Are you a smoker?

[The Straight Story]

Might as well ask since we have had so many threads on it...

[Lurking Dem]

1. Quit the first time

for 8 years and am now on my second "quit" for 7 years.

[Ghost in the Machine]

2. I am Smoker, hear me wheeze!

out of breath, down on my knees...... aw hell, someone else can finish it, that's all I can think of....

But yes, I am a smoker. I will not apologize for it, I will not make excuses for it and I will not defend my decision to smoke. I consider myself a thoughtful smoker: I don't toss my butts on the ground. If I'm outside and there is no ashtray, I'll put the fire out on the heel of my shoe and put the butt in my pocket until I find an ashtray or garbage can. If someone is in my vehicle with me, I always open my window some (hell, I usually do this even when I'm alone). I never light up in someone else's house or vehicle without permission and if I'm out with others at a restaurant, I always wait until everyone is done eating at our table before I'll light up because, quite frankly, even as a smoker, I can't stand the smell of smoke in my face while I'm trying to eat. It ruins the taste of the food.

I quit once for 3 months. Yes, I felt better, I could breathe easier, and I had more money. Maybe I'll quit again one day, but it won't be anyone's decision but mine.

Ghost

[Cass]

3. I quit two months ago with the patch.

I was a smoker for 20 years but it was easier to quit than I expected which really surprised me. I used the patch for a couple of weeks then quit that, too. No real withdrawal symptoms to speak of except a huge craving for chocolate and an increased appetite. No surprise that I'm now on a diet to lose the 10 lbs. I gained after I quit.

[Another Bill C.]

4. Back in the eighties

I was the first and the loudest to protest any attempt to limit my smoking at work. First they made us smoke in a smoking room. Then they made us go outside and only on our regular breaks. I challenged every new step they took against smoking.

In 1989 I quit because I was out of work and cigarets were close to $16.00 a carton.

Now I can't stand the smell of cigarets. I don't believe in "smokers' rights" any more. There's no defense for smoking.

[Bluebear]

5. But MINE gets moved. Hmmph.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=105&topic_id=5959051&mesg_id=5959051

[stillcool]

6. Sugar, Caffeine, & Nicotine...

my three important food groups.

[TheCowsCameHome]

7. I quit the filthy death sticks years ago.

[spoony]

8. Check this out

I came across it today whilst looking at some medieval woodcuts:

www.godecookery.com/macabre/gallery5/macbr123.htm

It's described as a 1618 anti-smoking illustration, lol. I can't help but think that the tobacco company lawyers should have shot back with this when people said they didn't know smoking would hurt them.

[novalib]

9. YES!!! I SMOKE!

Yes, I smoke!!!

BUT -- the ONLY time I smoke is when I HAVE to pass through a gauntlet of people sucking their nasty little cancer sticks!!

I BREATHE IN ALL THAT SECOND HAND SMOKE!!!

[skipos]

10. Dang, lots of smokers here. I hope y'all end up quitting eventually.

But they are your lungs and you can do whatever you want with them.

[novalib]

15. I Could.....

I would be able to stop breathing in noxious tobacco fumes if only those people who INSIST on smoking in PUBLIC places where I go would agree to stop sucking on cancer sticks they purchase or bum -- IN PUBLIC!

[PassingFair]

20. You need to ...

Get. A. Life.

I suggest giving smokers a rather
wider berth.

Try walking AROUND them rather
than THROUGH them in outdoor
situations.

[novalib]

23. I HAVE a LIFE!!!!

For your information,

I. HAVE. A. LIFE.!!!!!

As to your "advice":

When cancer-stick-suckers gather around the ONLY PUBLIC ENTRANCE to a building I NEED to get into, and they EXHALE the noxious TOXIC fumes they sucked into THEIR lungs, what do YOU suggest I DO??? TUNNEL into the BUILDING????

[PassingFair]

25. Hold.

Your.
Breath.


Enter building.

Exhale.

Get on with your life.


Jeez.

