Smoking and attempting to stop.

[Retribution Reptiles]

Ok well Ohio just raised the taxes on the great and wonderful cigarette again. This really doesn't bother me i can afford to keep my habit not a problem. Why am i attempting to quit? I actually have no idea. It's the last vice that I have left that keeps me grounded. I gave up drinking and all those fun recreational drugs that i use to do.

I mean all i'm going to be is cranky and i'm going have a shorter fuse then i already have. I really really really like smoking. It's one of the greatest pleasures there are out there. Don't get me wrong i know every single health hazard that is out there regarding smoking but i don't care.

So my plan is to slowly just cut back. This week it will be 6-7 smokes a day. next week I will work it down to 5-6. To help in stopping i'm walking on my lunch break at work. It actually feels kinda good to get the blood flowing a bit.

Is this really a start on a clean healthier life? I hope not but in the same time I guess it wouldn't be such a bad thing. I dunno really how to feel about this transition.

Thanks for reading,

~Ryan

 

[metaldad904]

as an avid smoker myself i know what you're going through. I smoke about a pack a day (20 cigs) give or take and even have my doctor after me to at least cut back due to my blood pressure, but realistically...it keeps me from going off on people. I walk and smoke on my breaks, at least then i'm doing "something" i suppose. It's good that you're cutting back, i'm trying to myself, i''ve got a plan i'm wanting to put into a effect within the next week to at least bring it down to something reasonable. Good luck to you, it's hard to do once you're used to a certain routine.

 

[JordanAng420]

Ryan,
First, congratulations for wanting to make the commitment to stop.

I've been there. I've SO been there. When you feel like there's nothing left for you to "grab hold of" when you're a little off, it can leave you feeling very vulnerable. I used to smoke close to a pack a day...one day I woke up and decided that I didn't like the way my clothes smelled, I didn't like how my hair or my car smelled...a lot of the time I could'nt catch my breath with the SLIGHTEST bit of exercise...

When you DO decide to quit, you have to do it because you WANT to do it. Not for ANY other reason, not even the ones I listed above. It has to be set in your mind that it's your ultimate goal, and you WILL feel better. Not only physically, but emotionally too. You don't want to be one of those people that has to talk with an electronic voice box. And also, food tastes so much better! It sounds funny, but it's true! You're adding so many healthy years to your life by doing this.

I recommend the patch. It's a little expensive, but the generic form works too. It lets you "step-down" gradually, without the shock of cold-turkey...which is about as effective as beating someone with a wiffle bat. Also, find something for your mouth to do when you have cravings...hard candy, straws, toothpicks...any kind of food...and yes, you probabbly will gain some weight. But it's worth it. And when you need to vent and rant...that's what friends are for. The ones in person, and us. Good luck, Ryan.

 

[Mel&Keith]

I'll try to cut you a little slack if your posting is a little extra cranky! LOL I hope that you're successful. You'll feel amazing when you finally quit. Breathing without coughing and wheezing is SO not overrated! LOL


Maia, how old were you when you quit smoking if you don't mind me asking? I went through something similar to what you did. Something just clicked when I was 24 and I suddenly didn't want to smoke anymore. I actually felt bad because I just stopped, it was almost too easy.

 

[JordanAng420]

Maia, how old were you when you quit smoking if you don't mind me asking? I went through something similar to what you did. Something just clicked when I was 24 and I suddenly didn't want to smoke anymore. I actually felt bad because I just stopped, it was almost too easy.

Let's see, I was 25 and that was...2 years ago, wow. It was such a weird feeling, almost like it would make me sick to smoke another cigarette...and I figured that was my body telling me that it was time to stop. Being able to exercise without wanting to collapse after 4 minutes is the best thing for me! At first I thought I was going to relapse, but I realized that you really need emotional support from your friends and family as well. Sometimes if I get really angry i'll have a quick craving, but it fades very fast.

 

[2bacop]

I know it is hard to stop, although not a smoker myself I watched my dad struggle to quit. Unfortunatly he was diagnosed with lung cancer in May and passed in June. Lung cancer often sneaks up on a person because it often goes undetected until it has spread. Believe me when I say that it can happen to you, I cant tell you how many times throughout my life we begged my dad to stop smoking, but he always said that lung cancer wasnt as common as we thought, and it would never happen to him. But it did in a month no less. He couldn't even stop after he found out he had lung cancer, it was just too hard for him.

So I commend you at you attempt to stop, keep it up!!!! Just remember that suffering through quitting is better than the alternative.

