Well it's been a week. I've been in situations with other smokers and feel it quite easy to refrain. I do believe the method I have followed has made it far easier than willing myself to be a non-smoker. Now I have another issue on the smoking front and that is my Mother. She had a brain aneuryism two years ago and took smoking up again after lying in a hospital bed for 3 weeks and being told smoking is a leading cause of aneuryisms. She appeared to force herself back into the addiction. I only hope the example I lead can prove to her life is more enjoyable without cigarettes. She had told me she had quit a couple of days ago. Unfortunately, I discovered this was not the case - the car smelled of it and she 'fessed up to having a packet on her. She had been lying and was abstaining when in my company. I don't want to hit my head against a brick wall or have a go at her. She's already had a close call, yet still won't accept her smoking may well have been a contributor to her aneurysm. I know I can't *make* her stop. Has anyone advice on what I CAN do? If anything?
I'm not sure dude, but there are some pretty graphic photos, videos and descriptions of the consequences of smoking out there in the world of the internet. Perhaps if you were to show her some of these, it might influence her to quit? You could also speak to her Doctor and explain the situation and see if he'll speak to her and explain to her how smoking relates to her overall health now that she has experienced a brain aneurysm. Doctors can be very effective sometimes if they choose to be brutally honest.
She would react to graphic photos the same way she acts to a cheetah attacking a gazelle on Animal Planet - turn away and not look at it. I say "but that's nature - that's reality!" The same would apply with graphic imagery regarding our bodies and the damage cigarettes do. In fact, that graphic imagery is found on every packet of cigarettes in New Zealand. Smokers all over the country have had to desensitize themselves to them. I remember myself making jokes out of getting the packets with "smoking when pregnant harms your baby". I would quip "Ah, my favourite type - I'll never get pregnant!" *slaps head* Anyway, I just spoke to her and took a positive line saying how great I was feeling after ten days. It backfired. So I think I'll leave her be. You can't force someone to be ready to quit smoking.
Well done to those who are quitting. I quit ten years ago, this coming July, and the wife quit 8 years ago, and we have never looked back. I needed an extra three weeks at the end, so I ended up spending 5 weeks on the 7 mg patch instead of two. If the patch is working for you don't be afraid to use it at your pace. Keep up the good work, what you are going through is difficult but you will succeed. It's worth it. Qapla'!!
Admiral M, Great job and we must quit smoking as smoking is injuries to health. Smoking effects our lungs and can cause lungs cancer. Smoking effects our stamina and can lead to depression. Smoking can effect our heart and can results in stroke or heart disease.
Just remembered this thread - hope all my fellow ex-smokers are faring well. It's been over two weeks for me and I feel great. No going back now!
Well done StarMan 3 weeks for me and doing ok. Instead of feeling stressed by lacking the nicotine I seem to be feeling happier ~ 'tis a good, good thing Let's keep going
Congrats and good luck! I have two family members who just switched over to an e-cigarette to cut back. One has cut back smoking cigarettes considerably. The other just started, so we'll have to see with her.
Indeed. The one thing I know not to do is what a lot of ex-smokers have done - including the friend I mentioned earlier that had 'quit' - and that is sneaking in 'just one puff' from other smokers. Having a puff thinking of it as a treat or even to convince yourself you're not addicted to them is precisely how you got addicted the first time round! Years ago when I attempted to quit I went for some time before I sneaked one in at a party. Next day? New pack of smokes and the cycle was underway again. I've also found plenty of cardiovascular exercise has complimented my experience as my body recovers from the ill effects of smoking. I honestly do not think I could sustain the levels of energy that I've had if I attempted what I do now 3 weeks ago. What does annoy me are circumstances where I can't help but pick smoke up in public areas, which is why I fully support this proposal..
If governments (on any level) want to enact bans on smoking because it's a health concern then they need to do a few other things first in my view: Don't let Big Tobacco dance around in the courtroom and dodge paying settlements because it's never been proven cigarettes are harmful. Take all the tax dollars from cigarettes and put that money directly into health care/social programs, etc. Ban all cars, trucks, motorcycles, etc. They're far worse than any second hand smoke from cigarettes. I hate smoking. Wish I'd never started. Wish I had back all the money I'd wasted on the damned things but I'm sick of all the calls for banning smoking here, there and everywhere.
I'll chime in as I'm now a few hours into Day 3. I'm sure some of you remember my quit thread from 2011. And the one from 2010. I'll just bum one off this thread this year
I'm at 24 days now I'm off the patches and completely nicotine free, it's actually been a walk in the park to be honest, although I suspect that's due to video games, peer support and other distractions! Well done to my familiar quitters too!
I just came here to say "kudos" to all who are quitting. I've never been a smoker, but I have loved ones who are and I wish they'd stop, too. Good luck!! Nice work!!
I've been exclusively on the "e-cigarette" now for 6 months. I haven't touched an "analog" since the first day I got my Riva 510. I still can't find any downside to the Riva. It smells good, it tastes good (lots of yummy flavors available) it doesn't have the unhealthy chemicals found in burning tobacco, it doesn't create a mess, it feels very much like smoking did for me, and it costs literally 1/8 of what smoking used to cost me. I can't recommend them enough. That said, the "single use" ones you buy in the stores are crap. Get a kit and supplies online from a specialty shop like libertyflights.
^As for downside, nicotine is still unhealthy. Yes, it is BETTER than all the tar and junk, but there is still a downside.
No more so than caffeine. It's pharmacologically very similar. It is NOT a carcinogen as it is commonly characterized to be. It's not the most healthy thing you can put in your body, obviously. BTW, not everyone who uses an e-cigarette uses juice with nicotine. It's certainly not required, and interesting that you automatically assumed I must be getting nicotine from my Riva. I've weaned my own nicotine concentration down from "Extra High" (24mg) to "Medium" (14mg) since I started. I may reduce it further eventually.