are you a smoker?

Nope, never interested me.

I use to be one. I quit on December 31st 2012 at one minute to midnight, and I've not had one craving or anything since (So far). However at the height of my smoking (and stress levels) I would easily burn through 60 a week.

I quit a couple of months ago. It was entirely a money decision to stop.

Over the years smoking has gone through many phases for me.

I started smoking a tabacco pipe. Cause I thought it looked cool. And it did, amazing conversation piece.

Eventually I got tired of loading and maintanence of a pipe so I switched to Djarum/Clove cigarettes. Kretek's we called them. Apparently a onomatopoeia for the "crackling" they do. Got involved in those because of all my older college buddies. They were hip. I could be hip too. The only downside really (besides another way to slowly kill yourself) was that sometimes the "crackling" would jump from the end of the Djarum to my finger and slightly burn me. This annoyed me to the point where I had enough.

Now I smoke camels. Although I've gone from packs every day to just 2-3 a day. It's just not as enjoyable as it once was.

But kind of a funny thing developed over my years of smoking. A sort of by-product of my own anti-social lifestyle. I would straight up just quit smoking, but I've found it's a great way to get the fuck away from everyone. Now whenever I find myself desiring a quiet moment, I love to excuse myself from all the non-smokers and step outside with only my thoughts to keep me company. Obviously this doesn't work as well when everyone else in my company is a smoker as well, nor do I always want to get away from folks.

But when I do, sometimes it's a great fucking reason.

I've smoked cigarettes for the last 15 years of my life (I'm 26 now). Both of my parents smoked but discourage me from following there nasty habit. I remember my first cigarette was in a pub (yes 2 years before i was old enough to legally drink in one) when i was drunk. It all spiralled downwards into an addiction from there and for the past few years i smoke around 20 a day.

I do enjoy a smoke though, despite knowing how bad it is for my health, and how much money it costs (UK average price is £7.00 a pack of 20. That means i spend £49/week OR £!95/month £2,555 a year on cigarettes. that's $4,087.09 at current exchange rate for anyone who doesn't wanna do the math. A frightening statistic) the addiction and craving negates that an illogical way.

I have tried quitting a couple of times throughout the period, with Nicotine replacement theory (NiQuitin patches) and later Champex (A drug with alters the brains receptors and your psychology no to crave the nicotine) and all sorts of NHS stop smoking support. But I have always failed, due to lack of will power, and ultimately have a problem with accepting help from the NHS which, in my view, isn't funded for myself who made the choice to fuck up my own body with cigarettes.

I think I'll probably end up smoking the rest of my life, or quitting if have a medical scare of a child or something like that. I wouldn't want to raise a child and subject them to second hand smoke.

Nope, never even tried and it's gonna stay that way. Seeing my grandfather slowly die from lung cancer when I was 5 had no small part in that decision. Trying my best to avoid second hand smoke too, but it's not easy.

I smoked one cigarette when I was 15 - not peer pressure, I was really anxious and thought it might calm me down (it didn't) - and decided that one was plenty. I've never really understood why anyone smokes regularly. It's an expensive and completely dangerous and needless habit. Everyone has their vices, and it would be wrong to publicly denounce someone just for smoking - freedom of choice and all that - but for me it's one of the most repugnant things.

@lanerobertlane said:

I've smoked cigarettes for the last 15 years of my life (I'm 26 now). Both of my parents smoked but discourage me from following there nasty habit. I remember my first cigarette was in a pub (yes 2 years before i was old enough to legally drink in one) when i was drunk. It all spiralled downwards into an addiction from there and for the past few years i smoke around 20 a day.

I do enjoy a smoke though, despite knowing how bad it is for my health, and how much money it costs (UK average price is £7.00 a pack of 20. That means i spend £49/week OR £!95/month £2,555 a year on cigarettes. A frightening statistic) the addiction and craving negates that an illogical way.

I have tried quitting a couple of times throughout the period, with Nicotine replacement theory (NiQuitin patches) and later Champex (A drug with alters the brains receptors and your psychology no to crave the nicotine) and all sorts of NHS stop smoking support. But I have always failed, due to lack of will power, and ultimately have a problem with accepting help from the NHS which, in my view, isn't funded for myself who made the choice to fuck up my own body with cigarettes.

