How I Quit Smoking Cigarettes

Quitting smoking was one of the most difficult things I’ve done and in this video I talk about everything that helped or hurt me me along the way.

[@citystars1117]

The humor in treating yourself badly line is so fucking spot on and I've never heard it out that way. That is so perfectly said. I feel like when we are younger it's something everyone goes thru because they think it's "cool" to "show people how tough they could be."

[@janjak5116]

The 90s generation.

[@citystars1117]

@@janjak5116 that's a fact.

[@scottmccrimmon1]

“Everything I did was affecting someone, somehow.” Wow man

[@__-qq8rx]

This is one of the main tenets of Soto Zen Buddhism, fuck bruh i lov ❤ u all, keep pushing

[@apollo-aries]

Honestly Chad these are my favorite type of videos from you, just hearing you reflect about yourself and stopping bad habits really reminds me a lot of myself and the bad habits I should stop doing. I look up to you Chad, you're an awesome person and a great mentor 👍

[@kymodo817]

Great vid. I'm a nurse in palliative care and stand by the bedside watching people die from COPD.. its brutal, they're 70 (sometimes younger!) and hooked up to oxygen and can barely walk to the bathroom.. thankfully you have dodged a bullet Chad. Stay strong! I've only been skating since late last year and already broken my wrist, finger and a couple of ribs.. they all say how dumb I am for taking up skateboarding at 40.. fuk them ! I'd rather get hurt skating than rot on the couch watching Netflix. I've watched all your vids. Top shelf tutorials mate! Keep it up!!!

[@versnellingspookie]

Skating at 40 takes balls dude! Props to you for taking it on, speaking for myself it feels like quite a challenge at 26 already, but loads of fun at the same time!

[@crystalferguson7308]

My auntie had to get stints put into her legs because of smoking 🚬 The doc said that she's lucky that she didn't have to have her legs amputated😳. She and I give God that credit. 💞 In 2015 she and I quit drinking together 🍻 🥂 to honor God and our bodies. My auntie, my daughter, my little sister, and myself all got baptized together. My auntie and I are ....were avid smokers until yesterday. We made a pact that if one finally quit, the other will follow, and since God did save her legs we both decided to quit smoking together. She's on the patches...and I'm leaning on God... She's smoked for 46 years. I've smoked for 29yrs. Craving a little, so that's why I'm here watching your video, being inspired...and God's strength that surpasses all understanding is holding me up, holding us both up. Thank you for sharing this video. It helped a lot. However, I'm keeping my ☕ and so is she 😀 We'd lose our minds for sure 😊

[@spe.z.artist]

I quit smoking using nicotine gum, the discount version from Walmart. It was honestly really easy, I got tired of driving to Walmart and the cravings were less intense than regular smokes. I feel like a lot of people dismiss the gum!

[@Bigmummy13]

Bro I am in the same boat. I’ve quit drinking, drugs and parties but smokes are still an issue. Now in my 40s I hit the skate park and I’m out of breath, hurting myself more and ofcourse I’m a bad influence. I’m so motivated to quit now! Thanks so much!

[@davegambill824]

Watched this video quite a few times. Thank you for your honesty and how true your stories were. Im 49 was heavy drinker. I quit drinking 7 years ago. This Saturday, I am going for the quitting smoking and caffeine. Seeing your determination to land tricks and conquer challenges has definitely inspired me.

[@DRY-C0WB0Y]

We’re in damn near the same boat. It’ll be nine years off the bottle for me this summer. I switched from tobacco to vape over a year ago (which I don’t really recommend) and drastically cut the caffeine intake. Just turned 50 in November. Breathing is still easier, but I’m not saving a dime with vapes and even though I’ve gotten rid of the tar and all that the amount of nicotine in these things is horrendous… No need for caffeine! Congrats on kicking the booze man, it’s tough. Best of luck with the smokes… 🤘

[@ponyboy7825]

6 months off the smokes. I needed to hear this. Good stuff Chad right on brother. I think there is some self hatred or depression that comes along with smoking. Or atleast that was the case with why I smoked. Kind of a fuck it, damn it all mindset. And the smoking was a thing that I could do to not address any of that shit in my head. And once in a while I still wanna go back. Especially if it’s a hard day. I just think about a pack a Reds and throwing in the towel. But that ultimately means I lose. And negative thoughts got the best of me. Hope you guys stay off of em. As much as I miss em sometimes I know they’ll just bring more negativity to my life. Rock n roll music with the windows down is still every bit as good without the smokes my guys. Keep skatin, quit smokin

[@xaviermartinez9688]

thanks for this bro.

