But today I quit. Smoking. It’s not a New Year’s resolution, as such, but it’s a good time to do it…new year, new habits (or one less than I had the last thirty years). And I’m not exactly “going gentle into this goodnight”!
Doc says smoking contributes to my HBP. Maybe…but using it as a crutch for stress at times I have to wonder how it will be without my tubular friend. And, besides, I’ve smoked for all those years and, frankly, can’t personally attribute smoking to any health problem (since I really don’t have any!). I’ve never inhaled. Stop! 
I KNOW we have all heard that one before but in my case it’s true and I can tell you this because the first time I tried I choked, turned blue and thought my head was going to seperate from my body so I never even tried again. (I guess that means all I do is ‘blow smoke’?)
I bought my first pack of cigs at seventeen. Why? Because I could. Even had the nerve to go home, offer one to my mother as I lit one myself. Ever heard a lead balloon crashing? It wasn’t pleasant and I was made to throw the entire pack of ten in the fire. From then until I was about thirty I was strictly a social smoker…only at dinners and other social gatherings. When I did begin the habit I never lit my first cigarette of the day until 9a.m….by then having had breakfast first and my daughter off to school. I had my last one at 9p.m. “because I’ve been smoking all day and need to have respite before going to bed..”, never smoked or allowed smoking in bedrooms either, for the same reason. Needless to say, those rules (except for the bedroom one) changed after a couple of years and I became a full-fledged addict, smoking too many every day, never allowing myself to run out.
But those were the days when there was pleasure attached to the vice. Freedom. And it cost less. I will say that while we will have a couple of hundred dollars in our pockets by not smoking, the cost was not the consideration. At least not until recently…and it’s still not mainly the cost. It’s the cost + being considered a pariah. Not that I’m suggesting people shouldn’t but the general public afford more consideration to drug addicts than they do smokers. We are just “rude”, “unpleasant” and “inconsiderate”…even by those who haven’t a leg to stand on from enjoying a liquid lunch or dinner. (Which, admittedly, I find unpleasant, inconsiderate and certainly more dangerous to life and limb). We used to enjoy a meal out, an evening at the club or cinema…we could relax, enjoy a drink and chat…and smoke. Since the ban went into effect in Delaware we eat at home or would scoot over to Maryland for dinner (that last bastion on this Peninsula is no more, however…or at least two thirds of it is now gone and VA is a bit too far for a dinner date!). And I don’t mind others objecting to smoke…sometimes I’d object, myself (hate the smell on clothing, in my hair, on my breath) but their general rudeness towards smokers does not endear me to their cause.
So…our Governor saw fit to ban smoking in restaurants, bars etc. a couple of years ago then, recently, increased the tax on cigarettes…again. And it’s time to quit. Mostly because I strongly object to paying into the public coffers for a govt. and public who will willingly allow me to spend my money on a pleasure they refuse to leave me in peace to enjoy. Selfish? Perhaps but they will just have to do without our collective $2500 a year as of today.
I honestly wished I’d never started smoking…it was much easier to do than quit, that I can tell you. And I would never encourage anyone to take it up…on the contrary, to youngsters I preach the opposite, for a variety of reasons. But I do have to say…it WAS great while it lasted.
I too smoke and wished I never started. Withdrawal sucks. Not just for me, but for the poor people (or pets) who come in contact with me over the next few months. Oh the apologies and amends I’ll have to make…..lol. I know what I have to do, but finding a physician who will voluntarily put me into a medicinal coma for 3 months is hard to find. Just think, I can’t kill anyone, kick the dogs, tell people what I really think, less road rage, and I can leave my gun right where it is. To wake up months later, addiction controllable, impurities in a land-fill somewhere, and don’t have to look over my shoulder for an ambushing retaliator. Good Luck and where do you live?…..lol.
:-O Love the idea of being in limbo while quitting smoking! How cool…if there was a guarantee it would work. I cannot even look at a cigarette while having a migraine, really bad cold but as soon as the symptoms are alleviated, one or five days being off them are as nothing. Anyway, all of this is moot…I’m not doing so well with the quitting. I want the impossible…to go back to the days of yore when I could smoke a couple of cigarettes, forget I even have them until, two weeks later I find the open pack and the smokes are so stale thought nothing of chucking them in the trash. AND I didn’t even feel compules to run out and buy more! I do appreciate the wishes of luck but think it’s going to take more than that. Certainly, I’ve cut down…just not “out”. And forget the savings…it’s costing me more to buy a pack than a carton. If you find the answer to your call, YKNOT, can you come back here and let me know who, where and when?
Allright Maat option 2. As soon as I find a magic lamp and the genie appears, my last wish will be that smoking is a benign habit. Works for me and the Tooth Fairy agrees. Just don’t beat yourself up. It takes a few quits to quit.
Oh, how I wish I had never started smoking.
I detest the smell of smoke in the house, clothes etc but still cannot stop.
I am not allowed to smoke at work: I refuse to stand out in the cold to have a cigarette yet still I am unable to give up the dreaded weed.
Tried patches, does not work for me and some say it is more dangerous to use them than to smoke.
Considering a packet of cigarettes costs more than £5 in the UK, $10 USA, you would think that would make one stop smoking.
Well, all I have to say is, I am off to have a cig. Maybe one day!
omg.. good work, dude