It will be nine years on May 1, the anniversary of the day my wife told me she was pregnant with our second. Smoked for 17 years, well over a pack a day.
The patch helped take the edge off. Wore it for four days, then went to a party and forgot to put it on. Very tough night, drinking and all, but I made it; never wore the patch again, and never even a puff since.
BTW, I have gained 100(!)lbs. since then. So I guess I've found something else for my mouth to do...