[etherealtruth]

31. I quit several years ago ...

Unfortunately cigarettes will always sing a Siren's song for me ... so, I enter buildings slowly and inhale deeply;-)

[PassingFair]

32. Me too, ethereal....

a cheap buzz!

[novalib]

60. HOLD MY BREATH???!!!!

I CANNOT believe this advice that you are giving me!!!!

You SERIOUSLY want me to HOLD MY BREATH while I walk through clouds of NOXIOUS TOXIC SMOKE spewed into the air by CANCER-STICK-SUCKERS???!!!

I can't!! I WON'T!!!

And BESIDES, even if I did hold my breath, I would still have that obnoxious odor on my clothes and in my hair -- and that would be with me for the rest of the day!!!!!

Why should I have to PUT UP with THAT??!!

[Dystopian]

48. TUNNEL into the BUILDING????

Oh no! Not you again, oh passionate one!
:hi:

You are most entertaining! You were killing me on the other smoking thread....
Rant on!

:rofl:

And yes, I'm a smoker.....


peace~

[Dorian Gray]

52. This is terribly

overwrought... Hold your nose, close your eyes, and count to ten. The monsters will be gone.

[tcfrogs]

11. A dumb question

I'm assuming that "MJ" means marijuana, right?

[Kingshakabobo]

27. Yes it does......

Interesting that the OP included that in his poll. A cynical person would say it was done to throw the results off. Who is answering yes because they smoke pot a couple times a year? .......and ONLY in the privacy of their own homes

Marijuana should have been left out as it doesn't relate AT ALL to the smoke wars here on DU. Maybe I missed it but I haven't seen any flame wars regarding second hand smoke and bar/restaurant bans of MJ.


Maybe I'm too cynical or maybe I've seen so many ridiculous "smoking success stories" posts by the OP........ and too many "denials of second hand smoke hazards" posts (not necessarily by the OP)that use the same logic as evolution/global-warming deniers.

[judaspriestess]

12. non smoker

getting those nasty wrinkles above your lips that look like the grand canyon is enough of a deterrent for me :)

[OhioChick]

13. Yes

And trying like hell to quit.

[TheCowsCameHome]

16. You can do it. Only YOU can make it happen.

When you've made up your mind you'll do it.

Good luck, you'll be better for it.

[OhioChick]

19. Thanks for the pep talk...... ("You can do it")

It's so damn difficult at times, though. I'm considering just going cold turkey.....this cutting down just isn't swinging it.

:)

[TheCowsCameHome]

28. I'm not here to preach. I've quit twice. But here's how I did it, if you're interested

I went cold both times. It's damn hard, no two ways about it. What made me ultimately decide to quit was when my daughter (nine years old or thereabouts) came home from school one day visibly upset. I asked what was wrong and she said "Daddy, I don't want you to die". They had been learning the dangers of smoking and it stuck in her mind. Try standing there with a beautiful little girl with tears running down her cheeks and her arms wrapped around your leg telling you she's afraid her daddy's going to die. How do you respond to that statement? It turned the tide for me.

I vowed to quit, but I didn't tell a soul I was going to quit for fear of failing. No one knew, not even the wife. As I started my crusade, each minute, hour, and day without a cigarette was another small victory along the way. I thought of how long I how I had gone without lighting up (minutes, hours, days)and how I didn't want to have to go back to "start" again. No, I wasn't going to throw away the time I had already invested in quitting. I was not going to fail myself of my family. The longer I lasted the closer I was to my personal goal. I stayed away from anything that made me think of reaching for a cigarette - out of sight, out of mind. After about 10 days of "going cold" it was over. The craving was gone and I had beaten the habit.

I understand it may not be that "simple" for you, but once you've made your mind up you can do it. The key is to keep very busy with other things while going thru the process, and not giving in to temptation because the countdown clock will have to start from zero all over again.

I hope to hear from you someday that you were successful. Good luck, and I mean that sincerely.

