Big News (for me)

[GoBucks]

After 25 years, I have decided to quit smoking. It wasn't so much the health reasons (I knew they were bad for me when I started), I wasn't that I didn't enjoy it ('cos I really did/do), it wasn't even the fact that they have practically outlawed it everywhere but your home and car (and I see them doing something in that vein in the not too distant future).

The straw that broke the Camels back (no pun intended)... The .60 raise in the federal tax, the raise in the Va. tax, supposedly to put towards paying for children's health insurance.

Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against healthy children, I just seriously doubt that money will be specifically ear-marked for that. Just like the Lottery money was to go solely towards education, that didn't stick.

So, after my slight rant of reasons, I am happy to announce that I have gone 35 hours smoke free (a real record for me) and I am doing OK.

Hardest parts have been that morning coffee, driving the car and having a beer.... but I have made it thru, so far :pray: Monday at the office will be the big test.

So if there are any "evil" smokers still out there, and are thinking of calling it quits, you are welcome to join me in my "tobacco party".

Or any former "evil" smokers who just want to lend support and encouragement... it is certainly welcome and needed.

Jen

[GoBucks]

No Love? No Support? Not even smart ass comments?

[lkz]

I quit a few years ago. I am totally weak with little will power. I made it and if I did I am sure you will. Once I was a little bit down the road, I just reminded myself that eventually I would have to quit and if I smoked one, I would just have to go through all quiting stress again. I truely took it one rattling out moment at a time. Reward your self for how far you have come.

[GoBucks]

Thanks. I've tried several times before, thinking I could do it with sheer will power, not so much... using the patch this time and it is working. I think a lot of it is the mental or physical acts triggers more than the nicotine, but I figure if I can get over the "triggers" then the nicotine can go shortly after that.

I am fortunate that my husband is very supportive and understanding (he quit 10 years ago) so he's being tolerant of my moments of lunacy.

[samurai7]

I tried to get hubby to quite for seventeen years. He finally made up his mind he had to, when the doctor told him he was developing asthma.

He quit in a couple weeks. This crap about addiction to nicotine. That's crap. People smoke because they LIKE to, it gives them pleasure.

So hubby simply started smoking a brand he didn't like. It worked. He was done with cigarrettes in a couple of weeks.

All you have to do is teach your brain it isn't so much fun, and you'll kick it.

It's all psychological.

[grapabeaux]

Some time back, my dad quit smoking after about 20-25 years. He never said why, but I'm sure it had to do in part with his mom (also a smoker) having a serious bout of stomach cancer.

He did it by transitioning to a pipe for a year or two, before finally quitting for good. (This was before the patch and gum were readily available.)

[GoBucks]

I totally agree its mainly psychological. The directions for the patch drag it out over a matter of time, but I think that its too long. I plan on abreviating the steps and get this monkey off my back.

I appreciate the various imput. Not to suck up... but I find the folks here at Hannity to be some great, wise & supportive folks, no matter thier political slant.... Just a bunch of basically good folks.

[signcut]

I quit some time ago, when I decided I really wasn't doing myself any good smoking two packs a day of Pall Mall reds... even though I was still in great shape.

Ain't no easy way to do it, but there are any number of ways that can work. It is like losing weight; ultimately, it comes down to how much you want it.

Good luck

[blackcatrun]

Your doing great then GoBucks.

Well I am in the slow phaze of quitting. The resoaning being I really do enjoy the morning with a cup of coffee and a smoke. The rest of the day isnt hard at all and I limit my self to doing anything that needs doing duering the day until night time when I slow down. Before I head off to bed I have smoke. So it's not to far off I can see going with out in total.


I know some like the horray factor. I am all for it. If this is what those quitters need.
Then there is my kind.
My hard moments are not from lack of smoking it's from the human condition for some to be *******s walking about trying to live my life for me. Acting like they are saving my life. This grinds my nerve and gets me down right mean and nasty tempered.
I dont need anyone telling me, being I know the facts already. Giving me crap about when I do rarely smoke or telling me how good I am when I dont smoke. The best course of action for my case is leave me be, I got it all under control.

[johnrocks]

Best of luck, I smoked for 30 plus years, it isn't the easiest habit to kick however you will be so glad to be rid of that nasty habit.

[GoBucks]

I have found that during the day (when I am busy) its not too difficult. The real "jones" comes on in the evening when I am watching tv, on the computer, etc... but I soldier on... thanks for the support. Tho' right now, I'd be willing to do about anything for one, instead, I think I will just go to bed and start another day...

[gosling2Lindy]

:clap: :clap: :clap:

Go Bucks!!! Keep up the good work. I could fill this whole screen with clapping icons.

[samurai7]

I totally agree its mainly psychological. The directions for the patch drag it out over a matter of time, but I think that its too long. I plan on abreviating the steps and get this monkey off my back.

