Spiring Stories

52 Years Smoking… and Then I Quit Without Stress

No Promises, Just Action


By Fernando Wambier


The First Cigarette

I can still remember the smell.
It was the early 1970s. Smoke was everywhere: in offices, restaurants, even in hospital corridors. On planes, executives would stub out their cigarettes just before the meal arrived.

Back then, no one asked, “Do you smoke?” – the question was more likely, “Which brand?”

I was young, new to my job, and the cigarette was like a ticket to belonging. If you didn’t smoke, you didn’t quite fit in. So I started.


From Habit to Wild Card

Over time, smoking was no longer just an addiction. It became my ace up my sleeve — to relax, to think, to break the routine:

  • Stress reliever after heated meetings.
  • Pause button when my head was overloaded.
  • Pace-setter between tasks.

I knew it was harming me, but it was always there, always within reach.


On the Road, Smoke Everywhere… and Many Stories

As an international consultant, I was constantly traveling. Airports, hotels, conference rooms – and everywhere I met people.

Some told me how they had quit smoking. Different paths, same determination. Some quit overnight. Others moved forward step by step.

These stories stayed in my head. "Maybe you can quit one day too", whispered a voice I still chose to ignore back then.


Many Attempts, Many Relapses

I tried – over and over again.

Willpower. “Magical” start dates. Nicotine gum. Books.

Each time it lasted a while… until a moment of weakness or a stressful week took me right back to where I’d started.

It wasn’t that I lacked strength – the method just didn’t fit me.


2017 – The Turning Point

It wasn’t a dramatic day, not a “now or never” moment.
It was more of a calm yet firm feeling: This time I’ll do it differently.


I did three things:

1️⃣ I Got Help

The most important step was admitting: I might not be able to do this alone – and that’s okay.

I went to my doctor and spoke openly about my situation. He helped me design a plan suited to my life.

For twelve weeks I used nicotine patches, which provided my body with a controlled amount of nicotine without the harmful substances of tobacco smoke. This prevented “cold turkey” withdrawal and kept my mood stable.

For the toughest moments – after meals, during stress, or when old habits came knocking – I used nicotine spray. Its fast effect calmed me instantly and prevented relapses.

This combination of medical support and nicotine replacement therapy not only took away my fear of withdrawal symptoms but also gave me the feeling that I wasn’t defenseless.


2️⃣ I Changed My Habits

Smoking isn’t just a physical addiction; it’s also a ritual. Same situations, same gestures.

So I transformed those rituals:

  • Instead of a cigarette, I’d have a glass of water. It not only helped me ride out the craving, but it also did something good for my body.
  • I built in smoke-free breaks. Sometimes I’d stand by the window, close my eyes, and take deep breaths.
  • Most importantly: a 30-minute walk every day. At first, it was just movement, but it became my personal “reset button.” The fresh air, the rhythm of my steps, the feeling of being in my body – all of it helped clear my mind and stabilize my mood.

These new habits didn’t just replace smoking; they gave me something cigarettes never could: genuine rest.


3️⃣ I Didn’t Do It Alone

Quitting alone can feel like fighting an invisible enemy.

That’s why I joined a group seminar. There were people who knew exactly what it’s like when the first cigarette of the day calls or when stress levels rise.

We shared experiences, laughed about our own tricks for avoiding temptation, and spoke honestly about relapses.

That “we’re in the same boat” feeling was priceless. On days when I doubted, the group lifted me up. On days when I was strong, I could support others.

Together, the journey was easier – and every small success was celebrated twice over.


Life Without Smoke

The first days felt strange – like I’d forgotten my watch. But after a few weeks, I began to feel the freedom.

No more interruptions, no race for the next cigarette. More energy, a clearer mind, better mood.


From Smoker to Guide

Today, I accompany others on this path – both companies and private individuals who want to quit, without pressure or lectures.

No false miracles, no empty promises. Just tools that work and real-life experience.


The First Day?

The perfect moment to quit doesn’t exist.

But any day can be the first.

Whether today or tomorrow… just start.

Kicking the Habit: The Best Investment I Ever Made

I threw my cigarettes to the wind — no stress, no gimmicks — and discovered something nobody tells you: quitting was far easier than I’d ever imagined.


By Fernando Wambier, based on the true story of Andrew S., Wayne, PA, USA


The Moment It Clicked

I’m 47, live just outside Philadelphia, and run a tax advisory firm with over twenty people on the team.
My job demands logic, strategy, and total control.
My personal life? A walking contradiction: up to 50 cigarettes a day.

I started at fourteen, and before long, a cigarette was welded into every moment of my day — first thing in the morning, after coffee, post-meeting, in the car.

Sure, I’d tried to quit. Dozens of times. Each attempt followed the same miserable pattern: anxious, cranky, sleepless… then relapse.

The turning point came in the most unexpected way: I overheard a colleague say to another, “You can see it in his eyes… he’s broken inside.”
That stung. In that moment, I realized I wasn’t just wrecking my lungs — I was undermining my leadership, my credibility, and the peace in my home.


This Time, All or Nothing

I told myself: Either do it properly now, or don’t even bother.
So I went to my doctor. No patches, no pills this time. Instead, we built a complete approach around three elements that ended up making all the difference:

  • Group therapy
  • Hypnosis
  • Auriculotherapy


The Power of the Group

Group therapy was like going from rowing alone to sailing with a full crew. For eight weeks, I sat with people on the same mission: to quit without the horror of full-blown withdrawal.

We were brutally honest. We talked about the toughest moments, swapped tricks for dodging temptation, and celebrated every small win.
That group carried me through the rough patches — and taught me how to rebuild my habits, not just remove them.


Hypnosis: Switching Off Autopilot

I’ll admit, I was skeptical. Hypnosis sounded like stage shows and swinging pendulums.
But clinical hypnosis is different: deep focus, deep relaxation — and an open mind ready to rewrite old patterns.

My therapist helped me break the automatic smoking triggers:

  • The coffee that had to come with a cigarette
  • The post-meeting pause
  • The stress spikes that sent me reaching for my lighter

It was like switching off the autopilot that had been steering me straight back to the pack for decades.


Auriculotherapy: Calming the System

Auriculotherapy — part of traditional Chinese medicine — treats the ear as a map of the whole body. Certain points are stimulated to calm the nervous system.

In my case, there were no needles, just tiny beads. In those first jittery days, it was worth its weight in gold. The cravings didn’t vanish completely, but they became so quiet that I could ignore them without a fight.


The Cut

The night before “Day Zero,” I cleared the battlefield: ashtrays, lighters, packs — gone.
The first morning without a cigarette was tough, but I walked into my group session smoke-free. I haven’t looked back since.

Two years later, I still have zero cravings, zero sense of missing out. I sleep better, think clearer, have more energy — and perhaps most importantly — I lead with more calm, focus, and credibility.


The Best Investment Ever

Quitting didn’t cost me millions or require miracles. But it gave me something priceless: freedom.
And that freedom comes with me everywhere — to the office, home, and into every single breath I take.