Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Your Turn

Do you smoke? Have you ever tried to quit? The one thing I don't do is smoke. I believe I have every other vice though, so I'm not patting myself on the back. The parents smoke so I have had enough of it.

69 comments:

  1. I started smoking when I was twelve (both parents smoked) and quit when I was 28. I have been a non-smoker for more than 10+ years. Very proud of that.

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  2. You asked this a couple of weeks ago, Enty. ;)

    My answer remains the same: never smoked, never understood why anyone would.

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  3. I did for a couple of years. Just decided to stop one day and haven't been tempted since. I am definitely glad I didn't get addicted (but not quite sure how I didn't...).

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  4. I'm 47 - and have smoked since I was 14. I know I need to quit if I want a chance at a long life - but the problem is I enjoy it.

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  5. But I will say that I only wanted to smoke when I was all jacked up on adderall. Never when I was just "normal."

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  6. 36, quit almost 5 years ago after the 8th time. It wasn't easy, and still to this day I crave cigs every now and then, but I'm sooo glad that I did! I'm not sure why it comes to me as shock when I see H'wood types smoking even though they seem like health nuts otherwise (hello Jennifer Aniston, et al.)

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  7. Anonymous10:09 AM

    I used to smoke a lot of cigs.. Now maybe three a week if I have a cocktail or two.

    But , me, my herb and my Zong have a very special relationship .. Errry day

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  8. My parents were both heavy smokers. Dad died of lung cancer and my mom from congestive heart failure. My college roommate and I used to smoke together, just to try it and have something to do. One pack of smokes would last us months.

    I haven't smoked in 20 years, but I still occasionally want one.

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  10. No my Granddad died of emphysema, none of us smoke. I can't even begin to tell you how awful it is to watch someone you love struggle to breathe ....

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  11. This Christmas will be 4 years smoke free for me. I used to smoke 2 packs a day.

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  12. We did this just a few weeks ago!!!

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  13. Smoked in my late teens for a few years, but just decided to stop one day and was able to do it pretty easily. I never really smoked that much though - would sometimes go through a whole pack with a couple friends on a night out, but only two or three cigs a day usually. Glad I quit for sure.

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  14. Alicia- woot woot!!

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    1. Anonymous2:33 PM

      Haaa! Whoodeeehooo!

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  15. I don't smoke, drink, take drugs, or eat meat.They are not healthy and I don't want to put anything unclean into my body.My family is health conscious too although my kids do eat meat but they don't do any of the other stuff.

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  16. I quite just over 2 years ago. THank god. Hardest thing in the world. I had tried over and over but eventually got ariculotherapy treatement from a chiropractor - essectially they laser pressure points on your ears - similar to acupuncture, but this sucker WORKED!

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  17. Tried 3 cigarettes in college and LOVED them. Made a conscious decision to never light up another one. So there's one vice I don't have. My dad smoked 3 packs a day (he told me that he learned to smoke in WW2 because he spent the winter sleeping in a trench in France and it helped keep him warm). I used to have bronchitis all the time, it got better over the years, now, 40 years later, I never get it. Dad would be mortified if he thought there was a connection. He died of COPD.

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  18. I quit four months ago today, actually. Started half my life ago, got drunk with some friends that told me I couldn't quit (I've failed at it many, many times). Peer pressure is something else...everyone thinking I can't do something is a surefire way to get me to do it. I crave them almost every day though.

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  19. Quit for a year. Started again when my husband's health went downhill. Quit again in 2011. Then in 2012 my Daughter died and I started smoking again. At least no drugs or booze. Will quit again soon. It has kept me from hurting some AH's.

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  20. Kudos to all who have quit!