[@CasuallyJapan]

Thank you for this video! The humor in hurting yourself is so true. I have photos of myself with like 5 cigs in my mouth and nostrils just for the laughs. I now understand I was depressed and had terrible anxiety.

[@salvadorllanes2347]

For over 20 years I was a happy smoker. Now I'm a happier non smoker. In my case Alen Kar's book was the tool that showed me that quit was possible. Nice videos. Thanks for sharing thoughs and knowledge.

[@halfpipefreak]

Great work dude, you can be proud of yourself !! I've stopped smoking weed for almost 2 months now after smoking weed and hashish for 14+ years every single day. Lost my drivers license because of it and costed me thousands of dollars. Glad i quit and i have no relapse or thoughts of going back which is a good thing ;)

[@lackthereof0]

How the hell did you do it? I vape weed daily and I have no solid evidence of negative consequences but I suspect I'd be much better without. It's really hard to quit when I love it and there's no immediate reason to stop.

[@RichieBenno]

You kinda have to quit drinking if you want to quit smoking imo. Quit like 3-4 times, drinking and not smoking is impossible.

[@derfmode]

Yeah. SO many things that require self-control are borderline impossible for people while drinking

[@robbiesharp311]

Nope. You have never been to an AA meeting.

[@hovsepgasamanian4710]

I’m on day 5. I did the same thing. Nicotines and caffeine quit and I’m starting to realize how much life i have missed. Everything i was associating with smoking and coffee. Time for better habits. Thanks for this video. I watched it a few years ago when i quit and relapsed. I don’t want to go through those first 2 days ever again😂

[@addemj]

You are dead on about everything in this video. I quit drinking a couple years ago and smoking came right after. Sometimes I would even drink, just to justify chain smoking. Quitting those two things were the best decisions of my life!

[@aym2328]

Hey Chad ,i stop drinking 8 years ago too ,i had to change my "friends" (fake i realized after) wasn't a easy period . I want to stop smoking now but sadly i'm very lonely and nobody will bet me to do it ^^or even care about it ,like you say everybody has his path and is different ,i got to get the motivation by my own and i wish i will succeed, it's interesting that you share your experience (not only skate in your videos i like it !)

[@Enzocar97]

Thanks for the video man. Quit smoking a year ago and have had the urge to start again due to stress. This video helped a lot with dealing with those feelings. I was even saying to myself, "I wish there was someone inspirational I watched that talked about quitting cigs." You made it brother.

[@BStreet666]

Videos like this are so helpful for those facing addiction on all levels, especially coming from someone with your influence. You come off as someone who is really selfless and cares about the people around them. Keep being you!

[@ivanprskalo4288]

Congratulations to you and hopefully I will be successful too 🤞🏽 I quit smoking starting today! 💪🏽

[@poulsentyler]

I consider myself very fortunate to have not ever gotten to that point of needing a cigarette. I used to party with friends when I was like 18 to 20 and they all smoked so I'd join them if I was drunk and I'd always wake up and hate myself. congrats to you Chad for being able to persevere through so much shit!!

[@RiftCutmedia]

This is awesome. I’ve been trying to quit drinking ever since I got back into skating but I never realized how hard it would be until I actually tried. Addiction of any kind can be brutal to overcome for anyone but it just goes to show what a positive impact skateboarding can make on someone’s life. Thanks for sharing man 🙏🏼

[@x-rushaa3723]

One of the most motivational videos on sobriety I’ve ever seen, love your videos. Hearing your story and listening to how much happier you are now makes me want better. Glad to see you woke and seeing the bigger picture in reality. Stay safe g 🖤

[@zo2998]

Right on bro! Good for you! Great vid, thanks for caring and sharing your experience. Very positive.👍

[@francopatt7513]

Thank you for your honesty chad. You are great🙏🏼🤙🏼

[@lasal8613]

Damn, solid info/inspiration for a lot of people. Good stuff.

[@ryanrowe1975]

It is not easy to get rid of smoking and changing the way to avoid the pressures of a biggest difference between the friendships and lifetime of passion! Hopefully you feel better soon Chad Caruso! 🙏

[@baldwraith5606]

Thank you for your honesty man! Keep it going

[@riverside4339]

thanks for sharing. i feel totally related to your story, I will follow your steps my brotha !

