Former smokers tell how, why they gave up

Press, 2 July 1986, Page 25

Former smokers tell how, why they gave up

By

JOAN BEGG

‘The New Zealand Smoke-free Week has arrived — encouraging thousands of reluctant smokers throughout the nation to toss away their cigarettes. Former smokers abound, most with a history of failed attempts to kick the habit. Five former smokers in Christchurch described how they gave up smoking for what they envisaged would be the last time. Mrs Gonnie Ware, aged 74, gave up smoking three years ago when in hospital with angina. Her decision was prompted not so much by health concerns as the fact that she “never thought of a cigarette” during her two-week hospital stay. Once home she decided to quit for good. For Mrs Ware, who began smoking at 15, it was a second attempt. The first lasted two years. She resumed the habit 28 years ago after unconsciously picking up one of her son’s cigarettes during an unsettling conversation. She was soon back to her 10 to 15 cigarettes a day.

The craving for a cigarette has not diminished. It gets worse after a meal or in times of .stress. Mrs Ware combats it by thinking “I’ve gone so far, if I start now I’ll never stop,” and doing something to take her mind off it. Mr Barry Norris, aged 57, gave up smoking six weeks ago, the latest in a series of attempts to kick the habit He once quit for 11 years after a comment by a guest at a party. Mr Norris had run out of cigarettes, asked for one and was offered a carton by a non-smoker with the comment “I’d hate to be hooked on those.” Mr Norris refused the carton, said “I’m not,” and gave up. He resumed just as unintentionally. He lit a cigarette for a friend, took a puff, thought it was rather nice, and was soon smoking heavily again. His motivation to stop this time was strong. Though he used the nico-tine-flavoured gum to help curb his cravings, he was adamant that it would not have worked had he not really wanted to stop. The withdrawal symptoms were slight; a few sleepless nights and some irritability. He has noticed changes in his lung capacity, that he had no more stomach pains, but an increased girth. “Food tastes better, so I’m eating and drinking more," he said. His wife is a determined smoker, with no desire to give up. -

Amanda, in her late 30s, gave up smoking on Christmas Day under pressure from her husband, two teen-age children and friends and concern about the health risks and ageing effect “I had an increasing sense of being a pariah when I smoked,” she said. It was embarrassing to be the only one at a dinner party hooked on smoking and needing a cigarette after dinner. Times had changed from when Amanda began smoking 20 years ago. Then, it was the “cool thing to do.” Life as a smoker in a predominantly non-smok-ing household meant an endless. preoccupation with smoking discreetly, sneaking cigarettes and hiding butts from the children. Her smoking patterns were erratic. She gave up once for five years, 15 years ago, thought it would be all right to have just one cigarette, but found herself “back on a pack a day within two days.” This time Amanda feels that the decision to stop smoking is within her control. She has “psyched” herself into the frame of mind that she could have a cigarette if she wanted — it is not a "forbidden fruit” — but that she does not want to. “I tell myself it was an intelligent, rational decision not to smoke,” she said. She now looks with pity on other smokers. Withdrawal symptoms

— pains in the arms, “jitteriness,” tearfulness — lasted a . week. Prudence, aged 34, gave up smoking “for the ‘Nth’ time” on Valentines day (February 14). Her motivation was moving in with a nonsmoking boyfriend, who was concerned about the risks to her health and was not keen on the smell of cigarette smoke. She began smoking 18 years ago, and tried giving up many times in the last 10 years, the longest for six weeks after a stopsmoking course. Previous failures were because "I never really wanted to stop,” she said. This time, high motives, self-discipline, two packs of nicotine-flavoured chewing gum and the support of friends have

helped her quit Side effects have. been minimal: no extra kilograms, no irritability, no loss of concentration. She has found an increasing aversion to the; smoke of others, particularly in confined spaces, dnd has started chewing gum. Richard Jefferis, aged 30, stopped smoking a week ago, disgusted by the taste of cigarettes concerned about the health risks, and aware of its increased social unacceptability. During the last few days he has found it difficult to concentrate and easy to sleep. He is looking forward to feeling fitter, and more appreciative of taste and smell. (Amanda and Helen requested that their real names not be used).