Smoking: A poll, not a war

[STOGEY]

I don't consider smoking cigars as smoking, I ocnsider that an even just like good sex.

[James A.]

Cold turkey this April (15 years), the day I found out a relative had cancer (non-smoker, BTW). Hasn't been as hard as I was expecting.

Drink a bunch, though...

James A.

[Eric in KC]

I smoked for about 15 years, then quit 12 years ago on Valentine's Day. Nothing like a heart attack at 35 to get your attention! Now I can hardly stand the smell...except in bars. For some reason it doesn't seem to bother me in a bar. So, I'm looking forward to inhaling some at La Ranita in few weeks!

[Shammy]

I quit when I was pregnant with both kids but picked the suckers right up again after they popped out (stress I tell ya!). I quit for good on April 5th, 2001 and although I would bum one now and then when I was out, I didn't consider myself a "smoker" because basically, I never went out!

I would buy a pack when I was on vacation but the minute my feet hit US soil, that was it....until the day before I left for Playa in May 2004.

I bought a pack to take with me and when my feet hit that US soil...I didn't stop! I am, as horrible as it is to admit, a smoker once again.

Personally, I hate it...well, I love it...but I hate it. When I get sick, I always get pnumonia (just had it too!) and it's really just a gross habit, but one that is SO incredibly hard to break!

But I have already promised my kids, who are always on my back to quit since they learn all about how bad smoking is for you in school, that when we get back from Playa in Nov, I will quit again..this time for good.

I know better now, I am the type that cannot have "just one". I cannot smoke again, no matter if I'm out or if I'm on vacation or wherever. That just doesn't work for me so it's all or nothing this time.

I sure hope I can do the "nothing"!

[Becky]

I started smoking when I was 12 (I know, I know) and quit when I was 22. I am 35 now and the only time I want a cigarette is when I'm WAY more drunk than I ought to be. I know if I'm drinking and wanting a cigarette, I'm gonna be praying to the porcelain gods very soon.

Becky

[DebsinIllinois]

Hubby and I quit smoking 2 1/2 years ago. I started when I was in high school when it was cool! hahaha....right! Didn't smoke when I was pregnant but started again after the kids were a little over 2 years old. Wish I knew then what I know now..and all of the money we could have saved and spent on PdC vacations.
The year we quit smoking we paid cash for our daughters wedding and reception..just shows how much it really costs to smoke.

[Bumper]

Originally Posted by redbird

Bumper, I'm curious, did you try anything prior to the hypnosis (nic. substitutes, med's., etc.).

Frankly, not really, Bird. Half-hearted attempts at cold turkey, but no sincere effort. I'm convinced that when you're ready to quit, you'll find a way that works for you. Whether it be cold turkey, laser, nicotine gum, hypnosis, the patch, the bead in the earlobe, or electro-shock aversion therapy or whatever is trendy these days. But until you're ready to quit, nothing will make you quit. I'm not doing missionary work for hypnosis, but that's what worked for me. I never tell anybody to quit, but face it, logically speaking, it's the dumbest thing in the world. Roll up some vegetation, stick it in your mouth, set fire to it, and suck the smoke into you body. How dumb is that?? But if you enjoy it, more power to you. If and when you're ready to quit, you'll find a way. Good luck, Bird.

[redbird]

Originally Posted by Bumper

Frankly, not really, Bird. Half-hearted attempts at cold turkey, but no sincere effort. I'm convinced that when you're ready to quit, you'll find a way that works for you. Whether it be cold turkey, laser, nicotine gum, hypnosis, the patch, the bead in the earlobe, or electro-shock aversion therapy or whatever is trendy these days. But until you're ready to quit, nothing will make you quit. I'm not doing missionary work for hypnosis, but that's what worked for me. I never tell anybody to quit, but face it, logically speaking, it's the dumbest thing in the world. Roll up some vegetation, stick it in your mouth, set fire to it, and suck the smoke into you body. How dumb is that?? But if you enjoy it, more power to you. If and when you're ready to quit, you'll find a way. Good luck, Bird.

