Welcome to Bob's Place
"There's a lot more to quitting smoking than quitting smoking"



Good day Friends and welcome to "Bob's Place".

I smoked forty years and quit for the last time on April 25, 1999.

Here are some things I did (and didn't do) that helped me stay quit.

'Blairsville' is the on-line support group that I discovered the day I quit smoking. Quitting smoking is not something to do alone and I have found support from my peers to be a huge aid in my recovery.  I also found the spiritual approach of Nicotine Anonymous to be necessary in my personal recovery.

When I quit smoking all I wanted to do was quit smoking. I had no idea it would become a life-changing experience.  Some people say that cravings last forever - that has not been my experience.  I have not had a craving to smoke for a long time - Thank God.

All the best in your quit.  You CAN do this!

Your friend,
Bob



Must Read for New Quitters
Benefits of Quitting Smoking Benefits begin within 20 minutes of quitting smoking and continue for years
Junkie Thinking A list of excuses we use to convince ourselves to start smoking again
Withdrawal Symptoms What you may experience when quitting smoking
Accepting Cravings Dealing with cravings through acceptance (from Nicotine Anonymous)
Just one Messages from people who thought that smoking 'just one' would be ok
More Just One's  418 more people (from The Quitnet) who lost their quit over having "Just One"
Justyn's List Reasons for quitting smoking - submitted by Justyn
Portrait of Successful Quitters What do most successful quitters have in common - Here is a list posted by Wendy


Quitting Smoking and Health
Smoking and Health 25 questions and answers about smoking and health
Canadian Lung Association There is a wealth of information here including how to prepare for your quit
Lung Healing after Quitting Smoking Positive information from Peg Jordan RN
Diaphragmatic Breathing Proper breathing is important to prevent hyperventilation and reduce anxiety
Dealing with Weight Gain Part of Blairsville - addresses weight and fitness issues when quitting smoking


Blairsville Pages
Blairsville Calendar Calendar of names and quit dates. You can add your name. Thanks Hilary
Blairsville Old Fogeys' Society Inspirational messages from successful quitters - Thanks Tommyboy
Tommyboy's Journey Tommyboy's Personal Page - Thanks again Tommyboy
Quit Smoking Mantras Mantras to affirm your resolve
How we found Blairsville Interesting stories how we came to find Blairsville
Blairsville Fleet of Aircraft Blairsville currently owns 7 aircraft - Click link to view
Suz's Posting Tips Dress up your Blairsville posts with pictures, quit meters etc  - Thanks to Suz

Nicotine Anonymous Pages
Nicotine Anonymous Home Page Much information here - download literature or a worldwide meeting list
Nicotine Anonymous Welcome Packet Lots and lots of information - Thanks to  Carol G.
On-line Meetings Meetings every day except Sunday - There is also a message board here
Gaining Freedom from Nicotine 42 tips to gain freedom from nicotine
Preamble About nicotine anonymous
The Twelve Steps The steps to recovery
The Twelve Traditions The traditions
How it Works How this program gives freedom from addiction to nicotine
Our Promises Promises of Nicotine Anonymous
The Serenity Prayer for Smokers The serenity prayer as it relates to smokers - How to accept cravings
Step 4 Outline Guide Assistance with Step 4 - in PDF format (not official Nic-A literature)

A Humourous Look at some Serious Stuff
50 more Benefits of Quitting Submitted by Dave S - Thanks Dave
Snacky's Lowest Moments How low can we go - Thanks Sue
End of Hell-Week Benefits Another gem from Dave S. - Thanks again Dave
What Really Happens What really happens when you quit smoking - Submitted by Jeff

Quit Smoking Sites and Pages
QuitSmokingSupport.com Home of "Blairsville" - Lots and lots of excellent information here.
The QuitNet In association with Boston University, several bulletin boards and chat rooms.
Gerri's Quit Smoking Page Good information including "The Nicodemon Story"

Miscellaneous
Quit Meters Free programs to track your progress and statistics
Cigarette Advertisements - 1940s An age of innocence or an age of deceit?
Cigarette Advertisements - 1950s
Ingredients in Cigarettes A list of 599 known ingredients, including 'pee' - From Tommyboy
Nicotine Amounts in Cigarettes Tar and nicotine quantities in popular cigarette brands
Warnings on Canadian Packages Graphic images to encourage smokers to butt out'
Origin of the term "Cold Turkey" Three definitions - Researched and submitted by Lisa
Quit Smoking Cards and Buttons From long-term quitter Stephen Mann
Your "Friend" The Cigarette Nobody needs 'this' friend
101 Replacements for Lighting Up Thanks to Annaree from Oz for these great replacements

Literary Works
The Small Dark Room An analogy of a quit - By LauraP14 from the Quitnet
The Shepherd and His Lamb A beautiful spiritual poem of hope for those who are suffering
Ode to The Cigarette A short poem about grieving and letting go
A Pat on the Back A poem By Dean
Ode to Blairsville A poem by Kimmus
I am crazy (for Blairsville) A poem by Tess
Lindyricks A collection of 'Quit Limericks' by Lindycat
Three Month Celebration A poem of celebration by BillB
I Once Was a Smoker A poem by Kimmy
No name - but a message A poem by Gord
The Scorpion and The Frog Submitted by Dan R.
Short Poems by Eve Eve's Poetry
Tess has 300 Days A limerick by Tess
A 'Newbie Poem Encouragement for newbies - by Tess
Please Quit A poem by Mary Beth
Don't Quit Smoking Alone Life in the trenches of 'Blairsville' - an on-line support group - by Micheal Reilley
A Smoker's Prayer A smoker's prayer

Diversions
Cybercones Make your own virtual ice cream cone or sundae
Geography Quiz Test your geography knowledge
Squigly's Playhouse Plenty of games and diversions here
Animated Names Get your own unique animated signature
Strange Reports Play a prank on a friend - good clean fun
Calculate time duration between two dates  See your quit time in seconds, minutes, and hours 
Welcome to Frogland More frog stuff than you have ever seen - a great site
Poke the Penguin Be careful - Penguin is easily annoyed
Drivers Licenses See anyone's driver's license (including your own)  - complete with picture (USA only)
Parachute Game Jump from the plane and parachute to the target (from Rockin' Robbie)
A cool illusion We don't always see what we think we see
The Longevity Game Play quiz to determine just how long you will live
Move the square A simple addictive game
Jigsaw Puzzle Make a jigsaw puzzle with one of your own pictures
Play miniature golf This is a lot of fun - easy, and a great diversion (thanks for the link Laurie)

Spiritual

It is not by accident that I have placed the 'Spiritual' section at the bottom of the page.
Seeking a spiritual solution was not my first choice - it was my last resort.

AA Big Book - Microsoft Word Format First 164 Pages
AA Big Book - WordPerfect Format First 164 Pages
New Testament - Microsoft Word Format King James Version
New Testament - WordPerfect Format King James Version