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Are you trying to quit smoking? Check out these Quit Heroes and get inspired

Anyone can quit smoking with the right support and information. Share your story.

QUITTING SMOKING MIGHT be the most rewarding thing you do in your life.

Anyone who quits will tell you it’s the best thing they’ve ever done – and possibly the hardest.

But it doesn’t have to be as difficult as you think it is. You don’t have to do it alone.

To help you in your Quit journey, we’ve rounded up some people who have successfully quit smoking – some after as long as 35 years, and shared their stories to give you inspiration.

So pull up a chair, get inspired and get ready to quit.

How to beat a craving – The 4 Ds

Shutterstock / racorn Shutterstock / racorn / racorn

In order to quit smoking successfully, you need to stop lighting up cigarettes. Sounds easy, right?

Unfortunately once that craving hits, it can often feel like a freight train about to hit, but there is a way not to give in – the 4 Ds.

  • Distract yourself
  • Delay the craving
  • Deep breaths
  • Drink water

Try and keep these 4 Ds in mind next time the craving hits and see if you can work your way through it, rather than lighting up.

And now the Heroes…

lumaxart lumaxart

Niamh, 3 weeks smoke-free

Why did you decide to quit? 
For my health.
What is the one thing that is really helping you to stay smoke-free?
The thing that is really helping is keeping a few different apps on my phone that I can look at to see the progress I’ve made and the targets I’ve yet to reach. Also, telling other people and getting their support was a huge help.
How do you distract yourself from the cravings? 
I beat the cravings by drinking water, exercising and reading my apps!
What is the best thing about being smoke-free?
The best thing about being smoke-free is being free of guilt. My immediate family never approved of my smoking, and I don’t have to sneak off in the night, during days out or at different family functions to have a smoke anymore. A day shopping with my mum is just that – and I have more money to spend too!
What tips or advice would you give to anyone else trying to quit?
My advice for other smokers is find a way of reminding yourself of your motivation, be it a smartphone app or a picture of your family – and keep it with you. Remembering why is the key to keeping focused.

Shutterstock / Rawpixel Shutterstock / Rawpixel / Rawpixel

 James, 5 years smoke-free

It has been over five years since I QUIT smoking. I have tried dozens of times and gave up very easy each time. The easiest thing in the world is to give up smoking, the hardest is staying off them. I couldn’t have done it without my friends encouraging me to succeed – they were great. The best thing is saying I smoked for 35 years and I quit. If I can do it, you can give it a try. The way it worked for me was, get over the first three days then the next three weeks, three months and you’re well on your way.

 Here are some tips to help you quit -

  • Distract yourself for five minutes – this will help the craving to pass
  • Drink a glass of water – this can often help with waiting out a craving
  • Think how much money you’re saving – there’s incentive to stay off them right there

Are you a Quit Hero? Share your story in the comments below or head to Quit.ie.

If you want to quit smoking, you don’t have to do it alone. There’s loads of support at Quit.ie, from personalisation plans, to inspiration to live chats. Head over to Quit.ie and find out more about your Quit Journey. Start today and be someone’s Quit Hero tomorrow. 

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28 Comments
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    Mute Justin Credible
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    Apr 30th 2015, 11:48 AM

    Imagine if they never existed, and Dublin City Council applied for planning to build them now, there would be people on the streets complaining that they will destroy the Dublin skyline! I guess people just don’t like change!

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    Mute tk0CXKzL
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    Apr 30th 2015, 4:53 PM

    They have a history. They deserve their place. Seeing them towers when you fly back into Dublin is a good feeling. They’re a beacon for home. The cynics want them destroyed.

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    Mute Pete Gibson
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    Apr 30th 2015, 9:07 PM

    If they were building them nowadays the protesters would be out calling them a blot on the landscape.
    Just because the pig-ugly things happen to be old some people decide that they are pretty.

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    Mute Liam Coyle
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    Apr 30th 2015, 10:36 AM

    Yay. Like it or lump it they are a much recognised part of the Dublin skyline. Sure they aren’t the prettiest things but it seems it’ll be a long time before we move away from the low rise bland – o – boxes we currently build.

    89
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    Mute Tom Collins
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    Apr 30th 2015, 12:09 PM

    This is the problem in this country. We will fight to save chimneys and to have tall buildings blocking out the sun but when it comes to the beautiful environment all around us we fail to see the true gift that we have

    32
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    Mute Paul Tao
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    Apr 30th 2015, 11:08 AM

    Poolbeg “towers”? They’re chimneys.. And they’re an eyesore. We should get rid of them and build a 300 ft statue similar to the one guarding Braavos harbour in Game of Thrones. Perhaps of a hurler brandishing a hurley or simply Roy Keane with his arms folded looking miffed.
    Yes, now that would be money well spent.

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    Mute pjm
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    Apr 30th 2015, 11:32 AM

    I’m not from Dublin so I have no idea what the attraction is but anyone visiting the city they are a disgusting eyesore. It seems to be a Dublin trait tho, why else would Liberty Hall, the Heineken building and the rest of those monstrosities be standing. I was down beside Dublin Castle last night, seriously what other capital city would allow such a modern eyesore to be built at its gate beside City Hall.