 

[JordanAng420]

I know it is hard to stop, although not a smoker myself I watched my dad struggle to quit. Unfortunatly he was diagnosed with lung cancer in May and passed in June. Lung cancer often sneaks up on a person because it often goes undetected until it has spread. Believe me when I say that it can happen to you, I cant tell you how many times throughout my life we begged my dad to stop smoking, but he always said that lung cancer wasnt as common as we thought, and it would never happen to him. But it did in a month no less. He couldn't even stop after he found out he had lung cancer, it was just too hard for him.

I'm sorry Katelyn. What an experiance.
Ryan, this is exactly why you want to stop NOW.

 

[rawson5084]

I want to quit smoking also but its really hard when you live with 3 other people that smoke and I get annoyed SO fast!!! It also doesnt help that I'm living with my boyfriend and his parents right at the moment.......... What is it about in laws LOL

 

[2bacop]

I'm sorry Katelyn. What an experiance.
Ryan, this is exactly why you want to stop NOW.

Thank you, I just hope that at least one person that hears my story will quit, so that at least my dad would not have died in vein.

 

[Yamori]

Gotta give props, quitting when you've smoked for so long is nothing to take lightly, its hard.

I grew up in London, my dad and all his family smoked, my friends and pretty much EVERYONE smoked, he(My Dad) started when he was 12 so naturally when i turned 18 i tried it. But i never took it up, Mainly because i saw how unhealthy my dad and older bro was from years of smoking.

But it when i was around 22-23 i started smoking cigars., not the cheap and nasty machine made ones either. I became kind of a cigar aficionado. love em but have had to cut back recently due to the cost. started smoking cigarets, benson and hedges classic, about 1-2 a day, sometimes only 3 a week.

Coming from years of discipline in gym ive never felt i couldnt do anything. anything is possible. that or i just don't have an addictive nature. ive never felt the need to smoke .

But i know from seeing my older bro quit smoking the cancer sticks just how hard it is for people that are addicted. he started eating, more, allot more. lol but hes lucky as he was blessed with a super fast metabolism. but yeah, hes hasnt smoked in 2 years now and is happy about it, healthier too.

My dad still smokes and always will, he sais its the one thing he enjoys so he aint giving it up. he has asma because of it but other than that hes physically pretty fit and basically healthy. but smoking takes a toll on your body, good luck quitting, you will feel better for it for sure. :main_thumbsup:

Im hopeing cigar prices drop a little, cigarets are no way as enjoyable a smoke as a fine cigar imo.

- later

 

[animalhouse27]

I started smoking when I was 11. Then I just randomly Stopped at around 22..And would only have one here or there when I was drinking or stressed.. which a pack would last me FOREVER... and about a yr and a half ago.. I started back.. And I quit Cold turkey again a cpl months ago. And I think I can count on one hand how many I have had since! I am proud of myself..and so are my friends. All my friends are smokers..Hubby and I aren't. Even my mom and her roomies smoke! So, it is VERY Tempting! So I applaud you for trying! YAY!

 

[leoman777]

i am NOT smoking at all my dad does it what a dirty habit it sounds disgusting im NOT going near those things and they smell funky

 

[Ehatcher]

I commend you all to trying to quit... its one of the greatest things you could do for yourselves!!

Im not sure if this is possible or anything, but Im pretty sure I am allergic to Nicotine. Every time i would smoke a cigarette, I would get headaches, feel sick to my stomach and have the sensation of motion sickness. Good for me I guess lol

 

[Sunrise Reptile]

After having smoked for ~25 years, I've been smoke free for 4+ years. It really is unbelievable how much better you feel. And yeah, I enjoyed smoking while I did, but it just got to the point that I had enough. My wife quit with me, which made it much easier. Trust me, if I can do it you certainly can too, but you have to want to be without a cigarette in your hand for it to really work. Good Luck!

 

[Lena]

This is really going to sound like a sale's pitch.. But I'm a big supporter of quitting with snuff tobacco! Snuff is a safer way to enjoy nicotine if you like the 'high' but don't like the cancer.

My boyfriend used to smoke a pack or two a day.. Working in construction, it was just something to keep his mouth busy. He'd already been using snuff, but then decided to substitute cigarettes with pinches from his snuff tin and in a few weeks you could tell the difference. Not to mention, snuff is very enjoyable. All sorts of flavors.. Even I use it occasionally.

http://quitwithsnuff.com/why_snuff.htm

As for myself.. I smoke maybe once or twice a month, socially. I really only enjoy clove cigarettes and menthols.. Plus, too much nicotine (I.E. Smoking more than one or two cigs in a sitting) makes me feel sick. I've been a social smoker since I was 16, but I really never feel the urge to smoke. Guess I'm lucky. :main_rolleyes:

 

[Yamori]

"Every time i would smoke a cigarette, I would get headaches, feel sick to my stomach and have the sensation of motion sickness. Good for me I guess lol"


Thats what happens when someone who doesn't smoke much smokes a cig thats too strong. It wares off over time.

