Smoking

[Squidbot]

I quit this morning.
I'm probably going to kill some of you.

Fair warning and all.

[TheEpicOfTyler]

Get over it.

[Dorkandproudofit]

Mmm... I have a cig right here... I'm smoking it right now. So nice. I bet you'd like it, huh? Too bad you can't take it through the internet! :D

[Aggort]

Cold Turkey?

[JRR006]

Good luck, sir! (I mean that genuinely, not sarcastically.)

[Hawkzombie]

All this whinin and cryin and pitchin a fit

EDIT: DAMMIT! I took too long to find the song lyrics :p

[Rakael]

Good luck man.

[Squidbot]

Mmm... I have a cig right here... I'm smoking it right now. So nice. I bet you'd like it, huh? Too bad you can't take it through the internet! :D

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v230/linvuiet/Funny%20misc/punch-small.jpg

No, Aggort, this time around Mrs Squid bought me nicotine patches. They've certainly taken the edge off, but the psychological cravings are still very strong.

Thanks for the support guys. I rarely use this place as any kind of crutch, but I needed to vent on this one. I'm not sure if it's psychosomatic, but after roughly 15 hours of no smoking I think I feel better already.

[Hawkzombie]

I've heard using something to just stick in your mouth is a good way to take care of the psychological craving.

Where's MagGnome?

[kyrieee]

Chew on these
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51YRdnnBQ5L.jpg

(sorry, just watched Lethal Weapon 3 again)

[evilgoodwin]

I'm trying as well. I'm using e-cigs to quit, and they seem to help.

[Spectre-7]

I quit a few years back, although I had a brief relapse this past year. I miss it sometimes, but I do feel quite a bit healthier and the world certainly tastes better.

I just have one suggestion for ya: Quitting can be tough as hell, and there's a very good chance you'll slip. In a weak moment, you'll forget all the reasons you had for quitting and make a bargain with yourself, promising to smoke just this one... At that point, most folks beat themselves up. They feel worthless and powerless, and they tumble right off the wagon, thinking they just don't have it in themselves to quit.

The key thing at this point is learning to forgive yourself. You're human and you're not perfect. Slipping is part of the process, and the next step is to climb back onto the wagon and carry on.

At least, that's been my experience. I hope it helps, and best of luck to you.

[Handmade.Mercury]

Can't stand the smell of smoke. -80% chance of me starting. I hold my breath when I walk near smokers, and I can't even drive behind them without changing lanes or passing them.

[muddi900]

Now switch to flavored hookah!

[Sl1pstream]

I just had a cigarette because of this thread. I hate you!

[Exodus]

I'm trying as well. I'm using e-cigs to quit, and they seem to help.

This. Smoking but none of the stench. Cheaper in the long run and cancerless too to boot!

If I quit smoking it's going to be me going on a trip for a week to a month and when I get back ride the habit of not smoking...either that or e-cig....

I've been trying to quit but dammit it's like coffee...

[Narradisall]

I quit smoking before I started.

I know people that use those inhilator things.

[BigJonno]

Breathe the free air again, my friend.

[Ink Asylum]

Congrats. In a few months you'll feel better than you have in years.

[Smoof]

How do those e-cigarettes work?

[Pigeon]

How do those e-cigarettes work?

Plug it in your USB port

[jpc_theoneandonly]

Congrats man and good luck.

Me, I like to smoke. It calms the nerves and relieves stress. Everyone in my family, that I know of, that has died has died from cancer. I am sure the trend will not stop with me. I don't blame tobacco companies. Only myself.

[chex]

Good on you!

I started and quit cold turkey when I was 14. I quit caffeine at the same time... I was a sanctimonious bitch for about two months (so much so, that I annoyed myself, which fed back in to the cycle of rage), and then I felt ever so much better.
That said I do have the occasional cigarette. I'm very picky, though. I like Djarum Black Cherries, which with the new law here in the U.S are nigh impossible to find (I have to call my mother, who drives up to Milwaukee, buys them and then ships them to me).

[Aggort]

I'm trying as well. I'm using e-cigs to quit, and they seem to help.

Love these things, but I use them as a personal vaporizer. Plus you have to have a good model, like the Joye510

[Wasson_]

srsly though...why does anyone start smoking nowadays?

I mean seriously, that is something I cannot wrap my fucking mind around. WHY?! It fucking gives you lung cancer- straight up fucking Proven. And BOOM, they continue to garner new smokers...

Well...then there is chewing...goddamn their are so many young people who do that shit here in the military. fucking gross as shit, them and their fucking spit bottles. My dad chews but he does it the non-fucktard way, just taking a little pinch of it and then only when he's out doors working.

unlike just sitting around...filling a bottle with spittle. fucking bow-hunk, hillbilly moron behavior.

[cp#]

http://imgur.com/kJ2A2.gif

[Exodus]

http://imgur.com/kJ2A2.gif

no more neogaf for you!

but that one thread they have with .gif's...it's a fucking treasure of community .gif's.

