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Smoke Free Diary

Smoke-Free Diary

Welcome to Smoke-Free Diary, your companion in the journey to quit smoking for good. Here, you’ll find stories, tips, and resources to help you break free from tobacco and reclaim a healthier, happier life. Whether you’re just thinking about quitting or have already taken your first steps, we’re here to support and inspire you every step of the way. Remember, every day without smoking is a victory worth celebrating!

Amanda B.’s Story

Amanda began smoking in the 5th grade, and by the age of 13, it had become a daily habit. Over the years, smoking slowly invaded every aspect of her life. Her addiction was so strong that she would step outside to smoke throughout the day, even braving Wisconsin’s harsh winters. In college, Amanda was newly engaged and still smoking a pack a day when she discovered she was pregnant. She made attempts to quit, but the stress of managing both work and classes made it difficult. She believed cigarettes helped her cope with the pressure, but soon realized they only made things worse. Her baby was born two months early—a risk for all pregnant women who smoke. The tiny girl spent weeks in a hospital incubator. “I knew that smoking was bad… I didn’t think I would have a premature baby,” Amanda confessed. “I couldn’t hold her much in those first weeks. It’s time I’ll never get back. Smoking took that from me.”

Becky H.’s Story

Becky was a high school exchange student in Germany when she began smoking cigarettes. She felt it helped her blend in with her host family and new friends. However, as time went on, she found it increasingly difficult to quit. At 45, Becky was diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a severe lung condition that progressively makes breathing more challenging. Despite her diagnosis, she continued to smoke. Then, one evening in 2012, as she was leaving work, Becky suddenly found herself unable to catch her breath. She tried to stay calm but knew she needed urgent medical attention. She later recalled waking up in the intensive care unit, realizing she was in the fight of her life. Becky required continuous oxygen support to breathe, but she felt grateful she had finally quit smoking. She dedicated herself to educating others about the dangers of smoking and encouraged those who smoked to quit. “Whenever I had a craving, I said to myself, ‘I choose not to smoke today,’” Becky shared. In 2023, Becky passed away at the age of 62 due to COPD.

Brandon C.’s Story

Brandon, 31, began smoking in his mid-teens, and by the time he was 18, he had been diagnosed with Buerger’s disease—a condition linked to tobacco use that causes blood vessels in the hands and feet to become blocked, potentially leading to infections or gangrene. Nine years later, after losing both of his legs and several fingertips to the disease, he finally quit smoking for good. Now smoke free for 4 years, Brandon hasn’t needed any more amputations, but he still faces the daily challenges of life as a double amputee.

Brian I.’s Story

Brian was in good health, managing his job and living with an HIV infection—the virus that can lead to AIDS—when smoking caused severe health problems that almost took his life. Smoking is particularly dangerous for people with HIV. For Brian, the combination of smoking and HIV resulted in clogged blood vessels. At 43, he suffered a blood clot in his lungs, a stroke, and underwent surgery on an artery in his neck. Brian had already overcome significant health challenges, including a serious battle with AIDS, but he hadn’t stopped smoking. “It took a stroke for me to actually stop smoking,” Brian admitted. In the months following the stroke, he struggled with speaking and reading and was unable to work or even dress himself. Even now, his right hand remains weak, preventing him from working as a waiter or teaching pottery classes. Brian hopes his story will motivate others to quit smoking before it’s too late. “Smoking is something that you do have control over. You can stop. And it’s worth your life to stop smoking.”

Christine B.’s Story

During high school, Christine wanted to fit in, so at 16, she started smoking. She quickly became addicted and continued smoking menthol cigarettes for the next 28 years. In 2007, at 44, Christine’s life took a drastic turn. She quit smoking after a biopsy of a growth inside her cheek revealed she had oral cancer. Following 35 radiation treatments and chemotherapy, she appeared to be in remission. However, in 2008, the cancer returned, and surgery became her only option. Her third battle with oral cancer in 2009 was even more severe; it had spread to her jawbone, reaching stage IV. Doctors were forced to remove half of her jaw.

