I used to smoke. Being a person who does things to extremes - I didn’t just smoke a little, I smoked a lot.
When I went out I would buy 60 cigarettes, in case I ran out, but I would still have to buy more the next morning.
**What made me stop smoking?**
Love did.
I got pregnant, and never wanted to harm my baby. I stopped drinking coffee and tea, so that my baby didn’t have caffeine, I didn’t eat peanuts, just in case I created a peanut allergy in my unborn child.
I stopped eating pate and soft cheeses, in case I got listeria from them and harmed my baby.
I tried to eat a healthy diet, and gave up alcohol.
I also gave up cigarettes.
**How?**
If you are expecting to hear some miracle method involving potions or patches, look away now - it was easier than that.
If you really love and respect yourself or someone else enough you can do it.
Nicotine patches were not an option for me - the nicotine would have still got to the baby whether I smoked it or absorbed it through a patch - and the same went for gum.
The method I used was simply deciding not to smoke anymore.
**When Did You Quit?**
Five years ago. And I haven’t had a cigarette since.
If you smoke while pregnant your baby will have a greater chance of being small, and of dying from cot death.
If you want to protect your family don’t do it at all.
The other side to this is - would you like to think of your children trying to manage on their own without you?
**Smokers die prematurely.**
Don’t leave your family alone - quit for the reason I did - love, and then just looking at your family will give you the strength to make it.