When would you consider yourself a "non-smoker"?

mariposa224

I have recently quit smoking (23 days 15 hours and 37 minutes cigarette free to be exact!), but I started thinking, when do you consider yourself a non-smoker? The day you quit? Two weeks? A month? A year? There's that obvious chance of relapsing, but how long do you think you need to be cigarette free to consider yourself a non-smoker?

Curious to see what everyone thinks!

I've never called myself a non-smoker. I tend to use the terms "former smoker" or "reformed smoker." lol I just hate how smokers have no rights and it seems the world is full of rabid-anti-smokers. yes, we all know it's horrible for everyone's health but so are a ton of other things. Not going to start a rant... Just giving my thought on it.

squishycow7

Not to be negative, but in medical records... you're either never, current, or former... it's always going to part of your medical history!


But on a personal level... whenever you think you're clean of it. Thinking negatively (like your doctor!) might = relapse! Be proud of quitting

redmagpie91

I smoke a single cigarette about once or twice a week at most. Sometimes I go weeks without. I definitely consider myself a non-smoker and my doctor does too even with all the facts. I was never addicted though and have just always done this so I don't know if that helps.

meli_medina

When I went out to a bar for the first time, wasn't tempted to light up, and also felt disgusted by the smoke clinging to me from others when I left.

Before that, I still considered myself in process of quitting. When the temptation left me, I knew I was good!

j_wilson2012

I am almost a full 4 weeks without cigarettes. Okay, my BD was on the 7th, and I had a few that day (like 4), but I bought the nastiest cigs on the shelf, and at the end of the day, I broke the rest of the pack and put them in the dumpster. It was a very depressing day, and I was on edge (unemployed, in the dark with edd, havent accomplished anything in life, etc etc). But I had a few that day, and when I woke up the next day, I did not have any cravings to go out and buy more cigs.

Being that I have lost that urge to smoke out of recreation, I would consider myself a non-smoker. I will through exception to that one day I had about 4 or 5, because it was controlled--- as in, I didn't get re-hooked. So, on Sunday, I will be a Month without a cigarette.

It takes months for your body to restore itself though. Lung capacity gets better with every work out, and blood pressure reduces gradually. GREAT JOB ON QUITTING! You just saved about $85 so far!

slowturtle1

Congrats on quitting! That's a huge accomplishment! Only briefly was I actually a "smoker"--maybe 6 months. But I was a "social smoker" off and on for years. All that time I still called myself a non-smoker (denial?). I can't remember the last time I had a cigarette, but I can't promise I won't ever have another one, so I'd agree with those who've said that you define it, you will know when you are a non-smoker. Maybe it's when the smell grosses you out. Maybe it's when you can't remember your last cigarette. Maybe it's when you can sit in a room full of smokers after a few drinks and not even want one... But definitely important to always clarify to the doc that you are a former smoker, no matter how long it's been. I still tell my doc that I'm a social smoker, but when I can't remember my last cigarette he usually just shakes his head and marks it out.:laugh:

MrDude_1

i never smoked.

but I do NOT consider myself a non-smoker... im just not currently smoking.

non-smoker implies i have some kind of problem with it.

gogojodee

iv seen my friends try to quit. id say you'd need a year.

This. And for insurance purposes - usually it's a year. Some polices state if you've been a smoker as in daily, you're still a risk so they count that.

GiddyupTim

I started smoking a pack a day at 14 years. About three years ago, I quit with the help of Chantix, after trying for over 20 years.
It was so impossible to quit, I'd never go back. But, I still consider myself a smoker because I know that if I had just one I'd be hooked again. And, I might never be able to quit a second time.
But, that's just me. I think once a smoker, always a smoker.
Research says that those who become smokers before age 18 years smoke the most and have the hardest time quitting, and the earlier you start the worse it is. People who begin smoking after age 18 years generally have a relatively easy time quitting.
The reason nicotine is so addicting is because the delivery system is through the lungs. That means, it gets to the blood stream and the brain fast and it hits them hard. It is why crack is so much more addictive than snorted cocaine, and why drugs injected into the vein tend to be so addictive. The harder and faster a chemical hits the brain the more it sucks!
The reason cigarettes are so difficult to quit is that there is no positive reinforcement for not smoking, but if you give in, and light up, you feel better right away.
Good luck with quitting! If things get hard, just remember, there has never been a smoker who hasn't tried quitting. There are many reasons for that.
Signed,
A smoker who refuses to relapse.

bbmkr3

I still don't call myself a non-smoker, I'm an ex-smoker . . . and it's been 8 years. I started considering myself an ex-smoker after about 6 months to a year when I stopped dreaming about smoking, realized the smell was finally out of everything I owned, and couldn't even stand to be in the same general vacinity as someone smoking. I will take the long way around something just so avoid the smoking areas.

