Do you or have you ever smoked?

[shortbun]

I stopped smoking when I was 32. I am 56 now. It feels GREAT to be an ex-smoker but I still remember how much I liked it. dumb, huh?

 

[MushyMushy]

I've never smoked. Neither has DH. Both of us came from families where both mom & dad were smokers. I hated when my dad would finish dinner before the rest of us and light up. That smoke always found its way to my face. Can't even begin to tell you how gross it was.

We have three kids; two of them smoke. The middle one started smoking in high school. I kind of understand how someone would start smoking at that age. He's 28 now. However, the youngest started when he was 23. He's 23 now. Whatever would possess him to start now, is beyond me.

My maternal grandmother died when I was 23, but the most vivid memories I have of her were when she was smoking. She'd blow the smoke right in our faces, and I can remember her getting nasty with me one day when I tried to blow it away from myself. She wasn't a very good humored old person. Anyway, I sure don't want my kids or grandkids having that kind of impression of me. Surrounded by a halo of goodness, sure (HA!). Surrounded by a halo of smoke? Not so much.

 

[lspst8]

I'm a very occasional social smoker. I started in college just smoking at parties, but never needed cigarettes during the day or felt any cravings. Through college I probably smoke a pack of cigarette every weekend, but I never smoked unless I was at a party. And it was usually clove cigarette --- I fancied myself "goth" back then!

now, I think I might have a cigarette maybe 2 or 3 times a year if I am in a bar that allows smoking and I am with a friend that smokes. I'm pretty sure the last time I had a cigarette was in December after my DH's office's Christmas party. I'd had a bit too much to drink and was sitting with two friends that smoke, so I bummed a cigarette.

 

[Pakey]

I smoked during the 4 years I was in the Air Force (in the 70's) because everyone else did. I quit after that. I never enjoyed it.

 

[Ilivetogo]

Never smoked. I could never get used to the idea of inhaling smoke on purpose. I just was not able to mentally comprehend it.


.

 

[DisneyMomx7]

I'm an ex-smoker. I quit over 5 years ago. I started when I was about 16. Here's the most stupid reason of all of why I started smoking - I didn't want to gain weight. At the time I was a size 3!!!

I was smoking two packs a day when I quit. I used the patch - I don't think I could ever have quit cold turkey. The first two years I did gain weight about 20 lbs. Thanksfully I've lost the weight now and still am smoke free!

It's a terrible, dirty habit but I still tell DH if I knew the world was going to end tomorrow I'd be out buying a pack of Salem!

 

[waltskids]

Never smoked nor does DH. My mom died when I was 17 from lung cancer, she smoked until the day she died. She started smoking in the 50's when it was the 'thing to do'. It was a true addiction for her and she always told me never to smoke and I will honor that. I would never smoke after watching what my mom went though.

 

[luvmy3jewels]

I don't smoke and never considered starting. As a child, I watched several close relatives die slow, painful deaths as a result of smoking related diseases. It was enough to convince me it wasn't a good idea to start.

I went grocery shopping last weekend and there was a man who reeked of stale cigarette smoke. You couldn't get within 10' of him and not smell it. It was bad enough that I went in a different direction to aviod being close to him. I guess he must have been a chain smoker, because I've been around other smokers that you could never even tell they smoked.

 

[MUFFYCAT]

I smoked occasionally in high school and some time afterwards but wasn't crazy about it.

I don't mind being around smokers especially outside where other odors are just as bad.

 

[zippitydoo]

I used to smoke about a pack and a half a day for about 5 years. I quit cold turkey about 4 yrs ago alongside my BF. I still have the occassional urge but Im not going to cave in.

 

[dislal]

I have never smoked, my dad always smoked and I vowed I would never do it. I wouldn't date a guy who smoked either, so my DH doesn't smoke either.

I watched my dad die a horrible death from lung cancer and I pray that none of my children smoke either.

 

[4nana]

Now I know you are meaning to be preachy however smoking is an addiction.

I know it is hard for people to rationalize what an addiction is but you have to take it on faith that quitting an addiction is difficult.

I call myself a cig-a-holic when I am quit because I have to choose not to smoke daily, even after 5yrs.

It is in your head if that makes sense. Not everyone is like that but I have met more smokers that are like that then not.

Sorry if I came off as preachy, didn't mean to step on any toes or come off as judgmental or self righteous.

Yes, I do know where you are coming from and realize it's an addiction . You might say losing a father and several friends to cancer and also my loving 38 yo little brother to a drug and alcohol overdose, has truly opened my eyes. Sadly I am much more aware of the negative impact that addictions can cause the heartbreaking loss of life . It's even difficult to read the stories here of loved ones loss of health and life at the risk of their own hands.

