I started smoking ciggerettes when I was 18, because it was legal and I wanted to feel accepted and not bored. I tried to avoid full blown addiction, I would stop for a week then start, or smoke just one ciggerette then stop. Eventually, life happened and I became stressed out. Then cigs became a neccesity. I'm now 43 and I've been smoke free for almost 8 months. I feel better and I am less worried. I always thought cigs helped with stress, I don't believe that anymore. Maybe one in 30 cigs eases tension, the rest just made me sick. On the whole, they added tons more stress to my life. They weren't helping. I was believing a lie. I enjoy walking now. I read more. I have more time for my family. The cigs did a lot of damage that can't be undone, but at least they aren't causing damage today. I am glad I quit.