[OhioChick]

33. First, let me say

that I didn't take your post as "preaching." :)

I appreciate your taking the time to tell me what has worked for you. It has given me an idea. Right after the holidays, I think that I'll start re-painting the entire inside of the house. It should take quite a bit of time and the weather has been unseasonably warm here, so I can open up all of the windows. With throwing myself into this project, it should take my mind off of smoking.

I understand how your daughter made you feel. I've had a sililar experience with mine. Over the past several months, my kids have made school field trips to the Great Lakes Science Center and have seen smoker's lungs. Needless to say, their fear of something happening to me has been a real eye opener.....or should I say, added to my own fears tremendously. Their tears broke my heart......they're afraid that I'll die young. I want to be around to see my kids graduate, marry and to see my grandchildren.

Thank you again. I hope to be able to report being "smoke-free" in the coming months.

[TheCowsCameHome]

42. OhioChick -

I didn't mean to suggest that you were taking my post as "preaching". I'm not a crusader for smoking cessation, but your tone made me think you were ready to quit, and I applaud you.

In a nutshell, there were a couple of things that helped me, they were:

1. Making up MY mind I'd had enough. Until YOU are determined to do it, (for whatever reason) no amount of nagging will make you stop.

2. Take any butts you have and get rid of them. House, car, garage - whatever. If there are any to be easily had it'll increase the chances of "sneaking just one". It's like having an open candy jar on the kitchen counter - soooo easy to sneak one out now and then.

3. Go "cold" - it's probably harder at first, but I really believe "tapering off" is more difficult overall because the cigs are nearby, and reaching for one is too easy.

4. Keep real busy, and that will reduce your thinking about missing the cigarettes.

I wanted to be there for my kid's weddings, (I was) and I want to be there when their children (all 6 of 'em) walk down the aisle, graduate, or whatever. If not smoking will increase my chances of staying healthy and living a little longer it's certainly worth it.

You'll succeed, I know you will.

[OhioChick]

53. Thank you again

for taking the time to post tips concerning what had worked for you. You are correct.....one has to truly desire to quit or trying will be fruitless. Right now, it's my "choice" to try to quit. I believe that having that attitude works better than feeling that one "has" to.

Good for you for finally breaking the habit and sticking with it. I'm very proud of my husband, as well. Several months back, he decided to quit but through tapering. He first threw all of his cigarettes away and only smoked several of mine a day. Now, he's only smoking one or two daily. He intends on completely quitting over the holidays. His new "vice" is a treadmill and he claims that he feels so much better.....and can actually jog again without huffing and puffing! :)

After seeing many of my relatives succumb to cancer at early ages, I feel that I have two "choices" at this point and intend on giving it my all.

Thanks for your thoughts, they're very much appreciated.

[Catchawave]

14. YES, and I would support and vote for A Candidate

who smokes or doesn't smokes AND supported or voted for the IWR.

There, I covered about a dozen threads :evilgrin:

[Generic Brad]

17. Two years smoke free

I will never go back to lighting up. But I defend the rights of those who choose to do so.

[Bluebear]

58. That's my stance. nt

[bigwillq]

18. Yes

I smoke cigarettes.

[Starbucks Anarchist]

21. Yep.

[donheld]

22. I never have, Do i get a cookie?

I want a cookie! :D

[PassingFair]

29. Freshly baked!

I quit about 4 years ago.

Couldn't afford them any more.

But I WELL remember how WONDERFUL that first hit
off each cigarette feels.

Problem is, no matter how many you smoke, you're NEVER
satisfied. You just want another, and another, and another....

I'm GLAD I quit. I'm GLAD I don't have to stop in crummy neighborhoods
at all hours just to make sure I'll have smokes on me when I need them.
I'm GLAD I'm not spending....what was it? $7,000 a YEAR on cigs for
both my husband and myself.

But....I still LIKE the way cigarettes smell, and I still CRAVE one, on occasion.
A lot of my co-workers smoke, and I DO feel left out when they clutch together
between beatings at work.....so I hang with them sometimes even though I'm not
smoking. Some of my best friends smoke, and they are WELCOME to smoke in my
house when they're here.

