Preserved Topic: One entire day, without a Cigarette. (Page 1 of 1)

I have gone my first day in 4 years without smoking a cigarette.

I find this an amazing achomplishment for myself. I will then have to admit that reasons for my cut backs deal a lot with the entire social atmosphere that is presented against smoking in New York State. Pressures on TV and pressures from those who do not smoke, and see the adds on TV.

I however do not believe that it is TV that has caused this day to happen. I believe that it is the idiots who don't smoke, and watch the adds, mindlessly believing every word that is said, then accosting me with the rehetoric every time I light up.

So here is the option for comment. What is your stance on cigarette smoking? Why do you take that stance, why sort of real life experiences do you have? How much has the propaganda influenced your decision?

I would however ask that you do not go into great detail about which person you know who has died because of smoking. If your reason is someone close to you has died, simply state that. Giving out the facts on the death will only cause more pain to all of us.

I believe that most smokers no what the riskes are involved with smoking. We all know the health problem so don't go into those either. Smokers know the health dangers more than a non-smoker would any day of the week, we have heard all the reason and then some.

Another thing that I am looking for comments on is. Cigarettes as a drug. IMO cigarettes are a worse drug than alcohale, marajuana, LSD, opium and extasy, etc (notice not mentioning coke, crack or heroine [IMO they are worse]). Why make these others illegal an not cigarettes, not the lobbiest excuse, but I am looking for above polotics human logic, anyone want to put their oppionion down.

So in closing, I have gone one day with out a cigarette, is it worth going 2. We are all going to die, why live with the pain of absense?

mmm something I as well have though of recently...
I stopped smoking on the 12th of this month.

I didn't say I quit... I'm stopped. A temporary state.

The reason I stopped is because I play on a soccer team here in Okinawa... it'll help me to better get in shape for the season.
I also quit because I've been trying to determine patterns in my sleeping 'disorder' and I wanted to know if the cigs were related to it.

People complaining about other people smoking. One of my biggest annoyances.
I'm not saying they are complaining when people light up... but complaining about smoking in general.
Grow up.
I hate it when you smack your gum... it's annoying... it makes too much damn noise. I say we put out add campaigns against gum.
Everything is killing us... you will help it, whether you like it or not.

One Day at a time, man.
I smoked since I was 11 years old (I'm 43) = quit last year, don't miss
it that much... I only smoked about 2-3 cig's per day, tho.

(but DON'T ask me if I miss ROR714's, booze and weed, and I don't
mean weedah) - If it's ANY help at all to you:

1. You'll have more energy, and you'll live longer - that may not
sound important in your 20's - but if you're in your 40's you'll
be a whole lot more receptive to that little suggestion.

2. You'll probably be subtley more creative - increased oxygen flow
to the brain.

3. You'll look and smell a whole lot better.

I guess I stopped rec-sub's when I was in the pipeline to becoming a
parent... maybe when my kids take off I'll go to a Paul
Oakenfold rave :-)

As far as I'm concerned, smoking's a personal choice. I quit over a year ago, but I'm still pro-smoking to a great deal. The thing that really gets me is the intrusion of other people with misguided notions of trying to help. If you want to make the world a better place, change your own life, but don't step up on a soapbox and tell me how I should live mine.

I wish you luck on your endeavor mage, but you'll never truly quit unless you do it for yourself. If you quit because of outside pressure, once that pressure is gone, you'll go right back. That's what these idiots who pass these anti-smoking laws don't get.

Socially, I can understand some people's aversion to smoking, and in respect I'll refrain from lighting up. Simple as that. And TV is a propaganda tool. I watch it everyday, but I realize that I'm not exactly seeing God's honest truth on the screen. In fact, the worst commercials are those ones for "the truth", an anti-smoking campaign. They present facts that are at best mildly skewed and at worst the utter abuse of statistical analysis. I agree that children shouldn't smoke, but once you get passed the age of eighteen the rest of the world can bugger off.

Now, don't get me wrong, there are a lot of people who are against smoking, but still respect the rights of the individual. I applaud these people. But there are also people who go on crusades and try to shove facts down your throat claiming their point of view is right.

