Public Smoking Bans? (wean, goal, long, months)

[Yorkie_Mom]

First thing you need to do is give it a try, so what if you don't make it the first time, not everyone can. I quit five years ago, for four months, guess what I had it licked, but I went back to smoking. This time I know not to even give into one or it will drag you back in, and I will be back to smoking.
What has worked for me, besides everything I wrote in the other thread, is to go for as long as you can make it with out one, then go a little longer yet, each time you do this, it will get easier.
This time when I quit, I just said I was done and was going to follow behind Poprocksncoke, and guess what? I am still right behind her by a couple days.
We will all be here to help you make it through this period of your life, as far as gaining weight, try to fill your house up with healthy stuff, like fruit, veggies, or any other snaks that you won't have to worry about putting on so much weight. I have lost two pounds so far, with eating healthy things and going on a health walker. So give it a try, we will not come down on you if you fail, we will pick you back up, and help you give it another shot until you can get it right. YOU CAN DO IT, WE WILL BE HERE FOR YOU!!!! I am on day three so if you start tomorrow, you won't be that far behind me. What to do you have to lose????

Originally Posted by gizmo980

I think that's a very good idea, since they really have NO idea what it's like!! "Why don't you just stop buying cigarettes? It's really not that complicated..." - a phrase I'm sure every smoker has heard. I think it would also help to read the thread on why people started smoking, so they can understand how it begins. The majority of us were kids, and as we all know, you think you're invincible as a child! By the time you're old enough to understand the risks, the addiction has already grabbed hold. I just recently decided I was ready to quit, because turning 30 was a real eye-opener for me... so I figure that's the first step, just like with overcoming any addiction.

I've been reading the "quitting thread", and it's been very encouraging. One of the things that holds me back is the fear of failing, and going through that cycle of quitting/starting over & over... I know that's a lame reason, but we all have our mental obstacles to get around. I'm also afraid of the weight gaining issue, since as I mentioned, I've recently taken care (almost) of that problem! Anyway, I am following all of your progress, and truly wish you the best... I'm REALLY going to try & join you soon, once I find the inner motivation. Any ideas on that?

[poprocksncoke]

Originally Posted by Yorkie_Mom

First thing you need to do is give it a try, so what if you don't make it the first time, not everyone can. I quit five years ago, for four months, guess what I had it licked, but I went back to smoking. This time I know not to even give into one or it will drag you back in, and I will be back to smoking.
What has worked for me, besides everything I wrote in the other thread, is to go for as long as you can make it with out one, then go a little longer yet, each time you do this, it will get easier.
This time when I quit, I just said I was done and was going to follow behind Poprocksncoke, and guess what? I am still right behind her by a couple days.
We will all be here to help you make it through this period of your life, as far as gaining weight, try to fill your house up with healthy stuff, like fruit, veggies, or any other snaks that you won't have to worry about putting on so much weight. I have lost two pounds so far, with eating healthy things and going on a health walker. So give it a try, we will not come down on you if you fail, we will pick you back up, and help you give it another shot until you can get it right. YOU CAN DO IT, WE WILL BE HERE FOR YOU!!!! I am on day three so if you start tomorrow, you won't be that far behind me. What to do you have to lose????

I second that!
C'mon.. all the cool kids are doing it!

[gizmo980]

Originally Posted by poprocksncoke

I second that!
C'mon.. all the cool kids are doing it!

LOL... you're both right, I'm being silly! But I think you can also understand, since all smokers rationalize things & make excuses. I'm really getting motivated by you both, so I can already feel the "inner strength" building. I did vow to quit at 30, so I'll feel like an even bigger failure if I don't stick to that.

Yorkie Mom - I have actually tried the "holding out" method recently, and was surprised at how long I can make it! During my last job, I started out sneaking away for a smoke halfway through the 5-hour day (I'd forgo my bathroom breaks, before anyone says something about wasting time ). Then one of my students caught me smoking out back.... he told a few other kids, who ragged on me continuously about it - talk about a role reversal, LOL!! Anyway, I decided at that point to abstain all day, and it actually worked. So if I can go 5 hours that easily, it shouldn't be TOO hard for me. I'm more addicted to the motion than the nicotine, so my trick will be finding something else to do with my hands... I've always wanted to learn knitting, so if my arthritis can take it, this might be a good idea. I've also been walking more with my dog - went 3 miles on Wednesday & 1.5 this morning - so that should help keep the weight off. Anyway, sorry to ramble, but thanks for the encouragement!!

[gizmo980]

Originally Posted by plaidmom

I just wanted to wish all the "trying to quit-ers" my best wishes and cyber support.

I understand it's an addiction not just a habit. Good luck and hang in there!