All good points. After hearing about all these folks falling off the wagon and those with plans to stop, we may need to start a PlayaInfo smoking cessation support group. You know, just log on instead of lighting up. One interesting thing which I think gives a little perspective to those w/o the addiction: A friend of mine was prescribed wellbutrin by his doctor as an aid to stopping, after a week or two, I asked him how it was going and he said that he had started again. He said it was so easy to stop with this stuff he could quit anytime. I suppose that would be a prime example of not being ready.

[Nerak936]

Originally Posted by Shammy

I quit for good on April 5th, 2001 and although I would bum one now and then when I was out, I didn't consider myself a "smoker" because basically, I never went out!

I would buy a pack when I was on vacation but the minute my feet hit US soil, that was it....until the day before I left for Playa in May 2004.

I bought a pack to take with me and when my feet hit that US soil...I didn't stop! I am, as horrible as it is to admit, a smoker once again.

Too weird, Shammy.

We both quit in 2001 (me on August 1st).
We both started again the day before we left for a Playa vacation.
We both did this before a Playa vacation in May 2004.
We both said we'd quit after vacation (oh, how I promised David!!!).
We both are still smoking.

(And we both have to quit again, right, gal??!!)

[Lulu]

If I quit smoking, I'm going to have to quit drinking, and I can't let THAT happen.

[sctx]

Originally Posted by Lulus Lounge

If I quit smoking, I'm going to have to quit drinking, and I can't let THAT happen.

I like Lulu, she's got common sense

[SunKneeMarie]

I grew up with a dad who smoked like a bonfire--more than 3 packs a day at his peak. Watching TV, eating, working under a car... he never seemed to be without a cigarette (I'm still not convinced that all the clouds coming from the shower were just steam). So eating dinner and watching TV for all of us was done in a haze of second hand smoke--and driving in an enclosed vehicle with him was like being in a Fire Safety ad, but with nowhere to Stop, Drop and Roll. As my dad got older he had respiratory problems and he would cough so hard every morning he would throw up. But he kept on smoking.

I have a sister and two brothers and we all four swore we'd never smoke and go through all of that. One by one they all started smoking. I'm the only one who didn't start. And now that we're all in our 30's and 40's and I hear their morning hacking and see how hard it is for them to quit--what an addiction--I'm so glad I never started. Because I know I'd probably never be able to quit.

Funny thing is, I can't eat stick pretzels without holding them like cigarettes and "smoking" them as I eat them. So I was definitely genetically predisposed to be a smoker!!

[Seakony]

Originally Posted by Lulus Lounge

If I quit smoking, I'm going to have to quit drinking, and I can't let THAT happen.

Me too!! and give up driving, talking on the phone, computer, any socializing events, laundry...etc. Everything I do is a trigger for a cigarette.

We both quit for 3 months once and saved enough money for an AI trip to Playa. Kinda makes you think about how much money you can burn..but I really really really love a good smoke. Sadly, I smoke 2-3 packs a day. BUT.. they are Carltons..only 1mg tar and 0.1 mg nicotine. I could quit the drug part.. its the habit I can't get over................excuses, excuses

[Rissask]

A friend of mine was prescribed wellbutrin by his doctor as an aid to stopping, after a week or two, I asked him how it was going and he said that he had started again. He said it was so easy to stop with this stuff he could quit anytime. I suppose that would be a prime example of not being ready.

That is my story too- I used Zyban to quit...all three times........and it is literally, so EASY to quit on it, that I know I can just go on it again and quit, no problemo. Sad, really.

[Lulu]

Originally Posted by Seakony

its the habit I can't get over................excuses, excuses

Yeah Rita, I know that feeling all too well. I started taking Wellbutrin (same as Zyban) to help me cut back, and I do very well during the day. I usually only smoke about 4 a day. 1 on the way to work, 1 after work, 1 after the gym (smart, I am), and 1 before bed. Smoking only 4 a day - you'd think it'd be pretty easy to put them down... nope, I hang on to them like a freakin' security blanket!

Now... when I drink, that's a totally different story. I usually mow through at LEAST a pack in one night.