How many of you smoke.

[jackson1]

Never smoked anything.

[nateb]

Smoked since I was 15 years old. I quit a few times for longer then 6 months. This is the first time that I have quit for longer then a year. Every once in a while on a special occasion, I will allow myself to have a cigar but, that is it. Just be strong and don't allow your friends to offer you any. In fact, it would probably be a good idea to stay away from the smoking crowd until you get over the initial shock.

Out of all the habits I have had. The hardests ones to kick are the legal ones. Drinking and smoking are gnarly habits and hard to kick. Just be determined and focused on why you are quiting.

-Nate

[adoxtater]

I smoked up until about 5-6yrs ago...

My lungs collapsed five times so it was time I gave it up I guess. I can't blame it entirely on smoking, since I inhaled every drug I could in the 80s/90s LOL. My lungs finally said "fuck it" and gave up. I quit smoking immediately and haven't looked back. I learned a lesson during my 3 month stay in the hospital... you pay for everything you do to yourself one way or another.

Lesson learned

[rjohnstone]

Don, Mark and anyone else trying to quit, hang in there.
It does get easier as time passes.
I quit 3 years ago and feel better than I did when I was a teenager.
20+ years of smoking really kicked the crap out of me.
I didn't realize how bad until I about 3 months after I quit. I could taste food without putting a pound of salt on it and I could actualy play with my daughter and not be out of breath in less than 5 minutes.
Oh she still runs me ragged, but I can keep up with her now... most of the time anyway.

[donf]

Yeah, I know how tough it is, and I'm in the midst of it now!

[SEAN RAF]

I quit on New Years Eve, so that's 16 days so far without a cigarette. I smoked 15 a day for the last 22 years (a lot more when I'm drinking), but this had increased in the last 12 months to 30 a day, though I'm not sure why. I haven't tried the patches as I think I'm only avoiding the inevitable withdrawal (though statistically you are twice as likely to be successful using them). I keep going through 3 minute spells where I could rip out my own finger nails in frustration, swiftly followed by a weird dizzy feeling. It is really difficult to maintain focus when you have a spell of craving, though luckily I only have these spells around 4 times a day. Cigarrettes are nearly £5 a pack in the UK (almost $10 to you Yanks), so I was spending around £50 a week for the privilege of stinking my car, house and clothes out, and screwing up my health and those around me. I so wish I'd never started. I have to avoid tea, coffee and alcohol completely now as they go so well with a cigarette.

[rjohnstone]

I hear ya Sean.
I had to stay away from coffee for a while, but I can drink it now and it tastes so much better.

[heartfielder]

Mark,

Glad to hear you're holding up ok. I knew you would.

-P-

[SEAN RAF]

Rick, when did you notice a difference in your sense of taste and smell? I haven't noticed anything as yet. Main difference is when I wake up each morning, no disgusting taste in my mouth.

[wilkinsi]

I smoke rolled cigarettes because they're cheaper than normal cigarettes. The problem is they're nastier. I buy normal cigs on pay day, then move to roll-ups mid-month when i'm near broke. I don't like cigars at all.

[donf]

I quit on New Years Eve, so that's 16 days so far without a cigarette. I smoked 15 a day for the last 22 years (a lot more when I'm drinking), but this had increased in the last 12 months to 30 a day, though I'm not sure why. I haven't tried the patches as I think I'm only avoiding the inevitable withdrawal (though statistically you are twice as likely to be successful using them). I keep going through 3 minute spells where I could rip out my own finger nails in frustration, swiftly followed by a weird dizzy feeling. It is really difficult to maintain focus when you have a spell of craving, though luckily I only have these spells around 4 times a day. Cigarrettes are nearly £5 a pack in the UK (almost $10 to you Yanks), so I was spending around £50 a week for the privilege of stinking my car, house and clothes out, and screwing up my health and those around me. I so wish I'd never started. I have to avoid tea, coffee and alcohol completely now as they go so well with a cigarette.

Great job Sean. I know where your coming from about frustration. I went thru that and it was the worst for me. My wife had to be patient with me (this is back in 2001). I was a dick!!

I haven't gotten to that part yet and I hope I don't get it on Friday. I gotta give a lecture and if some wise ass m**&f(@#er pisses me off in class, well, he'll learn.............

I am getting dizzy spells now, but I expected it. I've tried patches before, but made my blood pressure skyrocket.

This new drug is called Chantix and they have a web site on it, if anyone else is interested; Its doctor prescribed though.

www.chantix.com

[rjohnstone]

Rick, when did you notice a difference in your sense of taste and smell? I haven't noticed anything as yet. Main difference is when I wake up each morning, no disgusting taste in my mouth.

It took about a month or two.

It was little things at first, not needing to salt everything all the time for example. Most food I used to have to add salt to before eating, I found was too salty to begin with.
It's hard to explain really. Think regular TV vs. HD.
It's that big of a difference.

[Nazgul]

<-- Not a smoker .

[Fragle]

never smoked other than 1 cigarette or 2 when i was like 15 or something. my dad smokes a lot, plus pretty much all of my friends smoke, so i never really felt the urge to do this shit....and my friends admire me for that, which is cool.
that's the strange thing about smoking, people who do it KNOW it's no good, but they do it anyways....just like a crack addict really. sad world

[jackson1]

I never fully understood smokers and why they are willing to put up with the health issues, their stinking car, their stinky clothes, hair, breath, fingers, home, their stinky children even! everything... ever tried playing a smokers guitar and smell your fingers afterwards?! Phooey!!

BUT, I have never complained to my smoking friends about it. They are great friends and it's their decision to smoke and not my job to hassle them about it. They KNOW the drawbacks of smoking.

I never fully understood either, why it can be so hard to quit, but the more I read stuff like in this thread, the more I understand how hard it can be. Good luck in quitting, (former) smokers