Who smokes... with a poll

[ThatsABigOne]

Hello ATOT. This is a question about smoking tobacco products.

I want to see a general view of a smoker's perspective of why you are doing it. Or hear some past stories on how you attempted to stop smoking..

For example, I never smoked, never tried it, so I do not find interesting in doing it.

 

[Kirby]

I smoke because I enjoy it.

 

[Kadarin]

Non-smoker here, never smoked. Do not want to smoke. Hate smoke.

 

[rudeguy]

I smoke and I hate it. But I do like smoking.

I'm sure if I got a less stressful job, I could quit in no time.

 

[etrigan420]

I smoked from 1990 to September 11, 2010.

Never had any health issues (although now that I've quit, I'm just waiting for lung cancer to set in...t'would be the luck), it just got too goddamned expensive.

...and I got tired of being treated like a second class citizen.

 

[Bateluer]

Non-smoker here, never smoked. Do not want to smoke. Hate smoke.

Same. Add: Don't want to be around smokers, they, their clothes, their vehicles, and their homes smell like crud.

 

[rudeguy]

Same. Add: Don't want to be around smokers, they, their clothes, their vehicles, and their homes smell like crud.

that's not what you said last night

 

[Dominato3r]

I hate it when you're at an intersection waiting to cross and there's a person smoking beside you. You can't hold your breath in in that situation either.

 

[lxskllr]

I smoke about a cigarette per week. Sometimes 1 or 2 more, sometimes none at all. I used to be a heavy smoker, now I primarily use snus and nasal snuff.

 

[Lifted]

I stopped 2 weeks ago. Just got sick of it. Expensive ($12+/pack in NYC), dirty/smelly, etc.

Quit several times before for a couple of years here, few years there. Not sure why I started up again in the past, but it usually just takes 1 or 2 cigarettes to get going again. Must be what it's like for alcoholics as well. I never got that addictive craving from alcohol or drugs... just nicotine.

Every time I've stopped it's been cold turkey. The first two or three days are tough, resisting the urge to buy a pack - especially in the morning as I love one with my cup of coffee. After 3 days the dopamine levels start returning to normal and the craving just fades away so quickly that I don't even think about having one. Thank god the craving goes away this fast! If it took 2 or 3 weeks to kick the cravings, then smokers would have to be locked in a room for weeks like smack junkies.

 

[shortylickens]

Never as a habit. 1st year in the Navy the Boatswains Mates tried to get me started. I hacked and said fuck this shit.
1/4 of a Marlboro.

 

[BoomerD]

Long-time smoker.

I've quit in the past, (longest about 18 months) but always seem to go back to it.

I wanted to quit during summer break in 2007...but my wife says I'm "difficult to get along with" when I do...and would leave for at least a month if I quit. In spite of that tempting offer, I continued to smoke.
I'd like to quit again...but don't have the willpower to actually get it done.

I am an addict.

I stopped 2 weeks ago. Just got sick of it. Expensive ($12+/pack in NYC), dirty/smelly, etc.

Quit several times before for a couple of years here, few years there. Not sure why I started up again in the past, but it usually just takes 1 or 2 cigarettes to get going again. Must be what it's like for alcoholics as well. I never got that addictive craving from alcohol or drugs... just nicotine.

Fuck...I bitch because I pay $36/carton for Marlboro Special Blends. (regular Marlboros cost about $55/carton)

What you describe is typical of addiction. Once you're an addict, you're always an addict...and it only takes once or twice to get started again.

 

[Lifted]

Long-time smoker.

I've quit in the past, (longest about 18 months) but always seem to go back to it.

When you stop smoking, how long until the craving goes away? I don't mean completely, as I know it would always be nice to have one, but I mean the initial craving that gets bad for a few days (for me) then disappears in an instant.

 

[BoomerD]

For me, I was fine after about 60 days...maybe 90. I stopped the patches after about 8 weeks...and while I'd have an occasional craving, it wasn't bad.
Of course, as soon as you have just one...you're back to smoking again...and have to start all over.

 

[Gigantopithecus]

I haven't smoked in over two years but I'm still a smoker. The only thing I honestly miss is I can no longer get stupid drunk; the cravings become too great to suppress when I've been drinking heavily.

 

[Corporate Thug]

I smoke about a pack a year, does that count?

 

[RPD]

Used to smoke in college and shortly after. Quit due to health, smell and cost reasons.

 

[TridenT]

Non-smoker here, never smoked. Do not want to smoke. Hate smoke.

:thumbsup::thumbsup:

 

[Alone]

Pack a day smoker here. Got a meeting on Monday to get some pills.

 

[Away]

Smoked for 10 years and quit cold turkey one day because of the cost and treatment from others. Never looked back.

 

[BoomerD]

Pack a day smoker here. Got a meeting on Monday to get some pills.

Good luck with the pills. I tried one of the Wellbutrin-based meds several years ago...I didn't do very well...they wound me up badly...in fact, the company I was working for driving a boom truck, took me off the road because they were afraid I was gonna go off the deep end and run someone off the road.
I quit taking the pills.

 

[Mide]

I smoke when it's in front of me, free, or if I'm in Asia but normally, no.

 

[Alone]

Good luck with the pills. I tried one of the Wellbutrin-based meds several years ago...I didn't do very well...they wound me up badly...in fact, the company I was working for driving a boom truck, took me off the road because they were afraid I was gonna go off the deep end and run someone off the road.
I quit taking the pills.

Thanks. I have no problem with going off the deep end if it means I quit smoking. The military would probably give me some time off if that were the case, given all the human rights pussy shit anyway.

 

[Lummex]

Used to smoke on and off. I was never really addicted, other than it being habitual at some points, and would only crave them when triggered by seeing someone else smoke or by some memory associated with smoking. last August or September I randomly lost all taste and tolerance for them, it was both strange and awesome. I haven't craved one since, other than at first when I'd drink. Now cravings are gone even when I'm drunk, which is very nice

 

[Dr. Detroit]

Used to smoke about half-pack a day for multiple years while in the Army - menthol lights.

I've never been addicted - sure I crave but have always had the ability to pick it up and put it down. I almost always have cigarettes in the house/car but usually smoke 2-4 a night if out drinking but since I only go out 2-3x a month thats not a whole lot.

Its a nasty habit for sure but I quite enjoy it.

Camel menthol lights at $5 a pack is the suck. I remember paying $4 a carton in the Army for Class A generics or $8 - $10 for the name brands.