Sunflower, thanks for a very informative and valuable article. I think I pre-contemplated for about 20 years, as my company slowly moved us from no smoking inside to no smoking anywhere on grounds. I contemplated for about 5 years after my chest began to burn. I got ready to change after taking the cigarette-burned cushion from my large lounge chair in for recovering and noticed the pucker lines above my upper lip. I changed after buying my first house and soon thereafter, repairing the first burn hole in the brand new carpet. After that, I maintained by recalling that cravings are reported to last only a few minutes on each occasion [usually when you are in a situation where you typically smoked (e.g. in the car, first thing after work; while talking on the phone) and by using those few minutes to review all the above reasons why I had contemplated quitting. I won't say I'll never relapse. But I hope not! Thanks again! billieJ