How many smokers up in here?

[Czar]

With no reason, I was wondering how many of you smoke, or have ever smoked?
If you managed to stop, tell us why and how, and if you still smoke share your view on it all.

I am a smoker, and lately I'm starting to believe that a lot of my procrastination problems are related to this activity. Anybody have the same feelings about this?

[InCreator]

Smoker, about pack a day. If I tick more than normal day, staying up at night, amount of smoking triples as I get more tired.

Managed to stop for awhile.

Not that hard really, all I needed was wagonload of heavily salted and roasted sunflower seeds. Eating them all the time like Fox Mulder on X-files really distracts from smoking (you cannot smoke and "eat" same time!), plus mouth full of salt kills taste of tobacco even if you do smoke so you cannot enjoy it. "survive" for 3-4 days, stay away from alcohol (ooh, my head! Now where did that pack disappear last night? But I quit?) and you'll do fine.

For me, I realized I'm not really wanting to give up yet, so I went back. Also, non-smokers are those idiots who sit and work, while smokers group takes a 10-minute break in every hour or so and has fun chatting outside...

As for smokers, I clearly see 2 different types of smokers. The ones that grab for a pack every morning, ready to kill if it ain't there, and fake-smokers who - depending on occasion - can go a day or more without. First group is tough case - hard to quit, serious addiction. Second group - idiots. If I could go day without smoking, I would quit at this very moment! Why do it if you still DO have way out?

Another good time to quit is during common cold -- in heavier cases, I haven't smoked those 3 or 4 days I'm sick, simply because fever & infection has taken over addiction and I don't want to.

EDIT: Also, If I were in your shoes, I would have no problem quitting. Lack of noble cause is what foiled my quit-experiments so far. Cancer %, skin, lungs, teeth etc doesn't sound important enough, because I'm not someone important to preserve. A baby in the house or doctor's serious warning would whole another ballpark though.

[Darth Mandarb]

Ex-smoker here ...

I quit because it's [one of] the most moronic habits a human being can willingly do to one's self.  However, even knowing this ... I still loved every drag I ever took on a cigarette.  Right up to the last one.  But it's stupid, so I quit.

I was at a friend's wedding, realized I needed to stop, so I never smoked again.  I had, at that point, been smoking steady for about 6 years (but on/off for about 12 years total at that point).  I never cheated once.  Sure it was hard (the shakes, cravings, anxiety, etc) but I decided to quit, and did.  100% cold turkey.  So I have zero tolerance for people that say they just can't do it cold turkey and use "addiction" as a crutch to explain lack of will-power.  Anything worth doing is usually difficult.

Now (perhaps a tad hypocritically) I just don't understand how/why people smoke.  It's a disgusting habit; it turns you skin "old" prematurely, makes your fingers yellow, your teeth discolor, your clothes reek, irreparably damages your body (lungs, heart, etc), costs way too much money ... the list goes on an on.  It's just stupid.

We had this discussion on here a few years back and I remember somebody (can't recall who) using the "social acceptance" excuse which I find ridiculous but hey ... everybody has an excuse!

[Oliwerko]

Non-smoker.

I haven't found any reason to start.

[Snake]

Hey there, Czar.

On the 21st of August it'll be 2 years since I quit. I'm not quite sure why I did it, but I always lean towards being a good friend. A friend of mine was trying to quit, for at least the second time. I guess I figured I'd give him someone to quit with.

I remember watching the end of a Red Sox game on NESN and thinking to myself, "I'm going to have one more cigarette before bed, and it'll be my last."
I sat on the couch and enjoyed every last puff until I was damn-near smoking the filter. Snuffed it out, went to bed and haven't touched one since. At the end of the next day I put a little speck on the calender to mark the first full day without a cigarette.

It was tough the next few days, especially with my wife not realizing I was quitting. She was a smoker too and still is. She has cut down quite a bit since.
I didn't tell her because I wasn't sure whether or not I was really going to do it. I didn't want to have strings attached if I caved and lit one up. She eventually noticed I hadn't been smoking. Bah. And then it was a THING. I really did QUIT for GOOD. Ah, crap. I couldn't go back now. Call it a strong will, I guess, because I haven't. Niether has my friend.

