Quitting Smoking

[Plank_Spanker]

This time, it's bone serious.....................

I have realized that it's actually cheaper to shoot heroin than it is to smoke cigarettes...................and I'm pissing away tons of money as well as damaging my health and future. Logically, contunuing this habit makes no sense at all.

I'm on a timed program, and my quit date is April 5th. I'll be using the patch as well as gum to overcome serious urges. My wife is quitting with me. She will be the chief enforcer.

I quit a few years back for 5 months but fell off the wagon. This time, I intend to make it stick for life.

[sunvalleylaw]

Excellent! Keep track of how much you save on packs per week and put it into a gear fund!

[Ch0jin]

Nice one Plank. I ditched them myself about 2 years ago. During that 2 years there have been only 4 occasions I've had a ciggy, and all of them involved copious amounts of booze. Not that I'm offering that as an excuse or anything, I'm totally cool with my progress.

There's a million of us ex-smokers with a million ideas on how to do it I'm sure, but for me I made it through the use of patches.

I was expecting cravings for ciggies, but what I actually got (during withdrawal I mean) were mood swings. Took me a few days to catch on even. Right about the time I'd usually be downstairs having a durry with guys from work I'd find myself blowing up at stupid tiny things and getting all angry at stuff. Once I worked out I was being a psycho, I picked up a couple of boxes of patches and WOW did they help. I used the strongest ones and apart from a bit of a buzz for the first half an hour or so I had a nice level mood all day (relatively speaking). I used them for maybe 3 months and then all done.

I wont lie to ya though. Even 2 years down the track I love the smell, and on the rare occasion I've had one, I expected them to taste all disgusting after being away from them, but they were not, they were awesome.

As much as I vehemently despised the banning of ciggies from my favorite rock venues at the time. (I often snickered bitterly at the militant NS'ers who then complained that the bars stunk of beer, BO and puke. Wake Up! Thats what they ALWAYS smelled like, it's just our smoke covered it all up for you with one generic pong!) These days it really does make it MUCH easier to quit when you actually have to make an effort to go outside to smoke.

[Plank_Spanker]

I know this is not going to be easy...................and I'll never loose the craving.

But the time has come............................and I intend to make it stick.

[Spudman]

This time, I intend to make it stick for life.

And life is what you'll get. Excellent choice Planky. It's one of the best things you can do for yourself and those you care most about. You'll also end up with more money to spend on candy, cookies, shrimp and other necessities. I'm proud of ya mate.


Just remember that since you announced it publicly here you will, if you start back up, be receiving packages of our bodily excrements until you quit again. So please don't force us to send you boxes of boogers and just stick to your guns.:cool:

[Heywood Jablomie]

I quit about four years ago, cold turkey. Glad I did. I really knew I had kicked the habit when I took a drag from my wife's cig a couple years ago, and it tasted HORRIBLE. Good luck!

[guitarhack]

You can do it, plank! I quit 3 years ago. Your attitude and the support you get will be your best weapons. Also look for the "silkquit" software. It tracks how long you've quit and shows how much money you'll save during that time. My girlfriend has it (quit 11 years ago) and she has saved over 83,000 dollars! Think what you could do with that kind of moolah!

[Katastrophe]

Good for you, Planky!

I'm gonna quit (again, *sigh*) here pretty soon. My wife and I are getting sick of smoking.

Watch out for the dreaded 3 month relapse. Studies show that's when most new exsmokers fall off the wagon.

[Plank_Spanker]

I'll be honest - the real reason I'm quitting is the cost. I enjoy smoking. Its a part of my life.

I also will turn 50 next year................time to be a bit more health oriented.

Every time I crave, I will exercise free will..........................I choose not to smoke.

This is going to be hard...............................

[guitarhack]

It helped me when I got pissed that I was basically letting a little tube of paper and weeds run my life, plus it was making me sick. Good luck, plank! We're all pulling for you.

[marnold]

Best of luck to you. I know it won't be easy but the end result will be more than worth it!

[Robert]

You can do it! We're pullin fer ya.

[Tig]

We can ask my Dad for advice on quitting since he's an expert...
He's quit at least 30 times! :rotflmao:

Seriously, I'm glad you are so determined. It won't be easy, but like most things in life, we grow and learn the most when we choose the more difficult path over the easy one. We never improve or learn a damn thing when all is easy and effortless.

I told my wife a few years after we were married that I wanted her to be around when we retired some day. That struck her and she quit cold turkey and stayed quit for the last 7 years. She tried 1 cigarette during a stressful time later on, but the taste and odor made her stop immediately.

