A Quit Smoking Story

Many of you are likely aware of how expensive smoking has become in recent years, and I, too, have felt the impact on my wallet. Each time I visited the store to purchase new tobacco, I found myself reminiscing about the days when it was much more affordable. But why was it so?

Despite knowing the unhealthy and costly nature of smoking, my thoughts were fixated on its expense rather than its detrimental effects.

I began smoking at the age of 11 or 12, influenced by the desire to fit in with the cool kids in my neighborhood. 😎 About a year later, I confided in my mother about my smoking habit, expecting her disapproval. To my surprise, she not only didn’t scold me but also provided money for it. This continued until I turned 16, the legal age at that time (before it was raised to 18).

Fast forward to December 2022, when I discovered vaping after several attempts. I realized its potential – it was more affordable, tasted better, and had various advantages. I started replacing smoking with vaping and noticed improvements in my overall well-being. I had better breath, improved condition, and no more smelly clothes or nicotine-stained fingers.

However, this seemingly positive transformation was a facade. Despite vaping, I was still consuming nicotine and faced new health issues, including dental problems and increased pimples.

Nearly a year later, in November 2023, the government imposed bans on flavored vapes and online sales. This posed a challenge for me and prompted serious consideration of quitting smoking. Unfortunately, my attempt to quit resulted in a swift return to purchasing regular tobacco from the store, and my efforts failed.

The turning point came in mid-October when, eager to buy tobacco, I discovered I lacked sufficient funds in my bank account. 😨 This moment became my savior, forcing me to confront the unhealthy, expensive, and inconvenient nature of smoking. Since that realization, I haven’t smoked a single cigarette or touched a vape, and I’m genuinely proud of myself now.

Reflecting on my life, I acknowledge making many mistakes, supported by parents who also made their share of errors. While I don’t blame my parents for enabling my smoking, I can’t help but think that without their support, I might have ended up on a different path.