“If I Can Quit, You Can Too”: Jason Fareira’s Journey to Freedom from Smoking
by Pleshette Robertson, Community Engagement Coordinator @ The SOL Project
For more than three decades, smoking was woven into Jason Fareira’s daily life. He is a Sacramento resident and works to help his community as a community advocate. Jason began smoking as a teenager—first to fit in with friends, then reinforced by the culture he encountered after joining the military. “Smoking was everywhere,” he recalls. “It felt normal, like part of the routine.”
At one point, Jason was smoking nearly two packs of cigarettes a day. Despite staying active and physically fit, the long-term effects of smoking slowly caught up with him. What finally changed everything was witnessing the devastating toll smoking took on someone he loved deeply.
“Watching my mother-in-law struggle to breathe and pass away from the effects of smoking changed me forever,” Jason shared. “Holding her hand while she was still asking for a cigarette in her final moments—that’s when I knew I didn’t want that to be my ending.”
Quitting was not a single moment or an easy decision. Jason describes it as a process that required persistence, support, and multiple tools. He tried nicotine patches and gum, prescription medication, meditation, and leaned heavily on encouragement from friends, family, and healthcare providers through the VA. “I didn’t quit on the first try,” he admits. “I stopped, started again, and kept trying. Quitting is something you choose every day.”
Breaking the habits tied to smoking proved just as challenging as managing nicotine cravings. Jason had to rethink daily routines—morning coffee, social time with friends, and moments of stress that once triggered a cigarette. Instead, he replaced those moments with healthier alternatives like walking, reading, or staying active at home.
The rewards of quitting came quickly. Jason noticed improved breathing, increased energy, and weight loss—more than fifteen pounds in just a few months. The financial savings were equally noticeable. “We were spending over $400 a month on cigarettes,” he said. “Now that money stays in our pocket, and even small things like laundry and dry cleaning cost less because my clothes don’t smell like smoke.”
Even with loved ones around him who still smoke, Jason stayed focused. “You can still quit even if others aren’t ready yet,” he explained. “The benefits—health, money, time—they’re immediate.”
Today, Jason has been smoke-free for over a year. He jogs regularly, recently completed a Thanksgiving community run, and says the greatest gift he gained from quitting was time. “I got my time back—time with family, time with friends, without stepping away to feed a habit.”
For anyone who feels stuck or overwhelmed by the idea of quitting, Jason offers simple encouragement: “Every cigarette you don’t smoke is a win. Don’t focus on quitting forever—focus on quitting right now. You haven’t failed. You just haven’t quit yet.”
For those ready to take the next step, free and confidential help is available through Kick It California, offering coaching, encouragement, and cessation support at no cost. Individuals can call 1-800-300-8086, chat online, or visit kickitca.org/quit-now for resources.
Jason’s message is clear: quitting is possible, support matters, and every step toward a smoke-free life is worth it.