I want to make one of episode 21 or 22 I think where they kick pierce out. Anna does the aghast face and britta does it back causing anna to do a double bigger aghast face, then troy, then ahbed. That, would be kick-ass.

[Squidbot]

What a fucking quitter...


This gave me a damn good laugh.

Smoking is fucking dumb, no ifs no buts. I have known this all my life, and I've been smoking far too long. My father has emphysema as a result of smoking, and is now on oxygen most of the day.
Time to do something about it.

[Exodus]

This gave me a damn good laugh.

Smoking is fucking dumb, no ifs no buts. I have known this all my life, and I've been smoking far too long. My father has emphysema as a result of smoking, and is now on oxygen most of the day.
Time to do something about it.

Good luck man. Honestly. I have to go the e-cigarette route I think.

[Squidbot]

srsly though...why does anyone start smoking nowadays?

I mean seriously, that is something I cannot wrap my fucking mind around. WHY?! It fucking gives you lung cancer- straight up fucking Proven. And BOOM, they continue to garner new smokers...

Well...then there is chewing...goddamn their are so many young people who do that shit here in the military. fucking gross as shit, them and their fucking spit bottles. My dad chews but he does it the non-fucktard way, just taking a little pinch of it and then only when he's out doors working.

unlike just sitting around...filling a bottle with spittle. fucking bow-hunk, hillbilly moron behavior.

I can justify myself a little more as I am of a generation where the dangers of smoking weren't quite in your face as they are now. When I was a kid cigarette advertising was still legal in England. But you are right. Mostly it's dumb, impressionable kids with a sense of immortality, which I certainly was.

[Ox]

This thread makes me want a cigarette.

srsly though...why does anyone start smoking nowadays?

I mean seriously, that is something I cannot wrap my fucking mind around. WHY?! It fucking gives you lung cancer- straight up fucking Proven. And BOOM, they continue to garner new smokers...
Haven't you ever done something you knew was stupid? Ever procrastinated on a paper or project, knowing it was just going to hurt you in the long run? Ever gone drinking with the full knowledge you'd have a nasty hangover? Ever stayed up too late when you knew you had to be up early in the morning?

I dunno, maybe lifelong non-smokers never do anything stupid. In that case, I envy you guys more than you will ever imagine.

[Hawkzombie]

I make up for hating smoking by doing a bevy of stupid shit. So maybe I should cut them some more slack...

[Wasson_]

oh snap, I accidentally deleted that first thing... :(

Well at any rate...I was lucky. Sonic the Hedgehog had my back...
/throws up duces
eBR9tgTM0bI

[Exodus]

Favourite reason to not smoke is the entire scene in Deep Space 9 when Quark, Nog and Rom(sp?) go back in time to earth due to a faulty ship. They are watching humans while in quarantine light up.

"If they'll buy poison, they'll buy anything!"
- Quark on tobacco

[Wraith]

xO7EFfdX8Rs

[Hawkzombie]

God I miss Phil Hartman.

[Exodus]

xO7EFfdX8Rs

He's the best. The best jerry, the best.

[Wasson_]

Yelling angrily at Andy Dick. I don't think either of them were acting there.

[SilentScreams]

I'm currently living with two people who are quitting smoking cold turkey. It's a nightmare.
I make up for it by being naturally more intollerable than a nicotine deprived smoker, so they're avoiding me more than I'm avoiding them. :D

I enjoy the occasional cigarette while I'm out drinking with friends, but I've never actually bought a pack and I'm quite happy to take one from a friend and then not have another for months. Willpower is a fantastic thing.

[carnage11]

That's good news man. Good luck to you. I actually quit Monday. Have been using the patch. I was thinking about getting the e-cig. We'll see how things go.

[Blue]

Good luck man. Having never smoked I can't imagine how difficult this might be, but I think it's great you're giving it a go despite that. You'll do wonderfully I'm sure. And if you quit trying, that's twice you'll have quit something which is like a negative and a negative which is actually a positive. I think. Yeah.

[Squidbot]

Excellent, Carnage, keep going man :D

[Kelegacy]

If you ever decide to use medicine to help, Chantix worked wonders for my entire family. Father, mother, wife and brother. All were smokers since their teenage years. When I saw it work on my father, the guy who would NEVER quit smoking, I figured it had to be goddamn magic.

[Doogie2K]

I'm not sure if it's psychosomatic, but after roughly 15 hours of no smoking I think I feel better already.

Could be the sensation of the carbon monoxide leaving your system. I think that's supposed to happen within 8 or 12 hours, no?

[Sazime]

I really, REALLY, need to quit myself. My car is now a smoke free zone, but my god is it hard to get out of the "habit" side of it. Considering how much I hate the after smell (clothes, etc), it always surprises me how hard it is to stop.

[Squidbot]

Good luck man. Having never smoked I can't imagine how difficult this might be, but I think it's great you're giving it a go despite that. You'll do wonderfully I'm sure. And if you quit trying, that's twice you'll have quit something which is like a negative and a negative which is actually a positive. I think. Yeah.

