My Mother smoked for 50 years,pretty heavily too!
3 years ago when she had to go into the hospital for her heart surgery the Doctor told her she would be better off in the long run if she tried to quit!
I never thought she would even try it never mind do it...but she did. Came out of hospital and (to my knowledge) has never smoked again since. Some woman my Ma when she puts her mind to it

And she was 71 years old!

well done to your mother it was the same with my grangma but she never stopped and carried on smoking 40 a day and last year the inevitable happenend and she died,if she had listend to the doctors then maybe she could have had an extra year or two who knows.

When the Surgeon General's report on cigarette smoking came out in the early 60s, my dad just quit. Willpower!

i have none

Today I begin my attempt to quit. Not that I hate the habit, but I just want to quit while I'm ahead. The worst part is how it becomes habitual. For instance, I need to find something to do on breaks at work rather then smoke.

As far as how long it stays in you, Nicotene stays in your system for about one or two days opposed to Marijuana's THC being a month. But the residue and damage stays for a while longer.

Da Man! Good seeing you popping in. I didn't know you smoked But you're right with one thing - I think I'd rather have my (future) kids smoke pot than cigarettes at this point - at least it's less addicting and harmful!

Good for you! You are so right about a lot of it being habitual and finding something different to do at certain times of the day, like on break, because out of habit you would always smoke on break. I think, in a sense, that breaking the habitual part at times is a lot tougher to get through than the actual withdrawal itself.

Good luck Vercetti.

DV,

Good for you. I wish you all the luck. Stay with it and feel free to post here as DC and I (and now you) can be support for each other. Hopefully your age and length of time smoking might be a plus for you.

Btw, DC!! How are you doing?

TIS

Not bad today TIS. I have to say that for the very first time this week, I did NOT have an urge to smoke when I got up this morning.

How you doing?

I'm really very proud of the both of you. You guys are doing a great thing.

DC,

For the most part I'm doing really good. Yesterday on my way home from work I got another craving which was kind of strong. It's weird that I've gone this long and still get strong cravings. However, thankfully they are fewer and farer between. It's hard to not think about it and/or to do something different to avoid temptation, while you're driving.

I still haven't told my kids. They will be so happy.


TIS

Good for you guys. You're taking baby steps now. Before long you'll be running a sprint.

Won't it be lovely TIS the next time you're with your daughters and they see you're not taking a cigarette break. They will be very happy indeed.

KEEP IT UP GUYS!!!

Thanks for the support. A possible problem is the volume I smoked. I've been down to a pack a day or more for almost a year.

I work with two guys that were heavy 2+ pack a day smokers for most of their lives. One of them went for this laser treatment, where they stick a laser in your ear. He hasn't smoked for over a year now. The other guy heard about it, went, and hasn't smoked in about 6 months. Both claim they have little or no urge to smoke since.

Three friends of mine went for that Laser shot in the ear. 2 of them started smoking again after 1 month of being smoke free. The third guy, after 3 months began smoking but just went for another laser shot.

Does the laser shot work? I don't know. I have to guess like everything else, it may work for some and not for others.

I'll tell you this though, anyone who makes an effort to stop smoking, be it by medication, gum, the patch, laser, or cold turkey, is taking on some challenge. One that I never thought would be so difficult to overcome. It's a fight, I'll tell you that!


Hey, I just realized it. You're back from your honeymoon! How was it? How was your cruise?

I applaud your efforts and conviction. Please continue to quit. You might gain a few pounds, but the benefits will far outweigh the consequences. You've no doubt heard all the preaching.

Do they have anything like a Silent Fence - you know, that thing for dogs to keep them in the yard. When a cigarette approaches your lips maybe you could get a shock...?

It was great. They had to change the itinerary from the Eastern Caribbean, to the Bahamas and Grand Turk due to the hurricane, but what can you do. The weather was perfect for all 8 days though.

Excellent. As long as you and the Mrs. had a great time together, that's all that matters!

Welcome home.

Yeah, exactly. If it was a regular vacation, I might have been disappointed with the change. Then again, normally I don't book cruises during peak hurricane season either. I jinxed myself a few days before we left when I said: "it's very quiet in the Caribbean this hurricane season".

If it rains when you get married, its good luck. Imagine the kind of luck you'll have from a huricane!!!

Glad to hear it went well!

Isn't Grand Turk beautiful? The water is just gorgeous.

Is it bad luck then if you get married when it snows?

No,just unlucky!
Is un luck the same as bad luck?

I didn't think so. There was nothing there, and the water was filled with leaves and vegetation until you got out about 20 yards from shore. We went to a private island in the Bahamas called "Half Moon Cay", which had one of the nicest beaches I've ever seen. Here's a picture:

I guess I don't get out much, but I never heard of the Grand Turk. Anyway, congratulations JL and welcome back!!




TIS

I have not read all the replies to this thread BUT my best for those who desire to quit!

As many know, I am a casual cigar smoker. I smoke maybe 5 per week depending on weather, schedule, golf, etc.... I find smoking a cigar relaxing, refreshing, and my way to get away from the world.

I only smoke handrolled cigars and definitely never a machine-made piece of crap (life's too short to smoke cheap cigars).

I do buy and sell cigars on the side (via the net mostly but have some other "sources" as well)

Like most people I have tried cigarettes but never enjoyed them.

About 6-7 years ago, I started smoking more cigars and actually smoked more of the little machine made crap at work (sneak out side for a quickie, etc...) I started to get worried that I was fast becoming addicted and wanted to beat it before it got the better of me.

A young lady at the office recommended nicotine gum. She said she was woried she would gain weight if she tried to stop cold turkey or whatever. So... I figured what they hey I will give it a shot!

BIG MISTAKE (fro me at least!) I became addicted to the gum! I chew two pieces of 4 mg at a time and probably chewed about 30 pieces a day during my "bad spells" -- $15 / day! I have been trying to get off the stuff for a few years and actually have only had one piece (well - two 4MG pieces) since June 1.

Maybe I should start smoking regularly

Well, it is really strange as the ony brand that I like is nicorette -- nothing else will d it for me (it is also the nmost expensive). As soon as I wake up in the morning, I start to crave the peppery taste of nicorette.

So.... wish me luck as well

Are there any side effects from the gum???

I am not sure about the physical effects BUT

1. $15 / a day

2. Forced / obligated / etc... to brush my teeth about 40 times a day. The nic gum leaves a "yellowy tint" and you must be careful.

3. Trying to hide the fact from my wife

Those side effects are bad enough! But I imagine pumping 120 MG of nicotine (even if not smoking) in your body cannot be good fo you.

I must admit some of the greatest experiences of euphoria for me has been popping 2 a coule fo pieces in my mouth after a couple week lay off.

This topic is worse than a topic on food -- I am getting a craving for the gum now. I must leave the topic for a while!!!!!!