I appreciate the various imput. Not to suck up... but I find the folks here at Hannity to be some great, wise & supportive folks, no matter thier political slant.... Just a bunch of basically good folks.

Just buy a brand you don't like. You'll be done with them sooner than you can imagine. It works!

Although my husband admits, once in a while he still dreams he's smoking a cigarette.

[wayoverthehill]

I tried to get hubby to quite for seventeen years. He finally made up his mind he had to, when the doctor told him he was developing asthma.

He quit in a couple weeks. This crap about addiction to nicotine. That's crap. People smoke because they LIKE to, it gives them pleasure.

So hubby simply started smoking a brand he didn't like. It worked. He was done with cigarrettes in a couple of weeks.

All you have to do is teach your brain it isn't so much fun, and you'll kick it.

It's all psychological.Holy Cow! You are one of the few other people who has said that addiction to nicotine is crap and that basically you can quit if you put your mind to it.

Personally, I have always held that view. People smoke because they want to. I smoked for 17 years and quit almost 35 years ago. Cold turkey. Never had a problem. Just plain quit. My ex hubby quit cold turkey too, before I met him. He went to get a pack of cigs from a vending maching (remember those?) and they didn't have his brand so he said the heck with it and never smoked again.

Now both my son and DIL have quit in the last 2 weeks. They are both using the patch. Well, if they need that for a crutch, so be it. I'm just happy they are quitting. My son has developed asthma and they are planning on starting a family later this year so she sure doesn't need to be smoking. Not to mention the expense of it.

Anyway, keep up the good work, Gobucks. You can do it.

[The Girl from Ipanema]

Good show, GoBucks! :clap:

[ImNewHere]

Congratulations and good luck.

[PredFan]

Dropped a 2-pack-a-day habit 32 years ago.

Secret: Don't smoke another one. Trust me, it gets easier as time goes by.

You can do it.


Funny bit: I quit because I refused to pay 50 cents a pack for cigarettes.

[mryukon]

Congrats on quitting. I'm close to 3 years (Jul 06). For me, quitting was relatively easy, I hope its the same for you. Good luck.

[59Flash]

9 or 10 yrs for me and I still smoke in my dreams. Not all dreams tho.

[mysticbeauty_nbeast]

After 25 years, I have decided to quit smoking. It wasn't so much the health reasons (I knew they were bad for me when I started), I wasn't that I didn't enjoy it ('cos I really did/do), it wasn't even the fact that they have practically outlawed it everywhere but your home and car (and I see them doing something in that vein in the not too distant future).

The straw that broke the Camels back (no pun intended)... The .60 raise in the federal tax, the raise in the Va. tax, supposedly to put towards paying for children's health insurance.

Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against healthy children, I just seriously doubt that money will be specifically ear-marked for that. Just like the Lottery money was to go solely towards education, that didn't stick.

So, after my slight rant of reasons, I am happy to announce that I have gone 35 hours smoke free (a real record for me) and I am doing OK.

Hardest parts have been that morning coffee, driving the car and having a beer.... but I have made it thru, so far :pray: Monday at the office will be the big test.

So if there are any "evil" smokers still out there, and are thinking of calling it quits, you are welcome to join me in my "tobacco party".

Or any former "evil" smokers who just want to lend support and encouragement... it is certainly welcome and needed.

Jen

California did the same thing a few years back...I believe we are on our 3rd tax hike now. A single pack is over 6 bucks! A carton is over 50 bucks...stupid waste of money imo! So, hubby and I are also quitting. I don't want to quit..but my practical financial brain screams that I have too. :wall:

Which all this tax hike business makes me wonder just how stable this new tax will be when almost everyone quits due to the economics crunch we all face. How many jobs will be lost due to people quitting? How many manufacturing jobs will be lost? How will tobacco farmers survive? Will other crops grow in once fertile tobacco fields? The cost far out weighs any supposed government program for children's health care. California started this tax on a state level a few years back...and guess what...so many people quit that the fund is bankrupt. What few funds are trickling in now go into the general fund to be spent as congress deems fit. Add in a fed tax and high state tax..and it's near impossible to spend that kind of money on something as non essential as cigarettes.

Makes ya wonder who they will go after next? Twinkies? Ice cream? Red meat? Soda Pop? Wine or hard alcohol? Snack foods? It could be anything that has a solid health rational behind the governmental proposed tax....the taxes will go through the roof on whatever product is next on their list. Makes ya think doesn't it?

Hang in there...quitting can be done..and you'll make it... if you really want to quit. :D

~Mysty

[Vaard]

i quit every night.......

[notluzn]

good show, gobucks! :clap:

+1

[notluzn]

599 ingredients added to the manfacturing process of a cigarette and over 4000 chemicals in the smoke. Good choice to quit smoking. I have never understood why people start other than peer pressure.