A remarkable story of smoking cessation has emerged from West Virginia, where an 86-year-old man shares his successful journey of quitting a heavy smoking habit nearly five decades ago through the cold turkey method.
The Smoking Habit and Decision to Quit
The anonymous writer, identified only as "Free in West Virginia," revealed he was smoking an astonishing four packs of non-filtered cigarettes daily before making the life-changing decision to quit. At age 37, he recognized the need to overcome what he described as "this filthy habit" and set a quit date one month in advance.
On his predetermined quit day, the West Virginia resident went cold turkey completely abandoning his four-pack-a-day habit without any gradual reduction or nicotine replacement aids. What makes his story particularly remarkable is that he reports having no desire to smoke again in the nearly 50 years since that decisive day.
Expert Advice from Dear Abby
Jeanne Phillips, who writes the Dear Abby advice column under the name Abigail Van Buren, congratulated the man on his achievement while noting his fortune in avoiding serious health problems despite his previous heavy smoking. Phillips acknowledged that going cold turkey worked effectively for this individual while mentioning that modern smokers have additional options available.
"Today, products are available (gum, patches, etc.) to ease the discomfort of nicotine withdrawal," Phillips noted in her response published November 14, 2025.
The Great American Smokeout Approach
Phillips also highlighted the American Cancer Society's Great American Smokeout event, which provides an alternative approach for those who might struggle with the cold turkey method. The program, scheduled for Thursday, November 20 in the publication year, operates on the theory that if someone can refrain from smoking for just one day, they can build upon that success for longer periods.
"Many former smokers have quit this way," Phillips wrote, extending good luck and good health wishes to those attempting to quit smoking through any method.
The original writer concluded his submission with an inspirational message to current smokers: "People, be brave. Be strong and follow through. I hope this will help someone else to live long."
Additional Reader Questions
The same Dear Abby column addressed other reader concerns, including a disappointed friend from Massachusetts struggling with how to support a friend engaged in an extramarital affair, and a Canadian reader questioning the decline of common courtesy in modern communication.
Phillips advised the Massachusetts reader to be supportive without passing judgment, while suggesting to the Canadian correspondent that repeated instances of ignored communications or canceled plans might indicate the need to reconsider those friendships.
Dear Abby, founded by Pauline Phillips and now written by her daughter Jeanne Phillips, continues to address a wide range of personal and social issues through its syndicated advice column.