I think I'll probably end up smoking the rest of my life, or quitting if have a medical scare of a child or something like that. I wouldn't want to raise a child and subject them to second hand smoke.

try this book

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Allen-Carrs-Easy-Stop-Smoking/dp/0718194551/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1358460502&sr=8-1

i was really skeptical a book would stop me smoking and id had many failed attempts at stopping and thought i would be a smoker for the rest of my life. but i listened to the audio book version of this book on 01/01/12 and i've not smoked or even wanted to smoke since. and that was after smoking 20 a day for 20 years. it was like someone just flicked a switch in my head.

I tried it once when I was drunk. It wasn't too bad, but it wasn't good. I remember thinking it felt as if if I was breathing really rough air, if that's possible. Never smoked anything again. I smoked those fruit flavoured non-tobacco things around that time as well.

@doobie: i just looked at the "look inside" part and think i've been recommended this book before, so i'm gonna give it a whirl i think.

No sir

Yes, I do.

@thefaulconer said:

I would straight up just quit smoking, but I've found it's a great way to get the fuck away from everyone. Now whenever I find myself desiring a quiet moment, I love to excuse myself from all the non-smokers and step outside with only my thoughts to keep me company. Obviously this doesn't work as well when everyone else in my company is a smoker as well, nor do I always want to get away from folks.

But when I do, sometimes it's a great fucking reason.

I totally agree. I do this less now, but I would always make sure to have a pack of cigarettes on me when I went to a party or something. There are just some moments where it's nice to take a step outside and have a few minutes of alone time.

Yes, I smoke. I no longer smoke tobacco on a regular basis (however, I am partial to the occasional roll-up.) Every day cannabis smoker.

No, I've been a second hand smoker for most of my life though.

@Colourful_Hippie said:

@Subject2Change

@Colourful_Hippie said:

Marijuana but I plan to stop smoking it and switch to exclusively vaping and/or eating it in baked goods.

Get a Vaporizer, best purchase!

What do you recommend? I was looking into getting a silver surfer.

Get yourself a magic flight lunch box. They're the shizzle. Tasty vapour, very discreet and a no questions asked return policy.

Blaze that shit up

yes. but I'm down to a pack a week!

Ya, Ya I do.

Yes, And I do enjoy it VERY much.

And as for why it's so enjoyable, Allow me to introduce Bebe Glazer.....

I am however in the process of quitting, The cost of smoking up here is ridiculous the government is forcing people to quit by making it so expensive.

Used to smoke cigarettes, worsened my Reynaud's syndrome so I stopped. Never really had any addiction despite smoking daily (no withdrawals and no "relapses" or what have you), but then, it's just Nicotine. Used to smoke weed a couple times a day but now I just vaporize it, keep the smoking to bigger social settings and such. My lungs feel incredible compared to how they did two years ago when I smoked both. Tar dun feel good :(

Started smoking in my last year of high school, i'd just moved to a new country and had zero friends and it was a (seemingly) harmless way to put myself in a situation where i'd be able to start conversation during lunch or whenever I went out on weekends (a lot of smokers at that school).

Now that i'm back in Australia it's still a handy way to meet people or pass time while waiting for a train, but it's expensive and gross and something I know I have to quit soon.

I do smoke. Been doing so for about 2 years now. I used it as a crutch to quit weed; I probably could have stopped completely but I was surrounded by weed smokers at the time, and that made it easier. I just liked blowing out smoke, and being able to do so without getting high was nice. Now I'm just addicted though, still enjoy it, however, I am planning on quitting at some point. Maybe this year. WHO KNOWS?! :P

Nope I've never even tried a cigarette. I did get some secondhand smoke from my Dad for a few years till he stopped smoking. Never even thought about trying one since everyone told me it was bad and I listened to them.

@Canteu said:

@MikkaQ: Is it not part of my freedom that i don't have to be subject to other peoples vices? I think so.

You wanna smoke, fine, just don't do it near anybody else.

"pill-head drug addicts" aren't shoving pills down peoples throats.

Smoker's rights...what a crock of shit.

I don't get a 5 minute break every few hours at work, for something i've done to myself. Where's my non asshole rights?