[bigwillq]

34. Did you quit cold turkey?

:shrug:


Good for you for quitting.

I wish I could but I really like it a lot as bad as that sounds.

[PassingFair]

35. Funny story, bigwill.....

There was a RiteAid going out of business. Everything 70% OFF.
Everything. So I got a PILE of cigarettes, just what was left,
the picked over stuff that NO ONE smokes; Larks, Luckys, Old
Golds, Pall Malls, 3 feet high. Next to that, I piled all of the
stop-smoking aids they had, gum and patches (gum for me, patches
for my husband). The piles were about equal in height.

The cashier looked at me like I was insane.
"What're you gonna do with those?" she asked.

"Well", I told her, "I'm gonna SMOKE these, then
I'm gonna CHEW these, then I'm gonna STICK these".

"OK!"

I paid about $150.00 for $500.00 worth of smokes and
stop smoking products.

Part of my problem with quitting had been the fact that
the gum and patches cost MORE than the cigarettes! That
BURNED me! I am a full-blooded Scot, and it KILLED me to
slap down $50.00 for a box of gum when I could get a carton
of smokes for $40.00.

That 70% sale probably saved my life when you think about it.

The gum helped me, because it delivered the nicotine when I
desired it, same as the smoking had. My husband preferred the
patch, because he's not a gum chewer.....

The only GIVEN was that we had to quit together and STAY QUIT
together, because in the past, when one of us had "fallen off
the wagon", we both started puffing again.

We had planned on quitting on the 4th of July, but we weren't
all the way through the "pile" of smokes until the 6th, so we
celebrate our own "independence day" on the 6th now!

It will be 5 years this year without a cigarette!

[bigwillq]

38. HA! What a story!

Well I am glad that you and hubby quit.

I hope I can to in the next few years.

I don't know what will help me.

I am Italian, so we have issues with our hands...we talk with them..and when I am not doing something with my hands, I get jittery. Smoking calms me and gives me an outlet to continue my hand obsession.

Not sure how well gum or patch will do.

I see how they have this inhaler out, that looks like a cigarette and you puff on it and it gives you little dozes of nicotine. That might be the best route for me.


:hi:

[PassingFair]

41. If they had the inhalers available at the time, I certainly...

would have been interested in giving them a try.



You might have to try quitting more than once
before you find a way that will work for you.
I am an avid gum chewer, so the gum was a
"natural" for me....

[bigwillq]

43. Yup, that's the inhaler.

My friend tried it and was doing well on them for awhile but went back to smoking.

[Judi Lynn]

24. Smoked like a madman for many years, smoked at work, home, in the car,

at the beach, taking a walk in the park, absolutely everywhere I went. On a few strange days, as many as four packs.

Suddenly quit. My head did not fall off. I am absolutely thrilled I made the decision. The farther away you get from it, the harder it is to believe you ever fell for something so stupid in the first place.

Have you ever actually looked in the mirror and discovered you had smoked so much your tongue was coated, somehow, with a yellowish color? Omigod! Your TONGUE?

Then you realize there may also be a problem with your lungs.

What I hate is someone who is so aggressive about it, he/she has to TELL OTHERS who can't see him/her smoking that he/she smokes. Who cares?

Eventually you may find you even get bored with the ritual when you discover that smoking really didn't protect you from anything, after all. It never really made you calmer. It's a stupid game you play with yourself, while savaging your health.

What about that goddawful wheezing in your lungs somewhere, when you try to breathe? Are you comfortable with that? At some point you may discover that worrying about smoking is starting to take up too much of your time, then you'll make your move.

You won't be sorry.

[cwydro]

26. Nope

I actually tried to smoke a few times. Made me cough and I hated the aftertaste. Ick.

[greenbriar]

30. honestly gonna try to quit after the new year

been having respitory issues

[Onlooker]

36. I'm a social smoker

but I have to admit the anti-smoking thing has gone too far. The American obsession with longevity rather than living life to its fullest minimizes the purpose of life. It's better to live a short, full life, trying new things and even making some mistakes along the way, then a long, dull one. Smoking certainly isn't a valuable activity, but it's probably no more dangerous than a lot of other activities. If people enjoy it the same way others enjoy a drink, let them enjoy. What the hell.

