Hey Clarinet Guy. I started smoking at fourteen and smoked until I was forty two. It took me about ten years to quit for good. When my first child was born I tried acupuncture and I quit for a year. A stressful situation occurred and I went back to smoking. When my daughter was born four years later I quit for about nine months.
I finally managed to quit for good eight years ago (January 30 will be eight years). I used an herbal supplement called Smoke Away. I didn't have bad withdraws at all. I'm not sure if it really was the supplement or it was just the right time for me.
I LOVED smoking, but I knew it would eventually kill me or disable me. I had to quit.
I still miss it and still love the smell of smoke, but I know I can never go back. If I can help in any way, let me know.