Once you get to the point where the smell of smoke, be it in the air or on someone's clothes, makes you sick or repelled, you should have no problem staying quit. In about 6 months to a year, your lungs will start cleaning up, and you'll feel better and better.

I never smoked because I lost so many relatives to it growing up, I never wanted to even try it once.

Also, you have plenty of support from us Fretters, so feel free to vent more or ask for help.

[Monkus]

I decided to stop as well, I didn't tell anybody cuz, I didnt want to jinx it. I decided that I'm gonna smoke one less every day this year for Lent, now I'm down to 9 a day. Its getting harder and Plank, I'm with ya on the mood swings, they are horrible.

My sense of smell has improved though, I smell nuances of everything that people always talk about. My crutch is exercise, every time I feel the urge I take a run, or do some pushups. what helps as well is guitar playing. Once I start to work on a song or a riff, it takes my mind off it. So I'm there with ya !!!!

[sumitomo]

Good choice!!! It will be 3yrs this April 10th for me and I didn't quit! I just stopped! Never thought I could,but I just stopped,may sound corny but one day at a time I just stopped,quitting is hard so just stop I'm pulling for you and your wife you can do it!!! Sumi:D P.S. I did gain 20lbs but I needed it I went from 160 to 180 and I feel great and food oh man food tastes great.:happy

[Childbride]

shiner and i quit 1/4/10 circa 12 noon.

and i quit a 25 year diet coke habit about a week and a half ago.

it's been interesting. the other day, i was trying to pour some beans into a bowl and pour a glass of milk, and i poured my milk into my bowl.

i'm having trouble resetting... [and thyroid problems on top of that]

bottom line... it's hard, but if you do it, you will be so proud of yourself. and i personally am saving around 200 a month that is going into the vaca fund.

and momma really needs a vaca.

all our strength and support.

ps: you also start looking younger when you quit smoking. :cool:

[kidsmoke]

ps: you also start looking younger when you quit smoking. :cool:

don't tell shiner, we'll never get him to put his clothes back on!!!

I did what you're doing, Plank, picked a date a ways out, told everybody and their brother, and quit cold turkey. It was BRUTAL, this was several years ago, everyone was smoking everywhere. I was having a real tough time, about three weeks after I quit, I started (graphic images coming) hacking up these nasty black chunks of crud from my lungs every morning. That did it for me. Once I had something tangible from inside me showing me the damage I was doing, it became much easier. I struggled and slipped occasionally, but never felt the pleasure again that Chojin describes.

Good luck bro. We're all pullin' for you. $83,000.00, hell you could get yourself Claptons strat and a Dumble with that kinda scratch!
:AOK

[Plank_Spanker]

Thanks, folks!

This will entail a major life style change for me - coffee and alcohol are huge triggers and will be cut down to next to nothing. I also have no intentions of gorging on whatever food I can shovel down my gullet when I regain full taste.

I'm in for a rough summer, but I have my eyes on the prize - smoke free and staying that way.

[deeaa]

Good luck. I've quit a few times, and am currently not smoking, except very seldom in special occasions.

I always just quit cold turkey; a few times I did get proper physical symptoms, cold sweat and such, but usually it's just been I'm feeling irritated and angry.

But for the past years I've only smoked quite little...anyway, this time when I got past the first month, I haven't really felt any urge to smoke at all.

However, much like alcoholics, I must admit I am a smoker, always will be. IMO it's better to - seldom - when for instance drinking, to smoke and that'll make you so sick in the morning and not want to even see a cicarrette...works for me. If I just stay away, then some day when things go bad and everything sucks big time, I know I'll start smoking again and that's it again for a good while.

But, I've also decided when I get old&retire, I'll start smoking again...the last thing I want is fade away with dementia like my parents, and I can only hope that before I get too old, I'll have the sense to drink and smoke myself to grave instead ;-) my plan is to deal out all my belongings to my children, the house and cottage and all before I go into retirement, and spend my retirement years on a boat somewhere warm, just drinking&smoking day in day out till the body just keels over...my idea of the best way to end my life.

[Kazz]

I quit cold turkey about 7 years ago Plank. The first couple of weeks are difficult...after that smooth sailing. It took a couple of years before the urge completely dissipated especially when out drinking, but it does finally subside. Good luck.

[Jimi75]

Don't tell too many poeple about your plan, because it put you under pressure.
You definitely made the right decision and the smoke free time will be a tremendous imrpovemnet to your life.

I think the health and monetary aspect are quite obvious, but the fact that this little thing made of dry leaves and paper is not going to controle you as a mature man should be enough motivation to make your plan come together!