Good luck to you and all those trying daily to beat an addiction, I sympathize with the difficulty. By quitting you show you have shown the amazing willpower of self discipline and I commend you.

 

[angie@dvcstore]

I have never smoked, its never been my thing to do

 

[MIGrandma]

I took a couple puffs once or twice but I've never been a smoker. My grandfather was a heavy smoker and I saw what it did to him before he passed away from emphysema.

 

[MarkBarbieri]

I had to click other. I've never smoked a cig, cigar, pipe, or any of that stuff. I did once accidentally catch my beard on fire it it smoked quite a bit. So I didn't feel that I could honestly say that I've never smoked.

My general response to the question "Do you smoke" is "Only when I'm on fire."

 

[mamacatnv]

Started smoking at 15 - with the exception of 2 pregnancies and nursing when I suspended my habit, I smoked a pack or more a day until a little over a year and a half ago. I too quit using Chantix.

I gained weight and man I was cranky, crabby, moody etc for several months. I think a lot of the behavior was the Chantix.
Don't care, it worked. I quit for one reason, I was tired of paying the ever rising costs.

Hardest thing I have ever done and now I live day to day chanting to myself "NOPE - not one puff ever" and I promise myself that I will never ever be a self righteous ex-smoker, those people annoy the crap out of me. Sanctimonious goody goodies - keep it to yourself is my response.

To those who have quit - , to those who keep smoking because they like it, I can totally relate, to those who have quit and started back up, I understand that too.

 

[Jennasis]

N-e-v-e-r!!

 

[LuvOrlando]

I grew up going to school in a pretty rough neighborhood. My friends started smoking wacky stuff when we were about 12, and I picked up Marlboro cigarettes to 'feel' cool as a compromise. It wasn't hard to get away with it since both my parents smoked and everything smelled like a bar-room anyway. I remember timing which window I would blow the smoke out of my room by the time of day. All I had to do was open 2 windows, figure out which window was pulling and which was pushing and voila!

By 17 my family found out and my mother had a rather ingenious way to deal with me. She told me I would have permission to smoke, even in front of my family and she would even buy my cigarettes if, and only if, i agreed to ONLY smoke the cigarettes she bought for me. Well I agreed and she switched me to Merit Ultra lights, first longs and then the short ones.

When I hit 20 and started to date my DH I noticed everyone in my family who smoked had one kind of cancer or another. So with my new non-smoking fiance helping me out one day I ran out of cigarettes and had no car so I just plain quit. The way I made it through was I replaced my ritual smoking with other things I never did. I made sure to have a glass of OJ in the AM to replace that one, I made sure to have a cup of tea before bed to replace that one. I also ate Lifesavers like a fiend... and the gum, well I gave myself a nice case of TMJ, I can't chew gum anymore. Oh, and for some reason the ritual of boiling water for tea and waiting for it to steep every time I wanted to smoke had a huge calming effect on me. About 90% of the time I'd forget I was making tea and get distracted so there were cold tea ups everywhere, but it worked.

Let me tell you, quitting smoking was the hardest thing I have ever done in my entire life. For years my brain would try and trick me into smoking, yes years as in maybe 10. I would have REALLY REAL dreams that I went back to smoking so when I woke up my first thought was, "Well I smoked yesterday, I might as well grab one from my mother this morning". So many times I had to catch myself because the dreams were so real, and plain... nothing out of place, just me hanging out with friends happy and smoking. Just so odd. The dreams are gone but whenever were in a bar or club dancing I miss it a little and find myself leaning in to smell other people's cigarettes.. yep gross, I know.... and it's been 20 years since my last cigarette!

All I can say is I will NEVER EVER EVER pick them up again because I simply do not think I have it in me to quit twice. Nicotine is not to be underestimated as an addictive substance. and my heart goes out to anyone struggling with it.

FYI, it taught me that some people's bodies are just different than others. I had friends who could pick it up and put it down with no trouble... but I was not one of those people. When we were young and drinking the same thing happened, we all drank the same but when we finished school and went on with our lives most of us could stop, but some couldn't. While I won't say I'm glad I smoked I will say it gave me the ability to empathize so I suppose some good came out of it.

 

[Handbag Lady]

I've been spoke free for almost 14-15 years now.

I smoked a pack and then some every day. Marlboro Menthol Lights.


It was the HARDEST thing I've ever done and I try to be supportive of those around me who want to quit.

 

[Darsa]

I had to click other. I've never smoked a cig, cigar, pipe, or any of that stuff. I did once accidentally catch my beard on fire it it smoked quite a bit. So I didn't feel that I could honestly say that I've never smoked.

My general response to the question "Do you smoke" is "Only when I'm on fire."

Oh... my... GOSH I just spit my tea laughing!!