They claim that smoking is bad for your health. Okay, so is sunlight, automobile exhaust, and air (which contains several toxins). You know what, I'm taking my chances. At least then, when It's time for me to go, I'll know I have only myself to answer for when the judgment comes (if that's what you believe in). But if I do it because someone else said so, and then it turns out they're wrong, I don't think they'll be at my side to explain to God what happened.

The reason I quit, was because I have a girlfriend who doesn't smoke and she's been trying to get me to quit. It's been a long battle, and some nasty fights, but I'm getting there. But I'm not doing this just for her. I'm doing it for myself because of how I feel for her. Simple.

The point is, in this life, there are no absolutes. You can give me facts until you're blue in the face, I don't give a shit. I'll believe what I believe, and I'll change my mind when I damn well feel like I've been convinced. In which case, I will accede humbly their opinion, if they're right. But once you start trying to force my thinking in any way, I don't care if you're absolutely right, I will fight you with every last piece of moral fiber I have. I'll leave you with two quotes from Voltaire:

"I detest what you write, but I would give my life to make it possible for you to continue to write."
"I disapprove of what yousay, but I will defend to the death your right to say it."

I've been quit for 5 or 6 years now. I liked smoking a lot and I still have the occassional cigar when camping or whatever. It's nice. When I became a Christian about 9 years ago I started thinking about it though, I couldn't sit through morning Bible study and the service without pulling my hair out and I figger I didn't go for a smoke break in between because some of the folks at the church would not like it much. My dad has smoked my whole life and still does but I know he feels bad about it since all three of his kids ended up smoking.

Considering all this, I didn't want to offend anyone or cause someone at church to look down on me, (which happens to be against their religion ) and I knew my dad would feel a bit better if I quit, I just figured that it would be the right thing to do. Everyone always says "do it for yourself". I found it much easier to do it for everyone else.

Now I'm kinda proud of the record of being smoke free, I'd tried to quit many times before but this time it was easy. I was a 1-2 pack a day smoker too by the way, depending mostly if I was drinking or not...

So I guess propaganda had zero influence, social pressure had a little in an indirect way. I still hate it when people whine about smokers/smoking by the way, but it does suck when you come out of a smokey place and you stink to high heaven.

eh, whatever. Life is fatal but you may as well not stink while you're alive

Jason

um... I can't stand the smell... if you wanna inhale those smells that greet my nostrials as toxins... go ahead. But not anywhere close to me unless there is room for me to leave... yep. tahts my take.


]

WarMage....good for you ! And I do hope you find *your* reason to give them up

I began smoking at 15 ... 2 packs a day

I quit almost 3 years ago

I had gotten back in church and felt it something I needed to let go of.
I hated the smell in my clothes and hair !
I didn't want to wheeze when I get older like some people I hear. ~shiver~
I didn't want to have children and set that example to them that it's ok.

And yes..........I lost family to cancer.


I found more reasons to quit than continue is what it came to.


I now have NO desire to ever smoke again. None. I feel sooooooooo much better. I never felt it until I quit. I thank God for that


Best of luck in your decision.


~Putting a smoking section in a restaurant is like putting a peeing section in a swimming pool~

Well, I'm a smoker and havn't quit (yet)
But, as KevinCar so nicely put it... "...to live longer tends to make more sense as you approach 40..." Well said!

One more, and stronger reason for me to think about quitting is my kids (11 months and 4.5 yrs old), do I want to leave them fatherless in 10-15 years because I smoked...

As for a personal stand on smoking, I see it as a personal choice.
BUT, to extend that choice to the ppl around me, I have to respect those who don't want me to smoke in the vincinity. So, I only smoke outside or where it's w/o question allowed, that's the only way I can claim that smoking is a personal choice.

/Dan

Good for you Mage..... If that's what you want.

I smoked for over 25 years, it's been 2 since I quit.

I have to agree with a lot of what silence said. I quit, but that doesn't mean I think everyone else should. I still believe in personal choice.

The one's that really bugged me when I did smoke, were the nonsmokers that used to. You know the ones... "If I quit, anybody can do it." Bullshit! I quit when I was good and ready, and couldn't have until then. Like silence said, you won't quit until you want to do it for yourself.