YEAH! Wait, no...what?

Could be the sensation of the carbon monoxide leaving your system. I think that's supposed to happen within 8 or 12 hours, no?

It could well be. I definitely feel a little healthier already, my lungs feel...less heavy, if that makes sense.

[boratika]

A brit quitting smoking? Now I've seen it all!

Seriously though, I wish you...well, not luck, but rather tenacity.

Now switch to flavored hookah!

Oh great, someone left the door open and now ethnics have started drifting in.

[Urizen]

Oh great, someone left the door open and now ethnics have started drifting in.

Let me guess. You have absolutely zero Aborigine ancestry.

[muddi900]

Oh great, someone left the door open and now ethnics have started drifting in.

Don't knock it till you've tried it Australian!

[Ox]

I enjoy the occasional cigarette while I'm out drinking with friends, but I've never actually bought a pack and I'm quite happy to take one from a friend and then not have another for months. Willpower is a fantastic thing.
Ahem. Not to be sanctimonious, but if you're quite happy going for months between cigarettes, you're not exercising a lot of willpower.

You find smoking occasionally pleasant but hardly compelling. It would be like me saying, "Gosh, it's been quite a while since I jammed my thumb into my eyeball, yet I don't miss it at all! I must have amazing willpower!"

You want to brag about how much willpower you have, try going without something you really crave for a while. Don't go to the bathroom for 48 hours, that's a good way to test your strength of will.

[Hawkzombie]

I had to do that once (well, 24 hrs). I thought I would never stop peeing.

[n3rdXcore]

Congrats! I quit about a year ago, and it was the best decision I've ever made. I now have more money each month, I can breathe easier, and my clothes don't smell like ass. I never realized until after I quit how horrible smokers smell all the time. It's the worst at work, when you're stuck in relatively confined spaces with people 8 hours a day.

[Handmade.Mercury]

Now switch to flavored hookah!

Are you a white college girl?

[Squidbot]

I'd rather switch to a flavoured hooker.

30 hours +

[Exodus]

I'd rather switch to a flavoured hooker.

30 hours +

A few hours after this mark I always experience a daze high of some kind. I get light headed like the first time I had a cigarette where I truly enjoyed it.

3 weeks, after 3 weeks it's smooth sailing.

[torrefaction]

I quit about a week ago. After 3 days, I'm fine. I know this cuz I had stopped for 5 years before.

[TheKeck]

I've heard using something to just stick in your mouth is a good way to take care of the psychological craving.
In all seriousness, I know a guy who says that dum-dums (little lollipop candies, in case they aren't familiar over there) are what got him through. Having the little things to both hold in his hand and stick in his mouth did wonders.

[Squidbot]

I'm using gaming to keep my mind off things. Fallen Earth patch 1.4 hit on Friday, I discovered the joy of Fallout 3 mods, APB beta session this afternoon, X3 TC, and another game...

And coffee. Lots and lots of coffee.

[rein]

I'm using gaming to keep my mind off things. Fallen Earth patch 1.4 hit on Friday, I discovered the joy of Fallout 3 mods, APB beta session this afternoon, X3 TC, and another game...

And coffee. Lots and lots of coffee.
I will join you after you quit smoking and start the inevitable quit drinking coffee thread. :)

Good luck on the not smoking.

[Exodus]

I will join you after you quit smoking and start the inevitable quit drinking coffee thread. :)

Good luck on the not smoking.

What's wrong with coffee? ain't sayin you say it's wrong but why quit coffee? D:

[Bandango]

I quit about 6 months ago and it's fantastic. I'll still smoke if I'm out drinking, but my habit is gone and I feel good.

[rein]

What's wrong with coffee? ain't sayin you say it's wrong but why quit coffee? D:{{{noth--ing}}}

Too much caffeine can make you jittery, fog up your brain, cause headaches and speed up your heart rate.

[Expugnare]

Don't knock it till you've tried it Australian!

This is the truth. I hate the smell of cigars and cigarettes, but hookah can be delicious. Now that one of my Arab friends bought a 4 hose hookah, we just set it up, invite some friends, and smoke pretty much every weekend for about an hour. It's a pretty amazing way to just relax with friends.

[chex]

I quit about 6 months ago and it's fantastic. I'll still smoke if I'm out drinking, but my habit is gone and I feel good.

Smoking while drinking is actually exponentially more damaging to your health. The two toxins combined are seven times worse for you than smoking or drinking separately.

... that said I often smoke while drinking (and I smoke cloves, which are about ten thousand times worse for your longs, because of the aenesthetic properties of the clove bud.)

[Sly Marbo]

I quite cold turkey a few years back. It's tough but you can do it, man.

[Kelegacy]

I'm using gaming to keep my mind off things. Fallen Earth patch 1.4 hit on Friday, I discovered the joy of Fallout 3 mods, APB beta session this afternoon, X3 TC, and another game...

And coffee. Lots and lots of coffee.

