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I'm a smoker who doesn't smoke
The Guardian ^ | Sunday, Aug, 5th/12 | Victoria Coren

Posted on 08/05/2012 1:21:17 PM PDT by fanfan

~snip~I'm not weaning myself off heroin. If you'd asked me six months ago, I'd have guessed that would be an easier job. The one thing I would never be able to do (I knew, in the depths of my soul) was stop smoking.

And yet, today, it's a month since my last cigarette. Before that, I hadn't gone a day without smoking since I was 14.~snip~

I never wanted to give up. People would point out the health risks (as though they might not have occurred to me, despite most of my family dying from cancer), without understanding that the health risks didn't matter because I cared more about smoking than I did about living. And if you don't understand that, then you don't understand addiction and you really must stop telling people what to do.

Others nagged about it being disgusting, without realising this only increases the smoker's need. If a loved one is openly critical, you smoke more to console yourself. If a stranger is derogatory, you smoke more to keep defining yourself as a carefree liberal compared to this pious finger-pointer. So, do nag people about smoking if you're keen to express your own superiority, but don't pretend it's helping them. ~snip~

Please read the whole piece at the link. http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/aug/05/vistoria-coren-giving-up-smoking?INTCMP=SRCH

(Excerpt) Read more at guardian.co.uk ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society
KEYWORDS: quiting; smoking; victoriacoren
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Victoria Coren calls it like it is, and she is usually right.

Read the article at the link.

1 posted on 08/05/2012 1:21:30 PM PDT by fanfan
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To: fanfan
I love yet I hate
You ask, "How can this be?"
I know not
But I feel the agony

Archelaus 5th century BC
May have been a teacher
of Socrates

2 posted on 08/05/2012 1:38:59 PM PDT by knarf (I say things that are true ... I have no proof ... but they're true)
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To: fanfan

After 35 years of smoking, I just got kind of tired of it, and the rising cost (tax) helped make my decision.

My last cig was in late January 2003.

Since then, I figure I have saved about $1800 to $2400 per YEAR. Now, I frequently ‘treat’ myself to some gadget or a new computer, etc., and call it my reward from my no-longer-smoking savings.


3 posted on 08/05/2012 1:39:25 PM PDT by TomGuy
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To: fanfan
Sean Young in Blade Runner: she should have tried Percy Piglets.

Why would a Nexus-6 want to quit smoking. They only have a four year life span anyway.

4 posted on 08/05/2012 1:43:04 PM PDT by Pontiac (The welfare state must fail because it is contrary to human nature and diminishes the human spirit.)
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To: fanfan

LOL! Thanks for the laugh and the memories!

I will be smoke free 4 years on Sept. 25th. :)


5 posted on 08/05/2012 1:46:40 PM PDT by alice_in_bubbaland (When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes mandatory- Thomas Jefferson)
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To: TomGuy

Good for you, I put them down in 2008. “Tuff” addiction to break.


6 posted on 08/05/2012 1:47:21 PM PDT by swampfox101
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To: fanfan

Oh my goodness, just realized that this Thanksgiving- it will have been 10 years since I had a cigarette.


7 posted on 08/05/2012 1:50:03 PM PDT by republicangel
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To: swampfox101
I've smokingly quit for about a year now.

Smokingly quit?

That's no smoking for a month or so, buy a pack, chain down about 5 or 6, get disgusted, throw 'em out the window, go another month or two ..

Vicious, evil shit

8 posted on 08/05/2012 1:51:37 PM PDT by knarf (I say things that are true ... I have no proof ... but they're true)
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To: knarf

Been there and done that....! I’ve thrown many a pack out the window only to stop 30 minutes later to purchase another pack.

I tried patches 6 or 8 times before finally making up my mind to quit.

Its a tough, tough habit to break. I enjoyed smoking as much as anyone. Still do enjoy being around people that smoke and smelling the second hand smoke....weird I know but I do.


9 posted on 08/05/2012 2:04:14 PM PDT by swampfox101
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To: swampfox101
Thanx

It's comforting to know I'm not alone.

I've gone about two months now, but my son came over a few days ago and I bummed a smoke from him

Enjoyed the damned thing.