Thank you! It's nice to hear kind words from a non-smoker, since we're used to getting dirty looks & "you're just weak" comments!

People generally don't patronize bars for their health.

LMAO... that's one thing that gets me, since it just seems kinda hypocritical. I understand the difference between how smoke vs. alcohol affects others, but we can't pretend bars are like health clubs. People in California are particularly hypocritical like that, since drinking is practically a sport for some, and massive SUVs clog the roads... but light up a cigarette, and OH MY GOODNESS, you're suddenly the doom of our planet. It's the only state where you'll see a "Save the Earth" bumper sticker on a Hummer - LOL.

[tnvolfan1971]

I totally agree with a smoking ban. My husband has smoked since he was 14 (he is now 48) but when we married he agreed no smoking in our home nor in my car, or his car when the kids and I are with him, even if we go to a restaraunt where smoking is allowed. He respects my wishes and concerns about not subjected myself and our children to second hand smoke. I will even refuse to kiss him after he has had a cigarette unless he gets rid of the smell and taste by using mouthwash. I love being able to go somewhere and sit down and enjoy a meal and not have to smell someone's smoke blowing across the room. I want my children to grow up healthy and live long lives. Some people say we are imposing on smoker's rights by putting these bans in, but in reality we are imposing on non-smokers rights by not imposing these bans. I worked for an automotive factory and we had outside break areas where the smokers hung out during break and lunch. Well what about us non-smokers who wanted to sit outside during break or lunch on a nice sunny day without someone blowing smoke in our faces. We had to sit in our cars or out in front on the sidewalk in order to do this. Was this fair?? Heck no. BOO HOO I say to all the smokers complaining about the smoke ban. No one twisted your arm to start smoking in the first place. You were curious about it, you tried it, you are not addicted. No one's fault but yours. I know I have been there and done that and I kicked my habit 16 years ago and yes I bug my husband to death about his habit as does his children.

[bradykp]

Originally Posted by Yorkie_Mom

I think you non-smokers should check out the thread on how to quit smoking. It might open your eyes to read about what it is like to try and quit, and see what we have to go throught in order to get past this.
I also think that if you are a smoker, and are in the middle of quitting or thinking about it, that the non-smokers need to give us some credit and praise, it takes a lot of will power to quit, and we can use your support, to get us through this. Thanks to anyone willing to give us extra support!!!!

i will always support people who try to kick a bad habit. i've encouraged my friend numerous times to quit, cut back, etc. he tries, but not hard enough. my grandmother did it in the early 80s, so i lived through it, and i know what is like to try to quit. there are a lot of methods available to quit, but the proven method is cold turkey. yes, you're going to be miserable and moody, you'll loose sleep, it won't be pleasant, but you'll be off it for real, not semi off it with aids.

also, one thing my grandmother did to replace the "habit" of smoking (in my opinion, there's the addiction you have to overcome, as well as the habit), is she took up chewing gum. anytime she craved a cigarette, she had a piece of sugar free gum. i can't tell you how many packs of gum she went through as i grew up, but she never once touched a cigarette again. unfortunately for her, a little less than 20 years after she quit, she got lung cancer anyways (the damage had been done after almost 40 years of smoking).

lots of people overcome addictions, it takes strength and will, and encouragement. one thing that has helped some of my friends quit is the smoke free laws, because they mostly smoke when they are out at the bars! hasn't helped my coworker a bit though, and he's got extra incentive since he just had his second child! i always encourage my friends that are smokers to quit, because i want to stay friends with them for the next 70 years (if i live that long hopefully!)

[bradykp]

Originally Posted by gizmo980

I know it has effects that don't show up for a while... I'm still young enough (just turned 30) to reverse a lot of the damage, which is why I want to quit SOON!! Btw, what exactly do you mean by government medical benefits? Sorry to sound dumb, but I'm actually not sure I am clear on that term. I will never need financial "help", if that's what you mean... no need to go into details here, but I'll be taking care of myself!

The only problem so far is that my colds usually turn into bronchitis (which I just treat myself)... I already had asthma since childhood, so obviously that isn't a good combination. But I don't need any medical treatment for it, and don't even have an un-expired inhaler in the home. Besides, I recently lost 60 lbs., so my health is better than it's been in years!!

Anyway, I'm perfectly aware of all the health risks, as are most smokers. We aren't oblivious, just addicted!! How many people can say they do nothing that they realize is bad? If you've ever sped on the freeway, that's one good example... not to compare the dangers of these things, but I'm just trying to explain why people don't quit as easily as others would like. And also why we don't deserve to be singled out!

well many senior citizens use medicare especially in old age. unless you work for a company that will give you health insurance into retirement, or you pay for your own (which is outrageously expensive), you most likely will use some sort of government money. maybe not you personally, but most people do.

i know there are many other dangers and bad habits, but speeding....is regulated. smoking should be too!

