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Currently trying to give up Smoking ? Tips please
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I have smoked for over 45 years have got appointment booked with pharmacy cessation
Any tips have tried going cold Turkey that didn’t work
I know a lot of people have an aversion to smokers
More for health matters more than anything else
Tips and opinions greatly appreciated in advance
Ta Muchly  |
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By *amsoonMan 4 weeks ago
Stornoway |
Started smoking at 7. Used to nick my mum's fags. At 18 switched to Old Holborn. At 57 had a heart attack due to smoking so had to quit. After 6 months sucking on nicorette found vaping. A life saver for me. Was vaping constantly but over the years my use decreased. It's not perfect but it is better than smoking. |
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"Started smoking at 7. Used to nick my mum's fags. At 18 switched to Old Holborn. At 57 had a heart attack due to smoking so had to quit. After 6 months sucking on nicorette found vaping. A life saver for me. Was vaping constantly but over the years my use decreased. It's not perfect but it is better than smoking."
Thank you will try vaping will see what pharmacy says as well eg patches gum or whatever  |
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"Started smoking at 7. Used to nick my mum's fags. At 18 switched to Old Holborn. At 57 had a heart attack due to smoking so had to quit. After 6 months sucking on nicorette found vaping. A life saver for me. Was vaping constantly but over the years my use decreased. It's not perfect but it is better than smoking.
Thank you will try vaping will see what pharmacy says as well eg patches gum or whatever "
Pharmacy will probably try and put you off vaping as most don't sell them. |
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I gave up by using a vape. The key i found was to find a flavour you could tolerate but didnt really like. Each month lower the nicotine content until you are on zero. Do a few months on zero and then its a case of breaking that hand to mouth habit.
It isnt easy but it can be done. Smoker for 35 years, from the initial vape buying to zero, to not vaping took me 6 months. Havent touched either for 6 years.
Good luck x |
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"Started smoking at 7. Used to nick my mum's fags. At 18 switched to Old Holborn. At 57 had a heart attack due to smoking so had to quit. After 6 months sucking on nicorette found vaping. A life saver for me. Was vaping constantly but over the years my use decreased. It's not perfect but it is better than smoking.
Thank you will try vaping will see what pharmacy says as well eg patches gum or whatever
Pharmacy will probably try and put you off vaping as most don't sell them."
Will try anything now thanks for advice |
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"I gave up by using a vape. The key i found was to find a flavour you could tolerate but didnt really like. Each month lower the nicotine content until you are on zero. Do a few months on zero and then its a case of breaking that hand to mouth habit.
It isnt easy but it can be done. Smoker for 35 years, from the initial vape buying to zero, to not vaping took me 6 months. Havent touched either for 6 years.
Good luck x"
Thank you for advice like I said have to give up now
Another thing is I don’t enjoy smoking now probably half way there
Stress normally smoke more not an excuse
Thank you for advice sir
x |
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The only way I successfully stopped was with the pills from the Dr although the exact ones aren't available anymore (champex) they worked by just making smoking awful and it made me feel sick to the point I just didn't want one anymore.
I'd like to stop, I have a vape but it just doesn't work for me, I'm hoping there's similar pills available.
Mrs |
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"Packed in around 14 years ago after about 30 years smoking. Got tablets,champix,from the docs. They stopped the majority of the craving,so only had to work on breaking the hand to mouth habit."
Stopped champix now giving another medication instead which I can’t take due to health
Thank you for advice |
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I stopped cold turkey over 20yrs ago...told my self I didn't have one today, but might tomorrow, then, well didn't have any yesterday..so won't today....it worked..
Going on vapes,is another addiction to quit, eventually...good luck..  |
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"I stopped cold turkey over 20yrs ago...told my self I didn't have one today, but might tomorrow, then, well didn't have any yesterday..so won't today....it worked..
Going on vapes,is another addiction to quit, eventually...good luck.. "
Thank you  |
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If you decide that "you have given up smoking" rather than "you are trying to quit" then you will have a totally different mental attitude.
Don't buy cigarettes and don't keep some "just in case". If someone offers you one, say "actually I've quit".. and you'll feel a sense of prinde in saying it.
Councils and NHS trusts often offer Stop Smoking services, these usually include appropriate nicotene products in addition to help and advice. Try these links below.
https://www.nhs.uk/better-health/quit-smoking/
https://feelgoodsuffolk.co.uk/
AND.... well done for quitting.
