Published at 04 March, 2026 14:43.
“Regret is a feeling of sadness about something sad or wrong or about a mistake that you have made, and a wish that it could have been different and better”: (Cambridge Dictionary)
“My regret is that I ever starting smoking in the first place”. This is the number one reason of regret for most smokers, with 70-90% expressing their regret about ever starting to smoke. With smoking linked to numerous serious illnesses, it is no surprise that worrying about poor health and the knowledge that smoking may have caused or contributed to the illness, is top of people's list of regrets.
“My only regret is waiting so long before I finally quit”. People who are now experiencing health issues and other difficulties and knowing how smoking has impacted their families lives as well, often regret waiting to quit smoking, but it's never too late to quit!
“My regret is the financial costs and strains”. As the cost of smoking increases financially, the burden of smoking weighs heavily financially for those who smoke, impacting on themselves and their families.
“My regret is quitting then relapsing and starting smoking again”. How ever many times you have tried to quit and relapsed it is important to forgive yourself, learn from past mistakes and move on to a new quit attempt with fresh perspective and renewed encouragement You will regret it if you don't!
Regret isn't all bad and it can motivate quitting and for many people feelings of regret serve as a powerful facilitator to start their quit attempt and can be a great motivation tool throughout their quit journey
Quitting brings relief from regret. Starting a quit attempt can replace the burden of regret, bringing a sense of accomplishment, empowerment and achievement when quit dates are set and goals are reached! So make today the day you decide to quit for good. Book a call with one of our stop smoking advisors and let's have no regrets.
By Carrie at Yorkshire Smokefree
NHS Stop Smoking Service - Yorkshire Smokefree