[@peterdemars7654]

Chad, so much respect for you, what you've done, and for sharing your story through this video. God bless!

[@chrisb9377]

This was great thanks for sharing! Glad you were able to overcome

[@ante646]

spot on as always youre a beacon of positivity bro

[@jaijacobson]

everything you said resonated deeply, keep it real. ✊

[@theone4629]

Your a positive influence on me bro!!

[@Llamasondeck]

Chad has definitely been a positive influence on me too

[@zarubalovesmusic8086]

Man, seeing how you've transformed your life and learned to treat yourself better is awesome. You speak about life in an inspiring way, Chad. Grateful that You're using this platform you've worked hard for to speak life into people. Keep up the great work 👍Much Love from a Southern Oregon Skater

[@midnitethoughts1143]

Wow. this really resonated with me, thank u for sharing

[@RogerNorman77]

Hey man. So relatable!! Good on ya dude!!

[@tom_belfort]

Love your honesty and openness here, I knew from previous videos that you’d gone through it but this is a great testimonial. I have managed to cut back a lot and feel like I have smoking and drinking under control but I definitely notice a difference in my skating and normal day to day life when I’ve been clean for a few days. Keep it up! 👊

[@kafilkavich707]

I'm about 6 days in now without smoking, I quit because I want to be strong and healthily, save money etc... On top of that was having minor health issues related to smoking! I don't think I'm ever going back.

[@justinball1520]

This video shows who you are really well. Great bloke with a great msg

[@alikashae2100]

I’m new to your channel and came from a tutorial video! Perfect timing that I came across it too. I was getting back into skating to do a fun form of exercise because my mid 20’s partying lifestyle was getting outta hand. I’ve been almost a week off cigarettes so this is what I needed to hear! Thank you so much for being a fighter & a winner!! Sending Blessings, can’t wait to learn new tricks cuz of u!

[@crystalferguson7308]

A Big Congratulations! 🎉

[@richshowsyoustuff8382]

Hell yeah, dude! I subscribed to learn new tricks. I never thought I’d learn tricks to kick my bad habits. Keep up the good work, homie!

[@luizfernandovieira7672]

You are such a positive influence in the world, Chad! keep it going!

[@Matt-jo4nz]

Hey chad i appreciate the video! Ive been back and forth cigs/vaping the last 5 years and I'm trying to stop for good. I definitely use it as a coping strategy to deal with a lot of internal shit but I know it doesnt help. also your videos haven't been popping up on my recommended since you started posting again, so I'm commenting in hopes of helping the algorithm. much love

[@imagemusic4241]

Hey Chad, Really cool. Thank you for sharing and being open-It's really inspirational to watch and hear you. Personally, I've been straight edge my whole life so drinking and smoking were never my problems; but I've wrestled with my own struggles and I think over-coming them has to do with age and maturity as well. When we get a little older (circa 35-41) and wiser, we can begin to see our problems from a more objective stand point and improvement becomes more attainable. I know this from experience. Keep plugging man. Always nice to watch your videos. Best

[@augelar1586]

My favourite vid yet chad!!love the honesty!! Oxygen is best 👍🏻 God bless bro

[@bargerkenneth]

Great stuff, keep up the good work!

[@808jin]

Keep it up Chad, been admiring your videos and perseverance in life. Your skating 50 states proves you can do anything. Need to be following your footsteps as I think we are the same age.

[@SabiaCDO]

I feel you bro! congratulations!

[@timothykirby4406]

Helpful video, I appreciate it.

[@gang6009]

went pretty hard since 17 but always was taking healthier options, so 5-6 years for me but that could be more like 3-4 for someone else, or 7-8 to somebody who smokes less frequently. i quit cigs and moved to cigars, but even though its cleaner smoke its still smoke. i smoked weed for awhile, switched to a volcano, but its still hot vapor that will be irritating. i smoked a lot but quit until i turned 21 this year and can really feel the physical changes of the habit. i didnt want to ignore it and let it change me physically. your inner arms get tight, you cant breathe, you cant even land right, an ounce of tar in the chest, a foreign substance, really throws you off. glad i stopped young. and you dont have to stop stop. just do less and less and less adn less and less. make progress and dont be scared of going one step forward and two steps back. dont let your anxiety around whatever reason you have to quit be something that drives you to do somethiing like stop completely and experience withdrawls, be the same mania that makes you light up and do something unhealthy. regain control of yourself. a smoker who has quit does not need to go forever without smoking ever again. but my definition of quit, would be someone who has gone from a pack a day to 1 single smoke in the span of a month, maybe you went out one night, had one with a friend. thats a quit. regain that control. treat the body well.

