[Shooter]

How many ex smokers do we have and what's the skinny on your smoking life?

I hung out with a bad crowd, started smoking when I was 12. Quit when I was 24 due to a severe bronchial infection, and was off them for a few years.

Started back up then decided to quit again a month ago.

I miss it terribly. I would smoke forever if it didn't kill me. That was my reason for stopping, well that and the fact I was spending $400 a month on smokes between the wife and I, who still smokes.

 

[Apyl]

I smoked my first cigarette in 5th grade. Smoked on and off till high school. Smoked heavily from high school till I was 21. The day I found out I was pregnant with my oldest I quit cold turkey. I picked it up again back in 2009 but quit again once I was paying more than $4 a pack. I just couldn't justify spending that kind of money on a stupid habit. I have times I miss it, mostly when I'm drinking but then I see it's almost $10 a pack now and there is no way I'm spending that. I haven't smoked in a couple years now.

 

[Sparky_D]

I'm one of the rare ones. I started after I turned 18. My co-workers always got their breaks, and I always got the "emergency" or "urgent" tasks at break time since I wasn't a smoker.

Fast forward 20+ years. I had just gotten laid off from a company I'd worked for for 15 years, was stressing like mad, and on March 17th, 2007 I bummed a smoke from a buddy, took one drag, and decided I was done with smoking.

Still get the occasional craving, but they are few and far between and easier to ignore as time passes...

 

[Speedbump]

I started sometime in early High School (early 60's). Smoked up until 1984, quit for a little over a year, went back to them until 1987. Cold Turkey both times, haven't even smoked a Cigar since. I'm actually scared too! When I quit for good, I was up to 3.5 packs a day.

 

[Hydrashoks]

smoked for 25 yrs.

quit in April. Took a few months to break the associations and habits.

I have a few cigars, but have no desire for a cigarette. That took a while to stop talking about quitting and wanting one.

but getting older, i need my lungs back.

glad that habit's over.

 

[Shooter]

I've been chewing cigars trying to put the cravings at bay. I don't know what it is, but it seems this last week - 2 weeks has been really intense.

 

[Nelson]

Smoked one pack a day for 47 years. Breathing problems kept getting worse the last several years. Went on Chantix and that was it. DONE!! The physical addiction lasts 18-21 days. The psychological habit lasts for years, but isn't bad to live with. After 5 & 1/2 years of not smoking, I still occasionally find myself grabbing at my shirt pocket for a cigarette when I step outside. It sure is nice to breath easily, and not cough all the time though. Chantix worked great for me. It was actually easy to quit and not suffer from the lack of nicotine. There are government and civilian organizations that will pay all or most of the costs. Check with your doctor.:woohoo:

 

[J-Will]

I miss it terribly. I would smoke forever if it didn't kill me. That was my reason for stopping, well that and the fact I was spending $400 a month on smokes between the wife and I, who still smokes.

Gotta get the wife to quit too. Think of your kiddo. He needs his dad around as long as possible. Both my parents smoke, mom a pack a day, dad 2 1/2 a day. My MIL and FIL both close to 3 packs a day. My wife used to for a few years, but quit before I met her. I smoked cigars. I hate it now, and I see our parents hacking up a lung and we smell like smoke when we go over to their house. It scares the hell out of us... We are going to lose our parents way too soon because of something they "enjoy".. I'm happy for all of you that have quit. Not only for yourself, but your kids too.. Keep it up guys!

 

[Shooter]

I'm discussing it with her more, but every time we go into it it just starts an argument.

 

[Sparky_D]

Next time you argue, just tell her "Babe, if I agreed with you, we'd both be wrong and you don't want that, do you?"

















Then run like hell....

 

[J-Will]

I'm discussing it with her more, but every time we go into it it just starts an argument.

No offense to anybody, but smokers are some of the most stubborn people I've ever met..

 

[Shooter]

They are. Smoking is an addiction, addictions aren't logical, so there's no argument for or against it that applies. You just need to know in your heart it's time to quit.

 

[Sparky_D]

My wife has been exceptionally supportive (she never smoked), but she can not fathom the difficulty of fighting this addiction (or any addiction, really).

Sure I didn't hit the "bottom of the gutter" levels some addictions drive users to, but I do remember jonesing so bad for a smoke, I was digging through ashtrays looking for long butts that I could snag a puff or two off of. That was my "bottom".
Gross? Yes. Logical? Not even close.

 

[Nelson]

The single most annoying comment anyone can make to a smoker that wants to stop is; "Well, why don't you just quit smoking then". I always wanted to choke the life out of people who said that.

 

[J-Will]

I understand. I've had my issues with other things. You have to actually want to quit or it will never work.

 

[Shooter]

Lesson learned, black and milds will fall apart in your mouth after five minutes of chewing on them. I swallowed some of the the shreds, and got a little sick to my stomach.

 

[J-Will]

Lesson learned, black and milds will fall apart in your mouth after five minutes of chewing on them. I swallowed some of the the shreds, and got a little sick to my stomach.

That is super gross lol. I hated black n milds, my thing was watermelon Phillys. They are gross when you swallow them too..

 

[Shooter]

I'm just trying to find one that stands up to chewing that isn't $4 or more a pop.

 

[J-Will]

Let me ask, why are you chewing cigars. Assuming it is giving you the same thing you would get from packets or dip?

 

[Shooter]

Or gum or lozenges. The cessation products aren't cheap.

I'm getting over my need to smoke every time I want to.