I quit smoking in August of 2000.  I think anyone with a lick of common sense would not understand why it took me over eight years to quit after my mom passed from heart disease, most likely from smoking many years.  But any smoker would certainly know why.
Quitting is tough. I know, I’ve done it many times!

I remember my final quit date because the last carton I went to buy in Hallstead, PA (to avoid NY taxes) was on a sunny summer day in July of that year. I had a nice surprise when I ran into a dear old friend.
I went for acupuncture the next month, and after massaging the little pins he left in my ear lobes, soon found the idea of smoking repulsive, it even made me physically a little nauseous.

Soon it will have been 15 years since quitting. Do I miss it? Rarely. But when I do get that urge, oh man, it’s very strong.  But short, it’s short.  So if I get through the urge (and I have for 15 years) I can breathe easy (pun intended) until the next one comes along.