February 27, 2013 8:09 AM PST
That being said...I still smoke. For over forty years, now. But it's really startin' to be a drag...(NO PUN INTENDED).
I beat one addiction (with The Big Guy's, help!) , and I'm sure we can do it again. I just have one worry. My Mom smoked for around 30 years, and then quit, cold turkey. Stayed quit for over two years. Then suddenly, outta the blue, she started up again, and within four months, was diagnosed with lung cancer. She fought a good battle, was even cancer free for a while, until it showed up in her brain.
Am I crazy to continue doing what I know killed my mother, (and her Mother before her)??? Yes I am. But
what I worry about, is quitting, and then starting back up again. I think it "shocked" Mom's body, and that her
cancer might have been a result of that. I don't wanna make that same mistake. And don't tell me, she would've
gotten cancer anyways. The same thing happened with her Mom. She was fine, til she quit, then started again.
Not everyone who smokes, gets lung cancer. And the statistics depend on a lot of different variables.
Without getting into all that, let me just say, I do want to quit. I have for a while.
There just always seems to be another priority. AND...
It's really hard to get "Xany's...lol
Ride Free
Tweek
February 27, 2013 8:12 AM PST
Smoke free for almost 13 years now. I quit cold turkey in Oct 1990 from a 2-4 pack a day habit. For close to 3 years it was a conscious decision first thing every morning to be smoke free for the day. All of you who are quitting: Blessings and strength to stay the course.
February 27, 2013 9:09 AM PST
Marni and I quit smoking at Rapid City airport nearly 3 years ago...I had a puff on a smoke at a party the other night after a coupla beers and I dont reckon I'll be takin it back up again..Mind you a pack of 25 is 18 bucks down this way....
February 28, 2013 2:34 PM PST
Since Monday I've smoked less than two packs, but as of today I think I have found my new addiction ...lol. I stopped by the smoke shop to make sure I didn't run out of the e smoke refills and the lady asked if I would like to try a free coffee flavored one.Mind you I'm not a coffee drinker but love the smell of fresh coffee or roasted beans.Now I can say tomorrow morning I'm having a cup of coffee with my smoke....I'm in lust!! Needless to say I'm going to smell like Starbucks instead of an ashtray;-) Tweek you have got to try these and can even order this brand on-line.Send me a PM if you'd like the link.
March 18, 2013 5:43 AM PDT
Well Jimmy you and some other influences have inspired me to go completely tobacco free! I know a lot of you that know me have heard me say I quit smoking and only do it when I am out drinking or at a rally. That has been a total lie! I never really completely quit, I would still hide and smoke a few cigarettes a week or use cigars as my excuse, but actually inhaling them to satisfy the need.
Well as of last Thursday night I am giving it my best shot to REALLY quit all tobacco! So far it hasn't been that bad thanks to the support of my family. Amazing how if I was just honest with them they were there to help any way they could. Right no I am using the nicotine gum to help me through, but hoping I can get away from that shortly. I also have one of those fake electronic vapor cigarettes for when I just need to satisfy the physical need of the act of smoking... but again hoping to eliminate that ASAP.
Thanks Jimmy for posting and reminding me it can be done!
March 22, 2013 3:57 AM PDT
Well Jimmy you and some other influences have inspired me to go completely tobacco free! I know a lot of you that know me have heard me say I quit smoking and only do it when I am out drinking or at a rally. That has been a total lie! I never really completely quit, I would still hide and smoke a few cigarettes a week or use cigars as my excuse, but actually inhaling them to satisfy the need.
Well as of last Thursday night I am giving it my best shot to REALLY quit all tobacco! So far it hasn't been that bad thanks to the support of my family. Amazing how if I was just honest with them they were there to help any way they could. Right no I am using the nicotine gum to help me through, but hoping I can get away from that shortly. I also have one of those fake electronic vapor cigarettes for when I just need to satisfy the physical need of the act of smoking... but again hoping to eliminate that ASAP.
Thanks Jimmy for posting and reminding me it can be done!
If you want to quit you'll find a way. And whatever way you choose is o.k. I quit unaided but it's been difficult. I'm irritable and I'm turning 65 on Monday so that means my irrtability has the old geezer flavor to it. But I haven't smoked since I first posted that Gypsy and I quit. Her acupuncture has worked well for her and she's not had as much craving as I have had.
Now Tweek, you don't need to apologize for enjoying a smoke. I LIKE to smoke but it was having an affect on me. And you're right; not everyone gets cancer from Smoking.
March 22, 2013 6:35 AM PDT
Well how many times have you heard the song smoking in the boys room? You know what triggers are? You know how the media brain washes? You repeat something over and over, either audio, visual, or written. Watch those triggers, turn them off. Good luck. Friday's music has the most commercials in the songs, they're subliminal, but they're there. Drinking and a smoking triggers. They know the weakness of a consumer.
March 22, 2013 6:42 AM PDT
You know Jimmy I have heard others with good things to say about acupuncture, I may give it a try. So far I haven't been too irritable, but it has only been a week. However, my son was upset because we were out out of snacks for his school lunch by Wednesday... don't know what could have happened to them
Actually by today we are out of just about everything edible
I'm not going to worry about the eating right now. I'll tackle a small weight gain once I get rid of this nasty smoking habit!
March 22, 2013 8:58 AM PDT
Good luck to all of you!
March 22, 2013 10:31 AM PDT
I've been smoking since I was 15 yrs, so basically more than half my life. I have tried to quit and failed miserably every time. The Hubby smokes as well, he smokes a lot more than me actually. But the financial thing is a big draw to me for quitting, The amount of money we would have if we both quit could make the payments on the car I really want! heehee But the Hubby says he isn't ready, and I know without a doubt I can't quit if he is going to keep smoking. I am addicted to the nicotine, BAD! As soon as I open my eyes in the morning I need a smoke. I have started shaking before, and felt sick on the rare occasion I didn't have one readily available. Started trying the e-ciggs, not working for me. Afraid to try Chantix. Need to quit for my kiddos, too.
It's not the nicotine. I simply like to smoke. I always thought of myself as a connesieur (sp) of tobacco; not smoking out of habit like the first thing in the morning or after eating or after a beer or when the nicotine dictated, but when I simply wanted a smoke. I didn't start smoking until Vietnam but even then you really couldn't smoke all the time, especially at night. But I never developed that before noon habit. I mean, the morning mouth is bad enough without a cigarette for God's sake. 
but I was fascinated with the pipe and it's history throughout the world; as far back as 500 B.C. Still, I really, really got into it. I developed my own tobacco mix that is actually on the market out of a shop in Albany, N.Y. Of course I get no royalties (cheap bastard).
Humbly speaking, there isn't anything I can't tell you about a pipe or pipe smoking. However, I don't include water pipes or Houkas in my knowledge base.