Do you smoke?

Yes, been smoking since 7th grade, when everyone did in those days. There wasn't any (smoking awarness program for students) back then. Everyone hates it when I smoke, I have to go hide and have a smoke like a felon.

Congratulations to all who quit!!!

I am not in the market to quit anytime soon.

BTW, to clean out my lungs, all I have to do is take a deep breath of cat fur. Cleans out my lungs instantly!

Never smoked though my parents both smoked. It was the only big thing I ever fought with them about because I can't stand the smell and the smoke makes me nauseous and gives me headaches.

Edit - I never took laundry home either - didn't want it to smell like smoke.

No, I quit back on April 14, 1990. Cold turkey! Haven't had a cigarette since. However, even after all of this time I still get the occasional driving urge to have a cigartette. I force myself to ride it out and it eventually does pass, but it can take hours and hours, or even a couple of days. I know I'm one cigarette away from being a pack a day smoker, so I have to make myself resist the urge when it strikes.

My Mom died in 1978 from emphysema. She was sooooo sick for years with breathing problems (asthma, pleurisy, pneumonia etc) and in the last few years of her life spent weeks and months at a time in a hospital intensive care ward where she eventually died from heart failure.

I've always been the sickly one in the family and my doctor kept telling me to "Keep smoking and die, or quit and live" Ironically when I quit it was for financial reasons, not health ones. I had been laid off of my job and it was taking forever to get my UIC payments (long story short, they mixed up my claim with my cousin-in-law who has the same name as mine, but spells her first name "Lynda" while mine is spelled "Linda", and she was going on maternity leave). It took 6 months instead of 6 weeks for me to get my first UIC cheque!!! I had to decide between eating and having a roof over my head or smoking.

Absolutely not! The act of smoking is filthy and disghusting. Not to mention- causes a plethera of health issues (and gives off second hand smoke).I have asthma- even the slightest hint of smoke makes me very sick. With all of the research and facts out there proving how bad smoking is- i just do not see how people continue to make excuses for lighting up- it's stupid! Smoking kills...plain and simple...i've seen several of my loved ones die as a result of their decision to start smoking.

I started smoking when I was 14 and quit in 1998 My mother quit a year after I did after 30+ years of being a smoker ....now I just have to get my hubby on the bandwagon

Ok I am going to be 110% honest here!

I smoked from 11yrs old-21 yrs old... smoked 2 pks marlboro reds a day then I quit July 2006....


but...

like in February 2007 I started smoking those clove cigerettes. I feel so aweful. i want to stop now AGAIN! But my boyfriend and our roommate smoke so it's hard to 'get away from it'


i feel ashamed of MYSELF!!

When I was growing up, just about all of my family smoked, including my brother (8 years older) who started by buying one at a time from the guy in the corner store when he was 7 or 8 -- my Mum hit the roof when she found that out! Both my parents eventually gave it up, but my brother is still puffin' away 60 years later.

I tried a smoke when I was 14 or so, and out with friends who were passing one around. It didn't make me sick or anything, but I couldn't help thinking "You guys are spending your allowance on THIS???" and never touched one again.

Before it was fully known how bad it was, or that second hand smoke was as bad or worse, I had ashtrays for smoking visitors and considered that part of my hospitality. I still have ashtrays, but they are in a drawer, and only come out when my brother visits. He's very good about not smoking around non-smokers, or indoors. If he disappears, you can be pretty sure he's on the back porch having a smoke.

Yep actually I am smoking right now. I have been smoking for 9 years now. Wish I never started. I used to hate smokers and would lecture mom & nana about it. I want to quit but don't have the will power. DH is smoke free for 2 years now.

I'm the only one in my family who's never smoked

I think it is interesting that people who are so against smokers/smoking and call smokers names will gladly drink themselves silly. Booze is addictive, smells bad, KILLS people every day, kills brain cells permanently yet those who hate smokers drink with with a clear conscience.

I just don't get the inconsistency here. Both are legal, both stink, both kill but alchohol is somehow more acceptable. Is it the media? News reports?

I don't want to turn this into an IMO thing on this thread. After reading the responses so far, I think it is sad that smokers are hiding their heads in shame while non-smokers feel it is okay to bash them.

Until those who bash others are themselves some version of heavenly perfection, I believe they should rethink bashing. Thanks!

I smoked for a couple of years to be "cool." Luckily, I don't have an addictive personality and it was just for fun, and could easily put it down/give it up.

Smokers don't really bother me, unless I have a headache.

In the process oif quitting.
I smoke Marlboro mild 100s (menthol).
I started smoking when I was 11 years old, I'm 38 now.
I was a 2 pk a day smoker, and got myself down to two pks a week.
Now I only smoke on weekends.
Before long I'll wean myself to 1 day a week.
Then I plan on only smoking while I'm drinking.
Great plan since I only drink maybe twice a year

So far it's working great, the weekend smokes keep me focused on having none during the week, so far my stress levels are pretty low.

Originally Posted by Bonnie1965

...I just don't get the inconsistency here. Both are legal, both stink, both kill but alchohol is somehow more acceptable...

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I think it is because you can kill yourself with alcohol without necessarily killing innocent bystanders with alcohol. (Getting behind the wheel of a car when you shouldn't be driving is a whole different issue.) Pouring a drink doesn't make the person next to you drink some of it.

I think second-hand smoke is the difference, and the main issue.

Originally Posted by Bonnie1965

I don't want to turn this into an IMO thing on this thread. After reading the responses so far, I think it is sad that smokers are hiding their heads in shame while non-smokers feel it is okay to bash them.

Click to expand...

I didn't see any bashing on this thread to any members, although others (including myself) have showed their distaste for smoking.

Originally Posted by Natalie_ca

...I've always been the sickly one in the family and my doctor kept telling me to "Keep smoking and die, or quit and live"...

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I was told, with my asthma, that I had a 100% chance of getting emphysema if I smoked cigarettes, so I decided to quit since that wasn't cool...

I have never smoked.

So many people started at 11?!! That's crazy, you were all still children.

Originally Posted by Natalie_ca

My Mom died in 1978 from emphysema. She was sooooo sick for years with breathing problems (asthma, pleurisy, pneumonia etc) and in the last few years of her life spent weeks and months at a time in a hospital intensive care ward where she eventually died from heart failure.

Click to expand...

It's horrible to watch a person waste away like this. My grandmother died February 13th, 2006 from heart failure too, after several weeks of struggling with pneumonia.


I've never smoked or drank alcohol, I've seen what both do to people.

My mother did smoke when she was pregnant with me, and all through my childhood both parents smoked. I was sick a lot, most colds turned into repository infections, I still have this problem.
I can no longer even be around smokers because it makes me feel horrible.
And after years of heavy chain smoking, my mother is getting emphysema. I can hear it in her voice when I talk to her on the phone.

Never smoked or had the urge to. I have an uncle who smoked in his teens but quit (his boys smoke, though) and I remember my paternal grandfather had a pipe. Sis married a smoker and niece smokes (though she stopped while pregnant).

I, too, have problems with the smoke affecting my lungs and sinuses. I don't care if you smoke, just don't do it around me.

Or take up the gas station attendant's time by demanding your ciggies before I get my gas! (Another issue, sorry...)

I chose thinking about it because you don't have an "only when drinking" category. Which I think in my scene is actually the most common...

I'm trying to quit but somehow! I have quit entirely, anytime I am not out on the weekends I don't even want to.

I've tried smoking when I was younger, but that's it!