Smoking

Dorsk 81 · Post by **Dorsk 81** » 2003-11-23 12:58am

All this talk about cannibalism got me thinking about the quality of meat. This in turn lead me to creating a thread where I can boast about how I've given up smoking! I used ot smoke 20 rollies per day and in 2 weeks I've stopped completely. It was difficult to say the least.
Anyone else here ever given up smoking? How'd you do it?
Anyone here still smoke? Do you wanna give up?

Thoughts, opinons, etc, please.

Frank Hipper · Post by **Frank Hipper** » 2003-11-23 01:02am

Been smoking for nearly 20 years. Congrats on quitting.

LT.Hit-Man · Post by **LT.Hit-Man** » 2003-11-23 01:06am

Yes I smoke, glad to see that you kicked it.

Post by **Zaia** » 2003-11-23 01:18am

Re: Frank & LT's replies

Are smokers really sincere when they congratulate smokers who have quit?

Dorsk 81 · Post by **Dorsk 81** » 2003-11-23 01:21am

Zaia wrote:Re: Frank & LT's replies

Are smokers really sincere when they congratulate smokers who have quit?

Nah, they just think "Pssh....quitters...."

*Is suddenyl reminded of that Dilbert episode*
"NOBODY LEAVES THE TABBACO INDUSTRY!!!"

LT.Hit-Man · Post by **LT.Hit-Man** » 2003-11-23 01:25am

Zaia wrote:Re: Frank & LT's replies

Are smokers really sincere when they congratulate smokers who have quit?

Well Zaia my dear friend I can not speak for Frank or any other smokers but when I do congradulate a smoker who has given up smoking I am very seincere in fact I encourgae others not to start smoking or to quit while they can and if anyone points out the fact that I smoke and that I should not say anything on the matter I tell them that because I have been smoking for a long time that I can say with some athorty that it would not be in there best intrest to start or it would be in there best intrest to give it out so as not to make the same mistake that I did a long time ago.

Durandal · Post by **Durandal** » 2003-11-23 01:35am

Zaia wrote:Re: Frank & LT's replies

Are smokers really sincere when they congratulate smokers who have quit?

Of course. Why shouldn't we be sincere? Dorsk just made his life better by dropping the habit, and that takes a great deal of willpower. A staggering majority of smokers (especially those in college) wish they could quit.

Whenever I tell pack-a-dayers that I keep the habit in check and maybe smoke once a day, invariably, they say that they wish they could do it. Many people start smoking as teenagers, and of course, that's a stupid age to make any kind of long-reaching decision.

EDIT: By the way, congratulations on quitting, Dorsk.

Dorsk 81 · Post by **Dorsk 81** » 2003-11-23 01:37am

Durandal wrote:
Zaia wrote:Re: Frank & LT's replies

Are smokers really sincere when they congratulate smokers who have quit?
Of course. Why shouldn't we be sincere? Dorsk just made his life better by dropping the habit, and that takes a great deal of willpower. A staggering majority of smokers (especially those in college) wish they could quit.

Whenever I tell pack-a-dayers that I keep the habit in check and maybe smoke once a day, invariably, they say that they wish they could do it. Many people start smoking as teenagers, and of course, that's a stupid age to make any kind of long-reaching decision.

Exactly, I started smoking at 11 and being at college not smoking is VERY hard because as soon as I get in on monday mornings the court yard is filled with people smoking and I mean literaly filled and I know about half of them and they always offer me one even though I've told them I've given up!!!!

Post by **haas mark** » 2003-11-23 01:43am

Durandal wrote:
Zaia wrote:Re: Frank & LT's replies

Are smokers really sincere when they congratulate smokers who have quit?
Of course. Why shouldn't we be sincere? Dorsk just made his life better by dropping the habit, and that takes a great deal of willpower. A staggering majority of smokers (especially those in college) wish they could quit.

Whenever I tell pack-a-dayers that I keep the habit in check and maybe smoke once a day, invariably, they say that they wish they could do it. Many people start smoking as teenagers, and of course, that's a stupid age to make any kind of long-reaching decision.

EDIT: By the way, congratulations on quitting, Dorsk.

Quite. I have tried quitting several times, and I know I'll be able to soon... but how soon is the question.. In the past several months, I've not had more than 1/2 a pack in one day save a couple of times, and usually stay below 1/4 pack (or thereabouts). It's extremely difficult to quit.. and I know I have had several failed attempts.. but I'm getting there..

And many congrats, Dorsk!

~ver

Durandal · Post by **Durandal** » 2003-11-23 01:45am

Dorsk 81 wrote:Exactly, I started smoking at 11 and being at college not smoking is VERY hard because as soon as I get in on monday mornings the court yard is filled with people smoking and I mean literaly filled and I know about half of them and they always offer me one even though I've told them I've given up!!!!

