Maybe I should just quit....

[Dussicar]

Yeesh!
Unlike many of you on this forum(or I should assume anyway), I am a smoker.
I used to smoke two and a half packs a day. Then I decided to cut down. Then, I was smoking roughly 16 to 20 cigarettes a day. Now, I smoke about four to six a day.
Seriously, I should quit pussyfooting around, and just give up altogether. I mean, it's not as if smoking only a handful a day is really going to save my damned life.
The problem is, actually getting around to it. As strange as it sounds to you non-smokers, I am actually a bit scared. I've been destroying my lungs for about 16 years now, and I actually find the task of quitting daunting!

Oh, well. I could always jump in front of a speeding train...Hey, I wouldn't be smoking anymore, now would I? :weird:

 

[PlanetTJ]

Dude - good for you for cutting back, now kick those butts all the way out.
I'll be one rooting for you.

TJ

 

[Celtic_Emperor]

Any addiction where one becomes dependant practically, sometimes literally, is a fearsome opponent, not just because of the strangle-hold it has over a person, but the serious health risks that ensue because of it.

You are to be both applauded and commended for stepping up and fighting this internal war to save your body from this menace and reaffirm your commitment to yourself mentally, psychologically, and as a person that deserves better. This is a battle of wills, and I know you can win. So make it so.

My father was a smoker. And while it was not smoking that killed him (he was never ill because of it or had cancer), and he never did stop smoking, I'm glad he encouraged me not to, and didn't smoke in the house. I'm proud of him. And the fact he shielded me from that and other things as well, more than makes up for his never having quit the habit. For him at least, his smoking was something I could respect and even accept. In a way, his smoking was almost symbolic of the control and will power he had over the habit. It never did consume him or turn him into a jitter-bug when he didn't have a cig left in the pack.

 

[alchemy1]

Here's what you should try and do man. Give up smoking now, and then start up again when you are like 60. There was a study once that found that old people that smoked were more likely to keep their wits about them. Just don't smoke and chew at the same time...just look at Eddie Van Halen...not good.

 

[HOLLYWOOD]

the hollywood brother applauds your attempt to quit smoking and sup[ports you all the way. the hollywood brother is very proud that you choosen to fight the nicotine demon head on and with the power of this forum backing you brother, the hollywood brother claim that it a sure bet you will quit the habbit

 

[erikasknight]

Deffinately give it up for good friend. I know how hard it is since I quit myself after years of killing myself. The drug "Zyban" really helped me out.
Believe me it will be worth it. Just wait until you taste food the way you were meant to...I remember being in heaven tasting foods again. It was incredible.
Not to mention you'll feel younger and healthier.
We'll worth the battle. Good luck, This knight will be rooting for you.

 

[Dussicar]

Deffinately give it up for good friend. I know how hard it is since I quit myself after years of killing myself. The drug "Zyban" really helped me out.
Believe me it will be worth it. Just wait until you taste food the way you were meant to...I remember being in heaven tasting foods again. It was incredible.
Not to mention you'll feel younger and healthier.
We'll worth the battle. Good luck, This knight will be rooting for you.

You've made very valid points. I would like to be able to taste my food again.
*sigh*
Nonetheless, this is going to take a lot of strength from me to commit myself. I just hope I'm up to the task soon.

 

[nessonite1]

We're behind you, dude!

 

[Celtic_Emperor]

Dussicar, I've sent you a PM.

 

[AphroditeRabbit]

You'll be able to.....