:AOK

P.S.: Don't look at my avatar *lol*

[pes_laul]

So I don't smoke or anything but a good way to quit is to try these http://www.blucigs.com/starter-kits

My dad started using them and he hasnt smoked a cigarette in a long time. They have nicotine but none of that nasty tar and other stuff.

[syo]

Best to you PS.

Although I was never a heavy smoker, I have found that it feels very nice to no longer "need" a smoke. There were certain situations that more or less demanded it. But now that I've quit it does seem like my time, money and health could have been much better spent on other activities.

Just give it your best shot but don't get down on yourself should quitting not go exactly to plan. Since you already quit once for 5 months, you pretty much know how to do it. You'll be healthier, richer and have more time...
...to play guitar! :rockon:

[poodlesrule]

It is a good idea to clear house, car, desk, workshop of smoking-related items. I think there is a link to the tactile sense, on top of the addiction to the chemicals.

I did the cleaning part, as recommended by the hypnotist who got me to quit, back in the Regan era! Best 120 bucks I ever spent BTW, and the post-hypnosis is a riot!

I have seen a few specialists (doctors, that is) in last few years, and the first question that comes up is "Did you ever smoke?" For example, there is a definite link with bladder cancer.

[street music]

Plank, I commend you for a great life saving effort you are making. I'm proud of any and all who give it up. I have begged with some of my co-workers to quit, two of them have, I hope our company passes a NO SMOKING regulation soon.

[deeaa]

Plank, I commend you for a great life saving effort you are making. I'm proud of any and all who give it up. I have begged with some of my co-workers to quit, two of them have, I hope our company passes a NO SMOKING regulation soon.

I dunno...on one hand I'm happy about smoking bans, but then again, you can't forbid everything. What's next, then?

Cars kill more people than cigarettes, so maybe they should soon be banned.
Alcohol probably causes more health and social problems than anything else, so that should definitely go next.
Hitch-hiking is dangerous so that should be banned.
Meat eating is not very sustainable, so that too.
Fats in foods should go under the ban for sure.
Same goes for guns, sharp knives etc.

I do understand that smoking of this bunch is by far the easiest and most sensible target for banning, and all the rest probably seem plain silly, but still. Anybody should have the chance to kill themselves quick or slow if they so choose, with smoking, alcohol, or whatever they want.

So...once they ban smoking, you can bet within 50 or so years at least one if not most things of the list above will also get banned. Check out some communist states and you'll see that's exactly what has happened. In Singapore you can get flogged for just spitting on the street.

And what will be left? Just a plain dull life with no sharp edges, fat, listless people who live in a bubble of virtual reality and neatly-tucked suburbs and do nothing but grind more money for those in charge, who, in turn, you can bet your behind will still be drinking and smoking in their cabinets, laughing at the enslaved people...and the only people having a resemblance of life will be the outcasts and criminals etc. who rebel against the neutering process of man.

Sometimes I think that maybe a total environmental disaster, superflu or whatever would be the only way to save us. If it killed almost all the people maybe that would save the human race from voluntary lobotomy and impossible, exponential population growth that we're happily accepting and not even discussing. If only the strong would survive maybe there would be a chance to evolve a little further and save the planet

But, this goes well into politics I guess...:-) maybe I'm a bit gloomy because I just woke up tired...

[poodlesrule]

And what will be left? Just a plain dull life with no sharp edges

(in jest)
To think that some countries are thinking of banning heavy gauge guitar strings... not good for the youth!

[ZMAN]

It only took a doctor to tell me I would be dead by 40 if I didn't stop.
Of course I was only 20 at the time, but I had a lot of Bronchial issues. I had smoked since I was 12.
I am 62 now and so it does work.
How I was able to do it was I conviced myself I didn't smoke.
Funny how it works. Every craving I got I just told myself "you don't smoke"
and that was it. 42 years and never touched them again.
I recently bought an amp from a smoker and it has taken me two weeks and about 5 wash downs to get the tolex where I can be in the same room.
I just rationalize it with one thought.
People die in fires not from burining but smoke inhalation. With cigarettes you are doing it a little bit at a time, but the same end result!

[marnold]

I dunno...on one hand I'm happy about smoking bans, but then again, you can't forbid everything. What's next, then?
I tend to agree with you. Cigarette smoke sends my allergies into orbit. Obviously there are no health benefits to it. Conversely, I'm not a big fan of the government mandating stuff like this. Makes me itchy for the reasons you mentioned. The difference between cigs and the other things that you mentioned is that the other things all have some positive uses. The best thing that cigs can do for you is make you smell. Worst is that it kills you to death.

