I'm actually a 40 year old creeper looking to get chicks on a message board by telling them I am only 18.

Ugh. I hate this argument most smokers bring up. There's one problem with it, no one dies from secondhand Big Macs.

And good luck quitting. It'll be better for your health and you can use the extra money on rising gas prices, or hiring a hitman for Shirley...



LLC, I'm not sure how you can get enjoyment out of smoking, my guess is through feeding the addiction but that hardly seems like something that would inspire me to say "everyone dies, might as well smoke"... I don't know...maybe it's just something I can't understand as a non-smoker.




TIS, congrats on a year. Didn't Cardi quit the same time as you? Did he make it?



I'm guessing what makes it hard to quit is the combo of a habit/ritual along with addiction. An addiction can be hard to kick alone but you also have to break the habits associated with smoking.

Perhaps nobody dies from secondhand Big Macs, but there goes that argument that non-smokers use about how they have to foot the insurance bills for smokers. You'll be footing the bill for the fat guy, too, but nobody yells at complete strangers about over-eating. Believe me, the government is making TONS of money off of smokers.

I personally don't want to smoke, but if you're over 21 and have made the choice to smoke, then, since it's not illegal, you should have every right to go ahead and do it.

And, yes, it is an addiction. Why else would you see people outside of office buildings and restaurants in blizzards or rainstorms or 100 degree heat, huddled around an ashtray? It's what they feel compelled to do. I am thankful for the laws that limit smoking because they have forced me to cut down consumption, which I believe will allow me to have an easier time quitting. Not easy, just easier.

You apparently never sat next to a big fat guy, who after eating five Big Macs has a gas problem.

Don't you know better than to make jokes about inflation during a bad economy??

Obese people get charged more for insurance, smokers do too. It should not affect a non-smoker or non-obese person's premium.

If you get insurance from your job, then everyone has the same premium. And I don't think that Medicaid or Medicare screens for those things.

Well, I'm on my third day now without a cigarette. In a lot of ways, today was worse, mostly because I was in my car a lot, which was definitely a place I smoked. I walked past a woman in a parking lot, and she was smoking. I took a huge sniff, and she looked at me strangely, and I laughed and told her what I was doing. She said that she had tried the patch a few times and it hadn't worked for her, so she was going to try the new nicotine spray, which I hadn't heard of. When I walked away, I told her to have a nice weekend, and she replied, "Have a great LIFE."

It's all bullshit in my opinion. If anything, they should be charged less, because they're going to fucking need it.

I always answer no when the doctor asks me if I smoke/drink/do "street drugs," all consequences put aside.

(What the fuck is a street drug, anyways? They sound absolutely retarded when they say that shit.)

The hardest part of trying to quit for me is, the need for a smoke when I first wake up. That's when the addiction hits hard. I'll even get up in the middle of the night and light up a smoke.

America would know about obesity - they created it and then "exported" it yo the world.

?????

Obesity was mentioned a few posts above mine.

Whisper, That is one of the toughest times because you've been without nicotine for so many hours. But give it a shot. The patch or one of the medications may work best for you. There's even a nicotine nasal spray now. It may take multiple attempts using different methods before you can really quit. But the most important thing is to give it a try.

I'm keen to give it a go, eventually. I've tried the Gum and it gave me burning sensations down my esophagus and my throat. Also, my fiend tried the patch and he started getting stabbing pains in his arm. I may try the nasal spray.

There are definitely people who suffer ill side effects. So far, I've had no problems. Just remember that what worked for one person, may not work for you, and the other way around as well. The most important thing to do is try, and not to get discouraged if you don't succeed. Just try again.

I really wanna give it a proper try, But I'm a weak weak man.

Just remember that the longer you smoke, the more difficult it will be to quit.

Today is one week. It's been so ridiculously difficult at times that it's really not funny. However, I notice already how much better I feel. I'm breathing better and don't get short of breath as quickly.

The urges are far less frequent, although no less intense. I just hope and pray that I can keep it up.

Every time you get an urge, just think of how much better you're feeling now.

Congratulations!

Good work!!!

I'm gonna draw inspiration from people like you!! So keep it up!!

Does talking about it, just remind you of smoking though?

Congrats SB. It's only been a week. Just think when you post back on here in about 5 months and the progress you would have made.

You're doing great.

Thanks, everyone! Talking about it does NOT make me want to smoke more, because I focus on talking about NOT smoking. I have avoided one friend who smokes like a chimney, and didn't even stop smoking around her husband when he quit (and I am even more impressed now that he was able to). As I told a friend, it's starting to feel almost normal to NOT be smoking, but I also have to remind myself not to buy cigarettes. I always budget my pocket money each week, so when I looked in my wallet yesterday, I started to panic because I was "low" on cash, but then realized that I was actually up some bucks, because I didn't have to buy cigarettes!

To reward yourself stick the money you're saving from not buying cigarettes aside. Every month or so take that money and splurge on a little something nice for yourself.

Way to go SB. I am very proud of you. Keep up the good work.
Just think how much better you'll feel in the days and weeks to come. Congrats!!

I'm gonna move from Smokes to Cigars. At least you don't inhale as much toxic smoke. Plus, I can look all cool and gangster!!

Longneck you clever boy!!

I may talk trash, But you collect it!!

Aren't cigars still pretty shitty for you? Not to mention more expensive?

Fucking Aussie's.

Any Brits here heard of the new nicotine thing?

It doesn't burn like a cig, but you can hold it and take it like a cig. They are allowed indoors, so people will now go back to pubs, bingo halls etc and trade will go back up!

Tomorrow is two weeks, so I went to Costco to buy another two week supply of Step Two and a two week supply of Step Three patches. They only sell the Step Two in packs of 21, though. I bought them because they were STILL cheaper than CVS' 14 day supply.

Anyone need seven Step Two patches??