Why does our government allow cigarettes to be produced at all? I've always wondered that. If I tried to market a food that killed people, I'd never get to first base. You don't suppose our government cares more about tax revenue than the health of its people, do you?

Exactly what I was thinking.

And, I've never understood the notion that teens start smoking because it's cool. I don't think it's a bit attractive, and it stinks.

Just wanted to let you know - I am now 34 days clean, thanks to Chantix and the decision to not want my children to witness my early demise as I did my mother's.

Thanks also to Patrick, who encouraged me and recommended the Chantix. If it can help a 37-year smoker (I started when I was 16), it's nothing short of a miracle.

Now, I need to work on this extra 8 pounds I've added!

__________________
Unions - the folks who brought you weekends!
Proud Army Mom

I'm on Day 845 of quitting smoking cigarettes. I smoke cigars from time to time but even a friend of the family (she's a nurse) told me that smoking a cigar on occasion is much healthier.

I found during my process of quitting that before I even ever quit, I daily affirmed myself "you will never smoke again after **th date". Every day when I got up and every day that I went to bed, so that when it came to my first quit day I was good to go (I did this for about a month and a half).

Second thing...if you go out...DON'T. Especially if it's to a place where people smoke...IT WILL NOT HELP YOUR EFFORT. I did not go out to any place other than 'non smoking' places with any of my friends during the first 2 months. Physically, your system will kick the nicotine in about two weeks but mentally, that's a much longer game. If you, say, see a character in a movie light a cigarette then you have to reminisce about it as opposed to think about wanting to actually do it.

Also, it helps to associate the smell of smoke on your personal objects. Your senses are knocked down a lot when you smoke but you gain them back after quitting. When you're really locked in to not smoking and you go out in an environment that allows it--it does get into your clothes and when you go back home you smell that nastiness on your clothes and it just makes you want to puke.

And if your friends test your will while you're in the process of quitting...just play back with them. A buddy offered me a cig about 4 weeks in, I put it between my fingers and pretended I was going to break it in half and he got so worried I gave it back to him and told him never to offer me again. Never did he either, lol.

Last but not least. MONEY. What's the average pack now? $5? A pack a day for a week $35...for a year...$1685....could be more, could be less depending on the life you live. That's a lot of money down the drain. Money that could go to other places more important. You're paying nearly two grand a year to kill yourself when, in all actuality, you could be spending it on your family or yourself in a positive fashion.

Oh and one more thing...if it's a hand to mouth thing, try this: Take a 'bic' pen cut it to the length of a cig...and just carry it around with you...if you feel like you need to hold it between your fingers, then do so...put it to your mouth if you have to & by god, suck if you have to. I didn't even have to use this method for very long. If you're having trouble with that then try this: Get a Foldger's coffee can, pour all of your old 50 cigarette butts and ashes into it with some old left over beer, mix it together, seal the lid and then let it ferment. THEN, when you get that good old feeling for a puff, instead of lighting one up, go lift the lid and take a wiff cause that's the good ol' gold you're puttin in to your body!

Congrats to you!!!!!!!!!!! And to everyone who makes the courageous effort to quit smoking.

After talking to a heart counselor for a few hours yesterday, it really became more clear to me how important a healthy lifestyle is and how horribly dangerous smoking really is.

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" You've Been Thunder Struck ! "

four years clear yesterday. It wasn't until this morning that I recalled yesterday was the mark date, which actually felt really good that it passed with zero fanfare and more importantly, with no count down so i could say I made it another year.

7 years the first round, 18 years the second. I doubt in those 25 years there were 10 cigs I did not enjoy thoroughly, but I don't miss it.

Thanks OKCisOK for tips.

I'm going to try the bic pen thing. I was thinking about that while watching "Boton Legal" when Jerry has his fake ciggie. I need something to do with my hands, especially while watching tv or catching up on email and stuff at home. It never bothers me at work, because we can't smoke in the office and I just don't go outside.

I do miss smoking a lot, particularly with my significant other in hospital for 7 weeks and counting. But this was also best time - he's smoke free now and so am I.

I keep telling myself "You're a non-smoker now. You can eat out anywhere. You can visit with friends indoors during winter. You can keep your grandson overnight (the best one!)" Those work well.

My new project - paint every room in house to get rid of discoloration and odor of 25 years of indoor smoking. Kaboom! also seems to work well!

__________________
Unions - the folks who brought you weekends!
Proud Army Mom

Here you go...Work on these

Thanks, OGTS - now I can be a non-smoking klutz throwing pencils around the room!

__________________
Unions - the folks who brought you weekends!
Proud Army Mom

I've got that pen-flip thing down to an art now...I'm now working on doing it with my left hand...As well as doing it backwards with my right.

Graveyard shift makes you do silly things sometimes.

I started smoking back in June of '05 when I couldn't be given any more Ativan, because of overdose history. I needed something to help me relax, to get thru, so I started smoking. I know, it is bad and poor decision, but it just happened.

At first, it was a carton a month, then it gone to 4 cartons (plus few packs more) a month. Now, it kinda went down, but still a pack and half a day, sometime less.

I grew up hating the cigz and dad was heavily smoking for years. Now, look at me, I'm smoking, so is my brother. We want to quit, but finds it hard and our jobs is stressful.

The longest I've gone without smoking was about two weeks. I still do try to quit. Sometimes it is easy to quit and then I start smoking again. Sometimes it is hard to quit after a few hours.

I did try the patches. It helped me greatly, but it had an effect that was quite scary. When I started on it, my dreams was so vivid and dangerous. I stopped using it.

Another reason of not being able to quit is no solid support. I don't have anyone there for me to get thru whatever happens, so I turn to cigz.

Yeah, I'm stupid for even starting smoking and still an idiot for buying more and more. One day, I will quit.

Thunder,

You can't rely on anybody but yourself. It comes down to will and empowerment. You have to bear each of those against yourself. It'll make you feel awesome when someone congratulates you for keeping off of them but to know that you did it yourself with no help from the outside using only your inner strength is the most rewarding feeling!

Stay away from the patch or gum. The only way to do it is go cold turkey.

Lauri101,

If you're still online how is it going? Used the bic pen thing?

I wish only the best for anyone that takes on the task of quitting cause it's so easy to pick it right back up. Makes my stomach cringe when I imagine myself doing it.

I am 122 days "clean" and consider myself a non-smoker! I did use the bic pen for a while and it helped. Red vine licorice, cut to about 4 inch lengths, helped also.

I agree about not using gum or patches - as my doctor told me - "we don't treat alcoholics by giving them a beer, why give nicotine to people addicted to smoking?"

I did use Chantix, though - and it was wonderful! I'm lucky that my health insurance covered all bu the $20 co-pay, because it is expensive.

I'm using the money I saved and plan to save for a really nice vacation this fall. More on that in another thread soon.

__________________
Unions - the folks who brought you weekends!
Proud Army Mom

I blow smoke all day every day