Here in Wisconsin there's a smoking ban in public places that goes into effect this summer. You can still light up in your home, car, etc. It does, however, make one worry especially when the 18th amendment was less than 100 years ago. Having said that, if you want to see Wisconsin secede from the Union, try to take away beer and meat. We're pretty well armed up here too :)

[ZMAN]

In Canada/Ontario, you can't smoke in any public place, and some places have banned smoking on the property. No more going outside in a designated smoking area. Also you can't smoke in a vehicle if anyone under 16 is present in that vehicle (the Province of Ontario)
Of course people who smoke feel that there rights are being trampled but we look on it as the rights of the non smokers are NOT being trampled on, and now the non smokers are the majority.
It has really taken a toll on the tobacco growing industry here. They are basically non existant now. It used to be a huge farming industry the the sandy soil around the northern Lake Erie district.

[Tig]

How I was able to do it was I conviced myself I didn't smoke.
Funny how it works. Every craving I got I just told myself "you don't smoke"
and that was it.

That's so simple, it might just work!

Plank Spanker, keep on fighting the good fight.
You will get through this most difficult part.

[syo]

I dunno...on one hand I'm happy about smoking bans, but then again, you can't forbid everything. What's next, then?

...And what will be left? Just a plain dull life with no sharp edges, fat, listless people who live in a bubble of virtual reality and neatly-tucked...

But, this goes well into politics I guess...:-) maybe I'm a bit gloomy because I just woke up tired...

Well, I'm sort of with you on this. I think sometimes I felt that by smoking I was celebrating those sharp edges. I knew what I was doing was probably shortening my life, but in a way I felt I was celebrating life by not fearing death. It seems the goal of humanity has become to make things as safe as possible and as a result, we become less alive. This isn't an argument in favor of smoking but it is an argument against legislating a common law of personal accountability.

In the end, I quit smoking because it started affecting the quality of my life (negatively). I'm happy that I did and don't really miss it. But my father-in-law is 75 and has smoked 4 times more than I ever did and he's as strong as an ox. Who am I to tell him that he shouldn't smoke (provided he considers the health of those around him)?

[deeaa]

Yeah...I know smoking is quite unhealthy, but then again life is, in general.

My granddad started smoking at 18 in the army and still smokes, well past ninety. My other granddad smoked until he was something around 60, but quit, and he also lived to be over 90. Both sharp as razors right to the end.

I have two friends who have cancer, and neither never smoked.

My own parents have always been absolutist really, aside some wine no alcohol or tobacco, ever, and healthy foods and exercise. At sixty they were both quite fragile&out of worklife and now that they're past 70 I'm expecting them to keel over any day. Mom at least will quite soon, and they are quite demented too, mom especially can't even recognize me any more many times.

As with most things, there's some evidence that some smoke actually IS good for you, if you only do it a little and don't go overboard with it. The smoke and chemicals work sort of like a vaccine, kicking up the immune system into full strenght and 'train' it to cope better with flus and other ailments as well. Same as some alcohol also is quite healthy, as long as it's enjoyed in moderation.

That would mean, like smoking a cigar or something once a week or so, or some second-hand smoke.

I figure, what doesn't kill you makes you stronger...anything is deadly when taken in excess. Even oxygen, or just plain drinking water can kill you if you overuse 'em.

[bcdon]

And what will be left? Just a plain dull life with no sharp edges, fat, listless people who live in a bubble of virtual reality and neatly-tucked suburbs and do nothing but grind more money for those in charge, who, in turn, you can bet your behind will still be drinking and smoking in their cabinets, laughing at the enslaved people...and the only people having a resemblance of life will be the outcasts and criminals etc. who rebel against the neutering process of man.
.

I totally agree with you deeaa. The Nanny State is on the rise and unless it is checked all individual freedoms will be lost. I'm not a smoker and don't particularly like it blown in my face so I'm happy to be able to go to a pub and not leave smelling like an ash tray. However, people have the right to do whatever they want to their own body as long as it doesn't hurt anybody else. I'm so sick of know-it-all-busy-bodies telling me what is best for me. As you stated, where does it end? It's a slippery slope and, besides, most of the people "in charge" don't know there *** from a hole in the ground and I can certainly do without their micro-management.

As for what we do with our own bodies, I think the Greeks (and others, of course) had it right with the notion of the Golden Mean: the good life is about moderation and balance in all things.

[syo]

I think the Greeks (and others, of course) had it right with the notion of the Golden Mean: the good life is about moderation and balance in all things.

I totally agree with you. Except for when it comes to gear of course... :R

[bcdon]

I totally agree with you. Except for when it comes to gear of course... :R
If Aristotle had a guitar I'm sure he'd be the first one to make that exemption! :dude