Why I Built Quitara
I know how hard quitting smoking is — because I lived it for years.
My Journey
I started smoking when I was 16 years old. I was out with friends, and they all suddenly decided to smoke. I did not plan for it. I did not even think about it. But I did not say no either — I just joined them.
That one moment slowly turned into a habit. Over time, smoking became a part of my daily life. Eventually, I was even smoking at home, and my family knew about it.
I struggled with quitting for years. I always wanted to stop. I tried many times — countless attempts — but I always went back. What made it even harder was that outside of my family, no one knew I smoked. I felt embarrassed and hid it.
That made social situations very difficult. Family gatherings, outings — I was never fully present. I was always thinking about the next cigarette.
What I Learned
- Quitting is not a one-time decision — it is a process.
- Shame and hiding make it much harder.
- What works for one person may not work for another.
- The hardest moments are when support matters the most.
Why Quitara Exists
What finally helped me was nicotine lozenges. I started with 4 mg and gradually moved to 2 mg. Even today, I occasionally use them — but I have completely quit smoking. Quitara was built with one goal: even if just one person can quit because of this app, it is worth it.