    Pogue, I am seriously impressed. I think that's amazing willpower, although I guess it wouldn't be "willpower" for you, since those vices just aren't tempting. But, and this is a serious question, what about Krispy Kreme donuts? There has to be at least one thing that isn't necessarily healthy, but is super tempting, right?! :)

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  21. Congrats to all you that quit! I smoked from age 15 to 37. It will be 4 years this month. I quit twice before when I was carrying my babies, but started up after they were born. I tried Chantix, but quit cold turkey. You've got to make up your mind to do it, and no medicine will do that for you.
    @Karrots I'm a runner now too. I ran my first half in Feb.! *Waves*

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  22. Tried smoking a few times but almost chocked to death. In the past 9 yrs I've maybe drank 5 times at most. Haven't done any drugs in over 13yrs. Too busy being pregnant or raising kids of my own and others to get into any trouble.
    Ahh adulthood.

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  23. I am pretty sure you asked this question a couple of weeks ago and someone called us "smokers" some really nasty things! I smoke, drink, and I don't care who knows it! It is a filthy habit but I have no desire to quit!!!!!!

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  24. Started as a teenager and smoked off-and-on until a month or so ago. (That would be over twenty years or so.) Bought nicotine gum, which I only chewed once or twice, and an e-cig, which I highly recommend. I don't even use THAT now, unless I'm stressed in traffic and I may have a puff or two then. (Smoking in the car was where I did it 90% of the time.) Of course, I was only smoking 3-5 cigarettes a day, if that, so it was much easier for me to quit than someone who is a long-time heavy smoker. That said, I've known those long-time heavy smokers and they DID it. It CAN be done.

    What with the e-cigs now, I can't imagine why everyone who smokes doesn't just switch to that. You're ingesting 4-5 chemicals rather than the hundreds or thousands that are in tobacco, for one thing. They taste better. There's no smell. There are flavors and varying levels of nicotine. If you want to quit, get an e-cig and never look back, I'm tellin' ya.

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  25. Smoked since I was 13. I still sneak outside for one a day when the kiddos are in bed. Then i come inside, take off the hazmat suit and shower. On the two days a month their "dad" has them i smoke more.

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  26. I smoked from age 15 to age 50 -- quit one whole year (during this time) via hypnosis with no cravings and absolutely no side effects, but went back to it in a manufactured moment of emotional upset... I permanently quit 6 years ago cold turkey one day, without any cravings or side effects except some weight gain. Would NEVER pick up another cigarette again.

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  27. Never smoked, only one of my siblings not to. My mom smoked when pregnant with them, but not me. Coincidence? Conspiracy? We'll never know!

    I am happy to report I kicked a decades-long Mt. Dew addiction though.

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  28. I smoke pot off and on, maybe a joint or two a week. I first did it when I was 14. I like it much better than booze and I don't feel I abuse it.

    I started smoking cigarettes when I was 32, as a result of hanging out in bars and clubs - this was before no smoking laws. Eventually I got to the point where I smoking a pack a day no matter where I was or what I was doing. I developed a bad smoker's cough and quit at the age of 52. Occasionally I'll still have one, but I can't remember the last time I bought a pack of cigarettes. But I like it, and if I could smoke without the health damage I probably would.

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  29. Actually stopping today. On my 7th day of chantix.

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  31. since its a repeat question i will repeat my answer:

    Quit cold turkey in 2003.

    "Smoking! The world's most obvious IQ test!"

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  32. You know what the best way to quit smoking is? Come down with a case of bronchitis that causes you feel the worst you've ever felt in your life, highlighted by a constant cough -- often accompanied by globs of phlegm, the inability to sleep -- because every time you start to doze off, a coughing fit jars you awake -- and absolutely no appetite, causing you to lose 20 pounds in two weeks until you finally break down and get some antibiotics. Once you go through that, you kind of lose interest in smoking.

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  33. I could cut and paste my original response from a few short weeks ago, but it has changed. I recently stocked up on nicotine gum, October 24 is my stop date.

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  34. I don't smoke cigarettes.

    Congrats Karrots & Renoblondee! I run my first half this Sunday-if you all have any tips, I'd appreciate them! :)

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  35. I hate it. Smoking related diseases killed both of my parents. My father used to finish eating first and then light up while we were still eating, so forgive me, smokers, if I say I fucking LOATHE the smell.