11? Wow, that's a very young age. How long did you smoke for?

The biggest hurdle to overcome in quitting is really, really wanting to quit. Smokers know it's bad for them. But when you're in a bar, drinking with your friends, you just want to light up. Drinking and smoking just go way too well together. And let's not kid ourselves, the media, especially movies, tend to use cigarettes quite a bit. They don't necessarily glorify them, but they are very present.

As for quitting, cold turkey is about the best way to go. Patches don't give the psychological satisfaction, which in my experience, far overwhelms the nicotine addiction. Trying to ween yourself off of cigarettes keeps you smoking, and you'll likely find any reason you can to "indulge" yourself with a cigarettes for a special occasion (i.e. "I just got an A on my test," "It's Friday" or "I got up this morning").

Durandal · Post by **Durandal** » 2003-11-23 01:47am

verilon wrote:Quite. I have tried quitting several times, and I know I'll be able to soon... but how soon is the question.. In the past several months, I've not had more than 1/2 a pack in one day save a couple of times, and usually stay below 1/4 pack (or thereabouts). It's extremely difficult to quit.. and I know I have had several failed attempts.. but I'm getting there..

If I were you, I'd just drop them and never look back. Be sure to buy lots of chewing gum. Weening yourself off opens you up to indulging yourself, and you're at the point where a small indulgence can set you back to Square One.

Dorsk 81 · Post by **Dorsk 81** » 2003-11-23 01:48am

verilon wrote:
Durandal wrote:
Zaia wrote:Re: Frank & LT's replies

Are smokers really sincere when they congratulate smokers who have quit?
Of course. Why shouldn't we be sincere? Dorsk just made his life better by dropping the habit, and that takes a great deal of willpower. A staggering majority of smokers (especially those in college) wish they could quit.

Whenever I tell pack-a-dayers that I keep the habit in check and maybe smoke once a day, invariably, they say that they wish they could do it. Many people start smoking as teenagers, and of course, that's a stupid age to make any kind of long-reaching decision.

EDIT: By the way, congratulations on quitting, Dorsk.
Quite. I have tried quitting several times, and I know I'll be able to soon... but how soon is the question.. In the past several months, I've not had more than 1/2 a pack in one day save a couple of times, and usually stay below 1/4 pack (or thereabouts). It's extremely difficult to quit.. and I know I have had several failed attempts.. but I'm getting there..

And many congrats, Dorsk!

~ver

I used nioctine patches for a week, that helped, after I stopped using them I went to smoking only 1 a day and now I dont smoke any (unless when drunk and then thats because I'm not in complete control of my mental facalties).

Post by **haas mark** » 2003-11-23 01:49am

Durandal wrote:
verilon wrote:Quite. I have tried quitting several times, and I know I'll be able to soon... but how soon is the question.. In the past several months, I've not had more than 1/2 a pack in one day save a couple of times, and usually stay below 1/4 pack (or thereabouts). It's extremely difficult to quit.. and I know I have had several failed attempts.. but I'm getting there..
If I were you, I'd just drop them and never look back. Be sure to buy lots of chewing gum. Weening yourself off opens you up to indulging yourself, and you're at the point where a small indulgence can set you back to Square One.

TMJ and arthritis kind of prevent me from being able to do that, and patches are hella expensive. In fact, I'm only even smoking every other day currently..

~ver

Post by **haas mark** » 2003-11-23 01:51am

Dorsk 81 wrote:I used nioctine patches for a week, that helped, after I stopped using them I went to smoking only 1 a day and now I dont smoke any (unless when drunk and then thats because I'm not in complete control of my mental facalties).

Right-o.. If patches were easily available, they would probably help.. but I have not the money. As for drinking and smoking.. I'm becoming more and more of a social smoker anyways.. I smoke more when I drink, yes, but even that is getting less and less frequent.

~ver

Dorsk 81 · Post by **Dorsk 81** » 2003-11-23 01:57am

verilon wrote:
Dorsk 81 wrote:I used nioctine patches for a week, that helped, after I stopped using them I went to smoking only 1 a day and now I dont smoke any (unless when drunk and then thats because I'm not in complete control of my mental facalties).
Right-o.. If patches were easily available, they would probably help.. but I have not the money. As for drinking and smoking.. I'm becoming more and more of a social smoker anyways.. I smoke more when I drink, yes, but even that is getting less and less frequent.

~ver

Yea, nicotine patches are VERY expensive, £17 for 7! Which is why I only used them for a week.

