I smoked for 35 years. Quit 8 years ago. Wife quit 5 years ago. I used the patch, the trick with that is use it as directed, all three stages for the time they say. My wife quit using the gum. She used that a long time. Now we wont let people smoke in the house, but as others here have said, the worst part is when I catch a wiff in the air of someone smoking, then even after 8 years I crave one. And yes, one of the things that will help is when someone who smokes gets right in your face, the smell is unreal. Good luck, you can do it! Every day is a victory.