[CastlesInTheAir]

Do you smoke cigerettes? Why? What made you start and when? What kind? How often? Do you want to quit, why? Have you tried to quit, what stopped you? Did you quit, how?

[cboxpalace]

Originally Posted by triciadrich

Do you smoke cigerettes?

YES!!

Why? What made you start and when?

For me, these days, the intent is more for self harm reasons, and I do enjoy it. I'm not in a position to si with other methods. It also helps in dealing with anxiety.

There's been other reasons over the years, I thought it was cool, social smoking when I was out at a bar, etc.

What kind? How often?

either pyramid or marlboro or basic.. it really doesn't matter to me. I'm not sure I really have a favorite, and no real brand loyalty.

Easily 2 packs a day, probably close to 3.

Do you want to quit, why?

No! See above, also have way to much anxiety.. I think at this point I probably need them.. I'm not sure how else I'd cope. I also don't give a sh**.

Have you tried to quit, what stopped you? Did you quit, how?

I went 6 years without a cigarette. I'm not sure why I stopped. I forget the name of what I used. It was basically a nicotine inhaler. There's a plastic filter, and you insert a nicotine cartridge into it and inhale when needed. It worked great...

[ECHOES]

I smoked over 30 years and quit 7 years ago March 1st.

How? Prepared mentally by noticing how much I disliked being a smoker, how bad I and my clothes smelled because of it, and how much I wanted to be a non-smoker.
For the cravings, I drank more water (kept me busier too, getting a cup of water every hour and extra restroom trips ), and I timed the cravings to find out how long they would last even when intense. I discovered they lasted 10-12 minutes and I just dealt with those 10-12 minutes. I also spent more time doing things that I did without smoking, like going for a walk. And I carried a paperback book everywhere I went, so that if I had a 10 minute wait somewhere, I didn't have that automatic thought of that being time enough to smoke a cigarette - I read instead.

I hope this helps!

I quit almost 7 weeks ago and I quit mostly because of my health and the cost of them.
I smoked for over 25 years, Do I miss it? No way, It is best thing I have ever done, I can taste my food much better now, Even my kids are glad that I have gave up and they praise me which has helped me I think.

[ECHOES]

Oh, I forgot about the cost. It takes me by surprise now when I pass a gas station and see a sign for a carton of cigarettes for $50. Oh, I could do SO many other things with that money!

[SoupDragon]

Originally Posted by Buttercup.

I quit almost 7 weeks ago and I quit mostly because of my health and the cost of them.
I smoked for over 25 years, Do I miss it? No way, It is best thing I have ever done, I can taste my food much better now, Even my kids are glad that I have gave up and they praise me which has helped me I think.

That is so fantastic Buttercup and it is also great to hear that you are so positive about it - fab!

[LiteraryLark]

Originally Posted by triciadrich

Do you smoke cigerettes? Why? What made you start and when? What kind? How often? Do you want to quit, why? Have you tried to quit, what stopped you? Did you quit, how?

Yes, at first it was to look cool, now it's a social thing and sometimes I do smoke when I'm super-stressed or just for the hell of it. I was peer pressured into smoking when I was 15. My friend and I gave a hobo $5 to buy us a pack of cigarettes. I'll never forget how funny the hobo was..."I'm just spreading the love of tobacco!" To be honest, I buy cigarettes so I can hand them out to friends and strangers. I like taking care of people, and giving people nicotine is just a strange way to do it. I don't smoke all that often myself. I do not consider myself a smoker. I just happen to smoke on occasion. I've never had a problem with cigarettes. I can stop whenever I want to and I have before. I just keep a pack of cigarettes on hand and I can go for a month without smoking.

[Harley47]

I don't, but I enjoy the scent, oddly enough. My father used to smoke Marlboro Lights, and despite my general dislike of my father and much of the time spent with him via visitation, I equate the scent to a "homey" feel. lol Doesn't make a lick of sense, I know, but I never claimed it did either.

As for myself, I've no interest in it. I've sinus and allergy issues to start with, and I don't think adding smoking would help either. Not to mention the costs associated with it.

[Trippin2.0]

Yes. I enjoy my cigarette time very much.

Lit my 1st at age 15 when I was alone and bored at home, but I quit about a year or so later. Then senior year, my drama teacher asked me to pick it up again for a role, LOL. Stopped a year later for just over a year when I fell pregnant. And started when my daughter was 3m0nths old, she's 8y.o now.

I smoke Dunhill, a pack lasts about 2 days, I smoke mostly out of habit (certain times of the day etc) and LOVE having a ciggy during an interesting convo.

I never smoke around children and have no intention of giving it up, save for a future pregnancy(?)

[Smurf&Turf]

Had the first one at 17 coz i never say no when I've been drinking. But I know I've always always been fascinated by it.
Don't seek it out that often, only when the opportunity arises (which usually entails being drunk).
Marlboro Gold is my poison, or whatever anyone is kind enough to thrust my way.
I haven't touched a cigarette in like a month now because I guess the obsession has died down for me now. I'm an obsession-hopper.

PEACE!

First had a cigarette at 15 - could go into the hows and whys but suffice to say i remained a smoker until i hit 19 and then decided to stop cos there were other things affecting my chest and the smoking wasn't exactly helping matters.