You know, it's against science, but I've used gaming to quit eating like a pig and stick to a diet. The first two weeks of a "lifestyle change" for me is always the hardest and if I REALLY get into a game I can forget to eat for a while, so it cuts out a lot of snacking. Yeah, I'm still sitting on my ass but it worked for me.

Keeping busy is the best thing you can do in situations such as yours. And contrary to some peoples' beliefs, gaming can be a healthy diversion.

[Spectre-7]

You know, it's against science...

Actually, I ran across a few studies (last year, I think) which found that gaming reduces pain. I wouldn't be at all surprised to find out that the effect extends to hunger and other cravings.

[Generation ABXY]

In all seriousness, I know a guy who says that dum-dums (little lollipop candies, in case they aren't familiar over there) are what got him through. Having the little things to both hold in his hand and stick in his mouth did wonders.

Was his name Theo Kojack? ;)

[Kelegacy]

Actually, I ran across a few studies (last year, I think) which found that gaming reduces pain. I wouldn't be at all surprised to find out that the effect extends to hunger and other cravings.

I guess that explains why Asians can die of starvation from MMORPGs.

I once was playing a PSP, got hit by a bus, broke my neck and my pelvis, but kept playing. It wasn't for another couple days, when I decided to pause the game, that I realized I was hurt.

I screamed in gut-wrenching agony. After that I sold my PSP and sued Sony for a billion dollars and now live in space.

[Dukefrukem]

I quit this morning.
I'm probably going to kill some of you.

Fair warning and all.

Good decision! Hard thing to do!. Keep with it.

[Sazime]

... that said I often smoke while drinking (and I smoke cloves, which are about ten thousand times worse for your longs, because of the aenesthetic properties of the clove bud.)
All I smoke are Djarum Blacks. I am doomed!

[AntonThaGreat]

http://files.sharenator.com/family_guy_smoke_family_guy_smoke-s500x333-17659-580.jpg

[Spectre-7]

After that I sold my PSP and sued Sony for a billion dollars and now live in space.

You're so lucky... I wish I got hit by a bus.

[Squidbot]

FFFFFFFFFFFFUUUUUUUUUGGGGGGGGGGGGAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAR RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

*twitch*

[Exodus]

FFFFFFFFFFFFUUUUUUUUUGGGGGGGGGGGGAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAR RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

*twitch*

I just had a smoke before settling down to breaking bad, wutzup? :D:D

[Squidbot]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v230/linvuiet/Funny%20misc/renandstimpy_wideweb__430x309.jpg

[Ox]

Cravings are just weakness leaving the body, Squid.

[torrefaction]

Squid... It's really not a big deal, once you get over the number of times you've been convinced it's a big deal.

A little iron in the will, and you're good to go. Like I said, I'm almost at a week (Quit on Monday, threw a half pack in the garbage immediately before beginning to work out again.) Don't use crutches, or it'll be that much harder.

[Squidbot]

I'm mostly kidding around. I just had a brief moment of GAH SMOKE, but it's cool. I'm simply using this thread to vent in in those brief moments when I'm not distracted.

[Narradisall]

Just roll that patch up and take a match to it.

Problem solved!

[carnage11]

It's sucks not having a cig with my coffee in the morning. But what gets me through the day is knowing that between my wife and myself we were spending almost $400 a month on cigarettes. Holy shit I can get a new car for that!

Stick with it man. We're in this together. :D

[Grifter]

In all seriousness, I know a guy who says that dum-dums (little lollipop candies, in case they aren't familiar over there) are what got him through. Having the little things to both hold in his hand and stick in his mouth did wonders.

Do we know each other?

That's exactly how I quit, I got a big bag of Dum-Dums and went Cold Turkey. It's been about 3 years now, I'll still smoke the occasional cigarette but I haven't bought a pack since.

[TheKeck]

Do we know each other?

That's exactly how I quit, I got a big bag of Dum-Dums and went Cold Turkey. It's been about 3 years now, I'll still smoke the occasional cigarette but I haven't bought a pack since.
Heh, I don't think so. The guy I know is a prison guard who lives in my neighborhood and hasn't smoked in like 20 years, I think.

[Panthera]

Actually, I ran across a few studies (last year, I think) which found that gaming reduces pain. I wouldn't be at all surprised to find out that the effect extends to hunger and other cravings.

I have definitely found it useful to lay down and play some DS while waiting for pain meds to kick in.

[SilentScreams]

I have definitely found it useful to lay down and play some DS while waiting for pain meds to kick in.

It really does work. It helped me a lot when I tore a tendon in my left arm.
A friend of mine has been in hospital for the last two weeks after surgery and I loaned him my DS because I know that having something to take your mind off the pain/discomfort can be a big help.

Edit: I also remember watching a TV show a while ago that tested the effects of other things on pain. They put a pad on some guys arm that they could turn the heat up on with a dial, and then gave him different things to do while they slowly raised the temperature until he couldn't stand it anymore.

If I remember right, swearing and smelling pleasant fragrances were the two most effective ways of dealing with the pain. If nothing else, it gives me a great excuse to swear when I hurt myself (not that I needed one :)). Science says it's ok!