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    Mute Peter Brennan
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    Apr 30th 2015, 3:24 PM

    Liberty Hall just needs a decent face lift. Solved

    13
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    Mute Darren Turner
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    Apr 30th 2015, 10:46 AM

    Looks to me like they ruin every one of those pictures. Far more beautiful bay without them.

    59
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    Mute DJ Dave Nice
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    Apr 30th 2015, 11:15 AM

    They are a quintessential part of Dublin. They are our twin towers. There isn’t a more beautiful sight than seeing those chimneys as you come back home to land at Dublin airport.

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    Mute Darren Norris
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    Apr 30th 2015, 8:48 PM

    Dublin bay itself is pretty impressive when landing as is howth

    Not those towers

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    Mute One Human Being
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    Apr 30th 2015, 10:45 AM

    Yeah I am starting the paint fund next week if all 1.2 million dubliners and dublin commuters give a euro each we should have enough to get the scaffolding out and a nice bit of paint to freshen them up a bit.

    53
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    Mute Critical Thoughts
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    Apr 30th 2015, 10:55 AM

    You’d be doing well to get the scaffold built for 1.2 million. I’d imagine they’ll be painted by rope access though.

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    Mute Will Derbylight
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    Apr 30th 2015, 11:31 AM

    Just two decaying old industrial chimneys. Do we have to keep everything that’s old?

    I don’t know of any other city which wants to hang onto eyesores like this – of no historical (or other) significance.

    52
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    Mute Summer Bay Devil
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    Apr 30th 2015, 12:04 PM

    Badly stuck for scenery in Dublin if two chimney towers are all the rage.

    49
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    Mute Le Tigre
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    Apr 30th 2015, 10:46 AM

    Why can’t we have buildings that tall?

    48
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    Mute Cian Johnson
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    Apr 30th 2015, 11:40 AM

    Everyone saying that the towers area eye sore cope on they have mean there more the 30 years and anyway what about that monstrosity on O’Connell street but that represents what Dublin has become a massive hypodermic needle

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    Mute Drew
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    Apr 30th 2015, 12:45 PM

    Hideous things… Tear them down. :)

    26
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    Mute thefunnyman
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    Apr 30th 2015, 11:10 AM

    I’d love to climb them, I wonder if they would let me?

    23
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    Mute Critical Thoughts
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    Apr 30th 2015, 11:19 AM

    I can assure you they won’t!! I’ve worked in the power station and every time I’m there I think about climbing them. The view would be incredible. Unfortunately the ladders only start about 20 metres off the ground to stop people climbing them. Hopefully the company I work for gets the painting contract!!

    29
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    Mute thefunnyman
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    Apr 30th 2015, 12:40 PM

    I work for ESB networks and have a 20 meter hoist that will get us up to the ladders I’ll meet you there in the morning bring your camera.

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    Mute Critical Thoughts
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    Apr 30th 2015, 1:12 PM

    Sound. I’ll get started on a method statement …. ya know, just in case.

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    Mute James Hendrick
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    Apr 30th 2015, 4:16 PM

    Well taken photos, but they’re just two big ugly industrial looking chimneys. I’m not a Dub though so maybe I wouldn’t understand.

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    Mute Paul Furey
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    Apr 30th 2015, 7:02 PM

    I’m a Dub and I don’t really get it.

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    Mute billy hamson
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    Apr 30th 2015, 5:12 PM

    Two very decent chimneys. Im not a chimney man but for those chimney lover’s out there may I suggest any industrial Russian city, Germanys Ruhr, or closer to home middelsboro in north east england for a far larger selection of Industrial chimneys. Or for those on a budget a trip to lanesboro in county longford where an almost identical Chimney treat awaits.

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    Mute Pete Gibson
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    Apr 30th 2015, 2:16 PM

    Wind Turbines would suit that site.
    (Queue the luddites who love the the long dead past.)

    5
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    Mute Critical Thoughts
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    Apr 30th 2015, 2:38 PM

    Wind turbines don’t suit any area. I’m saying that because I’m a Luddite, quite the opposite. They’re massively inefficient. I’d rather the existing power station turned nuclear.

    5
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    Mute Peter Keenan
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    Apr 30th 2015, 11:31 AM

    James Shelley’s pic is great.

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    Mute Connachtabu
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    Apr 30th 2015, 5:52 PM

    God, those chimneys are ugly. I remember when they built the second.

    From memory the I original plan was for 4 of them!

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    Mute THE BIG LAD
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    Apr 30th 2015, 4:54 PM

    Worked down there years ago … Some sight when your standing beside them one is a foot taller that other 680ft v 681 one looks much bigger looking up as it is thicker… Originally the red and white stripes were painted by travelling up inside the towers in a lift during construction and out over the top in harness (allegedly )!!!! I hear insurance is a big problem re the re painting etc either way some sight

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    Mute Cathal O'Donoghue
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    May 1st 2015, 10:37 AM

    I’m not from Dublin so I suppose I must tread carefully as it doesn’t affect me directly but I would hate to have to look at these things every day. I can’t understand people’s affection for them. Personally, I’d knock them and never look back.

    1
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