^^ This is me, 1 year 5 months! I feel more like an ex-smoker than a non-smoker and while I still feel the urge when I get stressed, I don't give in. After I quit I still liked the smell and would stand next to people while they were smoking but now it's starting to stink and I don't feel the need to smell it anymore.

gavini

I have recently quit smoking (23 days 15 hours and 37 minutes cigarette free to be exact!), but I started thinking, when do you consider yourself a non-smoker? The day you quit? Two weeks? A month? A year? There's that obvious chance of relapsing, but how long do you think you need to be cigarette free to consider yourself a non-smoker?

Curious to see what everyone thinks!

good question and congrats, i am at 17 days 10 hours right now myself, i think you and i quit together (am i confusing you with someone else?) last year but it obviously didnt stick for either of us, funny that we would be doing it again at the same time

farmwife3815

I quit 4 days, 9 hours, 15 minutes ago. I consider myself a non smoker. If I don't then the temptation to smoke is just too great. Good for you for quitting! Stay strong!

wk9t

You were a non smoker the day you quit. Stay positive and you will continue to be smoke free. My day was July 25, 1974 ... haven't had a cigarette since then. I went from 3 packs of non-filter Camel's a day to zero ... absolutely cold turkey. If I could do that and still be smoke free after all these years then anyone can do it if they really want to.

cmriverside

Congratulations. You are a non-smoker. You've made it. :flowerforyou:

Intricatephoto

If you but yourself into the mindset that you are a "nonsmoker" the first day that you quit than it will make it much easier to quit.

Heyyleigh

The day you dont smoke! Congrats! But as far as life insurance goes, its 1 year.

JosieRawr

I think it depends on the person. I quit 3 years ago but find that classifying myself as a smoker who chooses not to smoke keeps me vigilant against picking the habit back up. I think you will be the best person to decide that. To this day, there are still moments when I don't want my "old friend" back especially during stressful or bored times. What is important is not going back to it.

I think this is a good way to think, reminded me of my dad who is a dry alcoholic, for years he hasn't touched alcohol, but if it comes up he'll say up front that he is a alcoholic. That mentality helped me quit the last time I quit, but I lapsed.. I was a recovering nicotine addict n still called myself a smoker.

Starla_

I have recently quit smoking (23 days 15 hours and 37 minutes cigarette free to be exact!), but I started thinking, when do you consider yourself a non-smoker? The day you quit? Two weeks? A month? A year? There's that obvious chance of relapsing, but how long do you think you need to be cigarette free to consider yourself a non-smoker?

Curious to see what everyone thinks!

You are a non smoker when you decide that you are done with smoking.

b1g_tun4

I would say after you quit completely with no nicotine for 6 months. The moment you put nicotine in your system again you are a smoker. The problem I see with quitting smoking is that everyone has their own definition of "quitting". Quitting to some is just once a week. Quitting to others is just "when they drink". It's all a bunch of self deception. I have been 100% abstinent for 15 years. It was tough at first but gets easier and easier.

ExcelWithMel

Ask yourself, are you every going to smoke again? If not, then you are a non-smoker. I smoked for 19 years. I LOVED smoking, but I was a SLAVE to cigarettes. But I had to make a choice, and I chose to live smoke free, rather than continue to be chained forever to the cigarette. I quit December 2, 2009 and it was the best decision I ever made.

GREAT for you for going 23 days. It WILL get easier.

In a few months you won' think of cigarettes hourly. In a year, it may be a few days before you think of having one. I still crave one from time to time, but know I will NEVER have another puff of a cigarette for the rest of my life. And sometimes I have to say it out loud. My husband is not addicted to cigarettes, but he does smoke at social gatherings and especially concerts. Even after almost 3 years I still have to verbally commit to not smoking. I say, "even if I ask for a cigarette (or a puff) today/tonight, I really don't want one...and don't give me one." Then I stay strong, and never ask for one, and don't care that he smokes, because he doesn't have a problem like I did.

Keep it up. One day at a time! And don't think quitting smoking makes you fat. I was a smoker and I was fat, and I quit and I got healthy, and now I can workout, including running a 1/2 marathon, and I'm no longer overweight.

charanne52

Many people believe that a non-smoker is a person who has never smoked. I quit smoking 5 years ago and tell people I am an ex-smoker which accurately describes my current status.

marijasmin

If you think you are a non smoker then you are as long as you don't light up. If you prefer to see yourself as reformed smoker then you are.

Whatever helps.....

As a non smoker who has never smoked I admire you all, non smokers, reformed smokers, previous smokers, never wanting to smoke again smokers, struggling with it, how brave you are.

I salute you whatever you want to call it- the no cig to day brigade every last one.

Jasmin

classycouture

Wow, thank you everyone for all your responses!! I went away this weekend so I didn't have a chance to keep up with this thread!

Thank you to all the kind words, and I would like to congratulate and wish best of luck to all you non-smokers, ex-smokers, or whatever you would like to call yourself! We give a big *kitten* YOU to cigarettes every time we beat a craving, and what a feeling that is!

Thanks again for all the responses, this was very interesting to read!

rlmadrid

The moment you decide that you are going to quit, and you extinguish that last cigarette. You have been a non-smoker for 23 days, keep at it!

And congratulations!