Current Smokers and Ex-Smokers QUESTION
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I started smoking when I was 16, and it was to fit in with the group I ran with.
I quit smoking a few years ago and took up dipping(made sense to me) I have asthma and cigarettes give me horribly sinus headaches.
I recently quit dipping as well, still within the month.0 -
I started at 11 because some of my hoodlum friends were doing it and I thought THEY were cool! I quit at age 51, over 4 years ago, after 40 years smoking.
I do not give 'yuck face' to anyone. I understand that it is an addiction. After 4 years away from them, I still want one sometimes. I never give in, but the urge still remains. I like that my clothes no longer smell of smoke, or my breath. I can definitely tell when someone smokes now, from the smell. I never could before.0 -
I am a smoker, and started because my dad and his whole side of the family smoked. Now all of my cousins on my dad's side also smoke as adults. Although, my mom never did. My husband doesn't smoke and when I have one, I go outside - even in -40 degree Canadian winters.
Would I like to quit? Sure. But at this point, I am very afraid of filling that time with filling my face. Very aware of the health risks - but need to focus on one thing at a time. Would not be able to quit cold turkey.
Mmmmm. Turkey.0 -
I smoked because it was something to do with other people. I stopped because my husband couldn't afford to buy them for me. If someone offered me a cigarette, I'd have to really think about it.
I think you hate fat smokers because you don't find fat people attractive. It doesn't bother me if someone smokes.0 -
I started smoking as a kid. My mother and father smoked and would tell me to go get a cigarette from the other for them. Back and forth I'd a drag off it. As we got older my cousins all smoked and I wanted to be cool like them and took it on as a habit. I then had friends who smoked as well in junior and high school...so it was reinforced as a social thing, too. It wasn't until I was pregnant in 1990 that I stopped the first time. I stayed quit for a while but then started getting stressed out with my marriage and life and started up again.
In 1997 my father was diagnosed with cancer of the tongue. Watching him go through the pain and suffering was enough to make me quit. I began with the patch. I only used it for a week and then quit cold turkey. Now I have been smoke free for 15 years and have no intentions of ever starting again.
I find it interesting that on a rare occasion, if I have a REALLY good meal, I will reach for my purse looking for a cigarette! LOL Crazy, I know.0 -
I started because I was an idiot.0
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I started at 11 because some of my hoodlum friends were doing it and I thought THEY were cool! I quit at age 51, over 4 years ago, after 40 years smoking.
I do not give 'yuck face' to anyone. I understand that it is an addiction. After 4 years away from them, I still want one sometimes. I never give in, but the urge still remains. I like that my clothes no longer smell of smoke, or my breath. I can definitely tell when someone smokes now, from the smell. I never could before.
Good for YOU for not doing the 'yuck face'. Any former smoker who does that is just an *kitten*..............because you've BEEN there, and you know how hard it is to quit. Why would you feel it's okay to be such a jerk now? Cuz you're SO MUCH BETTER???
bahhhhhhhhhhh..................0 -
Started as a social smoker and before I knew it I was hooked. Quit because I was sick of feeling like crap 24/7. I was also sick of being judged and having people give me dirty looks and make inconsiderate comments because for some reason, people can have ALL sorts of bad and unhealthy habits but God forbid you smoke. People would never give a dirty look to an overweight person, a stranger, and tell them "you know you're fat and that's unhealthy right?" But for some reason it's acceptable to say the equivalent to a smoker. The worst thing about it is I struggled to quit, off and on, for YEARS. There were times I could cry with frustration, and get do depressed and down on myself for failing to quit...because it's an ADDICTION...but do people ever think about that? No. They just see a smoker and jump on the opportunity to look down on that person. Just something to think about.0
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THEN:
* When: Started the smoking habit in Nov 1997 at 2 in the morning while I was by myself at a park near home.
* Why: Emotional stress caused by an untruthful ex-boyfriend.
* What: A pack of Marlboro Reds. Did half the pack before I walked home.
NOW:
* When: Smoke-free since Mar 23 this year.
* How: Switched from Camels to Marlboro Lights for a month, then cut down to 1-3 sticks a day for the next month.
* Why: Got addicted to endorphins instead of nicotine; wanted to make bigger gains on the stair climber but limited lung capacity cramped my ambitions.