Ethan B.’s Story

Ethan, now 59, smoked his first cigarette at the age of 10. By 18, when he joined the Army, he was smoking menthol cigarettes regularly. Surrounded by friends who smoked, he felt pressure to fit in. “I wanted to look cool and be cool,” he recalled, thinking back to the cigarette ads he saw as a child. “All the billboards said it was cool.” At 56, Ethan suffered a smoking-related stroke, followed by a second stroke a year later. The strokes severely impacted his memory and communication skills. On good days, he might occasionally lose his train of thought. On bad days, he feels disoriented and struggles to finish a sentence. Once a strong and athletic basketball player, Ethan now finds himself easily fatigued. Losing the ability to function as he once did fills him with sadness. “Sometimes I’ll leave the house to hang out with friends, and even though we’re just sitting there, I get tired after 10 minutes and want to go home,” he said. In 2020, Ethan quit smoking for good. He says he feels better and has more energy now. He realizes that the advertisements he saw growing up, convincing him that smoking was cool, were all lies. Ethan hopes to share his story to inspire others to quit smoking and protect their health.

James F.’s Story

James began smoking menthol cigarettes at 14, trying to emulate his father. Thirty years later, he decided to quit and embrace a healthier lifestyle.
Now 48 and smokefree for 2 years, James has made several important changes to improve his health. He has become an avid cyclist, riding up to 10 miles every day for exercise. He also enjoys swimming and incorporates some form of cardio exercise into his morning routine. James advises, “If you smoke, you should quit.”

Jessica S.’s Story

It’s not easy being a single parent, and for Jessica, it’s especially challenging. Not only is she a student, a bank employee, and a national handball competitor, but she is also a 28-year-old mother to a child with severe asthma.
Jessica’s son, Aden, was just 3 years old when he was diagnosed with asthma. Although Jessica never smoked, many of Aden’s asthma attacks were triggered by exposure to secondhand smoke. Jessica’s mother, who took care of Aden during the day while Jessica was at work, smoked cigarettes. Unfortunately, Jessica was unaware of the link between secondhand smoke exposure and asthma.

Terrie H.’s Story

In high school, Terrie was a popular cheerleader competing on the cheer circuit. Her father smoked, and as more of her friends began smoking, Terrie soon found herself lighting up in social situations. Eventually, she was smoking up to two packs a day.
In 2001, at the age of 40, Terrie was diagnosed with oral cancer and later, that same year, with throat cancer. Doctors told her they would need to remove her larynx. It was at that point that she quit smoking for good. Terrie communicated using an artificial voice box inserted in her throat. Despite her battle with cancer, she maintained a strong, positive spirit. Terrie passed away in 2013 at the age of 53 from smoking-related cancer.

Tiffany R.’s Story

Tiffany smoked cigarettes for many years, having lost her mother to lung cancer when she was 16. Her primary motivation to quit was her desire to be there for her own daughter. “Watching her suffer was awful,” she says. “I felt alone and scared.” Despite this, Tiffany started smoking in her late teens, driven by a desire to fit in with her peers. “A lot of kids I went to school with were smoking, and I wanted to fit in,” she remembers. She smoked about a pack of menthol cigarettes a day until she quit completely in 2012, when her daughter turned 16. As part of her quitting plan, Tiffany altered her morning routine. Instead of getting up early to drink coffee and smoke, she enjoyed an extra hour of sleep. She reached out to family and friends for support, who sent encouraging cards and called to remind her of all the reasons to stay smoke-free. Her most enduring motivation has been her daughter. “I didn’t want my daughter to think, ‘Wow, my mother loves cigarette smoking more than she cares about me.’”

Together, we can build a healthier, smoke-free future.

At SmokeFreeMe, we’re here to support you every step of the way. Let’s make our homes, workplaces, and communities smoke-free for the well-being of all.

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