Smoking is enjoyable, its the reason most people start and most keep doing for many years, its enjoyable, relaxing...etc. If you do it in moderation and cut back to only having a couple a day you really wont need to quit.

I do prefer cigars and regardless to what some say they are healthier imo. you do not inhale for one. with cigars its all about flavor, complexity, character, nuances etc. But due to recent prices ive been buying a pack of "Benson and hedges classic" once every 2-3 weeks, i make it last and they actually have a pretty decent tobacco flavor if you know how to taste it.

Too much of a good thing can be bad for you. Everything in moderation keeps a healthy balance. just my 2 c

 

[Mel&Keith]

Most people are against it but I'll through it out there anyway....hypnotism. We have a friend who does massage, acupuncture, and hypnotherapy. The power of suggestion works wonders for most people and there are no side effects other than feeling better. If you're a quitter who replaces cigarettes with food it can help kill two birds with one stone. Hypnotists making people cluck like chickens really only happens on tv shows. LOL

I've also had a friend who quit with prescription medicine (I think it was Chantix). She literally quit the week she started taking the medicine and never started back up again.

 

[Lena]

I do prefer cigars and regardless to what some say they are healthier imo. you do not inhale for one. with cigars its all about flavor, complexity, character, nuances etc. But due to recent prices ive been buying a pack of "Benson and hedges classic" once every 2-3 weeks, i make it last and they actually have a pretty decent tobacco flavor if you know how to taste it.

Too much of a good thing can be bad for you. Everything in moderation keeps a healthy balance. just my 2 c

My boyfriend is also an avid cigar smoker. I like them, but I couldn't sit and smoke a whole cigar by myself! We're both quite fond of Acids, and.. Well.. Cubans. Don't tell. Montecristos.. Mmm.

Acid C-Notes are fantastic, especially for a lightweight smoker like me.. So sweet. My personal favorite.

 

[Yamori]

I started off Smokin Cuban but i think they are overrated. I prefer Dominican, they have a much better range in flavor, aroma and character.

There are 2 cuban cigars that i do enjoy and would recommend-

. Montecristo (cuban)~No 2
the No 2 is a rich, full bodied cigar. Tapered at one end for a nice feel. Very slight earthy notes at the start, cedar, grass and dry straw can be distinguished depending on how experienced your pallet is, This cigar has a distinct flavors of coffee beans and dark chocolate coming out in the 2nd and last 3rd.

It is a larger cigar.

.El Rey Del Mundo(Cuban)~ Demi Tasse
Hand made in Cuba. One of the best 'small' cigars from Cuba that i have ever smoked. Quite a mild cigar but full of substance. Good sweet flavours with a 'vanilla' bean aftertaste. Just be sure to smoke slowly to avoid overheating or ' burning'.

My personal favorites-

.Arturo Fuente (Dominican)~ Chateau Fuente Sun Grown

The sun grown wrappers increase the richness of this short but wonderful cigar. Prominent flavors of berries and cocoa bean. Brilliant from start to finish.


.Arturo Fuente (Dominican)~ Don Carlos Robusto
Typical quality from Fuente with good spice levels, light sweet chocolate and a sweet vanilla, cocoa bean aftertaste. For the experienced pallet.


Ashtons VSG (Dominican)~Tres Mystique

Only for the serious smoker as these cigars pack a good punch. Intense spice
levels with flavours of red berries and rich dark chocolate. One of the all time greats.

And for the Cheapest small cigar that is still enjoyable for when you don't feel like a full cigar or do not have the time i recommend-

Zino (Honduran)~ Mini Cigarillos

A cheap small cigar that will surprise you in flavor and quality. many aficionados smoke these when they do not have time to smoke a full size cigar. These are good for all occasions and are really worth trying.

Hints of coffee, cocoa, leather and finishes on a light toasty chocolaty note. Light to medium spice levels, smoke slowly to avoid burning.

Just remember that how you light your cigar can have a major affect on how it smokes and tastes. never use a cigarette lighter, the gas in it will completely ruin the taste and smell of the cigar not to mention burn it. matches can be used but make sure to let the match burn till there isn't any more smoke in order to get rid of the sulfur which again, will ruin the cigar. For best results i recommend a butane lighter. Store your cigars in a humidor or use a ziplock plastic bag to keep them fresh.

lol kinda hijacked the thread a little, my bad.

 

[Jenn]

I started Smoking when I was 12 and I will be smoke free 1 year next month. My son was sick with a cold and I was watching him sleep and I got to thinking I want to avoid leaving him as long as possible so that next morning I put them down and have not touched them sense. I feel so much better, I breath better, smell better, and can even taste things better.