I am trying (again) to quit, managed 10 days without a puff – but then just cracked and had one due to the influence of beer / company. Didn’t really like it tho which I guess is a good thing. Anyone else struggling?

stop moanin g its easy i did it being fit outways all pathetic smoke based excuses never smoke fags again you will win there just a waste
get on your bike anytime you want to smoke or else look at the dead beats who smoke

Does your keyboard not have any punctuation, or a shift key?

Or are you really wound up all the time since you stopped smoking and dont have the patience for punctuation or using capitals or anything like that god isnt life a pain but at least you can be sanctimonious towards smokers who are after all the spawn of satan and its so much better being smug and righteous all the time

Sorry, just nipping to get me lighter; back in a mo… 😉

Stick with it Joe. I smoked from the age of 13 to 41 then successfully kicked it into almost exactly 2 years ago. Catalyst for me wasn’t NRT, but the Allen Carr’s Easyway To Stop Smoking book. I was so sceptical I decided just to loan it from the library, but it worked for me. Pisses me off that I was addicted so long, but hey!

BTW, that was aimed at fotherington. Good luck with quitting. I ought to, but don’t actually want to. You really have to want to quit, to make it work. I still enjoy me cigs.

Filthy, spensive habit, mind.

Good point RudeBoy … the birth of my son in February 2007 was why I wanted to stop.

Yeah, don’t worry – loved the reply actually! I definitely agree that you will only quit when/if you want to. When I WAS smoking I loved them too, but turns out they were plotting to kill me all along…
Thanks for the support and good luck to those doing the same

.
Smoking’s for losers.

.
And in the words of Mark Twain :

"Giving up smoking is the easiest thing in the world. I know because I’ve done it thousands of times."

Hey rudeboy iam jyust to chilled to care since i dumped the weed the point is lost now in a haze of wine however blah blah do not smoke ride your bike that is all

I love smoking even though I only have two or three a night.. bar w/ends when it’s five or six. still got the speed of a cheetah and the endurance of a migrating bird and I’m 40yrs old. Alcohol does far more damage to me than a few smirks.

44yrs old wathched the old man die of cancer your fooling your self if only few fags then easy no fags

Kev, I particularly enjoy getting to the top of a climb, then sit at the top, having a cig, waiting for the others to catch up…

It does bother some people, that I smoke whilst riding, though. Reminds, me, I need to fit an ashtray to my bike.

I swim 3-5 miles a week. I figure, that if I can do that, and bike about everywhere, then I’m not doing too badly. If I end up coughing like a bastard, after making an effort, then it’s time to stop.

Is that **** pizza done yet, or what?

yo rude boy

the
man in black is catching up also

Ooh! Is he bringing me Milk Tray?

I prefer Black Magic.

"2 equally terrifying games in one". I think I’ve just messed meself, at the mere thought of it…

no i ment johnny cash silly

Bolo Zenden.

a footballer?

If you want to quit but are finding it tough, I would recommend the NHS website smokefree.nhs.uk. (Sorry not sure how to put a link up) They have info on quitting, NRT and local support. Good luck!

Further to Millsonwheels’ post, I’m the Stop-Smoking Specialist for the NHS in North Devon.

The thing with smoking is that it’s a hugely complex addiction that affects people in different ways, meaning there’s no specific ‘right way’ to give up. People will always tell you that they tried this and that but the way they gave up is the only way to do it. The fact is, that’s the only way THEY could do it. You’re an individual with specific needs.

What everyone’s got right on here though is that you really have to want to give up. I meet a number of people who try and give up because they know they should, but don’t really want to. This is particularly common with pregnant women, a lot of whom start smoking again once the baby’s born.

The purpose of my role is to offer an objective view of people’s addictions, , and provide evidence-based advice and planning. Coming from a medical background, I also have a thorough knowledge of smoking-related disease. It’s definately not my job to tell you what to do or make you feel guilty if you don’t succeed. If you want to speak to someone like myself, then call the national helpline on 0845 169 0169. The number for your local service can also be found on the gosmokefree website.

With regards to your specific post, it sounds like you’re not too happy that you had that one, although it’s a good sign that you didn’t really enjoy it. Giving up smoking is very much a learning experience. I’d suggest you reflect on this and use it to plan for similar situations in the future (unless you’re never going to have a drink again). Otherwise, just keep up the good work.

For the folks who say they’re not bothered ’til they coughing their guts up, it’s worth remembering that smoking doesn’t just affect the respiratory system. The multitude of toxins in cigarette smoke affect every cell in the body (bladder cancer is a right laugh). And if you are smoking when you’re out riding, please take your fag butts home with you. 😉

I swim 3-5 miles a week. I figure, that if I can do that, and bike about everywhere, then I’m not doing too badly.

A colleague thought that too. She was a brown belt at karate and had just finished her first 10km run. Diagnosis to death was a very painful 6 months and she karked it 6 weeks before her 16-year-old son got his GCSE results.

Smoking is just ******* stupid, frankly.

And if you are smoking when you’re out riding, please take your fag butts home with you

Why? Do they not just rot? I mean, they are designed to be biodegradable, surely?

