[praptak]

I have anecdotal evidence against the craving hypothesis. My mom quit after she broke her leg. When she got back from the hospital, she didn't throw out the last pack of cigarettes. It was sitting on a shelf in plain sight for like several months. She didn't go back to smoking.

[dusted]

I did this too. Not break my leg, but decided to stop, when I made the decision, it was internal, I didn't tell anyone, and I didn't clean up anything, it was a few days before I emptied my ash-tray, and for many weeks the pack and ashtray was right there right of my mouse-pad as is tradition. Every time I had the impulse, I could reach down and chose not to smoke. I was actually afraid of relapse when I finally threw the pack out, because I felt it was a security net.

My interpretation of why this worked is, that from previously failed attempts (2 or 3 maybe), I had changed too much, and thrown away the packs and lighters.. I'd suddenly sit and think "that car.. it really needs refueling RIGHT. NOW. don't it?" and I'd drive to the gas station and when paying for gas, I'd say, as is tradition "and a pack of north state and a ligther please".. Brain finding a million excuses to go out and having to resist at those weak moments, was hard..

But having the pack always there made it a constant active choice of lower intensity rather than a more intense recurrent impulse.

[pessimizer]

I kept a pack of cigarettes around when I quit, too. It kept me from ideating about leaving the house and going to the store to buy cigarettes (which for me, had previously, had functioned like loading up a spring.)

[keymon-o]

Good for her. I'd compare quiting cigarettes to losing weight, since I have some experience in both.

Quitting is not a result, it is an effort you make through your life. It can be pretty easy for some, others need to focus a bit more. Build a strong determination to quit and have a positive outlook on life and your decision. The latter drastically affects how you experience cravings.

It becomes natural after a while, but if one can start smoking out of nowhere, starting this habit again is not less probable. Quitting is a continuous effort, but it is worth it.