FWIW & IMHO:
I was stealing cigarettes from my uncle when I was about 11 or 12. I was buying cigarettes when I was in 8th grade. I was smoking 5 or 6 a day when I was in HS. Iwas smoking a little under a pack a day when I went in service at age 18. I was smoking over a pack a day when I got out of service. I smoked somewhere between 1 1/2 and 2 packs a day almost all of my adult life. I went to work for a company that was smoke free when i was about 47 or so. and even then, somehow I managed to do a;most a pack a day in a smoke free enviorment. I went on the patch programs after I had been there about 1.5 years. My lung capacity was so bad I could hardly walk between the buildings without sitting down and resting when I got to the other building. I went on the "a patch a day for 14 or 21 days, don't remember which. I can't say that it was easy, but I did do it. The longer that you nicotine in your system, the longer it takes to get it out. Don't go for this stuff, Gee, the very next day, I felt better. After a month, I knew that I definitely felt better. After a year, I could taste food again. Even after a few years, you might find yourself being envious of someone that you see smoking. I damn sure did. I have been smoke/nicotine free for about 12 years now. Do whatever/anything/everything that you have too to quit the nicotine habit. It will probably be one of the hardest things to do in life. You can do it, saying that you cannot do it is just a lame excuse to continue. If you think that your life, and the life of others, such as your loved ones depends on it, you are correct. Are you married? Does your wife smoke? Do you guys have any kids? If you answer yes to all of these questions, you are basically teaching your kids to smoke. If you want to smoke, take up smoking after the kids have left the nest, so at least you do not teach them that it is ok top smoke.