Why did I quit? I'm not really sure. I would like to think it was for my children. As they got older, I felt more and more like a hypocrite. I never smoked in my house, (or anyone else's for that matter) after I had children. I figured they would have time enough to screw up their own health when they got older, I wasn't going to help them. But, the older they got, the more I realized that they thought their parents knew everything (my oldest is now 13 and just figuring out I may be wrong from time to time), and the hollower the words "No you shouldn't smoke, it's bad for you!" became.

If that's not the reason, I'm not sure what was, but I do know one thing. I tried to quit many times over the years, with just as many different reasons, and ended up going back. This time was much easier because it was my decision, I was doing it because I was ready, and not for any other reason. And because of that, I don't believe most people can quit unless they have made up their mind to do so.

If you want to quit, go for it! I hope you make it for your own health. If not, I'm sure you will when *you* are good and ready.

- Resolutions, Of All My Fruitless Searches -

I don't smoke. I never have. The extent of my smoking experience was taking a few puffs off of one clove cigarette on my 23rd birthday when I was so drunk that I don't remember most of the night.

For me its just a choice. It doesn't interest me and it never has. Its not something I chose to not to do because I was worried about cancer or what have you. I just never started and don't plan to.

There are two things that really tick me off though. One of them is those "The Truth" anti-smoking campaigns. I flip the channel at the first sign of one of those. Along with that, I am really annoyed by non-smokers who nag smokers. Just leave them alone and let them live their lives.

The second thing is the stupid fuckers dying of lung cancer who are suing the tobacco companies. Thats like taking a gun, blowing your brains out, then suing Smith and Wesson because "you didn't know it would kill you." These people need to take some responsibility for their actions and suffer the consequences of a choice that they made a long time ago.

I say smoke em if you got em. I'll be over here with my new favorite addiction, Red Bull and Stoli. Yummmm.

Good for you mage.

I've been trying to kick the habit for best part of 30 years - sheesh how many bucks is that up in smoke - managed to quit a couple of years back for 4 months, still trying (sort of). Funny thing, in some ways I enjoy smoking, although like shiii I hate the smell in your hair and on your clothes. Found a partial solution, I never smoke at home or in the office.....which results in my smoking a lot less.
I'll quit when I'm ready....I guess at the moment I don't want to enough.....

Preach on, brother krets!

There are definitely valid points in here and I can see the Asylumites aren't part of the mob and can actaully think things through.

I noticed something along the same lines when there were WTO protests here in Seattle a while back. I'd say 20% of the people out there actually knew what they were protesting. The rest were there too look good, or loot, or say "they helped make a difference". Makes me sick. I saw some people standing up on streetlights yelling "stop the oppression!!". I could tell he didn't have a clue.

It is sad to see that society relies more on word of mouth than actual thought and effort for information, especially in this day and age. Mankind has always been like that, but you'd think that being able to actually have access to information (through the internet, the newspaper, *gasp* the public library) would enable more people to make conscious decisions about things.

Hell, it makes me wonder how we ever stopped bashing ourselves over the heads and living in caves*.


*which is not Historically accurate if you spend two minutes checking it out, but the point is clear nonetheless

Congrats WarMage.

I have hated the smell of tobacco smoke since I can remember. My Dad smoked for most of my childhood. I hated smoking so much and especially when he did it that I would find his cigarettes and throw them away. That really pissed him off!

One day, he just quit cold turkey. I am still not clear why. I'm pretty sure all the attempts to get him to quit on my part failed. *He* made the decision one day and that was that.

As far as allowing others to do it. I pretty much don't mind people doing it but it is one of the most offensive things you can do around non-smokers. So as long as I'm upwind or not in the same confined space as someone who is smoking, there's not a problem.

I also have learned that much of the anti-smoking campaign has been engaged in misinformation. For instance, the figures they give for the thousands of people who die from second hand smoke are lies. I was shocked to learn that only a third of smokers actually die from it. Now I'm not happy with that many dying but from the propoganda I would have thought it to be 80-90% fatal.

I gotta agree with Krets, especially with his second point about those stupid fuckers dying of lung cancer who are suing the tobacco companies.