* What: after the very last cigarette: I lost an additional 8 lbs, got hooked on strength training, grew muscles, and shed an additional 2% body fat.
And I was the person who told everyone I knew that I'd never quit smoking because quitters were for losers. :flowerforyou:0 -
Started as a social smoker and before I knew it I was hooked. Quit because I was sick of feeling like crap 24/7. I was also sick of being judged and having people give me dirty looks and make inconsiderate comments because for some reason, people can have ALL sorts of bad and unhealthy habits but God forbid you smoke. People would never give a dirty look to an overweight person, a stranger, and tell them "you know you're fat and that's unhealthy right?" But for some reason it's acceptable to say the equivalent to a smoker. The worst thing about it is I struggled to quit, off and on, for YEARS. There were times I could cry with frustration, and get do depressed and down on myself for failing to quit...because it's an ADDICTION...but do people ever think about that? No. They just see a smoker and jump on the opportunity to look down on that person. Just something to think about.
I love your thoughts on this...It took me a while to personally learn about addictions...I was very fortunate enough for my mother to constantly tell me about addicitions and the cause it has on your life...
Both my mom and dad smoked...My dad is also an alcoholic....I never took up smoking, and I only drink like 10 to 12 times a year.
I always tell myself to not judge or look down at ANYONE with an addiction, but my first reaction is always YUCK...but I then correct myself with my moral side.0 -
Just to clarify: I don't look at someone and give THEM the yuck face...I just get the Yuck face, and immediately correct myself.0
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I actually started smoking as an experiment. I started smoking a pack a day for 6 months. At the end of the six months, I was to quit cold turkey. The experiment was to see what it was like to have an addiction, and to see if I had to will power to overcome it. It was a lot harder than expected. That was about 6 years ago and I smoked of and on up until about a year ago. It still haunts me to this day, and I still get cravings when I'm around other smokers or even just drinking a beer. It's not the nicotine that I crave, as that has been out of my system for a long time. It's the feeling of smoke in my lungs and my brain telling me it's good and that I NEED it. Dont smoke. It's ridiculously stupid, ridiculously terrible for you, and ridiculously expensive.0
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I also started when I was pretty young, 13. It's hard to remember what prompted me to smoke that first cigarette. As I think back it was most likely a combination of thinking it was cool and rebellion. Why did I think it was cool?? Good question! Probably because the group of people I enjoyed hanging with the most were all smokers, real party people in general. I picked up a ton of nasty habits from that group and 25 years later smoking is the only one that remains. And, let me tell ya, if I've quit once I've quit a million times lasting anywhere from a couple days to 6 months. I've tried about every "method" out there, With all of the negatives you'd think it would be easier to quit! My master plan is to keep making steps to living a healthier lifestyle and the desire to smoke will hopefully fade a little more with every step.0
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Just to clarify: I don't look at someone and give THEM the yuck face...I just get the Yuck face, and immediately correct myself.
Ahhh, I had misunderstood, sorry if I was a bit defensive. :flowerforyou: I totally understand that unintentional auto-reaction and I think it's nice that you recognize when that happens and try to keep it to yourself. What bothers me is when people intentionally give a look or make a comment with the intention of making the other person feel bad or insecure.
The worst was when, after I had quit for 3 months, I got asthmatic bronchitis and my fiance had to take me to the ER in the middle of the night because I couldn't breathe. A coworker (who apparently didn't know I had quit) said to me later that week, "well, I'm sorry you're sick but as someone who smokes, you do kind of deserve it."0 -
Good for YOU for not doing the 'yuck face'. Any former smoker who does that is just an *kitten*..............because you've BEEN there, and you know how hard it is to quit. Why would you feel it's okay to be such a jerk now? Cuz you're SO MUCH BETTER???
bahhhhhhhhhhh..................
Oh give me a break... I earned my right to give smokers the yuck face by quitting smoking. Something extremely hard to do, something that a lot of people can't do.0 -
Just to clarify: I don't look at someone and give THEM the yuck face...I just get the Yuck face, and immediately correct myself.
Ahhh, I had misunderstood, sorry if I was a bit defensive. :flowerforyou: I totally understand that unintentional auto-reaction and I think it's nice that you recognize when that happens and try to keep it to yourself. What bothers me is when people intentionally give a look or make a comment with the intention of making the other person feel bad or insecure.