[frustrated_lefty]

37. Best way to stop is to never start.

I'm a smoker, and will probably end up stopping when they pry that last burning cancer stick from my cold, dead hands.

It's a nasty, vile habit, though, and every time some kid asks to bum a smoke, I tell them "no" and give a longass lecture on why they shouldn't be smoking.

While rabid, holier-than-thou anti-smokers annoy the hell out of me, I understand where you're coming from. I just think your efforts might be better devoted towards preventing a new generation of smokers from coming to be than by doing the exaggerated cough right in the face of a diehard, chainsmoker twice your age.

[woofless]

39. Quit smoking tobacco after

emphysema totally disabled me. Strangely, the herb is about all that makes me feel good. Truly medicinal.

Woof

[misanthrope]

50. Same here...

...What's your FEV1?

[Hippo_Tron]

40. I smoke a cigar every now and then

Not habitual, though.

[MrSlayer]

44. Yep, Marlboro.

Red cowboy killers are my preference.

[Left Is Write]

45. I am a former smoker. I smoked from about age 17 to age 32...

with the exception of about 10 months during my first pregnancy and early post-partum period when I was 20/21.

I quit for good at age 32 on July 1, 1998. On June 30, 1998, I was at a nightclub with my husband, my sister, and my brother-in-law. Partway through the evening, as I was having a cigarette, I told my sister I was quitting.

"I'm not going to smoke after tonight," I said. She didn't take me terribly seriously, but I haven't had a smoke since.

[Raine]

46. No, never

Thank God.

[azmouse]

47. Just an occasional cigar.

I don't consider myself a smoker.
I don't crave a cigar and if I never had another cigar I wouldn't miss it.

[Feron]

49. No

Even if I wanted to smoke (which I don't because it is gross), I can't because I'm too allergic.

[Dorian Gray]

51. I quite One year

and Ten Months ago. It was difficult, but I'm really happy that I did so.

[Union Thug]

54. MJ. No tobacco. n/t

[H2O Man]

55. In my early 30s

I was doing an archaeological excavation of a rock shelter near my parents' home. I was being bitten by insects. A friend suggested I smoke a cigar to get rid of the bugs. Pretty soon I was having a cigar on the way to the site, and on the ride home. Then I was smoking days that I didn't excavate. I came to enjoy pipe tobacco the most.

Though I still mildly resent the fact that "they" haven't produced a form of smoking that is healthy, I quit. It costs too much, and is unhealthy.

[Quantess]

56. This poll is skewed

Maybe there should have been 2 choices for non-nicotine addicts:

*No, I don't smoke tobacco.
*No, I don't smoke ANYTHING.

[emdee]

57. There are two types of ex-smokers....

Those who now cannot stand the smell (stench) of smoke.

And

Those who intentionally walk through smoking areas just to get a whiff.

I fall into the 2nd category - and I quit 14 years ago.

emdee

[Bluebear]

59. Does it EVER go away?

:(

[emdee]

61. Not for me, unfortunately....

There is a time, nearly every day that I think "Now -right this minute- I would enjoy a cigarette if I still smoked."

I have considered all possibilities of smoking again - back to a pack or more a day out in the open, sneaking one or two a day here and there, and many other options but when it comes to smoking, I'm all or nothing. I can drink socially and rarely without problem but smokes are my downfall.

My dad spent the last year battling lung cancer so you'd think that would take my want away but I still breath deeply as I pass through a smoking section. I have that nagging justification of "think of everything else we're breathing - we don't even know what we're eating" floating around in my head constantly. One big deterrent is cost. In the 14 years since I've smoked, the price has skyrocketed.

But, I could smoke one a mile long some days.

I smoked from the time I was 15 until the age of 32 -- uh oh, you can do that math and figure out my age! LOL How long did you smoke?

emdee