Finally went and quit smoking

[Scepticalscribe]

Do you really think people are still primarily attracted to smoking because of the "looking cool" factor? I think it's more about the chemical buzz and escape/cope mentality that is so prevalent in our culture. Pair that with our immediate gratification "need" and the "it's my right to do what I want with my own body" attitude and smoking is still quite a serious problem.

@macuser27 congratulations on taking this step and I wish you all the best with continued success.

Yes I do. I think at least initially its kids wanting to look cool. I've never heard one smoker who said they started because it gave them a buzz. Yet on the other hand, I know people who did it, just so they could be part of the in crowd.

Yes, I do think - very much it is about a desire to 'look cool'. Unless you are playing games - and therefore think in terms of healthy living - thoughts of mortality are not something that trouble teenagers. Death seems so far away, and so irrelevant to their daily lives.

Moreover, for young female teenagers, - and more young girls have been taking up smoking in recent decades as more young men quit - it also serves to act as an appetite suppressant for those who have been persuaded that the emaciated skeletal look is what is considered sexually attractive or desirable.
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I gave up 22 years ago. After 8 months off them my friend had a baby, so we all bought cigars. I smoked that and straight away wanted a cigarette. I bought a pack smoked 10 then thought to myself what am I doing? So packed it in again and never had a puff since. Nor have I wanted to.
As for why I took it up, I'd say that the main reason was to be like the rebellious kids at school (I was 12). Who wants to go to maths when you can be having a cigarette behind the science block!

Yes, I can see that rebelliousness, could also have been a motivating factor in wanting to take smoking cigarettes up. That, and the thrill of breaking a taboo.

 

[roadbloc]

Grats. I moved onto an ecig and haven't really looked back. My lungs feel so much better for it.

 

[Huntn]

Do you really think people are still primarily attracted to smoking because of the "looking cool" factor? I think it's more about the chemical buzz and escape/cope mentality that is so prevalent in our culture. Pair that with our immediate gratification "need" and the "it's my right to do what I want with my own body" attitude and smoking is still quite a serious problem.

@macuser27 congratulations on taking this step and I wish you all the best with continued success.

Besides the chemical aspects, I believe that, I'm an adult, on the edge, and delving in but less able to judge risky behavior, can be described as the cool factor and plays a part in teenage decision making.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Besides the chemical aspects, I believe that the cool, I'm an adult, on the edge factor and delving in and less able to judge risky behavior, lplays a part in teenage decision making.

Agreed.

Along with the ineffable glamour (the 'coolness' factor) of some of those who were photographed smoking cigarettes.

Personally, I never felt the need or the attraction of cigarettes, had no problem accepting the state sponsored messages of how this could cause ill health, and had never wanted to smoke, and always detested the smell of it.

So, not only was I never a smoker (and never wanted to be), but, even as a teenager, I was implacably anti-smoking, and really hated being exposed to second hand smoke. Mind you, the fact that I tended to have an allergic reaction to nicotine - my sinuses exploded - may have partly accounted for the strength of my dislike.

 

[Huntn]

Hope this is the right place to post this ,

After smoking for the best part of 18 years I've actually gone and done it , I'm over a week now and feeling pretty damn good about it.

Hang in there! Stress is one of the triggers that can cause relapse. They even say changing cigarette related rituals can help, such as you used to smoke a cigarette with coffee in the morning while reading the paper in the kitchen. My Dad was addicted, finally breaking free in his 60s. At 86, although he is free of them, he still finds himself unconsciously reaching to his shirt pocket, where he kept a pack.

Cigarette corporations are sad examples of just how disgustly humans can treat one another for profit.
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Agreed.

Along with the ineffable glamour (the 'coolness' factor) of some of those who were photographed smoking cigarettes.

Personally, I never felt the need or the attraction of cigarettes, had no problem accepting the state sponsored messages of how this could cause ill health, and had never wanted to smoke, and always detested the smell of it.

So, not only was I never a smoker (and never wanted to be), but, even as a teenager, I was implacably anti-smoking, and really hated being exposed to second hand smoke. Mind you, the fact that I tended to et an allergic reaction to nicotine - my sinuses exploded - may have partly accounted for the strength of my dislike.

Your body naturally rejected it! I mentioned this in a previous smoking related thread, but when I was 5, I asked my Dad for a drag, he said sure, and that was the last time I smoked a cigarette, almost coughing a lung up. I don't know for sure if that was the plan. He was also an alcoholic, and has managed to kick both vices.

As an adult, I tried cigars, tiperellos, and a pipe, but none of those took, despite loving the smell of pipe tobacco. My understanding is that addictions can run in the family, but neither of my brothers have alcohol or smoking addictions. Ironically although neither me or my wife smoke, our son picked it up... In high school.

If I have an addiction, it's for sugar, although it's currently in check. When I was young and active, it did not matter, as I could eat whatever I wanted. Now I have to watch it. Swimming may be my physical salvation. When life does not get in the way, I'm currently swimming 34 laps, 3 times a week. The goal is 40-50.

 

[Gav2k]

Congrats and keep it up.

