[Psychotic_Phil]

Recently, whenever I have been in contact with cigarettes or cigars, (Seeing them or touching them; I have readily available access to cigarettes/ cigars as both my parents smoke.) I feel the need to smoke one. The smoke from a cigarette or cigar never bothers me as it used to. It's actually quite stimulating.I am never able to, but I feel that if nothing is done and the oppurtunity arises, I'll do it. What advice can you give?

P.S: Is the tendency to smoke genetic? Because my father USED to smoke but he's over in Europe. My mom and step dad are acive smokers, but they never smoke in front of me. I apologize if I've been rambling)

[Psychotic_Phil]

Anyone? I see 2 members online. I need help. Not Immidietely but soon.

[seeker1950]

Hi, Phil,
I'm sorry you are exposed to smoking. I think the tendency toward addictions may be genetic, as my mother and aunt both still smoke (70's and 80's), can't quit, and, like them, I have found it harder and harder to face quitting as I've aged. I didn't even start smoking till in my early 20's, but since then it has ruled my life! I am day 2 without smoking now, and I plead with you never to start...never put one near your lips! A nurse has told me nicotine is more addictive than heroin, and I believe it! I am determined to kick it this time!
Be smart!
Patty

[Lexicon78]

If both parents are smokers, then there is a high likeliness that at least one of their children will be a smoker.

[January]

Hi Phil,

I have always been a nonsmoker, but I spent a lot of time with a friend who smokes. I became addicted the smoke he exhaled. I would be a nervous wreck and tell him to hurry up and light one so I could inhale the smoke. It doesn't effect me that way at all anymore, but perhaps you are addicted to it by being around it.

Jan

[seeker1950]

OMG!!! January....I have never heard of that before, but I believe it!
Patty

[southernyankee]

I am the oldest of five sibs. Up until he stopped, my Dad had a cigar, cig, or pipe in his mouth. (not all at once). Three out of five of his kids smoke, although I think one of my sister stopped. I smoke and don't see me stopping. My dad only stopped because he got very ill with viral pneumonia. Tried to tell it was the easyest thing he ever did. Guess he thought I didn't remember.
How about trying an air filter?

[sunrise]

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
Is the tendency to smoke genetic?

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post">
Phil, people usually start smoking due to environmental factors rather than genetic (for example, my friends were doing it, my family smoked, it was cool at my school to smoke, I look sophisticated when I smoke, I am a rebel, etc.). However, the degree to which one is addicted has a strong genetic component. For example, whether one progresses from being an experiemental smoker to being a regular smoker. Or how easy/hard a person finds it to quit. Or what quitting method works best for a person. People with certain genetic factors may find it easier to quit with NRT than Wellbutrin, for example, or vice versa.

It is true that kids who grew up with both parents as smokers are much more likely to be smokers. If one or both parents can quit before the child is the age of 8, the effects can be reversed.

I would recommend never even starting to smoke as you never know if you could be one of the people who becomes easily addicted and has a hard time quitting. Nicotine is an extremely addictive substance. Please take this seriously and stay away from cigs!

[Juliana]

I don't think smoking is genetic... other than the example parents might set for their children by being smokers.

My mother has never smoked and my father quit smoking his pipe when I was a toddler. My parents were Mormons when I was a child. Smoking is a big no-no in that religion. My parents are also extremely health conscious. They're anti-smoking, but I'm a heavy smoker and so is my younger brother. My sister managed to kick the habit when she got pregnant with her first child.

When I was in high school and in my early 20s, I smoked socially. I used to feel kind of superior to all my friends who were addicted. I thought I just didn't have an addictive personality. I thought I would always be able to smoke just once in a while. I was wrong, though. After years of being a social smoker, I slipped down that slope and became addicted when I was going through a very stressful time in my life. That was 11 years ago and I've been a pack a day smoker since then... except for the 2-1/2 years when I quit. It was hard to quit, but I did it and really believed I would be a non-smoker forever. All it took was one cigarette to get me back into my old habits and before long I was smoking a pack a day again.

If you have never smoked, PLEASE don't start!!! It's SO unhealthy, smelly and expensive. A pack of cigarettes where I live is $12.75. So, it's an expensive daily habit. I pay $12.75 a day for something that makes me feel sick, stains my fingers, makes my hair smell and yellows my teeth... and it has a good chance of killing me. Addiction's no fun and nicotine is addictive.

[Raynaadi]

Yeah, I say JUST DON'T START!!!! Then you won't have to face quitting like a lot of us here......

[jattitude74]

If you haven't started smoking PLEASE DON"T!! I have been smoking for quite some time and have tried to quit a few times but failed.I am going to try to quit again. Monday is the big day! We will se how I do. And neither one of my parents smoked so I was never even exposed to it. Good luck fighting the urges, just remember once you are addicted it is so hard to stop. Take care!