" The discipline and sacrifice it took to think I can do it...I can do it! Month after month I continued on my journey.

When all the dust settled, to took me about TEN months, to get the cravings for a cigarette out of my system, to finally quit smoking! I DID IT! (Yahoo!) More than 30 years have gone by now, and I have not so much as touched a cigarette during this long period of time, and I don't plan to either. Why would I want to put poison back in my body?

To show you how serious smoking affected me, I was married for 19 years. When I first met my wife she smoked, but it was back in the 1970's, so I thought nothing of it. But gradually, over the years, smoking became an irritant to me. I told my ex wife that I would help her quit smoking, but I think she never wanted to. As time went on, she was always coughing and choking on a cigarette. First thing in the morning...a cigarette! Last thing at night...a cigarette! She was always coughing and choking and I was getting upset! We began to fight more and more over smoking!

It got so bad, that we were not even talking to each other much anymore as we used to. If two people are arguing and fighting with each other on a regular basis, they will soon not like each other! That's just human nature. So, what I am trying to say here, is that smoking played a part in our break-up! Who wants to kiss an ash tray anyway?

Today, (2006) I am single, and smoking is a very serious issue with me. I am so concerned about my health as I get older, that if a woman crosses my path and she smokes...she might as well keep going. I have zero tolerance for smoking!