Im not going to lie though...i a.d.o.r.e how it feels. That slow burn which fades as you exhale making you want to take another draw...oh how i miss it Terrible i know, but its true. There were so many other reasons i enjoyed it too, but im glad i managed to give up when i did. Lord knows what state my chest would be in now if id carried on. If ive been drinking and having a good time with friends i might have the odd sneaky one but its definately not a regular thing anymore.

[gma45]

Originally Posted by triciadrich

Do you smoke cigerettes? Why? What made you start and when? What kind? How often? Do you want to quit, why? Have you tried to quit, what stopped you? Did you quit, how?

Yes I do smoke cigarettes because I am an addict. I started when I was very young 13 or so because my friend was doing it. I have smoked different brands though the years. I smoke everyday rain or shine. I would love to quit I tried a few times always got nervous and started again. One time I even went to a class to quit and everyone there quit except me, talk about a guilt trip! The teacher felt sorry for me and gave me an I quit pin anyways for when I do quit and I still have it just haven't quit. I think what stops me is the nervous part I can't seem to get over that. Anxiety gets out of control.

[Tenrou]

Originally Posted by triciadrich

Do you smoke cigerettes? Why? What made you start and when? What kind? How often? Do you want to quit, why? Have you tried to quit, what stopped you? Did you quit, how?

I do, I started smoking regularly when I was fifteen. I was already addicted to second-hand smoke and going through a tough time, figured smoking would help me relax. I smoke American Spirits right now because I'm trying to wean off of the additives before I wean off the nicotine, about a pack a day. I've tried to quit before with the patch, but one day I forgot to put it on before work and got to stressed out. I do want to quit; I plan to inthe next year. I want to quit for my health, and because I'm tired of people looking down on me because I smoke, but mostly because I believe I now have or am learning better, healthier and more effective coping mechanisms for my anxiety and anger.

I started smoking in my early teens because my friends were doing it. I quit when I was 33 through hypnosis ( one session!). I had wanted to quit for a while when my dad was diagnosed with lung cancer.He was a heavy smoker. I knew that would be my fate if I didn't quit. It was a no brainer!

[seeker1950]

I never smoked at all till I started teaching. Returning to WV, without hopes for securing a job with my Fine Arts degree. Back in the coal fields, living at home with my parents, I got a job...a teaching job as a "provisional" special ed teacher...the furthest thing possible from my training a an artist! The sp. ed. teachers aid went out frequently to smoke. I thought, huh, maybe this will help me! DUH. Anyway, 35 years later, I've managed to quit...sort of. It's an incredible addiction, and I've resorted to the electronic cigarette. It's not nearly so addictive, and I can let it go for months at a time, though I return to it when I'm stressed!

[Switch]

Originally Posted by triciadrich

Do you smoke cigerettes? Why? What made you start and when? What kind? How often? Do you want to quit, why? Have you tried to quit, what stopped you? Did you quit, how?

I smoke. I started in first year because it was interesting, though I had always wanted to try before that (it's kinda my personality to try stuff that I know isn't good for me). I now have been smoking on and off for a few years now, and have only been truly "addicted" for a 2 month period of great stress. Then I suddenly stopped again. Haven't had one in a few weeks, though I was considered a heavy smoker a few months ago. I tend to chain smoke for a few weeks, then not smoke at all for a few months. Though I can feel the effect it has on my heath - physical and otherwise - and I try not to encourage others to smoke. I like the taste and smell of it though, and how it reacts differently for me and gives me a weed-like high for about 20 min. Probably my first indication that I shouldn't smoke. I never listen to my instincts... bad me.

If it wasn't for my personality constantly switching, smoking would be ruining my life at this point. I don't recommend it to anyone as I am the only person I know out of MANY smokers who has the ability to switch back and forth from it and not get addicted. Don't risk it, it's not worth it.

Started at 13, quit once for a month and here I am 25 years later . If I would have known now then what I know now!

[LiteraryLark]

Originally Posted by gma45

Yes I do smoke cigarettes because I am an addict. I started when I was very young 13 or so because my friend was doing it. I have smoked different brands though the years. I smoke everyday rain or shine. I would love to quit I tried a few times always got nervous and started again. One time I even went to a class to quit and everyone there quit except me, talk about a guilt trip! The teacher felt sorry for me and gave me an I quit pin anyways for when I do quit and I still have it just haven't quit. I think what stops me is the nervous part I can't seem to get over that. Anxiety gets out of control.

aww that's cute that you got a quit pin anyways. At least you tried. Some people need to smoke, and not everybody dies from it. You may die early, but not everyone gets cancer.

[LiteraryLark]

Originally Posted by Switch

I like the taste and smell of it though, and how it reacts differently for me and gives me a weed-like high for about 20 min. Probably my first indication that I shouldn't smoke. I never listen to my instincts... bad me.

If it wasn't for my personality constantly switching, smoking would be ruining my life at this point. I don't recommend it to anyone as I am the only person I know out of MANY smokers who has the ability to switch back and forth from it and not get addicted. Don't risk it, it's not worth it.

I get the high too, I call it "adventure time". I can stop and start whenever I want too, but lately I've just been so stressed because of a lack of job and money.

[2bme]

Been smoking since I was 13. Started because I tried to fit in at boarding school. Didn't work, but I didn't quit. That was 28 yrs ago. Stopped for 3 months last year for a operation, but started again when I wasn't afraid to cough. Will probably never quit. Don't want to set me up for another failure.