Stop Smoking Forum - The Offical "I've Given up" Thread

I started smoking at 17, and like you, my mother was a chain smoker so I was already used to the smell and the yellowing wallpaper. I had once been the biggest advocate of getting her to quit, so the realization one day that I was "a smoker" was so weird. My mother didn't help, saying that if smoking was the worst thing I did, she was pretty lucky. She didn't want me to smoke, but felt like she had no right to criticize me. I still don't understand how I went from wishing the governemnt would ban cigarettes, to always making sure I had an extra pack...
My sister is two years younger than me, and when I started smoking, she adopted my old role. She would constantly try to get me to quit: breaking my cigarettes and telling me I looked dumb smoking. I didn't pay much attention to her, as she was a "freshman" and I was about to become a "cool" senior. I wonder if my mother used the same cop-out to avoid my "young" arguments?
I went away to college came home to find that my sister smoked. It was my turn to feel like I had no right to criticize. I was glad that I didn't have more younger siblings who would succumb to the horrible habit.
My sister quit smoking cold turkey a year ago. Mom stills smokes like a chimney. So do I. I know this post is about stories of quitters, but I thought my sister's story was really interesting. I am trying to quit now, and I am trying NOT to blame my habit on my mother. It's just funny that it took my younger sister to motivate me, after being the last family member in our "chain" of smokers (pardon the pun, but it makes sense....)
Cameron, I understand why you are worried about your brothers and sisters. At least you will be able to show them that not everyone they look up to is a smoker. Keep telling them how uncool smoking is, and how you are so happy that you quit. Of course, there is the chance that they will be smokers at one time during young adulthood. Really, I shared my story because it shows that all you can do is try. I tried with my mom, my sister tried with me, and misery ended up loving company. Obviously, the worst thing to tell a young teen is that he "can't" do something. I wish everyday that I would have remained a mentor instead of an antagonist...
I am getting married next year and hope to have children. Even if that wasn't a big enough motivation for my mother (I can't keep justifying that it was the 70s), I know I do not want to raise my kids in a smokers household. It's the least I can do at this point, and the best thing is that I can help my future children and my own health and pride at the same time.
Maybe I will be able to stop being shocked that a smoker stares back at me in the mirror.