Replies

Speaking as an unrepentant smoker (though I wish to quit), please don't disregard the value of getting a lung screening. I lost my best friend to LC in May. He was 35 years old.

I'm not saying you should participate in this, but doing it independently is an excellent idea.

Mr. Bird, two things
#1. - If you are an unrepentent smoker why do you wish to quit? If you want to you can. All it takes is will power.
#2. - I DON'T discoumt lung screening. I have a full physical once a year including a chest x-ray.

I would sooner allow medical experimentation by a mad scientist on my body than allow these anti-smoker organizations to get even a PEEK at my little toe.

I'm not saying you should participate in this, but doing it independently is an excellent idea.

Oh pluuuuuese! They have their hooks in us so deep now, do you actually think I would even let the ACS look at me? No way! Thank you!

The first step to quitting smoking is to find out what to expect while your body is withdrawing from nicotine. There are products available to help you with your cravings, but changing a long-time habit of any kind requires preparation and changing your thoughts and behavior. Get ready, set a date, work your plan...and before you know it, you'll be a non-smoker. You don't have to go it alone. There are many proven methods that work for most people, once they make that mind-change that creates determination to make a life-change.

I'm not a smoker, but lost a much-loved grandfather to smoking-related illness. He was deeply ashamed of his "lack of willpower", not understanding the many factors that were playing into his life-long addiction, including the fact that he'd been smoking since childhood and didn't know how to cope without cigarettes. I wish I could tell him what I've learned since his death. He didn't have to die the way he did and it broke all of our hearts to watch it happen.

I've never been addicted to nicotine, but there have been many other equally addictive attitudes and behaviors I've battled all my life. I applaud your desire to change in this way. Don't spend your whole life "just fixin' to" quit. Make up your mind and make it happen, if that's the secret wish of your heart.