Former addicts tell how they managed to quit
May 30, 2006
I first smoked at 14. We had gone to a nightclub and my friends said the cigarette would make me appear mature and sophisticated. When I became DJ, smoking seemed a must do. But when I got pregnant, doctors advised me to stop. I quit for about a year. I resumed, but stopped again at the second pregn
Racheal Nankinga, club disc jockey
Smoked for; 17 years
Number of cigarettes per day; a packet plus
Number of previous failures; many
What worked? Pregnancy
I first smoked at 14. We had gone to a nightclub and my friends said the cigarette would make me appear mature and sophisticated. When I became DJ, smoking seemed a must do. But when I got pregnant, doctors advised me to stop. I quit for about a year. I resumed, but stopped again at the second pregnancy. This time, it was a lot harder. It is now four years and I don’t want to smoke again.
Tips: - Avoid friends, who smoke. Take lots of sleep. Keep sticks of carrot in the fridge and munch them slowly whenever you feel like smoking.
David Buhamba, night manager
Smoked for 23 years
Number of cigarettes per day: a packet
Number of previous failures: none
What worked? Yoga
I smoked my first cigarette at 13 but it was disgusting; I never smoked again till 18. One time, I read an advert about the values of transcendental meditation. I decided to give it a try. Within the first month, I had already begun feeling a deep sense of contentment. And I didn’t want to disturb it by smoking.
Tips: - Take a deep breath whenever you feel like lighting a cigarette. Breathe in three times, holding the air for several minutes, then exhale very slowly. This simple exercise helps me to relax; to think about something more positive rather than just smoking. Focus on your goal and know why you are quitting. Rid yourself of nicotine moment-by-moment and never worry about how you will go through life without smoking.
Bernard Mugenyi, driver
Smoked for 25 years
Cigarettes per day: a packet
Number of previous failures: one
What worked? Will power
In 2001, I was diagnosed with TB and doctors advised me to quit smoking. I would succeed for days, but find myself overwhelmed by the craze. Smoking always made me feel better. With the doctor’s assistance, I gradually cut on the number of cigarettes to nil. My last cigarette on 31st December 2002. No backsliding so far.
Tips: Focus on your goal. Convince yourself that smoking is a horrible habit. Know why you’re quitting, rather than secretly enjoying the smell of others’ smoke.
Mariam Omondi - Nurse
Smoked for: 8 years
Cigarettes per day: 3-8
No of previous failures: lots
What worked? Hating the smoker in me.
I started at 21 with only half a cigarette to calm down stress. I used to tell myself that it would be easy for me to give up anytime. But I slowly slid into addiction. Fellow nurses avoided me because I was a smoker and I began to loathe the addict in me. At first, I would only smoke in the middle of the night and then try to hide the smell. I then decided the inconvenience was too much.
Tips: Just stop smoking and end your personal relationship with tobacco. Avoid coffee because it brings back the urge to smoke. If you must take a meal by night, let it be light.
Smoked for; 17 years
Number of cigarettes per day; a packet plus
Number of previous failures; many
What worked? Pregnancy
I first smoked at 14. We had gone to a nightclub and my friends said the cigarette would make me appear mature and sophisticated. When I became DJ, smoking seemed a must do. But when I got pregnant, doctors advised me to stop. I quit for about a year. I resumed, but stopped again at the second pregnancy. This time, it was a lot harder. It is now four years and I don’t want to smoke again.
Tips: - Avoid friends, who smoke. Take lots of sleep. Keep sticks of carrot in the fridge and munch them slowly whenever you feel like smoking.
David Buhamba, night manager
Smoked for 23 years
Number of cigarettes per day: a packet
Number of previous failures: none
What worked? Yoga
I smoked my first cigarette at 13 but it was disgusting; I never smoked again till 18. One time, I read an advert about the values of transcendental meditation. I decided to give it a try. Within the first month, I had already begun feeling a deep sense of contentment. And I didn’t want to disturb it by smoking.
Tips: - Take a deep breath whenever you feel like lighting a cigarette. Breathe in three times, holding the air for several minutes, then exhale very slowly. This simple exercise helps me to relax; to think about something more positive rather than just smoking. Focus on your goal and know why you are quitting. Rid yourself of nicotine moment-by-moment and never worry about how you will go through life without smoking.
Bernard Mugenyi, driver
Smoked for 25 years
Cigarettes per day: a packet
Number of previous failures: one
What worked? Will power
In 2001, I was diagnosed with TB and doctors advised me to quit smoking. I would succeed for days, but find myself overwhelmed by the craze. Smoking always made me feel better. With the doctor’s assistance, I gradually cut on the number of cigarettes to nil. My last cigarette on 31st December 2002. No backsliding so far.
Tips: Focus on your goal. Convince yourself that smoking is a horrible habit. Know why you’re quitting, rather than secretly enjoying the smell of others’ smoke.
Mariam Omondi - Nurse
Smoked for: 8 years
Cigarettes per day: 3-8
No of previous failures: lots
What worked? Hating the smoker in me.
I started at 21 with only half a cigarette to calm down stress. I used to tell myself that it would be easy for me to give up anytime. But I slowly slid into addiction. Fellow nurses avoided me because I was a smoker and I began to loathe the addict in me. At first, I would only smoke in the middle of the night and then try to hide the smell. I then decided the inconvenience was too much.
Tips: Just stop smoking and end your personal relationship with tobacco. Avoid coffee because it brings back the urge to smoke. If you must take a meal by night, let it be light.