I am a smoker, and lately I'm starting to believe that a lot of my procrastination problems are related to this activity. Anybody have the same feelings about this?

Yes, I believe that is the case as well. I always thought, "Well, I guess I'll have a cigarette before I do this..." and etc. I did that a LOT.

Now, here's a thing (unrelated to the above quote). I've been a chewer for years. Scoal (Snuff), Red Man (Chew), Days O Work (Plug) and it's something I've always enjoyed doing. I love the taste and I just plain like having something in my mouth (heh - oh stop it). Working on my brothers farm for about 7 years I would have either snuff or chew in my mouth SEVERAL times a day, PLUS smoking cigarettes in between.
But, I've never found myself to be addicted to it. Wanting a cigarette on the other hand was another story. If I was out of cigarettes and I saw my brother lite up... shit that would bother me. I HATE bumming off people or even asking for anything unrelated to tobacco. So I'd stand there biting my tongue, playing with whatever is in my pockets (), eventually I would end up asking if I could "get one off him".
But anyway, my friend, whom I quit with, teases me whenever the topic of quitting smoking comes up because I still "chew". He'll say something like, "Yeah, but you still chew. You're still getting your fix."
I do not believe that is the case. I do not need a "fix". He must think that I've got a big lump of chew in my mouth every day like I did at the farm. I BARELY chew anymore at all, and that was before I quite smoking. The only time I chew is if I'm working outside and I know I'll be out there for a while, like say mowing the lawn and weed wacking. I mowed the lawn last week but I did not have a chew. The time before that I did. So it's been about a week and few days. Before that I have no idea when I had chewed.
I tried to explain to him that I don't walk around saying, "Man, I need a chew, damn I've GOT to have a chew!" then pop one in and let out a huge sigh of relief. Of course he's a huge ballbuster aswell. So what I did for the next time he wanted to be an annoyance and not shut the hell up was putting a dot on the calender every time I had a chew. It came out to about 3 chews a month. Heh, I've also told him, "I never said I quit tobacco, I quit smoking cigarettes!"
I chew, when I do, because I enjoy it and I always have. I will not stop until the doctor says that my mouth is going to turn inside out and swallow my head.

I just wanted to share that story with you. I hope it wasn't too long

[Dualnames]

You're probably the best friend in existence a man can wish to have. You quit to help your friend over it! Even the action needs guts, the result needs will.

I almost took up smoking this summer. A pack every two days. And then after a while (as I use to do anyway) I just quit.

[Mr Flibble]

I am an infrequent smoker of fine cigars when they become available.

[Darth Mandarb]

And then it was a THING. I really did QUIT for GOOD. Ah, crap. I couldn't go back now. Call it a strong will, I guess, because I haven't.

100% agree.  After fighting through the cravings and anxiety I did the same thing!  I made it a "thing".  A contest or challenge.  The cigarettes were trying to get me to come back to them and I refused to give in.  I would not let them win!  This is the trick I always suggest to my friends/family who are wanting to quit.  I tell them that once you get to that stage it's much easier to resist and keep quitting!

I still, to this day, want to smoke (even though I know it's stupid and disgusting).  It's less of a "craving" though.   It's more of just ... fond memories, I think.

[Anian]

On one hand, really dumb habit, on the other it gives you something to do if you're alone and for example waiting for someone in the street - you're not standing there like an idiot doing nothing, you're there standing and having a smoke...and maybe an idiot.  Also how nice is to have a lighter when a pretty girl asks.

My mom's a severe smoker so during childhood I think I got my share of lung sedimentation. I light maybe every month or so, but that's not really a habbit. Besides, I'm cheap enough to see how expensive that habbit is, hold back a pack a day and you can buy yourself a music album at the end of the week with no problem.

[InCreator]

Regarding previous post, in every school, workplace or whatever, first people you meet are at smoking area. And whoa, you have something in common!

