I don't have the exact date down, but it was right about this time 30 years ago when I quit.
There might've been patches in those days, but I didn't have the money for 'em. (Had money for cigarettes, but not for drugs. Go figger.) Anyway, my technique was to go to a pipe. That was also the start of my 22-year running career because I damn near died on a one-mile run. THAT was unacceptable and quite alarming.
After about a month of that, the pipe got to be such a pain in the ass that I just chucked it in the trash can.
Never looked back, but I still had the occasional urge after six months. But eventually, that died away.
Better that than my lungs!
When the urge to smoke strikes, find SOMETHING to do. IMMEDIATELY.
Pullin' for ya, asdf.
