I quit cigs 2 years ago with wellbutrin/ nicotine gum, and brushing my teeth all the time, chewing a ton of cocktail straws, gum, and eating hard candy. But I only chewed the nicotine gum for a month. I have friends in AA who have chewed the gum for almost 2 years - this is a bad thing as I believe it can cause mouth cancer. Chantix is a great drug, but after I was diagnosed Bipolar no Dr. would write me a script. I did gain weight as was mention above, but quiting smoking is the health equivelance of loosing 100lbs!! I think the majority of people suffering from mental illness smoke. But when I quit I gained the ability to walk without being out of breath, getting that monkey off my back, saving a ton of money with a pack @ seven bucks, not having that nasty smell, and I'm not antsy to leave places or people to get a smoke. Smoking can also affect your employment as it contibutes to sick days and is a drain on health insurance. Just about every where you go it's smoke free these days. I'm glad I don't still get those judgmental stares when I'm outside smoking, and I don't have to stand in the rain or freezing cold to get my nic fix. I quit after I spent 2 weeks in Northern Cali because everyone really looked down on smoking (unless it was pot ha ha).

This website really helped a lot; watch the videos where smokers tell their stories. A lot of these people are young -in their 40's. The graphic stories are very scary. Smoking Kills!

Good Luck!

tnt

CDC - Smoking & Tobacco Use