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  36. Started smoking when I was 14, because it was cool. Quit about 3 years ago, I think, without much fanfare. I just didn't want to do it anymore, and quitting wasn't hard. It doesn't really bother me if other people smoke, but sometimes at work when I'm in the elevator with someone who was just outside for a cigarette, I can't help but think to myself, "I can't believe I used to SMELL like that!".

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  37. Cornbread: I do enjoy the occasional donut although not Krispy Kreme; they are waaay too sweet for my liking; I prefer Dunkin Donuts!

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  38. @Seth - good luck with quitting!

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  39. Started when I was 15 - because I figured out that smoking at underage parties meant no one gave me crap about not drinking.
    Smoked for 20+ years. I was a 2 1/2 packs a day minimum when I stopped. I say "stopped" because I haven't 'quit' so much as I've just never lit that next cigarette. 11 years ago June 30th.
    One parent smoked, the other was on the American Lung Association's committee against smoking for years. I smoked, my brother never did.
    It is the ONE thing I would change in my past. I quit not because I didn't like it - but because I loved it. And it was killing me.

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    1. Thanks, that's a great tip! I will definitely start the first few miles a little slower so I can at least maintain and not have to walk the last mile-I'd be so disappointed!

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  41. Smoked from my teens until I was 45. Tried quitting several times along the way.

    The last cigarette I had was 3 years ago the day before my daughter's 5th birthday. Every time I'd get the urge I'd just start telling myself "Seeing your daughter grow up is more important" over an over until urge was gone.

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  42. Congratulations to all those who have quit and best wishes for those of you trying. I have never smoked but I can certainly understand how difficult it is to stop.

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  43. Yay @Curlyhairslacker! You'll do great. I'm sure you've done 5 and 10 ks, right? I found there isn't much difference in preparing for my half. The main things I did was drink Powerade Zero the night before for some electrolytes, had fresh inspiring music, and wore a small fuel belt with a little powerade in the bottle and a snack size Luna bar (I can't use gu or sugar, I'll get sick). I loved it and felt so proud. I did get the trots bad after, but thankfully not during, haha. Please let me know how it goes! Good luck!

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    1. Thanks! My friend and I have done a few practice runs on the course-the first time we ran the first 8 miles & the second time we did the whole thing, with some walking toward the end. The 13 miles...affected me, lol! I warned mr. curly that on race day, he might need to leave the house to watch football. Hoping the Gatorade that is provided the second half of the race will give me an extra energy boost! I'll be sure to let you know how it goes! :)

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  44. I smoked and quit many times, the last one being 20 years ago. Have no desire to smoke, hate the smell, glad I dont smoke.

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  45. I vividly remember my last cigarette, 20 years ago. I had one at lunch. When I was having dinner with my husband that evening, he remaked that my period was late. I was so mortified and disgusted with myself that I had deprived my baby of oxygen that afternoon. I never touched a cigarette again.

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  46. Never smoked cigarettes. I do smoke weed, daily in fact. Weird, I know. But interestingly, I've met a number of people over the years who do the same!

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  47. I have been smoking on and off since I was 16. That's almost 20 years! Anyhoodle, I have been going through some mental health stuff and quite frankly I am 90% certain all of it stems from smoking so I have quit. Again.

    In smoking's place I am obsessed about the food I put into my body and working out. While transferring one addiction to the other isn't the healthiest, at least it's a decent vice. Trying to get my husband to quit. Sometimes the smell is delicious and sometimes putrid. Oh and I have given up alcohol for the time being as smokes and booze go hand in and for me!

    @ Maja - I do the same thing!

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  48. E-cigs, people. They work great and help you transition away from the habit permanently.

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  49. I just started 16 months ago, in my very late twenties!! How stupid is that??? I always hated cigs and their smells. Now I'm close to two packs a day. I have made some half-hearted attempts but nothing really serious. I know I need to quit and want to quit (I never wanted to be the person that smells like cigs, but I am), I just love them so fucking much. It's sad and I have to quit, I don't want my son to see his mom outside smoking. I just need to pick a day and make that be it!
    Chantix users, does it work? Help?

