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Quitting Cigarettes: 10 Smokers Who Kicked Butt (or Are Trying To)

We invited readers of Essence and All You magazines to send in their stories about quitting smoking—some successful, some not. Here are some of the responses that came in.

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Sheila Derrwaldt, 56

I quit smoking 28 years ago during one of the first Great American Smokeouts. I was smoking about three packs a day and my then-boyfriend (now husband) said kissing me was like licking a dirty ashtray. Well, that's a disgusting image, isn't it?

I got some great advice, quit cold turkey, and added my own ideas over the years. Here's my quitting program.

1. The addictive qualities of smoking, both physical and emotional, don't last long. Then you just have to get used to living without cigarettes.
2. Carry a list of your top 10 reasons for quitting. Make it as personal as possible and pull it out when you're feeling weak.
3. Keep some kind of substitute with you. I usually suggest Tootsie Roll lollipops 'cause they last a long time and you can rewrap them after a few licks.