I work with a guy whose wife (a long time smoker) just had part of her lung removed because of cancer (she seems to be ok for now). As we were talking one day, he mentioned that his wife was calling the lawyer. Yep you guessed it, to see if she had any legal rights. When I questioned whether or not he really believed that it was proper to blame the cigarette company, and that didn't he/she know that smoking was bad for them, he proceeded to get mad and tell me that the tobacco companies didn't tell them it was bad for them that long ago (they are both in their late 50's). Having smoked myself for over 20 years, I said that I knew from the day I started that it was bad for me, and was relatively sure that even at that time, the surgeon generals warning was already on the pack. I told him I don't think if it were me, that I would with clear conscience be able to blame someone else for my choice. His argument was that the cigarette companies should be held responsible because they tried to hide it.

Now... I'm not saying he's a bad guy, and although I don't agree with his thinking, I'm not the one with a wife who almost died, and over $100,000.00 worth of hospital bills that I have no way of paying. I can truthfully say I hope I wouldn't blame somebody else for my choice, but I guess we never know until put in that position.

Now that I've clouded the issue even further, I'm sure I can say this:

I agree with you wholeheartedly Krets, but I have to qualify that with the age old saying... You never know until you walk a mile in their Air Jordan's.

And Mage,

Let us know how it goes. We'll understand, one way or the other.

- Resolutions, Of All My Fruitless Searches -

WarMage,

I do not know whether to congratulate you or to console you. However, I just celebrated the completion of one year of not smoking.

*phortay scowls at the english grammar fanatics!*

Why did I quit? 'Coz I wanted to..I reeeaaally wanted to...but as said by others before, it was a personal decision. There is value to arguments by non-smokers regarding public enviorments...however, I find most people take things too far! I was once attacked by a non-smoker because I reeked of nicotine. My response to the individual was simple: I do not comment on your hair, or clothes, perfume or other personal choices...as long as I don't smoke around you...keep your comments to yourself. If I did make such comments about her smell...(perfume or otherwise)...I would be labled rude and abrasive. Her comment is just more socially acceptable...right now!

*phortay is reminded uv a post by silence on another thread*

Besides, most of us do not have the capacity to think beyond the propoganda on t.v. or in the media...

*phortay takes a swig of gatorade and ties the laces on his new nikes*

...we all are guilty of this in many respects. It eventually comes down to the individual. Are you happy as a smoker? U kno the risks! Personally, I am happier as a non-smoker! I play sports alot, take martial arts and am an active person. Cigarettes just didn't fit for me! But this has nothing to do with you!

Finaly, it matters not whether you have quit for one day or one hundred. If the committment and desire is not present within you...you will remain a smoker! Therefore it is worthless and a complete waste of time to even stop for one day if you are not sure it is the right thing for you! To this day, I still get urges to smoke! But I refuse to light another cigarette in my lifetime!

*phortay mosies back to the phortarium...periodically mooing back at the other cattle*

I'm one of the few people in this world that smokes a pipe and NO, I SMOKE ONLY TOBACCO, DAMN IT! (I hate it when people assume I smoke pot)

Smoking a pipe is yummy, I don't inhale, and I smoke only in well-ventelated areas.

Why would anyone want to stop?

It's your God, they're your rules, YOU go to Hell.

...just started smoking again today after an 18 day lay-off.

[This message has been edited by taxon (edited 05-30-2001).]

The poster has demanded we remove all his contributions, less he takes legal action.
We have done so.
Now Tyberius Prime expects him to start complaining that we removed his 'free speech' since this message will replace all of his posts, past and future.
Don't follow his example - seek real life help first.

Smoking is the most disgusting, revolting habit that I've ever fallen in love with. I hate myself right before the drag, and love myself right after. It's a wonderful duality. So my stance is this: more people should smoke. Less people should smoke. In either event, it shouldn't be a big debate. heh


s t e p h e n

Stephen, I love your logic

I used to work with this guy who had a love/hate relationship with smoking. He hated to smoke and in fact he didn't *but* he owned gobs of Philip-Morris stocks and he loved all the other people who did smoke because it made him richer.

