I quit Dec. of 1996. I had a prescription in my purse for the patch which is what was used at that time. But I ended up in the hospital emergency room with heart problems and the first thing the Dr. asked me was if I smoked. I said yes and he said very forcefully "YOU HAVE TO QUIT AND QUIT NOW!!!". That was Dec. 21st. I was able to go home on Christmas Eve and I have never touched a cigarette from Dec. 21st on. I always say I had it scared right out of me.