[Hawkzombie]

Dum Dums are a superior lollipop...I love those things. I'd take on smoking and quit just to get a bag full.

[Squidbot]

APB is easing my pain.

[SilentScreams]

APB is easing my pain.

Is it good? I read a lot of so-so impressions in all the pre-release hands on reviews, but I still really like the idea of the game and I want it to be good.

[ShivaX]

From the game angle, any "one more turn" game can help a lot if you don't allow yourself to smoke indoors (which also helps a ton for that matter).

You can get a craving and put it off for a couple more hours as you try to research gunpowder or the like fairly easily. So Civilization might just be more addictive than many drugs in the right situation.

[Squidbot]

Civilization? As in Sid Meier? Ooooh, no, not for me. Mrs Squid yes, but not for me.
Silent, you has PM!

[evilgoodwin]

Thread resurrected.

I'm trying to quit again, for real this time. No excuses. Haven't smoked since I woke up on the 1st. The withdrawal symptoms are finally kicking in.

What did you use to help you quit?

Oh, and on the e-cigarette thing:
1) Yes, they do help you quit smoking cigarettes and make your lungs feel better in the long-run
2) They do NOT help you quit smoking entirely because you're still addicted to nicotine, like Jason Voorhees is addicted to showing young adults the error of their immoral ways. By stabbing them to death.

So I'm going cold turkey. The e-cig was a crutch and was just proof I didn't really want to quit, because it was so easy to go back to normal cigarettes as it didn't actually change habits, just methods.

I'm also not drinking for a week (at least) to stop my biggest enabler (the beer itself, and a friend of mine).

Help me.

[AntonThaGreat]

Thread resurrected.

I'm trying to quit again, for real this time. No excuses. Haven't smoked since I woke up on the 1st. The withdrawal symptoms are finally kicking in.

What did you use to help you quit?

Oh, and on the e-cigarette thing:
1) Yes, they do help you quit smoking cigarettes and make your lungs feel better in the long-run
2) They do NOT help you quit smoking entirely because you're still addicted to nicotine, like Jason Voorhees is addicted to showing young adults the error of their immoral ways. By stabbing them to death.

So I'm going cold turkey. The e-cig was a crutch and was just proof I didn't really want to quit, because it was so easy to go back to normal cigarettes as it didn't actually change habits, just methods.

I'm also not drinking for a week (at least) to stop my biggest enabler (the beer itself, and a friend of mine).

Help me.

Do not drink for a month, more if possible. I pretty much started smoking again every single time while uninhibited after a rough day and a drink.

Other than that, stay out of social situations for a while in which you usually smoke.

This is how I plan to quit, again, sometime soon. :D

[Shrinn]

Just have the willpower to stop and think before you make decisions and the desire to actually quit. You can do it!

[burger]

like Jason Voorhees is addicted to showing young adults the error of their immoral ways. By stabbing them to death..

I'm not a smoker...in fact I have nothing to really offer in this thread and I simply clicked on the thread out of complete boredom BUT I did want to compliment your use of Jason Voorhees as an analogy. I'm a sucker for the franchise and I don't think enough people fit the movies or characters into day to day conversations. :cool:

[Exodus]

That's the thing. Finding a reason to quit smoking is easy. Finding a reason to smoke is even easier. >_<

[Handmade.Mercury]

I hate smoking and I hate people who smoke.

/sweepingstatement

[AntonThaGreat]

I hate smoking and I hate people who smoke.

/sweepingstatement

http://www.bannedinhollywood.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/Haters-Gonna-Hate-Banned-In-Hollywood-16.jpg

[Serapth]

I quit smoking three years ago after smoking for 16 years and now I'm fat, easily bored, more stressed and frankly still feel like shit lungwise. Granted, I also had a kid, quit my job and relocated.

[Serapth]

Oh, to actually answer the question, I quit by smoking five Cuban cigars, almost puking my guts out, then by chewing nicotine gum when I drank, for about two or three months.

I don't recall eating more, just my metabolism went to shit. Went from 6 2 and 188 lbs to 225 lbs.

[evilgoodwin]

I'm not a smoker...in fact I have nothing to really offer in this thread and I simply clicked on the thread out of complete boredom BUT I did want to compliment your use of Jason Voorhees as an analogy. I'm a sucker for the franchise and I don't think enough people fit the movies or characters into day to day conversations. :cool:

I do my best. :D

Mainly, I'm just wondering what people did to fight the cravings, irritability, anxiety, etc. Like the Dum-Dum suckers tip (which works, I just didn't have any at the moment).

As much as I'd like to avoid all social situations, that simply isn't possible. I start school again on the 18th, which is the first real test (3 hour class with a 15 minute break). Luckily, the bar I frequented the most had its last day of business on the 31st of December, so that's one situation removed.

My willpower to quit probably won't change. I just think "I don't smoke." Not, "I'm quitting."