I thought he was kidding when he told me this but I assure you he was quite serious. It sickened me.

i am a smoker. i know it. sometimes though, i don't smoke for a day, or a week, or a month.. why? because i don't feel like it .. and when i do.. i go back to smoking.. (lol) and when i do that, i find those around me feel it is their duty to lecture me on the evils of smoking! they are entitled to their opinions of course, but it is still my decision to make...

i find the most rightous crusaders are those who have given up smoking.. they always have lots to say as if i had never heard it before.. they are usually more vociferous than the propoganda surrounding the habit... more so than those who have never smoked...

i think that if people truly want to stop smoking they should just do it.. if not, then not... i gave up smoking for 10 years.. but now i have been at it again for 10 years.. hmm maybe i should pause again? nah... i understand why some ppl find it hard to give up. though, it is an oral fixation and gum (despite the many flavors) is not an adequate substitute.. my dad gave up smoking one day. he just made the decision and did it.. never smoked another cigarette in his life despite the fact that he had been a 2 pack-a-day smoker for 20 years... that, to me, proves that it can be done.

one of the habits smokers here have to deal with is ALWAYS smoking outside.. few public places allow smoking so there are clusters of smokers near public ashtrays... which i appreciate as stinky cigarette butts dropped on sidewalks and in potted plants are a disgusting, unsightly habit...


~velvetrose

Yep, good points velvet.

Here, ya don't have to worry about going outside as much to smoke. For instance, the airports have smoking areas. I'm not referring to the 'smoking rooms' that they have in some airports in the states...
These are areas that have a rail at waist height going around them... and they are all over the place in the airport.
No walls or anything.... just a rail.

I just felt like sharing that...

Like I said once before.....that's like having a peeing section in a swimming pool

imo, it's more like providing rest rooms/outhouses/wc's for those in need

~velvetrose

"Like I said once before.....that's like having a peeing section in a swimming pool"

I love it!

<soapbox>
Anyways - I have asthma (a chronic disorder that affects the "pipe" leading to the lungs, as well as the lungs itself). I don't like smokers. If you breathed in and never exhaled, that's fine. But I find second hand smoke to be distasteful, disgusting, and dangerous. I can attest FIRST HAND what it does to those with breathing disorders. I can attest FIRST HAND what it does to surfaces, including walls and windows, as well as clothing. I used to work in the music business, and I'd come home at 5am and jump into bed. When I woke up hours later, I could smell my clothes from across the room.

Here in Michigan, it's against the law to discard your cigarette butts out the window of your vehicle (it falls under the states litering law, which imposes a $200 fine). And take it from someone who's been traveling down a freeway on a motorcycle at 80+ and been hit in the face/eyes with a hot butt, it ain't pleasant.

IMHO, smokers are the MOST inconsiderate people on the planet (at least as far as their treatment and respect of others while smoking). That doesn't mean that I won't do business with a smoker. Just that I think they can be extremely selfish when they are smoking.

Now, if you were to say, shoot heroin into your veins, there is no secondary affect to my health from it (increased crime and violence not withstanding). Same with drinking, etc.

If smoking were of NO health effect to non-smokers, I don't think this would be an issue. In fact, Michigan's Clean Air act requires increasing rights for non-smokers in public areas like restaurants. Within the next couple of years, restaurants will have to be smoke-free, as will other public access areas. All state and federal buildings here are already smoke free. In fact, when I was at the State Police academy, there were large yellow lines on the sidewalk, 25 feet from any window or door. You could not smoke within those lines. And they have no tolerance for it.

While smokers can claim they have the right to do anything they want to their bodies, they don't have the right to do ANYTHING to mine. In fact, there are criminal cases in which people were prosecuted for intentionally blowing smoke at another person. (If I recall, it was Assault and Battery).
</soapbox>

For what it's worth, I help all of my friends quit when they are ready by making them "deals" and giving them incentives. Here at work, I offer a free lunch ANYWHERE we can get to during lunch time, if they quit for 30 days. So far, I'm 3/5.

<pugzly dons trusty body armor for expected return fire>



[This message has been edited by Pugzly (edited 06-06-2001).]

I agree... I am a smoker. I smoke about 1/2 pack a day. Marlboro Ultra LIghts (killing myself slowly) but I still respect people that don't smoke. It's a nasty nasty habit, hard to quit. And smokers that bitch at people who complain about second hand smoke make me sick.

If I want to kill myself by smoking why should other person get a second hand smoke from me? Plus I heard that second hand smoke is more dangerous.

I agree with twItch^. Also with silence. ( for a name like "silence" he usually has something meaningful to say, heh)
It's your life, do what you want. Telling someone they "shouldn't" smoke is like telling them they arent coherent enough to make their own life-decisions. Do-gooders can, and will, probably go to hell.