No wonder Paul states "O miserable wretch that I am ... "

10 posted on 08/05/2012 2:13:57 PM PDT by knarf (I say things that are true ... I have no proof ... but they're true)
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To: fanfan
After watching fellow soldiers downrange paying 10.00 a pack, (back in 1988) I decided to smoke one and find out what all the fuss was about.

My smoking career lasted all of 6 seconds.

Cigarette free since 1988. Hallelujah!

11 posted on 08/05/2012 2:14:49 PM PDT by I am bigjohn
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To: fanfan

My problem is that I have this great bottle of Glenlivet Scotch so I have to keep buying cigars to go with it.


12 posted on 08/05/2012 2:16:46 PM PDT by CodeToad (History says our end is near.)
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To: I am bigjohn

“Cigarette free since 1988. Hallelujah! “

ROFL! Proof anyone can quit, even a long time smoker such as yourself!


13 posted on 08/05/2012 2:17:56 PM PDT by CodeToad (History says our end is near.)
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To: fanfan
I quit in the early 80's. Was a pack a day or more smoker. Was hard as hell, but on that last day I swore, "....to never suck on a foul cigarette again in this lifetime. Hated the company I was paying for the privilege of killing me slowly, burning my furniture etc.

I was true to my vow and haven't touched tobacco in any form since.

My wife who suggested that we stop, and then didn't is in her third week of quitting and really straining. Doctor told her that he wouldn't operate on her back if she didn't quit!

Surgery is tomorrow. Hooray!!!

Stay tuned.

14 posted on 08/05/2012 2:28:04 PM PDT by FixitGuy (By their fruits shall ye know them!)
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To: knarf

7 1/2 months for me. Took two months of “slowing down” before I totally stopped. This was my first time trying. I’m never going back....it was/is that hard.

I wish I could have smoked 5 or 6 then be done for a month. I couldn’t smoke one puff without going back.


15 posted on 08/05/2012 2:36:34 PM PDT by Girlene
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To: knarf

Your’re certainly not alone.....I and many like me have fought the same battle you are fighting now. Even though its been several yrs. since I stopped smoking, I could smoke one now as long as my leg and enjoy it.

I quit because I knew it was something I had to do but I still enojoy the aroma of smoke filled rooms.

Hang in there, your’re gonna win some battles and lose some but atleast ur’re trying and that’s a step in the right direction.

That verse you quote from the book of Romans is one of my favorites....!

God bless and hang in three, you can and will do it, I can just tell.......!


16 posted on 08/05/2012 2:39:49 PM PDT by swampfox101
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To: fanfan

After having two strokes last September I finally quit. My brain changed some stuff and smoking was one of them. I smoked for over 40 years. Recovering and rewiring the brain was lots harder.


17 posted on 08/05/2012 2:54:08 PM PDT by Rapunzel (Run SARAH run)
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To: knarf

“No wonder Paul states “O miserable wretch that I am ... “ “

Don’t be too hard on yourself, I’m not at all sure it’s an actual sin. I suppose a case could be made, but, it certainly isn’t lined out as a sin in the Bible.


18 posted on 08/05/2012 3:20:12 PM PDT by Persevero (Homeschooling for Excellence since 1992)
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To: Rapunzel

Five years ago come 9/30, I went to bed after having my last cigarette. Haven’t had one puff since. Stopped cold turkey.


19 posted on 08/05/2012 3:23:40 PM PDT by YukonGreen
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To: fanfan

I smoked Lucky Strike non-filters for over forty years.
When they became just too expensive I switched to off brand non-filters ordered over the internet from NY indian reservatiions.
When I got threatening letters from the sales tax dept. here in WA. state, I switched to buying locally from various tribes.
I had tried to quit when I was younger, but never really, really wanted to. Trieds hypnotiem, but had to keep going back and paying more. Didn’t wotk for more than three weeks.
Finally got tired of trying to quit and I quit quitting.
Finally, after 52 years, a group asked me to join them in trying Chantix.
I said I would only if they were hard-core serious because I hate failing and would not be screwing around.
After assurances, I got on the program and it was easier than falling off a log!
3 years and about 8 months now. No urge to smoke but still love the smell.

Over the ensuing first 18 months or so, I gained 40 lbs.
Got rid of that too, but that’s another story.


20 posted on 08/05/2012 4:15:28 PM PDT by Halcontent
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