The worst was when, after I had quit for 3 months, I got asthmatic bronchitis and my fiance had to take me to the ER in the middle of the night because I couldn't breathe. A coworker (who apparently didn't know I had quit) said to me later that week, "well, I'm sorry you're sick but as someone who smokes, you do kind of deserve it."
LOL! I can be rude "When Necessary"...but I am Ron Burgundy Classy!
My mom couldn't breathe and had to quit cold turkey when the doctor told her she had emphysema, and she would have a longer life if she stopped smoking.0 -
Peer pressure was why i started. Self-induced pressure is why i quit, quite a few years ago. I enjoyed smoking but was up to 3 packs a day. I have many times considered re-starting. But haven't and won't. btw I don't think anyone looks attractive smoking. I used to, but now I don't. It's like any addiction. It's not attractive.0
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What bothers me is when people intentionally give a look or make a comment with the intention of making the other person feel bad or insecure.
I was walking with my boyfriend who is a non smoker, having a smoke and I passed this guy who gave me a gross look and said "that's disgusting" ..I thought about it for hours and felt embarrassed and stupid and agreed with his comment completely. I decided that day to quit. Dude may have saved my life.0 -
I no longer smoke, but used too. The reason I started smoking was because the restaurant that I worked at didn't let anyone take breaks except for the smokers. I thought that was bull**** so I started smoking just so I could get a break.
Wow, I was so dumb.
Same! I swear it seems like almost everyone in restaurant work winds up smoking.0 -
It isn't a try for anything, that you even see it like that makes me wonder how your thoughts work but anywayz, that's the way I see itAnd judging someone smoking that is fat and not skinny people is a form of racism
I see what you mean...but NO....You chose to smoke...you don't chose to be a certain race.
Nice try though....
and judging someone is just being judgemental or prejudice...
Racism is more than just race.0 -
I was 21 and it was both vanity and it seemed to go hand-in-hand with drinking. Still does to me. I have quit on and off over the last five years. Currently 2 days and 15 hours since my last one.0
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It isn't a try for anything, that you even see it like that makes me wonder how your thoughts work but anywayz, that's the way I see itAnd judging someone smoking that is fat and not skinny people is a form of racism
I see what you mean...but NO....You chose to smoke...you don't chose to be a certain race.
Nice try though....
and judging someone is just being judgemental or prejudice...
Racism is more than just race.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/racism
rac·ism /ˈreɪsɪzəm/ Show Spelled[rey-siz-uhm] Show IPA
noun
1. a belief or doctrine that inherent differences among the various human races determine cultural or individual achievement, usually involving the idea that one's own race is superior and has the right to rule others.
2. a policy, system of government, etc., based upon or fostering such a doctrine; discrimination.
3. hatred or intolerance of another race or other races.
prej·u·dice /ˈprɛdʒədɪs/ Show Spelled [prej-uh-dis] Show IPA noun, verb, prej·u·diced, prej·u·dic·ing.
noun
1. an unfavorable opinion or feeling formed beforehand or without knowledge, thought, or reason.
2. any preconceived opinion or feeling, either favorable or unfavorable.
3. unreasonable feelings, opinions, or attitudes, especially of a hostile nature, regarding a racial, religious, or national group.
4. such attitudes considered collectively: The war against prejudice is never-ending.
5. damage or injury; detriment: a law that operated to the prejudice of the majority.
My actions are more closely aligned with being prejudice...which is still a stretch...but Racist?
Man you are way overboard0 -
I no longer smoke, but used too. The reason I started smoking was because the restaurant that I worked at didn't let anyone take breaks except for the smokers. I thought that was bull**** so I started smoking just so I could get a break.
Wow, I was so dumb.
same here!!!!!!!!! all of the smokers at the restaurant i work at stand outside for 10-15 minutes, but if anyone else wants to go to their car, sit down for a few minutes it's not allowed. so i started saying "im going out for a quick cigarette" (but didn't actually smoke), and then one day i just started smokign them. so stupid.