[@soundspoon]

Some great insight Chad. 11 months without a cigarette right now. Smoked on the reg for about 10 years. I feel great

[@matthewbertram1612]

Great video and congrats on the growth!

[@malvarado6809]

Great work Carusoooooooooo God bless you amigo

[@patrycjuszscieszka7719]

You just spoke pure fax for 10 minutes straight congrats Sir 🤝

[@isaactorres5908]

You really reflect positivity! Also U look pretty good for someone who smoked since teens...just coffee and no water. Usually smokers age really bad.

[@lvparm]

Thank you for sharing! I quit drinking about 2 years ago and I’ve been feeling like I need to quit smoking and drinking (as much) coffee too

[@ef4331]

U are so much in control now..💪

[@patient_zer0850]

Yo Chad I live in The Netherlands and used to skate and smoke weed every day. Drinking not so much, but yeah really addicted to smoking green.. I can relate to what you said that when you quit 'It's like almost scary to live in reality' cause you can't 'escape' through using drugs anymore or falling back into old habits. 37 now and a couple years ago I also cleaned up my shit cold turkey. Quit smoking, exercising more, intermitted fasting, eating low carb meals.. My man you are right when you say 'life' just becomes a whole lot easier when living a healthy lifestyle. Your brain also just works way better. I do still drink a shitload of coffee though ^^ Awesome to hear your feeling and doing good and take care brother 😎😎

[@INTEGRATONE]

bro , good job . seen ur vids before , this one made me subscribe.

[@RegularFootisChris]

Great Job on quitting smoking and drinking!! I have Respect for you Chad!! the last cigarette I had was 4/6/20 in the start of Covid.. Hopefully Someone who watches this Video decides to quit as well!! 💯

[@mrzoom214]

Chad you are awesome! Thanks a lot 🤝

[@Fuckyournegativeenergy]

Thank you for your story !

[@nathanaelkealy1457]

Respect brother 🙌🏽

[@MB22795]

Thanks chad needed this

[@DerJansemann]

Grounded by reality, that's a good way to say it. I experience it the same way. But there is some people who except it, and other who keep fighting it. ;-)

[@AndySo2000]

i quit smoking 7 years ago, and I smoked for 20 plus years. I'm so glad I quit I almost forgot I even did it. Smoking sucks! Good for you man! Keep on that path!

[@biobaseofthisnthat]

Highly relatable and inspiring.

[@drfrankendoodle]

Ive been smoking for about 14 years (since I was 15). I have tried many times to quit wihtout lasting success. I would always quit when id start dating someone new and they didnt like it, but then id start again as soon as we'd break up. Im married now and told my wife my goal is to quit before I turn 30 this november. Im gonna try your method of making a bet with actual stakes. My wife and I have had a lot of arguments surrounding her drinking irresponsibly. Maybe I can convince her to try quitting with me. Thats something I know I would care about enough to stick with it. Cuz it wouldnt just be for my own health, but hers as well. Thanks for the inspiration Chad!

[@johnrobs7556]

Chad you are the man!!!!! We need more videos I have the same exact problem lmao ciggerates coffee beers and repeat can’t kick them .....are you still off coffee

[@jordanmarino7831]

I’ve been on and off smoking cigs since I was 16 (24 now). I’ve had breaks lasting 3-6 months, even a year before. Now the hardest thing to stop that I stupidly substituted is vaping. All this insight really shed light on some things for me.

[@alexbaret1742]

G!!!!!!!!! truth in this video well done big dog

[@BobWeaver3000]

stay well homie!

[@joshb9657]

Your an inspiration bro!

[@himebaughchris4026]

Yeah. That's next on my list. I quit drinking Cold Turkey after having a heat stroke working concrete. Cigarettes are Tough, Man. Congrats on beating it. Same with drinking. People would feed me drinks to either get the party started or keep it going. I'm no Clown for entertainment.

[@DannyTorres]

love you chaddy

[@handywithshovels]

I applauded your experience. Smoking (nicotine) is incredibly addictive. Vaping is bad news, too.

[@goodarnold3307]

Inspirational stuff Chad, I haven’t had a cigarette for 3 weeks still abit rough but getting easier, I’m not a big drinker but I can’t imagine having a beer without a cigarette, so it might be a good idea to give up alcohol too.

[@kmg2947]

It night help. Good luck.