Cal |
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"If you decide that "you have given up smoking" rather than "you are trying to quit" then you will have a totally different mental attitude.
Don't buy cigarettes and don't keep some "just in case". If someone offers you one, say "actually I've quit".. and you'll feel a sense of prinde in saying it.
Councils and NHS trusts often offer Stop Smoking services, these usually include appropriate nicotene products in addition to help and advice. Try these links below.
https://www.nhs.uk/better-health/quit-smoking/
https://feelgoodsuffolk.co.uk/
AND.... well done for quitting.
Cal"
I'd also add, tell your social circles you have quit. Most will be suppotive and not offer or give you a cigerette then when you ask. Tell them, under no circumstances, even when i beg, give me a ciggie !
Fruit polos !.
I used to have a fruit polo when pals would go for a smoke in the pub. |
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For me the thing I think that helped most was having a reason. It may be bullshit but I heard that smoking elongates the synaptic pathways, slowing down the speed of you brain and making it harder to learn things. I was not having any of that so I quit (I used patches for 2 weeks or so but then I was done) |
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"I have smoked for over 45 years have got appointment booked with pharmacy cessation
Any tips have tried going cold Turkey that didn’t work
I know a lot of people have an aversion to smokers
More for health matters more than anything else
Tips and opinions greatly appreciated in advance
Ta Muchly "
Hardest thing i ever did so I did it twice 🙈
I used patches, i tried a vape but it made my throat really sore
Mindset is everything, dont tell yourself you are trying. Call yourself an ex smoker. It sounds daft but it matters |
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"If you decide that "you have given up smoking" rather than "you are trying to quit" then you will have a totally different mental attitude.
Don't buy cigarettes and don't keep some "just in case". If someone offers you one, say "actually I've quit".. and you'll feel a sense of prinde in saying it.
Councils and NHS trusts often offer Stop Smoking services, these usually include appropriate nicotene products in addition to help and advice. Try these links below.
https://www.nhs.uk/better-health/quit-smoking/
https://feelgoodsuffolk.co.uk/
AND.... well done for quitting.
Cal
I'd also add, tell your social circles you have quit. Most will be suppotive and not offer or give you a cigerette then when you ask. Tell them, under no circumstances, even when i beg, give me a ciggie !
Fruit polos !.
I used to have a fruit polo when pals would go for a smoke in the pub. "
Fruit glaciers for me thank you for the none smoking information available
Thanks cal |
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By *ou345Woman 4 weeks ago
Derby |
I met someone with COPD who couldn't take more than 10 steps without having to stop. She was my inspiration to quit and I went cold turkey. Every time I had a craving I thought I'd end up like her. It worked. |
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You have made the choice to continue to be a smoker.
This is why you haven't given up.
All reasons you give are no more than excuses so that you don't have to take responsibility for not giving up.
Imagine you are stranded on a desert island tomorrow. Your fags were lost at sea.
How would you get fags ? You wouldn't.
You would become a non smoker and get all the benefits that come with it. You certainly don't suffer from becoming a non smoker.
Stop making excuses and if you want to be a non smoker ACTION it, instead of whining as if someone were cutting both your legs off. ( which could happen anyway if you keep on smoking )
You are going to succeed. I know it. It's how I stopped all those years ago.
If you really want to be a non smoker you will be. |
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"You have made the choice to continue to be a smoker.
This is why you haven't given up.
All reasons you give are no more than excuses so that you don't have to take responsibility for not giving up.
Imagine you are stranded on a desert island tomorrow. Your fags were lost at sea.
How would you get fags ? You wouldn't.
You would become a non smoker and get all the benefits that come with it. You certainly don't suffer from becoming a non smoker.
Stop making excuses and if you want to be a non smoker ACTION it, instead of whining as if someone were cutting both your legs off. ( which could happen anyway if you keep on smoking )
You are going to succeed. I know it. It's how I stopped all those years ago.
If you really want to be a non smoker you will be."
Thanks granny no bullshit as usual
Thank you |
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After 25yrs - I went to NHS Quit.
Patches, cartridges did nothing.
As others have said, try a Vape but give it time. Keep a couple of ciggies in a drawer and write "emergency only" on the packet.
My issues were two-fold.