This is why I started also. I always said I would quit when I quit working there but then there wasn't a definitive quitting to that place, I kinda just phased out into the other job I had. So then I said I would quit when I quit working there (a residential treatment facility for mentally ill foster kids) and I didn't definitively quit there either. Problem is I genuinely like smoking, I enjoy the taste and all of that. I'm thinking maybe I need an e-cig... Especially since I want to start running.0 -
I smoked since the age of 7 because my grandmother smoked. I then quit at age 22. I started at age 26 because of my divorce. I smoked till I was 28 and then quit for good. The first time I used nicorette and the second time it was cold turkey. My grandmother died from smoking 15 years ago and now my best friend has esophageal cancer from smoking.....She doesn't hear a word anyone says.....I even bought an electronic cigarette for her to puff on. She used it for one day and started smoking again......There is one true fact: SMOKING KILLS and the aftermath is uglier than ugly!0
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I started on the herbal stuff moved onto those little cigars and then, inevitably, onto cigarettes.
That lasted about 20 years then I read the Allen Carr book and quit cold turkey.
I quit mainly because I didn't like being dependent on something and being in the pocket of the tobacco companies, the health aspects were a secondary concern to be honest.
(edit) And I started AFTER I'd watched my Dad die of lung cancer ... go figure ...0 -
Other, I guess.
Despite the fact that I had never smoked before, I found myself craving a cigarette from time to time. I guess somewhere in my past it was ingrained in my head that smoking reduces stress?
So that's why I started.
I started smoking more heavily with peer pressure... had a job where the co-workers I was friendly with smoked, so I would go on more and more cigarette breaks.
Quit cold turkey two years ago, after smoking for 5 years.0 -
A) Friends at work. EVERYONE went out to the smoking patio and smoked. I felt weird sitting there with no cigarettes so I started it up. lol
I quit 2 years later as planned though. It's a nasty habit.
Also, I hope I don't get internet b!tch slapped for this one...but I find someone who is overweight unattractive smoking. (To the point I give the yuck face)..but for some reason I am not bothered by someone who is fit smoking,,,,I can't explain that one.0 -
I smoke. When I was 18 I spent an entire summer thinking about whether or not I should start smoking. I used Cost/Benefit analysis and I came to the conclusion that the benefits outweighed the cost. I started smoking. I even eased my way into it, starting slowly and working my lungs up to get used to the smoke.
I have to say, smoking has brought me some awesome experiences and great friends. Smoker-friendship (of which there are many levels) that have turned into amazing relationships.
For that, I do not regret my decision. However, I wish I wasn't 18 when I CBA'd that habit because today... I think I'd make a different decision. But hey, I quit smoking several times a day. Maybe one day I'll quit it for good
And you know, you shouldn't be faulted for your reaction to overweight smokers. The socialization process of human response to unacceptable situations, observations, or opinions starts at an early age from every corner of our society. Overweight smokers immediately trigger thoughts of slovenliness, a trait not much respected. I don't agree that overweight smokers are slovenly nor share the reaction however, I certainly understand why you might. There's no reason for anyone to slap you for that one.
Maybe I decided that the benefits were worth it when I decided I was a teenage existentialist.0 -
A) Friends at work. EVERYONE went out to the smoking patio and smoked. I felt weird sitting there with no cigarettes so I started it up. lol
I quit 2 years later as planned though. It's a nasty habit.
Also, I hope I don't get internet b!tch slapped for this one...but I find someone who is overweight unattractive smoking. (To the point I give the yuck face)..but for some reason I am not bothered by someone who is fit smoking,,,,I can't explain that one.
That is how it was for me to, I sat out there with them for a while and then one day it was hey give me one of those. I smoked until i got prego the first time and have quit while being prego. The sad thing is i have picked it back up after ever baby. I dont smoke nearly as much as I used to and hopefully will be quitting in the near future.
My dad smoked the entire time i was growing up and I always said that i would never smoke. A lot of you have said that you were super young but i was 19 when i started...stupidest thing i ever did.
My grandma quit smoking 20 years ago and says that she still wants one from time to time.0 -
It isn't a try for anything, that you even see it like that makes me wonder how your thoughts work but anywayz, that's the way I see itAnd judging someone smoking that is fat and not skinny people is a form of racism
I see what you mean...but NO....You chose to smoke...you don't chose to be a certain race.
Nice try though....
and judging someone is just being judgemental or prejudice...
Racism is more than just race.
The term you are looking for is prejudice. Everyone exists on a spectrum of opinions based on fact or fiction. C'est la vie.0
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