[bradykp]

Originally Posted by gizmo980

I think that's a very good idea, since they really have NO idea what it's like!! "Why don't you just stop buying cigarettes? It's really not that complicated..." - a phrase I'm sure every smoker has heard. I think it would also help to read the thread on why people started smoking, so they can understand how it begins. The majority of us were kids, and as we all know, you think you're invincible as a child! By the time you're old enough to understand the risks, the addiction has already grabbed hold. I just recently decided I was ready to quit, because turning 30 was a real eye-opener for me... so I figure that's the first step, just like with overcoming any addiction.

I've been reading the "quitting thread", and it's been very encouraging. One of the things that holds me back is the fear of failing, and going through that cycle of quitting/starting over & over... I know that's a lame reason, but we all have our mental obstacles to get around. I'm also afraid of the weight gaining issue, since as I mentioned, I've recently taken care (almost) of that problem! Anyway, I am following all of your progress, and truly wish you the best... I'm REALLY going to try & join you soon, once I find the inner motivation. Any ideas on that?

my friends parents quit when they repainted their house, cause they saw the damage the smoke did to the walls! why don't you try something like that? get something done to your house, get your car detailed, anyplace that you smoke (if you smoke indoors). then, pick up a different habit. chew gum, sunflower seeds, anything, and see if it works. also, avoid situations where you're around other smokers. and lastly, seriously, DONT BUY THEM. i know it's not that easy, but just make yourself. set small goals. "i'm making this pack last me a week (or 5 days, or 3 days - depending on how often you smoke)" and if you run out, don't buy them until that period expired. make it through the short periods, and you'll have triumphs, even if you don't fully quit.

[gizmo980]

Originally Posted by bradykp

well many senior citizens use medicare especially in old age. unless you work for a company that will give you health insurance into retirement, or you pay for your own (which is outrageously expensive), you most likely will use some sort of government money. maybe not you personally, but most people do.

Yes, many people do... but you probably won't need to worry about me.

i know there are many other dangers and bad habits, but speeding....is regulated. smoking should be too!

Um, it already is! You can't smoke until you're 18 years old, you are taxed heavily, pay more for insurance, and at least in my state, you can't smoke in any public buildings (and many outdoor areas as well). How much more regulated can it get, without making the product itself illegal? Anyway, that was totally besides my point... I was trying to say that lots of people do dangerous things, being fully aware of their actions & consequences. When you CHOOSE to go above the speed limit, you are making a conscious decision that could be fatal - or at least might result in a traffic fine or small accident. Regardless of the law, almost everyone has been guilty of this "crime", myself included. I'm a chronic lead-foot, and every time I drive past an accident I think "I should really slow down and be careful"... but then I begin speeding again a few minutes later. So that was my point, that humans often make bad decisions, and that doesn't necessarily mean you're an evil or weak person.

[gizmo980]

Originally Posted by bradykp

my friends parents quit when they repainted their house, cause they saw the damage the smoke did to the walls! why don't you try something like that? get something done to your house, get your car detailed, anyplace that you smoke (if you smoke indoors).

I actually just found out I'll be moving this month... but I vow to quit every time I move (which is often), and it hasn't worked yet. I'll refrain from smoking inside for a day or two, and then I'm right back where I started. But I'll try yet AGAIN, and maybe my place will finally be stink-free. Gawd, that would be soooo nice!

then, pick up a different habit. chew gum, sunflower seeds, anything, and see if it works. also, avoid situations where you're around other smokers. and lastly, seriously, DONT BUY THEM. i know it's not that easy, but just make yourself. set small goals. "i'm making this pack last me a week (or 5 days, or 3 days - depending on how often you smoke)" and if you run out, don't buy them until that period expired. make it through the short periods, and you'll have triumphs, even if you don't fully quit.

I like that idea, of making a pack stretch a week (or something similar)... my toughest thing is just the thought of "cold turkey", and making a cigarette the last one. This technique might be better for my personality, since I've always dealt better with small goals. That's actually how I lost 60 lbs., by making little milestones along the way... lose 10 lbs., get under xxx lbs., lose another 5, etc. Before I knew it, I had dropped all of those pounds & FIVE dress sizes!! Anyway, thanks for the tip.

And you're right, I will definitely need a replacement activity... as I mentioned, my addiction is more to the motion of smoking, so I'll need something to fulfill that need. Some ideas are knitting, gum (though that's bad for my dental work!), mints, and healthier snacks. One problem is that I'm diabetic, so I can't do the lollipops or stuff like that, since even one can make my sugar go wacky. And as someone else said, BLECH to the carrot sticks! I've also thought about getting back into my old hobby, making small car models... that always kept my hands busy for hours!