1) fear of not having available
2) habit of hand to mouth
Christmas and stressful times "treat" yourself to a Nicorette spray to boost you through.
Took 3 years to face the thought of stopping an addiction but not now smoked for over 10yrs.
You'll do it..
Trust me, most of it fear of the sky falling if you don't get your 'fix'. |
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"After 25yrs - I went to NHS Quit.
Patches, cartridges did nothing.
As others have said, try a Vape but give it time. Keep a couple of ciggies in a drawer and write "emergency only" on the packet.
My issues were two-fold.
1) fear of not having available
2) habit of hand to mouth
Christmas and stressful times "treat" yourself to a Nicorette spray to boost you through.
Took 3 years to face the thought of stopping an addiction but not now smoked for over 10yrs.
You'll do it..
Trust me, most of it fear of the sky falling if you don't get your 'fix'."
Thanks you all for great advice as said all helpful and informative
Thank you good people of forum |
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I quit last year after smoking for 44 years. I did the NHS thing I went on the patches and lozenge's but got a reaction from the patch. Went onto vaping and it's worked for me. I'm on the lows strength now and soon to try nicotine free juice. You really need to want to stop if you don't it wont work. I had tried before and even went on champix but I was smoking again within 6 months. |
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"I quit last year after smoking for 44 years. I did the NHS thing I went on the patches and lozenge's but got a reaction from the patch. Went onto vaping and it's worked for me. I'm on the lows strength now and soon to try nicotine free juice. You really need to want to stop if you don't it wont work. I had tried before and even went on champix but I was smoking again within 6 months."
Thank you for information NHS stop smoking is the way to go I think will make appointment for next week when they can fit me in |
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"You have made the choice to continue to be a smoker.
This is why you haven't given up.
All reasons you give are no more than excuses so that you don't have to take responsibility for not giving up.
Imagine you are stranded on a desert island tomorrow. Your fags were lost at sea.
How would you get fags ? You wouldn't.
You would become a non smoker and get all the benefits that come with it. You certainly don't suffer from becoming a non smoker.
Stop making excuses and if you want to be a non smoker ACTION it, instead of whining as if someone were cutting both your legs off. ( which could happen anyway if you keep on smoking )
You are going to succeed. I know it. It's how I stopped all those years ago.
If you really want to be a non smoker you will be."
Very true. I've never understood the difficulty in stopping. I stopped because it was unfair on
my pregnant partner & children-to-be to expose them to it, I started again after 17 years and continue because I like it & it's cheap. People say it's bad for you, some of those people remain in highly stressful relationships and careers & have really bad eating and drinking habits, i'm pretty sure that stuff will kill them before a few cigarettes kills me.
I run out occasionally and have to wait for my next travels to buy some, I quite enjoy the forced breaks and a chance to clean the lungs !
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Another big think as well I haven’t said anything so far
When In hospital couple of months ago consultant has steadfastly refused to treat me she keeps citing lifestyle issues
Now I don’t wish to seem ungrateful but a lot of extra money we pay on cigs is tax
So what are people’s thoughts on that question
|
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"Another big think as well I haven’t said anything so far
When In hospital couple of months ago consultant has steadfastly refused to treat me she keeps citing lifestyle issues
Now I don’t wish to seem ungrateful but a lot of extra money we pay on cigs is tax
So what are people’s thoughts on that question
"
Good God,
5 hours and no one responded to this beauty !
The logic is flawed. E.G. the tax we pay may not necessarily go to the NHS.
We do not have a right to be treated because we pay tax.
Why should NHS continue to treat you when they know you are making absolutely ZILCH effort to your success ?
The doctors come in and do their stuff BUT it takes the patient to put in some fucking effort! othewise the doc may as well be pissing in the wind AND there are people who REALLY do want to give up and will work WITH the NHS and STEP INTO THE WATER and try to help themselves.
The NHS cant give me fresh air if I won't step over my doorstep!
I really REALLY want you to stop smoking........ and the first ciggie you miss means you've given up.
Go on .... do it.
When people insisted I have a cig , i'd take it and say thanks and break it into peices into an ashtray while they watched.
Funny how that annoyed them. They were happy to give the cig as long as they could get me to take a backward step... but not if I didn't smoke it.
Let us all know next week how you've done. You've had your LAST cigarette ever. |
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" There is a relatively inexpensive book.