1. Smell better (with your nose and yourself in general! Smoke smells like stink)
2. Taste food better
3. Save loads of money, or blow it on a new addiction...like gambling!
4. Breath clearly while doing things like walking and running
5. Have whiter teeth
6. Have a hair free tongue (In some instances if someone smokes long enough, they can grow hair on their tongue)
7. Have a better chance of being cancer free
8. Save gas (How many times have you gone to a store just for a cigarette run)
9. Free up pocket space!
10. Avoid disgusting coughy phlegm (sp?)
11. Most importantly: Lead a healthy lifestyle

 

[nessonite1]

1. Smell better (with your nose and yourself in general! Smoke smells like stink)

Im with AR there...Walking past someone who smokes (whether they are smoking at the time or not) makes me gag. It's just a nasty smell. Smokers and their families arent't aware the smell is even there cause they are so used to it. My mother smoked when I was growing up and I didn't start to notice the smell until after I had moved away for a while.
Maybe someone can dig up a list that I had once. It told you what happened to your body after an hour, 5 hours, 10 hours, a day, a week, etc after you quit smoking. Seemed like it would be great inspiration for someone to help them quit but I lost it before I was able to show it to anyone who needed it.

 

[MistressValerie1]

When Smokers Quit - What Are the Benefits Over Time?

20 minutes after quitting: Your blood pressure drops to a level close to that before the last cigarette. The temperature of your hands and feet increases to normal.
(US Surgeon General's Report,1988, pp. 39, 202)

8 hours after quitting: The carbon monoxide level in your blood drops to normal.
(US Surgeon General's Report,1988, p. 202)

24 hours after quitting: Your chance of a heart attack decreases.
(US Surgeon General's Report,1988, p. 202)

2 weeks to 3 months after quitting: Your circulation improves and your lung function increases up to 30%.
(US Surgeon General's Report, 1990, pp.193,194,196,285,323)

1 to 9 months after quitting: Coughing, sinus congestion, fatigue, and shortness of breath decrease; cilia (tiny hair like structures that move mucus out of the lungs) regain normal function in the lungs, increasing the ability to handle mucus, clean the lungs, and reduce infection.
(US Surgeon General's Report, 1990, pp. 304, 307, 319, 322)

1 year after quitting: The excess risk of coronary heart disease is half that of a smoker's.
(US Surgeon General's Report, 1990, p. vi)

5 years after quitting: Your stroke risk is reduced to that of a nonsmoker 5-15 years after quitting.
(US Surgeon General's Report, 1990, p.79)

10 years after quitting: The lung cancer death rate is about half that of a continuing smoker's. The risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, bladder, kidney, and pancreas decrease.
(US Surgeon General's Report, 1990, p.110, 147, 152, 155, 159,172)

15 years after quitting: The risk of coronary heart disease is that of a nonsmoker's.
(US Surgeon General's Report, 1990, p.79)

http://www.cancer.org/docroot/PED/content/PED_10_13X_Quitting_Smoking.asp

 

[nessonite1]

Val I KNEW I could count on you...is there anything you can't find?

 

[naveltkltr1350]

Dussicar..im behind ya 100% on stopping smoking..i still hate the stand online ads on tv/radio..i hate them kids..but i really dislike smoking a lot. Lost some relatives and friends to lung cancer, emphysema(sp). Id say go for it! Slowly work yourself down to where you dont need cigs anymore!

 

[Timewarp]

Good for you. Take one step at a time. Umm...chew gum. of course don't get addicted to gum. and...ummm.....well good for you.

(man I suck at constructive critisism)

 

[Cbarton]

Val, you beat me to it!

I deal every day with the result of smoking. The majority of my cancer patients are lung. The sooner you quit, the sooner your risk goes down. I won't go down to zero, but if you stop and stay off, it gets lower and lower and lower. So, unless you want cisplatinum is your future. do your best to stop.

The patches and Zyban/Wellbutrin/buproprion all work well. Support groups help even more.

 

[Inocent_Angel]

: D ya! quit! quit! QWERTY! : D lol!

Flush the death sticks my friend, flush them and be free!

 

[TheChameleon]

Oh man... as a 19 year old, i really can't have been smoking for long... but I hear you on the pain of attempting to quit. The Current Girl of my Dreams... (yes, current) bought me A new lighter... so now i bust it out all the time to show it off cuz its shiny... I'm gonna quit soon too...