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    1. It helped my husband, a former longtime heavy smoker of 20 plus years. Certain mess affect him, so it gave him crazy dreams and he didn't get the refill. He's been smoke free for almost 4 years. Good luck to you! :)

      *certain meds

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  50. I'm a daily pipe and cigar smoker, former filterless hand-roll cigarette smoker.

    Love smoking, love the smell, and since I switched to cigars and pipes, no more pulmonary problems. Never gonna quit. Yeah, it's probably shave off a few years of my life, but those years are gonna be when I'm old and decrepit, no matter what I do. I think it's a fair exchange for the pleasure and productivity it gives me now. I really wish there were someplace in America that was still a smoker's paradise.

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  51. I've never tried a cigarette. Both of my parents have smoked. My dad quit 2 years ago, but he's on again off again at times. I imagine my mother smokes a pack a day. It is disgusting bc she smokes in the home and the smell permeates your clothes and skin and everything, but the smoker doesn't notice.

    I will smoke pot from time to time, though.

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  52. Was a social smoker for a few years, then moved to the south of France last year and became a full blown smoker as I guess everyone smoked and then in Monaco you can smoke in the clubs even though it really officially is not allowed. So by this year was doing a pack of 20 a day, then 6 months ago got news that a neighbour of mine in London passed away from lung cancer and I stopped cold turkey that evening. I didn't even get cravings, from 20 a day to 0. Now I'm super sensitive to the smell of cigarettes and sometimes I miss the gesture of smoking when I'm out, but I can't just stomach the smell.

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  53. I quit cold turkey on a promise. I promised my son by the time he came back from Dallas in June of 2011; I will no longer be smoking. I have managed to keep that promise and don't even crave cigs. I now wonder how I ever smoked.

    It's sad when your 5 year old at that time tells you to stop smoking because they don't want you to die.

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  54. I used to smoke, on and off from the time I was 14 til about 28. But I haven't smoked in a few years now. And now I think its gross.

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  55. Congrats to everyone who has quit.
    Good luck to the ones who are trying.
    Old ;ady, I remember you posting about your daughter and granddaughter, I hope things are going ok for you right now.

    My whole childhood I begged my mom to quit smoking. She would smoke in the car with us with the windows up and I always felt so trapped.
    Stupidly, I started smoking at 19. It just came so easily with drinking. I got pregnant when I was 23 and before I even knew I was pregnant, cigarettes just started making me nauseous. I'm 26 now and they still make me sick. Every once in a while I will crave one, like if I see it on tv. If I give in to the craving, I regret it immediately.

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  56. Had my first cigarette when I was 15 and It's been almost 3 weeks since I smoked...quit cold turkey. There are days when I just want to have one long satisfying drag with a strong coffee in the morning but I guess it's just the first phase of quitting. Fingers crossed...

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  57. I made a deal with my dad when I was 5 that if he would quit smoking I would quit sucking my thumb. I did it, he didn't. I smoked socially off and on during college, but now that my kids are all in school day, I find myself smoking about a half pack a day. Who does that...starts smoking at age 43? Im a weirdo. I know I can quit anytime, though. Just visited my family for a week and didn't smoke the whole time. I think maybe I just need to make my husband quit.

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  58. My parents were/are heavy smokers. A couple years ago, my mother gave me some of her old kitchen appliances. The soft plastic parts (lids, cords) are INFUSED with old, rank tobacco stink. Nothing will remove it.

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  59. This December I will be 5 years smoke-free. As happy-no, THRILLED- as I am that I'm now a non-smoker, I never, EVER judge those who smoke. Not only because it would be quite hypocritical of me, and because I LOVED smoking and though I would never start again I sometimes still miss it, especially while reading a book, but also because everyone is different and YOU HAVE to be READY to quit. So when someone is ready I will support them and encourage them 100%, but I won't bug them to quit, and I won't judge them if they relapse.

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  60. Giving up cigarettes was one of the best decisions I've ever made.

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  62. I had the occasional cigg in college, but never formed a habit...now I never ever smoke. Not only is it bad for you, but its a HUGE waste of money....how do people afford it in 2012??

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