I quit smoking over 2.5 years ago largely due to an acquaintance at work.

[Tobin S.]

In July of 2012, I was taking a smoke break with this guy at work and shooting the breeze. I told him that I had been considering quitting smoking, it was getting so expensive. I was 39 at the time and he was 52. He told me that he had already contracted COPD. However, he obviously still couldn't quit smoking. It really sank in at that time just how bad tobacco is. The thought also occurred to me that I wasn't much younger than this guy and I could start having serious smoking-related problems pretty quickly if I didn't quit.

I came home that day after work, sat out on the patio, drank two beers and smoked two cigarettes. I haven't had a cigarette, or anything containing nicotine, since then.

This guy that I was talking to that day recently got fired for making a series of minor mistakes. Being a truck driver, I suppose they thought he was just too big of a risk. But I will never forget what he helped me to do. Thanks in part to him, I may have added many years to my life.

I've been thinking about doing something nice for this guy for a while to thank him for what he has done for me. I've told him this little story in the past, but I'm not sure if he truly understands how he has helped me. With the guy losing his job, I think now would be a very good time to show my appreciation.

What do you think would be a good gift? I don't have a lot of money, but I think I can do something to help him out. A gift card to a restaurant or the grocery store or something like that.

BTW, even though I quit smoking while I was still relatively young, I can still tell that I've done permanent damage to my lungs. It's not COPD, but I don't think I'll ever be able to run any marathons.

[KMOD]

1. Well, first off, congratulations!

I think a nice handwritten note in a card would be sufficient. You can give him a token gift as well if you'd like, but I think the note would be very sweet.

[cwydro]

3. Ditto!

Good on you Tobin...for quitting that noxious weed.

[hollysmom]

2. you are uyoung enough your lungs will start to heal.

it just takes time - and no one ever said cash was tacky. I am sure if he is still out of work, he could use money

I quit 30 years ago due to my dentist - he was always trying to get all his patients to quit smoking for the damage it did to their teeth, so there were always stop smoking pamphlets in his waiting rooms. One day I found a detailed step by step instruction with different pathways depending on how and why you smoked. I followed the suggestions - cleaned the ashtrays before I went to bed, and waxed them and looked at the dirt, stopped buying cigarettes and just bummed them or took the free ones from coupons or the people giving them out on the street (did you know there was a cigarette that the fire department approved of because if you didn't puff on it, it would go out and not cause any fires? you had to puff that sucker constantly, it was hard - but they were usually free I don't think there are free cigarettes anywhere any more)

[CaliforniaPeggy]

4. What a lovely thought, my dear Tobin!

I think a nice note to remind him that he helped you so much, plus a gift card, would be perfect.

It is a generous impulse, but that doesn't surprise me, for you have a generous heart.

[ret5hd]

5. Tell him you will...

pay his electric/gas/internet bill this month (not necessarily all 3, just 1). For the entire month ( if not longer) every time he uses that "function" he will think of you. And he will think of what you are trying to tell him.

[mackerel]

6. I've met quite of few people with COPD and they just can't seem to quit smoking.

I like the gift card idea to a grocery store. If he's over 50 he should apply for Social Security Disability on account of he is most like unemployable with COPD.

[DebJ]

10. My sis in law has had COPD for a long time.

She works.

[applegrove]

7. I think lungs are one of those organs that do heel themselves

if you don't smoke again. I've been quit 7 years and breathing just gets better and better. What a great thing to tell your friend that he changed your life. I would give him a note thanking him. Maybe some baked goods like blueberry muffins.

[IrishEyes]

8. A nice card

and a gift card to the grocery store would be nice. Congratulations on quitting smoking.

[Xipe Totec]

9. At 59, after 30 years of quitting I can tell you there's life after smoking

I quit the day my wife (now ex-wife) told me she was pregnant.

I decided I wanted to hang around to see my grandchildren.

I don't have any yet, by my own children, but my spouse of two years had her first grandchild this year.

I am feeling great, I have no regrets quitting smoking after burning two packs a day for ten years.

I am confident now that I will stick around for a long, long time, and will get to see grandchildren of my own bloodline before I move on.

Congratulations on your accomplishment. Trust me; It is worth it.

[rurallib]

11. I would go with a gift card to a grocery store or maybe a butcher shop

so he could get some special cuts he might otherwise never buy for himself.

I quit a long time back. At that time I heard that vitamin C really helped the lungs heal. I took up running for a long while until the arthritis shut me down. I hear stories that even a little smoking may come back and bite you.

Still, you quit and that is a major accomplishment. Offering this guy a gift of thanks is a nice gesture.

[Bertha Venation]

12. I'm with rurallib

If your friend is struggling, a grocery or butcher gift card is a wonderful gift, as long as he wouldn't take offense. I'm sure you would know.

It is a wonderful thing, Tobin, to want to do something for this friend. You are a key reason that I regret getting on DU so sporadically. I miss your posts.