What may have started as peer pressure to smoke often turns into a hard-to-break cycle, as nicotine addiction proves stronger than steel. Yet, while new smokers emerge every day, more and more are choosing to quit the habit in pursuit of a healthier lifestyle.
Stubbing out the habit
SCATTERED into the air are the embers from a lit cigarette – the slow unravelling of its paper into smoke and ash. It lets out a quiet mutter, though its repercussions are loud. Despite campaigns and warnings from doctors about its dangers, just a puff of a cigarette is enough to cause harm. From lung cancer to secondhand smoke, the slenderness of one stick can do so much damage.
Although new smokers appear daily, there are those who aim to make a difference by quitting their harmful habit of puffing into the air. Today, the world observes World No Tobacco Day, highlighting the goal of fewer puffs for a better tomorrow. The annually held observance is organised by the World Health Organisation (WHO) amid growing concerns about habitual smoking.
This year, WHO draws attention to the rise of e-cigarette use. With bright packaging and dark intentions, these devices attract teenagers and young adults – and the numbers have surpassed those of adult smokers. What’s worse is the exposure: these products have racked up over 3.4 billion views on social media platforms.
Despite rising numbers, there has also been an increase in smokers who choose to quit after understanding the harmful effects. Sharing their stories, Sarawak Tribune spoke to four individuals about their journey from being smokers to committing to stubbing out cigarettes for good:
Kelvin Chan, 46, Professional Photographer
Q: What made you start smoking in the first place?
A: I started smoking at a young age, largely influenced by my friends who were already partaking. There was an undeniable allure in the act – a sense of camaraderie and belonging that made me want to join in. It felt like a rite of passage, a way to connect with peers and share in something that seemed both exhilarating and forbidden. Looking back, I realise it was a mix of curiosity and the desire to fit in that drew me into the habit.
How long did you smoke, and what was your turning point to quit?
I smoked for 16 years. I attempted to quit a couple of times, but those efforts never truly stuck. The turning point came in 2010 when my wife and I decided to start a family. The thought of bringing children into the world motivated me to create a healthier, more nurturing environment. I made a firm commitment to quit, and I’m proud to say I’ve remained smoke-free ever since.
What was the hardest part about quitting smoking?
The hardest part was battling the relentless urges and temptations to take just one more puff. The habit becomes deeply ingrained; even during stressful moments or social gatherings, the craving would creep back in. Overcoming that mental battle took determination and healthier coping mechanisms to replace the comfort I once found in smoking.
What message do you have for current smokers who are struggling to quit?
Wanting to quit is easy to say, but the real challenge lies in how badly you want it. Quitting doesn’t happen just because others ask you to – it starts when you decide that enough is enough. The power to quit is already within you. It’s not about pressure from others; it’s about your own desperation to change your life for the better.
Kevin Keegan Jerome, 45, Lecturer
What made you start smoking in the first place?
I started smoking after watching a J-Drama starring Takuya Kimura. I thought it looked cool and ‘manly’. I began with a cheap brand and eventually moved to high-end ones, which were affordable back then. I kept smoking to cope with work stress, especially while working in sales and marketing.
How long did you smoke, and what was your turning point to quit?
I quit more than 10 years ago. I got married, and with my wife’s encouragement – especially as we were planning for our first child – I finally quit.
What was the hardest part about quitting smoking?
The hardest part was attending social functions where most guests smoked and drank. At work, colleagues often took smoke breaks together, and I couldn’t join them.
What message do you have for current smokers who are struggling to quit?
My advice – especially for dads – is to look into your children’s eyes and imagine their future without you because of smoking-related illness. Quit now to save your life and to live longer and healthier.
Jagveer Singh, 39, Professional in the Manufacturing Industry
What made you start smoking in the first place?
Peer influence. I was surrounded by friends who smoked and felt subtle pressure to fit in.
How long did you smoke, and what was your turning point to quit?
I smoked for about 23 years. The turning point came after witnessing several smoking-related deaths – including heart attacks – even among active individuals. I also began experiencing chest pains. It felt like a wake-up call from God. I realised I wanted to live a long, healthy life with my wife and kids – not just in everyday life, but in adventures like mountain climbing, camping under the stars, kayaking, and traveling. I had tried quitting more than 10 times, but that vision finally gave me the strength to stop.
What was the hardest part about quitting smoking?
Discipline, and being around people who still smoked. Peer influence can derail your efforts.
What message do you have for current smokers who are struggling to quit?
Be determined and keep yourself busy with activities that distract you from smoking. Focus on staying healthy – not just by quitting, but by eating well. A healthier lifestyle often means fewer visits to places that sell cigarettes, reducing temptation. If your friends smoke, politely excuse yourself and drink a glass of water instead. Avoid sugary drinks, eat fruit daily, and take time for spiritual reflection if it helps. Every small step count – and with consistency, you can overcome it.
PS: To the federal government – please introduce the Generational Endgame Bill proposed by former Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin. It could prevent the younger generation from ever starting to smoke.
Hazim Shahidan, 29, 1st Assistant Director and Screenwriter by Day
What made you start smoking in the first place?
Peer pressure! Back in university, I was the only non-smoker among my friends. Feeling left out, I gave smoking a try – and that’s when everything changed.
How long did you smoke, and what was your turning point to quit?
I smoked for about nine years, from 2014 to January 12, 2023 – the date of my last cigarette and the beginning of my quit-smoking programme. My turning point came in late 2022. Every morning, I’d have a European breakfast – coffee and a cigarette. One morning, I had a severe cough that scared me. I searched online and found the Ministry of Health’s Quit Smoking Programme. I had tried to quit three times before – once in 2015, but I relapsed during my internship due to stress; again in 2017, using vaping, but the withdrawals were too strong. In 2023, I joined the programme, which cost only RM1 for consultation. They provided nicotine patches and gum to help manage my addiction. By the eighth month, I could control my urges much better.
What was the hardest part about quitting smoking?
Coping with withdrawal symptoms. I once forgot my nicotine gum and was on the verge of relapsing. Luckily, my friends reminded me how far I had come – and I pulled through.
What message do you have for current smokers who are struggling to quit?
I know quitting is tough, but here’s a word of encouragement: even if you slip, don’t give up! You can do this. You’re capable of change. Keep moving forward, and you’ll reach a healthier, smoke-free life in no time.