Durandal · Post by **Durandal** » 2003-11-23 02:07am

verilon wrote:TMJ and arthritis kind of prevent me from being able to do that, and patches are hella expensive. In fact, I'm only even smoking every other day currently..

Well that's certainly good, better than smoking daily. I think that a big problem lies in that there's really no established fatal dosage of cigarettes, i.e. a certain rate of smoking which increases your chances of lung cancer significantly. It doesn't take a genius to realize that someone who smokes maybe a pack every week or two is at a far less risk than someone who smokes a pack every day. My question is, what's the risk increase for the guy who doesn't need to start the morning off with a cigarette, smokes mainly when he drinks or is stressed and could probably drop the habit cold turkey without too much trouble?

Post by **haas mark** » 2003-11-23 02:18am

Dorsk 81 wrote:Yea, nicotine patches are VERY expensive, £17 for 7! Which is why I only used them for a week.

It's like $50+ here for a 2-week supply in places. o.O

~ver

Dorsk 81 · Post by **Dorsk 81** » 2003-11-23 02:20am

verilon wrote:
Dorsk 81 wrote:Yea, nicotine patches are VERY expensive, £17 for 7! Which is why I only used them for a week.
It's like $50+ here for a 2-week supply in places. o.O

~ver

Can't you get them free on a health service? I just found out I can on the NHS, but it's too late now!

*cough* look at Ein's Z Minus thread in Testing *cough*

Einhander Sn0m4n · Post by **Einhander Sn0m4n** » 2003-11-23 02:21am

My sister tried multiple times to get me addicted to cigarettes, but her attempts to enslave me with yet another method of control failed miserably when I found that I DETEST smoking cigarettes! Oh well, it still doesn't make up for the hundreds of dollars in birthday/christmas/found money she stole from me all the time over the years I grew up as a kid...

Post by **haas mark** » 2003-11-23 02:22am

Dorsk 81 wrote:
verilon wrote:
Dorsk 81 wrote:Yea, nicotine patches are VERY expensive, £17 for 7! Which is why I only used them for a week.
It's like $50+ here for a 2-week supply in places. o.O

~ver
Can't you get them free on a health service? I just found out I can on the NHS, but it's too late now!

*cough* look at Ein's Z Minus thread *cough*

Possibly, though I don't know.. As it is, I'm not covered on *any* health insurance because of my schooling, and something fucked up with my biological dad and my stepdad and Naval health insurance and Indian hospital...

~ver

Post by **haas mark** » 2003-11-23 02:23am

Einhander Sn0m4n wrote:My sister tried multiple times to get me addicted to cigarettes, but her attempts to enslave me with yet another method of control failed miserably when I found that I DETEST smoking cigarettes! Oh well, it still doesn't make up for the hundreds of dollars in birthday/christmas/found money she stole from me all the time over the years I grew up as a kid...

As opposed to smoking other stuff?

~ver

Post by **Darth Wong** » 2003-11-23 02:28am

I never started smoking because I couldn't get over the "filled with toxic chemicals such a tar and hydrogen cyanide" bit, not to mention the resulting "it's a fucking stupid thing to do" bit. Everyones' parents tell them this; why doesn't everyone listen?

Dorsk 81 · Post by **Dorsk 81** » 2003-11-23 02:31am

Darth Wong wrote:I never started smoking because I couldn't get over the "filled with toxic chemicals such a tar and hydrogen cyanide" bit, not to mention the resulting "it's a fucking stupid thing to do" bit. Everyones' parents tell them this; why doesn't everyone listen?

I think it's the whole "I'm going to rebel by killing myself but oh wait, now I can't stop" thing, although I have managed to and am pleased as I've tried stopping before and failed.

Post by **haas mark** » 2003-11-23 02:34am

Darth Wong wrote:I never started smoking because I couldn't get over the "filled with toxic chemicals such a tar and hydrogen cyanide" bit, not to mention the resulting "it's a fucking stupid thing to do" bit. Everyones' parents tell them this; why doesn't everyone listen?

Except those who grow up in a smoker's household... >_>

~ver

Post by **Darth Wong** » 2003-11-23 02:36am

verilon wrote:
Darth Wong wrote:Everyones' parents tell them this; why doesn't everyone listen?
Except those who grow up in a smoker's household... >_>

~ver

Are you shitting me? You know smokers who don't tell their kids that smoking is bad? My landlord was a smoker when I lived near the Michigan border, and he was absolutely adamant that his kids never start smoking (of course, he came off a a hypocrite because he couldn't quit smoking himself, and I strongly suspect that they are probably smoking by now, but at least he knew enough to tell his kids that it's a bad fucking idea).