Tom Kelley Loc: Roanoke, Virginia

Amazing. When did you start smoking?

GeorgeH Loc: Jonesboro, GA

My sympathy for your loss. A dear friend died about 3 years ago from lung cancer caused by smoking. She acknowledged her fault for smoking. It is not an easy death, she had barely turned 60 and had been a vital, accomplished professional.

After many years of smoking my MD told me that when I was ready he'd write me a script for the patches; a few months later I was ready. The patches worked for me, in the almost 20 years since I've used no tobacco, despite a rancorous divorce, a job loss, the dissolution of a long term relationship, etc.

A chest x-ray 2 years ago was clear.

I was amazed that when I used the patch health insurance wouldn't cover their small cost, preferring to spend hundreds of thousands on lung cancer surgery. Why??

Try to quit. There's no time like the present, and what a present quitting would be to yourself and your loved ones.

Popeye Loc: LifIno

Quit cold turkey in 1974, best thing I ever did. Have been after our oldest daughter for several years now to quit. No joy, but we keep trying.

Bruce with a Canon Loc: Islip

Why are we, via the government, providing subsidies for tobacco companies growing poison?

TrainNut Loc: Ridin' the rails

Good question.

$$$$$$$$$ Is probably the answer.

n3eg Loc: West coast USA

I remember being age 4 back in 1964 and putting out my father's cigarette butts with my toy fire truck while telling him smoking was bad. He quit soon after, and four days from now we'll be celebrating his 83rd birthday.

I remember telling my wife even before our first date that I didn't like her smoking because I was concerned for her health. 33 years later, she has other health problems that would have killed her 10 years ago if she was still smoking.

I have never smoked. I tried pot once as a 19 year old, and was coughing for 10 minutes after one puff. I did it to impress a girl, and failed miserably. Yes, I did inhale.

Congratulations to those who never smoked or have quit, and good luck to those who who can't stop.

wings42 Loc: San Diego, CA

Good for you. Being for life starts and ends with your precious self. Thank you for sharing.

Now my turn, 2 pack a day habit from age 17 to 37. Stopped with the help of local Seven Day Adventist church in our rural community of Ramona, CA (I'm not a member, just used their help and am thankful for it). Finally stopped but had to avoid any and all smokers for six months till I stopped wanting a cigarette. Became a recreational runner until my mid 50's. Now I'm 71. My lungs are damaged with moderate emphysema, but hopefully I dodged the cancer and heart attack bullets. Thanks to a loving, athletic wife of 48 years and a large dog that needs exercise every day, I'm still very active.

Rusty in his favorite place, outdoors in the wild.

wonkytripod Loc: Peterborough UK

I have never smoked, could not see the point in burning money. My dad smoked and gave it up cold tukey not a good time to be around him but we all got through it.

Also had a friend who never smoked he died of lung cancer aged 35.

janvoigt Loc: South Dakota

I am also sorry about your wife. I smoked for 40yrs. I certainly had all the bad habits that all the smokers have. I tapered down for a year. It's always easy to keep putting it off longer and longer. No smoke til I get done with whatever, not until after lunch, don't smoke in car. Knowing that you will eventually get one, helps in delaying it. Stop doing the old habits. Start day with coffee and a cig- do something else- like walk. After every meal- light up. No- do something else. I also used Chantix and I think that was a crucial factor for me. It all has to work together. Appreciate that you don't stink, you feel better, use money for one definite thing- like a new camera. Call the Quit Smoking line- the gov't will pay for the Chantix. The only down side for a lot of ex-smokers is some weight gain. You can curb that just like you did the drive to smoke. One of my brothers died of lung cancer- chain smoker. It is not pretty at all. Do something positive instead. Good luck- it is so worth it in the end. We will all be anxious to hear that you did it. That's another thing- stop talking about it everyday- that just puts it at the front of your thoughts.

janvoigt Loc: South Dakota

Good for you, David :)

rrforster12 Loc: Leesburg Florida

I started smoking at 11 years of age. It was on a Boy Scout weekend camping trip where I was introduced to smoking. It was not long before I was hooked.

rrforster12 Loc: Leesburg Florida

The usual reason: Lobbyists and Taxes. Now we as a nation are headed down the same road with Pot being legalized.

wings42 Loc: San Diego, CA

I'm so sorry about your wife. The warning to the rest of us is a fine way to honor her memory.

We were so tough, strong, and indestructible and we could always stop when we wanted to, we thought when we started. It was all true except for the indestructible and stopping part. I wanted to be the Marlboro man, not knowing that four of them would die prematurely of lung disease caused by smoking. Finally quit 20 years after starting. Starting smoking was the dumbest thing and stopping was the hardest and smartest thing I ever did. I'm now 71 with what the doctors call moderate emphysema, caused by 20 years of 2 packs a day plus normal aging changes.