Smokers?

[MarkC]

I smoked for awhile ehn I was in College, and I don't remember why I started. I imagine because I thought it was cool or something. Gave it up though, 5 nights a week in the dojo, running cross-country, I needed to be able to breathe and not get nauseous.
Now, I can't stand the smell.
My wife smoked when we met, but she stopped . Neither of us must have been smoking enough to be addicted, because we never suffered any withdrawal symptoms.
Both of my Grandpas smoke unfiltered Camels, Pall Malls, or rolled their own, ate lots of grease, pork and sugar, and lived to be in their late 70's. Of course, they actually "worked" physically all their lives. When they went, it was due to lung-related issues, and they went fast.

 

[LubeOiler]

I can have a cigarette, it's a momentary slice of peace. I always wondered what they get from those things. I never smoked, my mother died from Cancer a 3 pack a day KOOL smoker.My dad had prostate Cancer he smoked for 30 years but didn't after that for the next 50 years. I tried smokless but too much spitting for me. My wife has smoked for 35 years so far and I told her you can buy those kits it only cost .70 a pack and there as good as the Marlboro.

 

[kingrob]

I've been smoking since I was twelve, three packs a day since I was fifteen, Lucky Strikes and Camel non-filters.

Suprisingly my health is quite good compared to the average smoker.

I never wanted to quit, but now I see my father dying a slow death each day from the emphysema he was diagnosed with 10 years ago. He's still a pack and a half a day man.

So about a week ago I decided to quit for the first time and I stopped cold turkey for 16 hours. By the seventeenth hour I was so physically sick I had to have one. I now smoke about 5 cigarettes a day, down from the 60+ I was puffing this time last week. I've also changed brands to Doral non-filters, a much much weaker brand than my previous.

I just hope that one day I can cut back to maybe one smoke every few days, then no cigarettes at all.

BTW I was a kid who didn't have any friends at all who smoked. My parents did, but most of my family didn't. I think what it was, I started up about the time me and a cousin resurrected a junkyard '50 Ford and had it looking just like Robert Mitchum's from the movie Thunder Road. If you remember the movie Mitchum always has a Chesterfield hanging out of his mouth. It looked cool to me and I think I just wanted to complete the picture.

D@mn you Bob Mitchum!!!!!! If he was alive Id sue him!!!

 

[Steve S]

Just don't inhale if you smoke .

 

[Sam3]

I'm 51, over my life I've started and stopped several times. The older I got, the harder it's been to stop. I'm now 7 weeks without any nicotine/cigerets. Still at times I find myself looking for a smoke. What was I thinking?

 

[moribundman]

quote:

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Your life expectancy is usually in the genes ...your quality of life is usually in your bahavior.

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Dr. Allen, while I know what you are trying to say, I will have to revoke your medical license.

While predisposition to disease and aging is contained in an individual's genes, actual break-out of disease and aging of cells are to a large degree very much dependant on external factors. Remember, genetic errors in the transcription of the genetic code happen constantly, and the chance of errors occurring increases with exposure to certain chemicals and radiation.

 

[buster]

quote:

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While predisposition to disease and aging is contained in an individual's genes, actual break-out of disease and aging of cells are to a large degree very much dependant on external factors. Remember, genetic errors in the transcription of the genetic code happen constantly, and the chance of errors occurring increases with exposure to certain chemicals and radiation.

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Yep, it's true.

 

[NJC]

quote:

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Originally posted by Gary Allan:
When I quit smoking ..my doctor was pleased to inform me that I would die in much better health.

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Oh wow, that's encouraging.

 

[Sam3]

Gary Allen,
I use to think highly OF you.

 

[Drew]

I typically smoke when I'm stressed out. I started about 7 years ago during a very difficult divorce that was my "war of the roses".

I was never a heavy smoker and for a long time I only smoked 2 cigarettes a day, one in the morning drive and one back.

When I was overseas in Afghanistan, I continued smoking a cigarette during lunch and in the late evening before calling it a night.

When I got back I realized I couldn't quit my habit. I never smoked more than a pack a week but quitting has been next to impossible for me in my 7th year.

The longest I have gone without a cigarette is 3 months this summer. I fell off the wagon when my wife fell out of remission and lost all of her kidney function three weeks ago.

My last cigarette was 5 days ago and like all of the previous times, there isn't a day I think of lighting one up. I read that the nicotine cravings typically clear up after a week or so but that doesn't explain why I can never get rid of the thought of smoking from my mind.

Is smoking the most logicial thing? NOPE. I'm "clean" right now but the slightest stress in my life will result in me lighting up 1-2 a day.

HB

PS When I lived in Korea, I was told by a nurse that the air pollution in Korea was equivalent to smoking 2.5 packs of cigarettes a day. I beleive it, I hacked crud out of my lungs for 6 months after I returne to the US.

 

[Sam3]

Gary I'm sorry I said that.
Sam3 out,,,

 

[Sparkman]

I don't smoke. Tried it as a stupid kid, hated it, never tried it again.

I lost my dad a few years ago at the age of 53. He had quit smoking a few years earlier but the damage was done. He had told me when I was a teenager that he never wanted to be on a machine, so after giving the doctors the benefit of the doubt for a month I made them remove the ventilator. I had to fight them to have his wishes honored, it was ugly. I'm willing to bet that any 'diehard' smoker that could have been in that room with me when he died would change their tune. 11/20/01 was the day I stopped not telling smokers that I think they are stupid.

 

[LubeOiler]

When I lived in Korea, I was told by a nurse that the air pollution in Korea was equivalent to smoking 2.5 packs of cigarettes a day. I believe it, I hacked crud out of my lungs for 6 months after I returne to the US. Gee its like living in a coal mine. I guess if we keep burning dirty fuel we too will be like that. We should go back to horseback a lot less air polution.