If there's anything useful in smoking - this. Native americans knew it 300 years ago.

[Darth Mandarb]

On one hand, really dumb habit, on the other it gives you something to do if you're alone and for example waiting for someone in the street - you're not standing there like an idiot doing nothing, you're there standing and having a smoke...and maybe an idiot.  Also how nice is to have a lighter when a pretty girl asks.

This is just my opinion, but if I see a person standing there doing nothing versus a person standing there smoking ... to me, the one smoking resembles an "idiot" far more than the non-smoker.  I think "not looking like an idiot" is a horrible excuse for poisoning yourself.

Regarding previous post, in every school, workplace or whatever, first people you meet are at smoking area. And whoa, you have something in common!

This reasoning is what bothers me most about the "why" people smoke.  If you need something like smoking to create a common bond, then you've lost before you started.  How about "hey we're all humans, we have something in common!" or "You have eyes?  Me too!!" 

I'm not refuting the social aspect of smoking, just calling it out for it's sheer stupidity. 

[ sarcasm ] I want to fit in, so I'll destroy my lungs and decrease my over-all lifespan!   [ /sarcasm ]

Good call!!  ** thumbs up **

Smoking makes me want to make a statement like, "Damn ... it's 2010 and we know there's nothing good about smoking yet we still do it.  Amazing how stupid humans are" but humans also still live their daily lives (in 2010) from books written 2000 years ago.  So there's probably just no hope.

[Igor Hardy]

Non-smoker.

I never did start, so that I wouldn't have to stop later. And there seemed to be no entertainment value in it anyway (unless you enjoy activities like putting your head inside a chimney).

Also, I'm paranoid about substance addictions, not being able to live without something. The fact that I'm addicted to eating food is quite enough. Seriously.

[InCreator]

Regarding previous post, in every school, workplace or whatever, first people you meet are at smoking area. And whoa, you have something in common!

This reasoning is what bothers me most about the "why" people smoke.  If you need something like smoking to create a common bond, then you've lost before you started.  How about "hey we're all humans, we have something in common!" or "You have eyes?  Me too!!" 

This is totally not about "why".
"Why" does occur, but when to-be-smoker is a dumb kid and tries to be like cool kids.
This is absolutely different and is not what I said.

[Mr Flibble]

Regarding the social aspect, if I'm out with people and they want to go outside for a smoke, I'll go with them even though I don't smoke. You get left out if you don't. It's like that episode of Friends where Rachel gets a fashion job but is useless because her boss makes all the decisions when she goes out for a smoke. If you're not in there, you're missing out on the party. For the most part. I mean obviously if the smokers are stepping out of the club into the pouring rain, then the party is inside still, and nobody goes with them.

[GarageGothic]

If there's anything useful in smoking - this. Native americans knew it 300 years ago.

So you're saying Sir Walter Raleigh was a victim of peer pressure?

I've been trying to quit on-and-off for the last year or so (*he said, putting out his fourth cigarette of the day*). It's a horrible habit that gives me very little, if any, pleasure at all,  except perhaps when using it to boost the effect of other drugs - I smoke like a chimney when drinking. I used to think it helped calm my nerves and make it easier to focus, but really any nervousness it stills is caused by craving for the substance itself. Oscar Wilde had it right calling tobacco "the perfect type of a perfect pleasure. It is exquisite, and it leaves one unsatisfied".
If anything it has taught me to respect addiction and not fool myself that I have the willpower to try anything "just once" - really, when you're scrambling around the house in the middle of the night, searching under your bed and in the cracks of the couch in the hopes of finding but a single crumpled piece of rolling paper, you're no better than a heroin junkie sucking cock to afford his next fix.