[carnage11]

I used the e-cig. Slowly I used it less and less. It got to the point where I'd get to the end of the day and I'd realized that I didn't even use it that day. Now I only use it during social drinking situations and what not. I don't take smoke breaks at work anymore, and I don't smoke in the car anymore.

[AntonThaGreat]

I used the e-cig. Slowly I used it less and less. It got to the point where I'd get to the end of the day and I'd realized that I didn't even use it that day. Now I only use it during social drinking situations and what not. I don't take smoke breaks at work anymore, and I don't smoke in the car anymore.

Smoking in the car is probably going to be the hardest for me...

Music, check. Cigarette, check. Lead foot, check. Let's roll.

[carnage11]

I do find myself eating a lot more in the car though. It's like driving isn't enough, I have to be doing something else. I can't even fathom when cars can drive themselves and we are just left there to stare out the window.

[OUX]

Fuckdamncrapshit. This sucks. Only day 5.

[evilgoodwin]

I never have trouble with a week. After that, though...

[OUX]

I swear to god, I have every withdrawal symptom you can have. Headaches, sweats, shakes, nauseated, diarrhea, aches, irritation. Blargh.

[EternalGamer]

This thread makes me want a cigarette.


Haven't you ever done something you knew was stupid? Ever procrastinated on a paper or project, knowing it was just going to hurt you in the long run? Ever gone drinking with the full knowledge you'd have a nasty hangover? Ever stayed up too late when you knew you had to be up early in the morning?

I dunno, maybe lifelong non-smokers never do anything stupid. In that case, I envy you guys more than you will ever imagine.

Yeah, but eating unhealthy or procrastinating is actually enjoyable. As far as I can tell, the pleasure of smoking is mostly connected with the enjoyment you get from relieving the craving.

I have smoked on occasion and I honestly never understood the appeal. I get a little tingly and light headed for like 3 minutes and that is it.

I have no problem undertanding the idea of sacrificing a part of my health or the longevity of my life if that thing is worth it. Nicotine just seems like a really shitty drug, though. If you are willing to knock some time off your life for temporary pleasures of drugs, there are many, many drugs that are way better. In fact, just about all of them are better than nicotine. Nicotine makes even Vicodine seem cool.

[carnage11]

I fucking quit for 5 months and now I'm back to smoking again, because my wife started back up. Dammit!

[evilgoodwin]

Yeah, but eating unhealthy or procrastinating is actually enjoyable. As far as I can tell, the pleasure of smoking is mostly connected with the enjoyment you get from relieving the craving.

I have smoked on occasion and I honestly never understood the appeal. I get a little tingly and light headed for like 3 minutes and that is it.

I have no problem undertanding the idea of sacrificing a part of my health or the longevity of my life if that thing is worth it. Nicotine just seems like a really shitty drug, though. If you are willing to knock some time off your life for temporary pleasures of drugs, there are many, many drugs that are way better. In fact, just about all of them are better than nicotine. Nicotine makes even Vicodine seem cool.

The appeal is there, but it's really just an alleviation of withdrawal symptoms that've developed because of how much we smoke. So... yay?

[OUX]

Yeah, but eating unhealthy or procrastinating is actually enjoyable.

And smoking isn't? Grow up.

[BigJonno]

And smoking isn't? Grow up.

Did you actually read the rest of his post where he does a perfectly acceptable job of explaining himself? I happen to agree; I've never seen the appeal of smoking, especially cigarettes (as opposed to some quality cigars or pipe tobacco, which I must admit I've enjoyed in the past.) Feel free to disagree with the viewpoint, but telling EG to grow up was utterly uncalled for.

I'm going to blame the withdrawal and not think you're a big meanie poopie head.

[Ink Asylum]

Here's an honest question from a non-smoker: How and why did you start?

It ties into what's been pointed out about other vices. Their positive sides are immediate. Unhealthy food tastes great, and it isn't until much later that the negative effects hit you. The same with procrastination, you get immediate rewards for being lazy and only suffer later. Even a lot of hard drugs give you an intense high right away.

Cigarettes just seem like a lot of up front hassle for very little immediate reward. I've taken a drag off a cigarette and it was extremely unpleasant with pretty much nothing appealing about it. If you were to tell me right after that first puff that I just need to soldier through until my body develops an addiction that I can then satisfy, I'd ask why anyone would bother.

[OUX]

Did you actually read the rest of his post where he does a perfectly acceptable job of explaining himself? I happen to agree; I've never seen the appeal of smoking, especially cigarettes (as opposed to some quality cigars or pipe tobacco, which I must admit I've enjoyed in the past.) Feel free to disagree with the viewpoint, but telling EG to grow up was utterly uncalled for.

I'm going to blame the withdrawal and not think you're a big meanie poopie head.
http://charmcitycurrent.com/bmorenerdy/files/2011/01/godzilla78-500x365.jpg

[BigJonno]

http://randomdistraction.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/Mechagodzilla.jpg

[OUX]

http://www.reviewbusters.net/images/movie/godzilla_vs_mechagodzilla_II_002.jpg

[BigJonno]

http://img.listal.com/image/917382/600full-godzilla-vs.-mechagodzilla-screenshot.jpg

[OUX]

http://blastr.com/assets_c/2010/09/godzvsmegagod-thumb-330x225-48080.jpg

[TrackZero]

Go Godzilla, wreck that fool!

