Dear Readers - A question about a person's smoking habit, (Jan. 7) and another about one man's personal quit-smoking story (Feb. 15) struck a sensitive nerve with many of you. Here are some of your heartfelt responses:

Reader - "As a young child I had a favourite "blanky" that I wouldn't let go. My father - a pack-a-day unfiltered cigarette smoker for 20 years - considered me too old at five to be carrying my blanky around anymore, and reasoned with me to quit the habit. Apparently, I shot back something about my habit being no different than his smoking habit and that he should quit, too.

"That night my father had the last cigarette of his life. My family jokingly gives me credit for his quitting the smoking habit. However, the real hero is Dad for having the courage to quit, and putting his family first ahead of his own immediate needs.

"I'm convinced that had he not quit smoking then, his obituary would've been written many years ago. Instead, my daughter, niece, and nephew have a wonderful nurturing relationship with "Papa," and we look forward to celebrating his new octogenarian status next month."

Reader - "I'd been a long-term dedicated smoker for over 30 years, puffing through one to two packs daily. The very idea of quitting was terrifying. I never even tried. The only other smoker in our family was my mother. She was even more hooked!

"Five years ago, she was diagnosed with advanced COPD. She required oxygen to breathe and was told by her doctors she HAD to quit her 55-year habit. She went on the nicotine patch, gained 20 pounds but she did it!! In order to support her I felt that I too had to quit.

"I'd heard about a book that helped many people quit - Allen Carr's Easy Way To Quit Smoking. I'm convinced that book saved my life. It provides common-sense arguments against all the justifications about why we cannot quit such as I will get fat, it helps me relax, and I cannot socialize or have a drink without a cigarette and much more.

"For someone like myself to quit the first time with no cravings afterwards is testament to anyone's ability to succeed. I've been smoke free for four years. For anyone thinking of quitting, pick up a copy of the book and get on with it already!"

Reader - "We lost my beloved husband to lung cancer after 30 wonderful years together and two wonderful children.

"If just one person can read this and make a change in their lifestyle and quit smoking, it would mean that one family out there would not have to go through the pain and suffering that he did, and ultimately what a family will suffer for the rest of their lives!

"We originally were told that he could survive with the removal of his lung. But in less than four short months he was gone, as the tumours had spread to the lymph nodes and surgery wasn't an option.

"My husband never thought that it would happen to him. If he'd believed that the outcome would be his demise, I know he would've taken it seriously. He loved his family passionately.

"He'd been smoking one pack a day from a very young age and had tried to quit a few times unsuccessfully. I hope that this letter along with your column will give someone the courage to say "no more" and do something about it!"

Reader - "Eleven years ago today, I was operated on for lung cancer. For years I'd been told to quit smoking as I chronically had bronchial problems, but not until the "crunch" came, did I give it up immediately. In fact, the surgeon would not operate until I had given up smoking for many weeks.

"Although luckily, the tumour was on the outside of the lung, he removed the upper lobe of the left lung, and told me I would be fine, but four days later I suffered quite a serious heart attack.

"If I hadn't been in hospital recuperating, I would not be writing to you today. I am one of the lucky ones, but have learned that telling a person to quit smoking is just "nagging", and they must come to that realization themselves."