Allen cards easy way to stop smoking..
a lot of folk have found success with it.. I think you can get it for a couple of quid "
Apparently it's a good book chilly but it's old so maybe look at world of books or e bay or similar. Alan Carr ( not the comedian ) |
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"Another big think as well I haven’t said anything so far
When In hospital couple of months ago consultant has steadfastly refused to treat me she keeps citing lifestyle issues
Now I don’t wish to seem ungrateful but a lot of extra money we pay on cigs is tax
So what are people’s thoughts on that question
"
I don't know what she was refusing to treat you for.
I'm in two minds because I watched my alcoholic relative get treatment for the damage caused by their drinking time and again while refusing to give up drinking. I also sat by my mum in a and e after she fractured her spine and needed help from a nurse but had to wait while the woman in the next bay was taken out to have a smoke. My mum paid her taxes
However I also think that you should get treatment without judgement but what's the point of spending taxpayers money on treatment if the person is going to revert to the lifestyle that caused the problem.
🤷♀️ |
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" There is a relatively inexpensive book.
Allen cards easy way to stop smoking..
a lot of folk have found success with it.. I think you can get it for a couple of quid
Apparently it's a good book chilly but it's old so maybe look at world of books or e bay or similar. Alan Carr ( not the comedian ) "
that's the one Carr ... |
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Watch vapes, they often have more nicotine than cigarettes. There is also something about stubbing out a cigarette that ends the smoke, you don't get the same with vapes.
I quit over 25 years ago and it's one of the best things I did.
The best advice I was given is that the addiction cycle of nicotine is less than 24 hours. The habitual cycle is the hard one to break.
Before you quit look at your routine and work out what things you associate with smoking. That morning coffee, 11's, drinks fuel the pub later.
When you quit change those things up and break the routine. Have a morning tea, have a different drink down the pub. Break the habitual cycle.
Good luck 👍 |
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Vapes affected me breathing more than smoking.
I made a promise to.my then 5 year old. I couldn't go back from that, that's how I forced it.
That was quite a few years back now.
Taped for a bit, but vaping really impacted me. |
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What I did was take a week off work and isolated myself. I avoided going out and distracted myself as much as I could even when the withdrawal symptoms made it incredibly difficult. Just fight the withdrawal for that one week and the symptoms will be a lot milder and the cravings will start to go. It's also breaking the habits that you had while smoking like going to the smoking area on breaks.
The next 3 weeks will be easier but will likely have some temptations to smoke but keep going without. Once that first month is over, cigarettes will disgust you and you'll never want to smoke again |
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When I quit I had a consultation with a nurse at the GP surgery. That was 18 years ago now.
We talked about my habit and she suggested I use a nicotine tablet under my tongue but only when the craving got really bad. I smoked my last fag on a Thursday evening and I have never had another. I didn't use that many of the tablets either.
The weirdest thing is I often smoke in my dreams and sometimes wake up with the taste in my mouth. |
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"I have smoked for over 45 years have got appointment booked with pharmacy cessation
Any tips have tried going cold Turkey that didn’t work
I know a lot of people have an aversion to smokers
More for health matters more than anything else
Tips and opinions greatly appreciated in advance
Ta Muchly "
Firstly, this is fantastic news! And one of the best decisions you will ever make.
Secondly, you realmy nead to want ti give up. If you enjoy smoking, it will be harder.
Try to start by cutting down first. No more morning fag before breakfast. Then try waiting longer after eating before you smoke to de-couple eating and smoking.
Then buy Airwaves menthol chewing gum. Whenever you need a smoke, chew two of these, breath deeply and imaging smoking. This gives the sensation of filling your lungs with smoke (but now its cool air) and tricks your brain.
After two weeks, smoke a cigarette. You will hate it!
Goid luck, and i wish you all the best. |
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By *kmarkMan 4 weeks ago
Portsmouth |
I stopped smoking about 10 years ago and it was weird. I was about to buy a packet and I thought “fuck it - no more”. So I didn’t buy them. And haven’t smoked since.
Cold turkey gets a bad name but it worked for me…! |
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Reading all the different ways people gave up just shows everybody is different.
I tried a tablet (can’t remember the name). You put one under your tongue whenever you wanted a ciggie. You could have up to 40 a day if you wanted! They were absolutely disgusting taste! Like I’d been sucking tin foil! Think I used them for three days but not finishing one of them! Ended up spitting them out half way though! So ended up going cold turkey. 20 years later and not had one!
