The Fashion Faux Pas of Gabrielle An unconventional fashion blogger trying to find her place on the internet

Life

A Year Of No Smoking

28/02/2018

I can’t remember the exact day that I stopped smoking, but I know it was around the end of February 2017. I started the dirty habit when I was just sixteen-years-old, thinking I was the edgiest bitch you’ve ever met, when in reality I looked like a much too young girl trying to disobey her parents. I think all in all I puffed away for around eight years which is pretty mental thinking back on it now – I dread to think how much it cost me over that time and how much money I could have saved myself!
But after blacking out outside of work whilst walking back in after a cheeky afternoon roll-up break, I made the decision to stop smoking for real. I’d tried it a couple of times but didn’t actually want to give up – I enjoyed smoking so giving it up never really appealed to me. I loved how I made so many interesting friends through popping out for a fag at work or on a night out, so I didn’t have the motivation to truly stop until I started to wonder if it was really affecting my health.
Cue a trip to the local vape shop to stock up on a little device and some yummy flavoured juices – I finished off the tobacco I had left in my pouch and went cigarette free from the following Sunday!

Yes, I’m now one of those vaping wankers that leaves clouds of vape in my midst when I’m walking about (although, I definitely think I’m more considerate of those around me than some fellow vapers) or clouding up our living room when I’m holed up at home.
But I’ve noticed a huge difference since binning it off and thought I should share those little bits of info for those of you who have been thinking about kicking the habit;

  • I smell divine – no joke, the amount of flavours available means that I always smell sweet and delicious. No more stinking hair, breath or clothes for me!
  • My teeth are a lot whiter – I was smoking roll-ups which tend to stain your teeth a lot more, so I’ve got a dazzling smile now 😉
  • I no longer have nicotine stains on my fingers! I’m not sure why, but I always ended up having brown stains on my middle and index finger, which only came off using a pumice stone or nail file🧐
  • I’m saving a pretty penny (not a massive amount as I still spend on replacement coils and juice for my vape) to save for our wedding and house we plan on buying at some point – probably when we’re forty
  • Breathing becomes easier than it used to be – I didn’t really notice it before, but when I was helping my best friend Maisie blow up balloons for her little girl’s birthday party, I wasn’t getting massively out of breath like I used to!
  • I’m more productive at work and at home – I’ve found I get a lot more done now that I’m not sneaking off to have a cheeky fag. At work I don’t vape at all until I get home and when I’m at home, I vape whilst I do whatever I’m doing – I’m fact, I’m vaping right now!


Don’t get me wrong, I had one little relapse back in September where I was having a drink with my sister and had a couple of pulls on her roll-up, until then I’d convinced myself that I missed smoking so much and just wanted to try it again. However, inhaling the smoke made me realise that I actually hated it! I coughed my guts up, had an awful taste in my mouth and knew I wouldn’t smoke again.
I’ve got a couple of points I want to give you a heads up on if you’re thinking of giving up and giving vaping a go, as a lot of the time you’re not going to know what’s coming your way;

  • When you first stop smoking and vape, you’ll notice you’re coughing – like a lot. If you continue to smoke and vape at the same time, this won’t stop happening because of how cigarette smoke affects the little hairs at the back of your throat (I think that’s accurate, but don’t take my word for it – I know the coughing thing is real, but can’t guarantee that’s the reason for it)
  • You’re likely to get cold like symptoms when you stop smoking as your body learns to function without it – it can be rough, but stick with it and they’ll soon go away!
  • You don’t have to worry about notifying your doctor that you’re a smoker – I actually went for an appointment the other week for a repeat prescription and totally forgot until my doctor asked if I was still smoking! The look of pride on their face is priceless 😉
  • You’ll start to notice how nice your home smells – I only ever smoked in our kitchen (I stopped smoking in the living room a few years back when I walked in from work one day and truly smelt how bad it was) but it was crazy how much of a difference it made!

So here we are, an entire year later! I’m so proud of myself for kicking the habit and especially so as it’s something I never thought that I would end up doing without something like getting pregnant happening (no I’m not pregnant, I’m far too worried about fitting into my wedding dress right now lol).
Let me know in the comments below if you’ve kicked the habit and if you haven’t – what’s stopping you?
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Comments

  3. gotmeghan says

    I have to give you credit on giving it up! I wish I could get my mom to stop. She stopped after having surgery back in October, and her doctor has told her that she needs to stop so she did for like two months, now she’s back to it and in a way, I saw it coming but I’m still disappointed in her for picking it up again. 🙁

    Reply

    • Gabrielle Banner says

      Ahh I’m sorry – it’s hard to do and I think the only way you can give up is if you want to. I’d tried a couple of times over the years but it’s only when I actually wanted to that I got somewhere with it! Wishing your mum all the best! ❤️

      Reply

  5. blacktulipbeauty says

    I’ve only tried a cigarette once and I HATED it. It’s never appealed to me to be honest. My boyfriend once said to me that the only reason anyone ever starts smoking is because it looks cool as it’s gross when you first start and then it gets addictive! Well done on giving up, it looks like a hard thing to kick once you’re that deep into it!
    Alice Xx
    http://www.blacktulipbeauty.co.uk

    Reply

    • Gabrielle Banner says

      That’s exactly it!! And well done for not succumbing to the horrible habit! And thank you, can’t imagine going back now and love how fresh I smell now 😉❤️❤️

      Reply

  9. susandyer1962 says

    I started vaping last May and read smoking in and off for forty years! Vaping made quitting so easy and I have never picked up another cigarette since! Congratulations and good luck with your wedding!😀

    Reply

      • susandyer1962 says

        I can’t stand the smell either and the sad part is that is exactly what we used to smell like! Gross! I love vaping too and really love the fact that I don’t have to step outside to do it! I used to live in Arizona, and stepping out in 120 degree heat to smoke a cigarette was not fun!

        Reply

  11. According to Alice says

    I’m so glad you’ve cut the habit! I socially smoked a little when I was in third year at uni, like you I found it cool to be able to pop outside and meet new people as you always seem to end up chatting to someone when you’re standing there. I tried vaping for a little while and I loved how many flavours there were! I’m glad you’re feeling a lot better and have made a healthy choice x
    Alice | http://www.accordingtoalicex.com

    Reply

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