[Banacek]

I smoked a pack a day for almost 9 years. I quit over 6 years ago. Sadly, the way I quit is pretty hard to duplicate. I was violently ill for about a week, constantly vomiting not matter what. Since I couldn't smoke without vomiting I didn't smoke for the week. After the week was over I said 'Fuck it, let's keep going.' I went and got the patch for when the cravings got too bad. The other thing I did, which you might think is weird, was rub the patch every time I got a craving. It was a mental thing I did to replace my habit of smoking. Of course this might only work for me, but it did work and for that I'm grateful. Hope this helps.

[Ink Asylum]

http://dreager1.files.wordpress.com/2011/05/mothra1.jpg

[BigJonno]

http://movie.masjo.com/images/godzilla-against-mechagodzilla.jpg

[OUX]

http://images3.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20100718081655/godzilla/images/2/22/Godzilla-vs-mechagodzilla_288x288.jpg

[BigJonno]

http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20101205233129/godzilla/images/a/a2/Mechagodzillaadasfdas.jpg

[OUX]

http://www.freewebs.com/gojirascrater/Breath.jpg

[Vandabo]

This thread took an interesting turn.

[BigJonno]

http://www.allamericanpatriots.com/files/images/mushroom-cloud.jpg

[OUX]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2700/4474430318_ea37e5d3be_m.jpg

[Ink Asylum]

Well, at least he's smoking in that last pic.

[BigJonno]

k6rDWqjnW7w

Best. Derail. Ever.

[OUX]

The comments are great.

[Bone]

So, I picked up an e-cig starter pack this Monday, the 20th. Made it through the whole day and through band practice that night, but bummed a real cigarette after practice. The next night, we played a killer show and had some beers- I ended up smoking only about four real cigarettes (and I was almost up to a pack a day habit again).

The rest of the week I've used nothing but the e-cig, and I'm getting used to it. I don't really like it, even though it delivers nicotine and satisfies the hand-to-mouth habit of smoking. For one, the nicotine delivery is a little stronger, so I'm alternately dizzy/nauseated when I hit the thing too much, and then I get hyper like a kid with a stash of Halloween candy. Two, the taste isn't there- it tastes more like dry-hitting an old tobacco pipe. So I find I'm not using the e-cig as much as I might smoke real ones.

To answer some of the "why smoke?" questions: I really liked the taste of Camel Lights. I mean that Turkish blend was fucking delicious, even though I know what it smells like to other people (I'm one of them now). Also- and my dad described this to me years before he quit smoking- that first cigarette of the day is almost as good as the afterglow of good sex. It's that relaxing. It makes you want to sit down and sigh.

In that regard, I think it's why quitting smoking is considered as hard as quitting heroin or cocaine. The brain gets used to that high, and gets depressed without it. My endorphins (or whatever) that I'm used to controlling are now going to make me their bitch, and I suppose this is like any other addict getting used to "regular" life. I've done it before, for up to two years at a time, and I just hope it sticks. Just gets harder every time I relapse.

[Bone]

Plug it in your USB port
Not sure if this was a joke- but mine indeed charges in a USB port. It's bizarre but I got a new gadget out of trying to quit. Yay.

Love these things, but I use them as a personal vaporizer. Plus you have to have a good model, like the Joye510
Personal vaporizer, eh? I wish to subscribe to your newsletter.

[carnage11]

Bone, the e-cig worked for me. The problem was, I finally weened myself off the e-cig and was done. Then my wife started smoking and the urge was still there, festering deep down inside my black smoke filled soul. If you are trying the e-cig you can not continue to smoke regular cigs. You have to want to stop and you have to really change your entire life, otherwise you'll just pick it back up again.

[EternalGamer]

n-wUdetAAlY

[Bone]

Bone, the e-cig worked for me. The problem was, I finally weened myself off the e-cig and was done. Then my wife started smoking and the urge was still there, festering deep down inside my black smoke filled soul. If you are trying the e-cig you can not continue to smoke regular cigs. You have to want to stop and you have to really change your entire life, otherwise you'll just pick it back up again.

Oh, I know man, and I appreciate the reminder. I only smoked the first two days of it, but your words ring true. Problem is, I've wanted to stop and really change my entire life before, and lasted up to two years as I said. I watched my uncle get emphysema and have it slowly make him unable to even go out and get his mail. I've had his wife (my aunt of course) plead with me, crying, to get me to stop. Their retirement was going to be spent traveling around the world- now... not at all. He can't really go anywhere, and if he does, it's with his oxygen bottle. He's gotten very fat now due to the inactivity.

My dad quit ten years ago after many, many years of smoking. Recently developed cancer in his face, and whether or not that was from smoking, it's a wake-up call to me.