Good lord, if my choices are second hand smoke or hearing this kind of preaching from holier-than-thou non smokers then I'll stand outside in the cold with the group of people who aren't self righteously shouting down at people for making a choice in the way they live their life.

You're not a better person because you don't smoke, hell if this diatribe from you and the lack of lash back from smokers makes me think they're the much better and level headed people in this instance. Do your argument a favour and get your point across without standing on a soap box saying that smokers' are "assholes".

I can say I'm not a smoker now that I gave up Yay go me.

I'll pass, smoking is gross and helps lung cancer. Also, it smells horrible.

I smoke dat tobacco, maybe a half pack a day at the most. i'm not the brightest person in world, i know.

Nope. Shit's gross. But I respect peoples choices with it. I actively avoid being around smoke, though.

Nope. I used to for a few years but not anymore.

Nope

No, but when i drink i do smoke. no bullshit i would smoke if it wasnt bad for you. lol i know that sounds stupid. I LOVE SMOKING!

Never smoked, never will.

Nope, I tried it once or twice though never finished a stick.

I like a good cigar every now and then.

Nope ..... nor tobacco , cigar or smokable drugs. I dont like the smoke.

I don't smoke, but seeing as how I was reared by a couple of avid and inveterate smokers, I do happen to find the smell comforting.

I smoked for a couple of years, then discovered how awesome food taste when you aren't smoking. Quit right after that revelation.

Nope never a single cig in my life.  Ive smoked a cigar but I feel like thats different (even though its definitely worse for you).  Everytime someone would offer me one I would decline even if I was obviously intoxicated.  I would honestly shoot up heroin or rail lines before I smoke my first cigarette.  Only because half of my family was addicted to cigarettes and my grandma died from it before I even got to meet her.  Japanese people also smoke a lot so I saw a lot of the "effects" of cigs.  Im not saying cigs are the worst thing in the world, but I would never do them.  

@the_OFFICIAL_jAPanese_teaBAG: Making the jump from shooting up heroin from smoking a cigarette seems a bit...hyperbolic.

@McGhee said:

@Kidavenger said:

@McGhee said:

That's not to mention the obvious and plentiful health problems with it.

I can't help but wonder if the trend of less people smoking now vs 20 years ago has anything to do with the trend of more people to be overweight now. Everyone that I've ever know that has quit smoking usually puts on and keeps 20-30 pounds of body fat which is probably just as unhealthy as smoking.

My parents both smoked 3 packs a day up until I was well into my 20s, I've never once had a desire to even try it.

Sounds like just a transference of an addiction, rather than overcoming it. But I would say there are many more other factors to higher obesity rate. A lot probably having to do with a failing economy and the cheapness and availability of junk food.

I have heard (not sure if this is true) that there are chemicals in the Cigarettes that cause you too loose a little weight as well as not gain any weight with out eating a shit ton. Again not sure if it is true but is something I have heard.

I do not smoke on any kind of daily basis. I do not even own cigarettes. Though cigars some times come up and I will partake, but people who smoke all the time smell like shit and I don't wanna be that guy.

@Freshbandito: How about this then.

I have nothing against smokers. Just tobacco.

Note the part where I said, if you want to smoke, fine. I really don't care what people do, just don't get me involved.

And I was mostly debunking the crazy persons argument. I wasn't really attempting to preach nor hold a soap box.

I said "non-asshole rights" not in terms that smokers are assholes, more that they get breaks for no reason. So how come i don't get a break for not inflicting harm upon myself?

I never said I was a better person. Not sure where you got that from.

Hope you're happy standing in the cold with sick people.

edit: oh, and if you didn't notice the irony of your own post...well I guess it's not worth pointing out to you.

@the_OFFICIAL_jAPanese_teaBAG: Making the jump from shooting up heroin from smoking a cigarette seems a bit...hyperbolic.

No, but I don't have anything against smokers.

smoked for nearly 12 years

quit last year, and hopefully will never start again.

Wow...25%, I'm impressed.

I thought we'd be in single digit by now.

My parents taught me early to despise smoking...because they smoked and I hated it.

Nope. I'm overweight and don't need additional health problems, also hate the smell.

Yes and yes.

Dont smoke cigs, but I have a couple tobacco pipes and a hookah that i love.