[@goodarnold3307]

@@kmg2947 thanks, your comment just made me realise I haven’t had a cigarette for 6 months.

[@chazmichaelmichaels88]

I'm still a smoker, but the vape (not gas station vape) and candies help. I'm not a fan of sweets, but those tootsie-pops and gum really helps.

[@mrdudeguyburvis]

Much respect ✨

[@simonwood5587]

After multiple attempts eventually managed to successfully quit. Cold turkey the only way that worked for me. Had to quit drinking alcohol and coffee for a year or two. 28 years later not one puff and coffee / alcohol no issues with triggering….

[@bartleyrob]

very powerful man

[@endthedrugwartoday]

Great video! Skateboarding relies so much on lungs. There's nothing beneficial about smoking. I hope you inspire many people to quit. My father died from the effects of smoking. It was not a good way to die.

[@zentient1117]

I quit after ten years and started vaping. But hey it's progress to me haha

[@ChadCaruso]

That’s huge

[@user-uu5of8rd1n]

Well said

[@aonpl]

Bro, I wasn't expecting from you Kant's Categorial Imperative. I underestimated you. Sorry for that man. Congrats, it's like higher state of consciousness. "Be the change that you want to see in society." You're the man, was close for you though, but you're making it. GG

[@RikRiorik]

I ”quit” many times. A week, a month, half a year. But would pick it up again. Finally there was a two month period where I was waking up every morning and feeling bad and thinking ’I don’t want to do this anymore’ but every day I would end up having smoked anyways’. Then one morning I woke up and realized that for some reason I hadn’t smoked the day before. Thought ’I might as well try to not do it today as well’. Succeeded and then started writing up every day in the calendar where I hadn’t smoked. Three days became a week, became two weeks and so on. It became a sport. When I had hit 30 days, 90 days I told myself how boring it would be to have to work to get back up to that amount of days. Eventually I started writing in the days less often. Waiting a week or two to tally up. Eventually after two years I stopped entirely. I know I can NEVER touch it again. If I do I’ll be back to square one. That’s the way it always was.

[@drfrankendoodle]

thats a great idea. Congrats on your success

[@RikRiorik]

@@drfrankendoodle cheers friend. Worked for me at least.

[@skaterkid1001]

if anyone is struggling to quit or even has already quit but would like some additional help I would highly suggest reading the book "the easy way to quit smoking" by Alan Carr. I thought I would smoke until the day I died and halfway through this book I knew that I was done for good. going on 4 years in July and i'm never going back :)

[@Dancrazyman1]

Ya right !! It is time for a change!!

[@maximem9725]

Well said. Is there some JB Peterson influence ? Anyways good philosophy

[@oregonxl]

A big secret is you dont have to give up that break you take for a cigarette, now you just take a break and go breathe and clear your mind for a few minutes. I realized i just liked having that excuse to leave whatever situation i was in because it was easily accepted by people. But you can do it without a cigarette is all im saying 👌

[@derfmode]

I know maybe this doesn’t work for people… but I quit smoking cigs (after 22 years solid) by starting vaping instead . Don’t get me wrong, I tried to quit smoking so many ways for 2 decades and never went more than a couple days quitting. But never could. Switching to vaping wasn’t very difficult, because I still had the oral fixation, and I just brought the nicotine amount down over the months. For a little while I was using zero nicotine vape, but I just got bored of it, and it was pretty easy to give up vaping at that point.. and cigarettes have been out of the picture for a while now Idk, just my experience (Edit: by the way, I didn’t start vaping as a plan to quit smoking. I had a kid and didn’t want to smell like cigarettes so I switched over thinking I would just vape instead. But ended up bringing the nicotine amount down and kind of getting bored of it. So yeah)

[@albinmartensson4335]

You are a good person Chad

[@TILTMATIC1]

2 days strong here 🤟🏾🤟🏾

[@davewatne3374]

Its day 3 for me I needed this man.

[@ChadCaruso]

Congrats, you got this

[@carlosroubert8646]

Keep up the good work! Nicotine free!

[@purplereigninblood]

Congrats, I broke that one too, it was hard.

[@TxmmyBeats]

7:28 too real!

[@saulgood2548]

Congratulations for overcoming your vices.

[@Rooftop_Korean_159]

Hey man it's Saul Good 👍

[@versnellingspookie]

I smoked for 4 years, i'm glad i quit last year. Had 1 cigarette since, didnt enjoy it at all. Glad i'm off that shit forever