As for stopping - wish I could give you surefire advice, but the main thing that has helped me periodically is simply changing other habits at the same time, avoid situations where you would normally smoke, and keep yourself occupied. Use anything that removes you from your everyday routines as an occasion to also stop smoking. For instance, if you're going on a two week vacation, leave the cigarettes at home, book a non-smoking room, don't socialize with other smokers if possible. If you'll be spending time with others, do inform them what you're trying to do and make sure they're OK with it.
You *will* be a mean son of a bitch biting people's heads off for no reason, and it's not cool to put friends or partners through that unless they're informed it will happen and choose accept that to offer you their support. "Sorry, I just stopped smoking" is never an excuse for bad behavior, but preparing them for it may prevent the conflict escalating. They will still think you're a twat, and they'll be totally right,  but hopefully knowing that you're in withdrawal will make it easier to brush off personal attacks.

If you aren't able to change your surroundings while detoxing, change your smoking habits. Tell yourself that your apartment stinks and that from now on you'll only be smoking outside. Maybe it'll mean going for twenty walks a day, but at some point you'll start questioning yourself if that cigarette was really worth getting drenched or freezing you ass off. Good way of at least cutting down on the smokes.

[Anian]

Heh, for me smoking is like having a pet (let's say a dog) - it's cool when a friend has it and then you come and play with it and have fun, pet it, give it snacks, but when you go home you don't have to worry about it's health, feeding it, walking it etc. Same with cigarettes, it's cool (and this is greatly influenced by your surroundings) to light up a cig but to actually have a habit is just a pain in the...lungs.
It's a social thing, like drinking coffee, tea, drinking alcohol, watching sports etc. Later it turns into a biological/psychological need.

This is just my opinion, but if I see a person standing there doing nothing versus a person standing there smoking ... to me, the one smoking resembles an "idiot" far more than the non-smoker.  I think "not looking like an idiot" is a horrible excuse for poisoning yourself.

It was a strange example.

[Grim]

Well.... I think my avatar gives it all away....

[Darth Mandarb]

This is totally not about "why".
"Why" does occur, but when to-be-smoker is a dumb kid and tries to be like cool kids.
This is absolutely different and is not what I said.

I think it is exactly about "why" but I'm not going to argue semantics

However I think you've hit on the root of the problem with your reply.  There is this social impression that it's the "cool" people that smoke.  I find that pathetic.  Smoking does not make a person look cool, it makes them look dirty and foolish (to me).  The sooner people get past this notion (that smoking is somehow cool) out of their heads the better off we'll be as a species.

It's similar to how people will look at the person that isn't drinking (alcohol) while out with friends at a pub/club/etc.  Like somehow there's something wrong with you 'cause you're not killing brain-cells with the rest of them.  It's sad.

It was a strange example.

edit - just to clarify, I'm not judging any of you smokers!  Just expressing my opinions

[Stupot]

Well.... I think my avatar gives it all away....

Avatars lie... I'm a strict non-smoker.  But I still suffer from procrastination problems... maybe its the caffine... or masturbation.

I don't think anyone really associates smoking with being cool anymore... except maybe 12-year-old boys... but that the problem... most smokers do so because they have done from an early age when they stupidly thought they were being cool and rebellious pinching cigarettes off their auntie, or getting grown ups to buy fags for them...  It's all so sneaky and fun and tehres the risk of getting told off by your mum...

They probably don't think like that when they grow, but it's too late... they still smoke because they're addicted, and fuck it, all their friends smoke anyway.

I think every smoker should give up the habit the day their parents find out, because lets face it, thats the reason you started in the first place.

[LimpingFish]

edit I'm not judging any of you smokers!

I am. How stupid do you have to be to put a roll of burning leaves in your face hole?!

There was a point in the lives of all smokers, that frozen moment following the initial drag on their first cigarette, where a fairly simple question was triggered in their brain:

Smoking: Good/Bad?

If they find the answer to be anything other than "This tastes like I'm sucking hot ash out of a tramp's arse crack!", then they deserve all the tumor parades their bodies can handle.

The too-young-to-know-any-better argument is weak, especially today; we live in an age of limited tobacco advertising and stricter health warnings. But still,  I was young once, and I had friends that smoked like chimneys. My father smoked, so cigarettes would've been within easy reach.

But I had a functioning brain. Not to mention a functioning nose.