3 ways to quit smoking; for good Published April 25, 2006 By Chief Master Sgt. Douglas Leshner 436th Aerial Port Squadron DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. -- I never thought I'd see the day - to be a non-smoker again! I made so many excuses for so long. I attended a smoking cessation class, chewed nicotine gum, and tried the nicotine patch. After over 20 years of smoking, I finally quit cold turkey. The method of quitting was secondary to the fact that I did. It's been three years now and I'm done - without question - done! I'd like to share with you how I finally escaped the habit. I was a pretty tough sell. Here's how I got my arms around it, and stayed there - it was kind of a three-part deal. 1. Recognize the excuses. It's amazing what we tell ourselves in order to justify something we know is wrong or bad for us. Convincing ourselves is much easier than convincing someone else. I finally realized my reasons for smoking were simply excuses not to quit. 2. Accept the facts. We all should know the hazards of smoking. For me, looking at a picture of a smoker's black lung was hard to take, but seeing someone drag around an oxygen tank as a result of smoking really scared me. This is not a place I want to be. 3. Started reaping the benefits. This list continues to grow - but here are several: _ You save a lot of money. _ Your clothes don't reek of smoke. _ Long plane rides are bearable. _ You're not treated like a second-class citizen. _ You make your family happier. _ Your car stays cleaner. _ A better chance of passing your fitness test. _ You don't wake up with a need to clear your throat. _ Life insurance rates decrease. _ You have more stamina. _ No complaints about second-hand smoke. _ The doctor or dentist won't nag you about it. _ You don't need to look for the smoking section wherever you go. _ You save time by eliminating the errand to buy cigarettes. _ You increase your chances of living longer. There are many, many more benefits - I can't think of them all at the moment. It's tough to quit. You'll go two days without a cigarette, and then sneak a puff so that no one knows you've cheated. They pat you on the back and compliment you on your great accomplishment, and then you realize you're only fooling yourself. It's okay to lose momentum - but get back on the horse. You will get past the craving. I remember, during my first few weeks after quitting, when I would see someone smoking, I would think to myself how lucky they were because they were not going through the discomfort of trying to quit. The turning point for me was when I realized I was the lucky one - not them! One day turned into two, then a week, month, and now it has been three years. It's a great feeling! It was without a doubt, the best decision I've made.