I stopped back in October but moved to vaping. I used an ecig to quit initially then over to subohming. Then I worked down to 0.3 on the nicotine level now I'm just about to drop that to 0.15 then it'll be a push to 0.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

There is also peer pressure; if most of your friends smoke, in the teenage years, it can be hard to refuse to be a part of that world, as peer pressure can be applied and it can be hard to resist.

While I never had the slightest problem re smoking - in that I never wanted to smoke - and, at school, I wasn't one of the 'cool' kids. Moreover, as I was an intense, bookish, studious and fairly solitary student I didn't hang out where the smokers did, so their habits were never something I sought to emulate.

However, later, at university, when hanging out - having coffees with, or a beer with - friends and class mates who were smokers, it was hard to deny them when that question 'do you mind if I smoke?' was asked. Privately, I did, always and intensely - I detest cigarette smoke, but, precisely because smoking cigarettes was seen as not just 'cool' but also somewhat slightly rebellious, it was hard to refuse them the right to be rebellious.

Actually, it took me years to summon up the self-confidence - to prohibit smoking in a place, or space, where I live.

Self confidence, and the experience that came from having travelled widely (such as when I learned that smokers rarely smoke indoors in most continental European houses and flats, even when they live there) gave me the confidence to make clear that anywhere I live is a strict no-smoking space; smokers can head outside to the veranda, or porch, or balcony.

 

[Huntn]

There is also peer pressure; if most of your friends smoke, in the teenage years, it can be hard to refuse to be a part of that world, as peer pressure can be applied and it can be hard to resist.

While I never had the slightest problem re smoking - in that I never wanted to smoke - and, at school, I wasn't one of the 'cool' kids, and, as I was an intense, bookish, studious and fairly solitary student I didn't hang out where the smokers did.

However, when hanging out with smokers, it was hard to deny them when that question 'do you mind if I smoke?' was asked. Privately, I did, always and intensely - I detest cigarette smoke, but, precisely because smoking cigarettes was seen as not just 'cool' but also somewhat slightly rebellious, it was hard to refuse them the right to be rebellious.

Actually, it took me years to summon up the self-confidence - to prohibit smoking in a place, or space, where I live.

Self confidence, and the experience that came from having travelled widely (such as when I learned that smokers rarely smoke indoors in most continental European houses and flats, even when they live there) gave me the confidence to make clear that anywhere I live is a strict no-smoking space; smokers can head outside to the veranda, or porch, or balcony.

Most ex-smokers I know seem to exclaim how bad smoking now stinks and smokers smell like old ash trays.

 

[ThinkDifferent24]

Congrats! I hear it's one of the hardest things to do. An analogy I heard that made me really appreciate this is imagine if you were thirsty but couldn't drink water. That's like wanting to smoke but you can't. Kudos and respect!

 

[A.Goldberg]

Congrats! That's a great acheivement after 18 years. Quitting smoking is not an easy feat. I spent a lot of time everyone doing smoking cessation consults/prescribing (Chantix, Wellbutrin, nicotine replacement methods, etc).

I work in inpatient psych. 80%+ of everyone in our addiction programs smoke. It's aweful. Some of them pick up while using. Others pick up in treatment programs that allow smoking as it can serve as a substitute. I suppose in the big picture it's not as acutely bad as something like IV heroin, but still horrible for your health long term.

Hang in there. Cravings will happen but they do go away. Not to mention less intense and frequent.

I'm glad you've quit quit. I have so many people tell me "I quit" and then it turns out they're vaping. It may be slightly safer, but given the lack of regulation and effects of nicotine directly on the body I still can't believe it's entirely healthy.

 

[macuser27]

Just over 2 weeks now under my belt , had a few days that have been a challenge but have got through them .

Seems to be the further I'm going into it the harder it seems to be getting , but have come to fat to give in now .

 

[Apple fanboy]

Just over 2 weeks now under my belt , had a few days that have been a challenge but have got through them .

Seems to be the further I'm going into it the harder it seems to be getting , but have come to fat to give in now .

The worst is behind you. Just keep going. Try to find something rewarding to do with all that saved money.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Just over 2 weeks now under my belt , had a few days that have been a challenge but have got through them .

Seems to be the further I'm going into it the harder it seems to be getting , but have come to fat to give in now .

Try to come up with new rituals and do new things, and change or discontinue the old rituals which used to accompany your smoking.

The worst is behind you. Just keep going. Try to find something rewarding to do with all that saved money.

Excellent idea.

 

[denisb1]

Congratulations!

Every time I see someone with a cigarette I want to run up to them and share the atrocities of chemo. It's not a risk anyone should be willing to take.

Mind your own business.

 

[farmboy]

Congrats!

Don't even think of going back. Just don't--you owe it to yourself, your family and friends.

Sorry to nag...lost too many to lung cancer.

 

[macuser27]

Thanks guys , reading through these replys seems to keep me on track and remember how far I've come .

 

[AlliFlowers]

Mind your own business.

Good luck to you, too.

 

[macuser27]

Mind your own business.

Very rude to say the least , unless you have anything positive to add to this thread please don't bother in future

 

[2298754]

Congrats OP!

A few of my friends who used to smoke cigarettes moved onto vaping. Of course, we don't know any long-term effects of that, but it really seems to be helping them!