I'm a smoker who doesn't smoke

The Guardian ^ | Sunday, Aug, 5th/12 | Victoria Coren

[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

[JMJJR]

Bookmarked

[KosmicKitty]

I am a smoker who doesn’t smoke - since May 27, 1994

Yes, I still want one, though not quite as badly as I did in 1994, and if I had one, I’d be right back where I was on May 26, 1994

and I haven’t written a good computer program since!

There was always something about the very fist drag. After that, I didn’t like them as much.

[haircutter]

oops since you bummed one off your son a few days ago, now you have to start counting...day one, day two and start ALL over..was that ONE smoke worth it???

I quit Nov. 13, 1967...my kids never saw me smoke and they grew up and never smoked either, I believe a house free from cigarettes is a HAPPY, HEALTHY HOME.

HOPE YOUR NEW START WILL BEGIN AND YOU CAN STAY STRONG...

[haircutter]

prayers for your wife tomorrow and strength to continue her smoke free life ahead..

each day will get easier and your body heals...life is good.

[haircutter]

trust me swampfox one day a smoke filled room will make you gag...

I have never regretted quiting..
our son entered his third year of college, came home and informed us he got his ‘cadaver’ to work on for that year, said the guy was only 56, and all his organs were as healthy as hell, except for his charcoal burned lungs, said he was really sad for the guys family.

[fanfan]

You’re welcome Alice!

Some of the replys on this thread have me thinking I should try quiting. Maybe.

[alice_in_bubbaland]

In case you’re interested, I quit using a laser treatment:

http://kickthehabitnow.com/

There may be something similar near you.

It does work.

[fanfan]

Thanks for the tip Alice. I’m glad that worked for you!
I’m thinking about getting a copy of that “how to stop smoking” book mentioned earlier. This is the second time someone has told me it worked.

Smoking seems to be a need in my mind, more than a need in my body, so if I am ever going to quit, I think I have to find a way to ‘change my mind’ about it. If I can ever do that, my mind will be able to control my body, I hope. :-)