Even with that- I continued to smoke. I don't think any of you who know me IRL would say I'm dumb (although I do behave foolishly at times), it's just that hard to quit!

Avoiding bars would be easier if I didn't play live music- and that, I'm not going to quit. So I need to be very conscious of both my drinking and all my friends going out for smoke breaks.

[TheKeck]

Also- and my dad described this to me years before he quit smoking- that first cigarette of the day is almost as good as the afterglow of good sex. It's that relaxing. It makes you want to sit down and sigh.

But... did you have this experience with the first cigarette you smoked? The first pack?

[OUX]

But... did you have this experience with the first cigarette you smoked? The first pack?

I always hate this argument. Very, very little is ever the best the first time. Was beer good the first time you drank it? Did you peak sexually when you lost your vcard? Was the fifth element a good movie the first time you watched it? Was your first game of tennis awesome, or the first time you strummed a guitar fantastic?

No, obviously. It is just something you pick up. You find yourself in a situation to do it and it happens. It isn't like buying a car, shopping around for a habit. It is more like one day you realize that you have bought 3 packs in the last five days out of the blue. Congrats, you're a smoker.

[Ink Asylum]

Well, I asked how most people got into smoking, but that was followed by a page of Godzilla.

A lot of things are pretty great the first time. They do get better, but they start out at least some kind of positive.

Sex certainly feels mindblowing the first time, which is why it's usually so short. :) The Fifth Element was pretty amazing the first time I saw it, too, and it lasted much longer than the first time I had sex.

As for tennis and playing the guitar, you're talking about skills you want to acquire in order to improve yourself/pursue a dream/get into a more rewarding career. Doesn't really compare to smoking.

[Serapth]

But... did you have this experience with the first cigarette you smoked? The first pack?

As OUX pointed out, many first suck.

First lay ( yeah, generally it sucks )
First coffee ( that shit is awful )
First beer
First hard drink


There are many aquired tastes in life. Now, why the fuck we aquire them, that is a completely different conversation, but smoking is no different.


And smoking has a huge effect, its just dealt in many smaller doses. I was never so calm, or less manic as when I was a smoker.

[OUX]

Of course it does. I am talking about an activity you enjoy not the perceived value of the activity. Self-improvement, career or otherwise. Most people I know aren't better for being able to play Freebird. The more you do something the more you enjoy it for the most part.

[Serapth]

Well, I asked how most people got into smoking

That sounds like a thread... off to the thread mobile!

[Ink Asylum]

At least with sex your body practically demands you do it long before most people actually lose their virginity. There's little else in the world that you have cravings for before you even know what it's like.

[Blue]

I always hate this argument. Very, very little is ever the best the first time. Was beer good the first time you drank it? Did you peak sexually when you lost your vcard? Was the fifth element a good movie the first time you watched it? Was your first game of tennis awesome, or the first time you strummed a guitar fantastic?

No, obviously. It is just something you pick up. You find yourself in a situation to do it and it happens. It isn't like buying a car, shopping around for a habit. It is more like one day you realize that you have bought 3 packs in the last five days out of the blue. Congrats, you're a smoker.

Uh.... yes.

[Ink Asylum]

Of course it does. I am talking about an activity you enjoy not the perceived value of the activity. Self-improvement, career or otherwise. Most people I know aren't better for being able to play Freebird. The more you do something the more you enjoy it for the most part.

I understand how habits are pleasing once they're habits, but that doesn't explain how you start. Before picking up their first cigarette did you aspire to be a smoker the way people aspire to be guitarists?

Perhaps some do, because of peer pressure or seeing cool people smoke. That's what I'm curious about from people who say they are smokers. What made you start?

[Serapth]

How I started smoking thread is a go, super status AH OK number 111! (http://www.colonyofgamers.com/cogforums/showthread.php?p=825612#post825612)

[evilgoodwin]

Edit: Moved to appropriate thread.

[Vandabo]

YpQdqWfuL-U

[TheKeck]

Let's just say that I'm totally feeling what Ink is saying (which is why I made my comment in the first place) and still confused by some of your answers. To answer some of your questions.

Was beer good the first time you drank it? Never drank it.
Did you peak sexually when you lost your vcard? Certainly I "peaked" ;).
Was the fifth element a good movie the first time you watched it? Meh, it's not too bad. I haven't grown to like it more.
Was your first game of tennis awesome, or the first time you strummed a guitar fantastic? See Ink's comments.

As OUX pointed out, many first suck.

First lay ( yeah, generally it sucks ) - Not in the least.
First coffee ( that shit is awful ) - Never drank it.
First beer Never drank it. - Never drank it.
First hard drink - Never drank it.
:p


There are many aquired tastes in life. Now, why the fuck we aquire them, that is a completely different conversation.
I believe this is exactly the question Ink was asking, in a way.

[OUX]

Let's just say that I'm totally feeling what Ink is saying (which is why I made my comment in the first place) and still confused by some of your answers. To answer some of your questions.



I believe this is exactly the question Ink was asking, in a way.

This is why they say morons are born dead.