Hi Polly ... I'm so surprised to read your post about how quitting cigarettes seems to have kicked off your IBS, because I swear that's when mine when into high gear as well (17 years ago for me). Up to that point in my life, I'd struggled primarily with "just" chronic constipation. But when I finally successfully put down the smokes, within about 6 months, I was experiencing unbelievable bloating and pain. By noon most days my stomach had expanded beyond anything my clothes could accommodate, and I'd often leave work early doubled over in pain.
When I first made the connection between the two events, I attributed the IBS symptoms to the Nicorette gum I used to help me quit. But now that you've posted, and a few people have concurred that there seems to be a connection, I'm guessing it was the quitting cigs vs. the use of the Nicorette that set off my IBS.
I don't know what type of IBS you have, but I'm primarily a C, and I just recently learned via a barium enema that part of my problem is a very "redundant" colon. I've got enough large intestine for about 3 people my size. My GI doc put me on Glycolax (a generic of Miralax), which is an osmotic laxative (safe and non habit-forming, by all accounts). It has made a HUGE difference in how I feel. It really keeps things moving, which is critical for my particular problem. Also, Heather's fennel tea has been a Godsend for bloating, gas, and general tummy rumbles.
It seems that my problem was not so much what I was eating, but the fact that my system wasn't moving it around very well. I do adhere to Heather's soluble fiber before all else rule whenever I can, though, as it that also seems to help the entire process.
Good luck to you. I hope something I've shared here might be of some help. 
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