Think there’s just one thing everybody here has in common. They all REALLY wanted to give up!
You could instead of buying fags, put the money in a tin! Once you see how much you are saving it will give you more of an incentive!!!
Take one day at a time. Good luck. You CAN do it!👊
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"When I quit I had a consultation with a nurse at the GP surgery. That was 18 years ago now.
We talked about my habit and she suggested I use a nicotine tablet under my tongue but only when the craving got really bad. I smoked my last fag on a Thursday evening and I have never had another. I didn't use that many of the tablets either.
The weirdest thing is I often smoke in my dreams and sometimes wake up with the taste in my mouth. "
I often smoke in my dreams too and I gave up when I was 31 🤷♀️ |
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I was a heavy smoker for 46 years.
I went cold turkey and haven't touched a cigarette for three years in may.
I find if you substitute the cigarettes for something else youve then got to give that up as well.
Good luck op |
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I can't fathom how or why people feel so comfortable vaping.
It's mind boggling.
I'd say you have to truly want to quit and commit to it properly.
You have to understand the habit and redirect the urge that drives the habit.
You have to not make excuses or leave it even an inch of a toe hold in your life or you'll yo-yo. |
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This may or may not help , I would hazard a guess it may go some way...
To helping get anybody in the correct mind set for quitting I stress May.
Do a tally up what you spend monthly then yearly on tobacco / cigarettes.
Ask yourself what could / would you be able to spend / better use that money towards.
Fun facts about Nicoteen.
10, to 20.000 times more addictive than Heroin.
However it's is totally purged out of the system in 24 to 36 hrs depending on the individual.
which reduces cravings post time period. lessening right off around the 14 day marker.
Biggest thing to overcome is the habitual side of smoking ...
i.e. you have a meal , then perhaps you light up post meal...
so breaking the routines is something to address .
Top tip set a small goal... so if I can go one hour without a smoke then there is no reason I can't go 2 hours so on and so fourth.
Anyway may be a little but of a help..
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"I can't fathom how or why people feel so comfortable vaping.
It's mind boggling.
I'd say you have to truly want to quit and commit to it properly.
You have to understand the habit and redirect the urge that drives the habit.
You have to not make excuses or leave it even an inch of a toe hold in your life or you'll yo-yo."
A bloke at work was vaping and I asked if he was doing it to try give up smoking. He said he’d never smoked in his life! Just thought it was the fashion!…🤷♂️ |
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By *S74Man 4 weeks ago
Bury |
I stopped but again as said many times- when your mind has been made up then that’s it- how you proceed from there matters less.
On a related note- I stopped drinking for 6 months in late 2019 as was on an intense training program. Then lockdown hit and thought the habit of drinking alone would be a bad one for Mental Health.
6 years later never bothered having a drink. I don’t miss it but could never give up a Steak 🥩 |
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By *xkritTV/TS 4 weeks ago
High Wycombe (ish) |
There are two aspects to giving up smoking: the biological and the psychological.
Good news first: biology. The biological craving is real BUT it only lasts about 3 - 7 days after stopping. After that, your body won't crave / need nicotine (your mind will but that's the next bit!)
Psychological: this is the "habit" and "addiction" bit. You've spent years training your mind that cigarette= happy. This is not a two minute fix but..... It can be done!!
* As others have said, there mental difference between "I've given up" and "I'm giving up" is huge!! Tell yourself and anyone that'll listen "I've given up and am a non smoker". It's not a magic bullet but it's a powerful positive affermation you can use
* With the above, celebrate! Rather than focus on how hard it's been (which makes your brain focus on the difficulty) praise yourself how well you're doing. This will trick your brain into a small endorphin hit - that hit will start to reprogram your brain that happiness doesn't equal cigarettes but other things
* Quite often there is a habit (in the bar, with breakfast, to wind down at the end of the day). You can break these habits by replacing with a new one: eat a polo, chew a pen lid, finger yourself (this is fab after all!).....it doesn't really matter what but your substituting one (bad) habit for another more positive habit. There is mixed research if your new habit should resemble smoking or not (i.e vaping, pretending to smoke a pen etc).... Some say this just prolongs the association, others say if softens the transition.... Ymmv
* You've got this!
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