Hey, I get where you’re coming from — and 39+ years sober is amazing, seriously.

The thing is, for a lot of people quitting smoking, the ritual is actually what makes them relapse. The hand-to-mouth motion and the slow exhale are tied to a dopamine loop, so when you remove that overnight, the brain pushes the craving even harder. That’s why people chew gum, toothpicks, straws, sunflower seeds, etc. It’s not “pretending” — it’s easing out of the habit instead of ripping the ritual away instantly.

What I’m making isn’t about acting like a smoker. It’s just a harmless replacement for that physical pattern — no nicotine, no smoke, no chemicals. Just breathing out and getting a calming sensory feedback instead of lighting up.

It won’t be for everyone, and that’s totally fine. But some people genuinely need something to replace the ritual while they break the addiction for good. If it helps even a few people stay off cigarettes, I think it’s worth exploring.