My mother-in-law quit 10 years ago (also cold turkey). She still longs for one. And she said it's all BS about food tasting better and you can smell better when you don't smoke. She said she doesn't notice nothing different.
Interesting discussion.
I smoked longer than some people on this thread have been alive (32 years) and quit 13 years ago by tapering off over a week. I had some cravings for cigarettes - for about a week. They lessened considerably and left entirely after about six months. It was never a problem denying the mild cravings, anyway, as I would just say 'no' mentally and it was past.
I quit for a number of reasons, including my health (never had a problem or a cough and wasn't going to wait for it to start), my young son's worries about my smoking (his mom didn't smoke - just me) and the cost was annoying (and this was in 1989!). After quitting, food didn't taste any different except that sharp, intense flavors became a bit more noticable. Smell didn't change much either but I could detect cigarette smoke easier and more so now. (I hate it). I have to say that I never 'long' for a cigarette and haven't since late 1989. No loss.
I think it's mostly a mental game to quit successfully, as I did. If you truly wish to stop smoking and don't see it as a sacrifice but as a free choice (no one told me to quit and I didn't tell my family I was quitting until I did - a week later) you can do it because you want to stop smoking, not that you 'have' to stop. I didn't 'have' to but I decided to stop - on my own - with no one pushing me or even expecting me to quit. I just did.
Never regretted it BUT, I do have sympathy for smokers who are demonized and made to feel like outcasts over smoking a cigarette. The cost is obscene, too. I don't allow smoking in my home or cars but I have no problem with friends that smoke (a few do) and do so outside. They don't mind, either as I never lecture or say anything at all about smoking as it's their choice, not mine, to make.