I agree with every single (rational) argument against smoking. However, until smoking is outlawed, it is my choice to smoke. I try my best not to let it affect others, and don’t smoke that much at all. I can survive without my Cancer Sticks.

Plus, there are many, many other factors that can contribute towards cancer. Such as toxic fumes from car exhausts. We’re doomed!

My GP thinks my smoking habits are not particularly worrying; I smoke on average less than 10 a week. 10 too many, I know. But sh1tloads less than a lot of people.

I’ve known of super-fit non-smoking teetotallers to drop dead before they’re 40.

So just leave me be. Respect my choice, and Legal Right, and I’ll respect yours.

My GP thinks my smoking habits are not particularly worrying

Well change your GP then – he’s clearly some sort of ****.

Or a racist.

Gus, I think SHE is merely putting my level of smoking into perspective, compared with her other patients, some of whom do 40-60 A DAY. She still says that any smoking at all is harmful, though.

She’s actually really nice. Very gentle and patient. Really listens to people. The favourite doctor at the surgery, apparently. Not, as you so eloquently put it, a ‘****’. What a sexist, misogynist oaf you are, to assume my GP is male. This is the 21st century, mate. Women have important jobs too, you know.

Anyway, how are you, you grizzly old ****?

Why? Do they not just rot? I mean, they are designed to be biodegradable, surely?

Yes, because caring for the environment is right at the top of the British American Tobacco Company’s list of priorities. Environmentally, smoking is one of the single worst things you can do. (Just like it is for your health.)

Environmental impact of smoking: http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/02/smoking_environ.php (looks like the filters aren’t biodegradable from that link)

Joe, if you try all the usual methods and none work, which was the case for me. Get in touch with your gp and have a word with them and see if they will prescribe zyban.
Its a 60 day course, you continue to smoke for the first 10 days whilst taking the pills.On the 11th day you just stop smoking but carry on with the pills for another 50 days. Job done! That was 5 years ago and i havent wanted a cigarette since. There can be some side affects but fortunately for me i didnt seem to be affected. But obviously he / she will discuss them with you.

The favourite doctor at the surgery

Well that’s hardly surprising – she obviously tells patients stuff which they want to hear. I guess the GPs which tell it as it really is, risk being somewhat less popular.

Why don’t you suggest that she reads this :

Health consequences of smoking 1–4 cigarettes per day

Also maybe suggest to her that she starts doing her highly paid job properly ?

On the question of her being female. Yes I’m aware that it’s been known for women to qualify as doctors, however, I tend to assume that women choose female doctors, and men choose male doctors. Why did you choose a female GP – is their a shortage of male doctors in your area ?

And yes, I’m very well thank you for asking. But hey, the fact that I don’t smoke probably contributes to that.

> although I’ve developed a slight jaw ache from excessive chain-chewing nicorette gum.

Gus, I think she was merely telling me that my level of smoking wasn’t as much a cause for concern as other peoples’. She did point out that any smoking is still bad. But also that my general good health was a positive thing (I’m still statistically less likely to die of heart-attack than a non-smoker who never exercises). All a matter of perspective. Deal with the serious issues first, then tackle the smaller ones. And the fact that I acknowledge the health risks of smoking, is at least a start.

Miketually;; that’s a bit of a revelation, I have to say. I shall certainly have to act on that.

I’m going to fit an ashtray to my bike.

Gus- she’s just the doctor that I got. Unlike you, I am not sexist, and believe that women can do as good a job as men. So I don’t have an issue with seeing a female doctor.

And I prefer to be poked and prodded by a woman. They are gentler. And smell nicer.

Miketually;; that’s a bit of a revelation, I have to say. I shall certainly have to act on that.

So it had never occurred to you that your foul disgusting habit could have had an impact on the environment ?

Every time you discard your tar-laden cancer-causing dog-ends, you leave potential health hazards scattered everywhere. Health hazards which could possibly have serious consequences on say, an ant, as it goes about it’s lawful business. And what a monstrous injustice that would be on an innocent creature which insists on living a well organised and highly disciplined life – unlike you.

🙁

And if you are smoking when you’re out riding, please take your fag butts home with you

Why? Do they not just rot? I mean, they are designed to be biodegradable, surely?

About 10 years for a fag butt to biodegrade. They’re no different to any other litter, pisses me off that smokers don’t see it that way and leave them where ever they happen to have smoked. Some, maybe most, not all… of course.

Smoking really is for cretins isn’t it. I find it hard to see how anyone possessed of the smallest grain of intelligence and will power can do that to themselves. On the plus side, it puts money in the Chancellor’s pockets and is a fine example of Darwinism in action…

We should encourage smokers to smoke more for Alastair Darling’s coffers 😯

I find it hard to see how anyone possessed of the smallest grain of intelligence and will power can do that to themselves

Have you any idea how much will power it takes to persevere with starting smoking until you get to the point where you can smoke a cigarette without wanting to throw up? It’s not for the faint-hearted!

Best of luck joe1983 and anyone else who is trying to free themselves. I’ll be stopped 3 weeks tomorrow and reckon I’ve cracked it (again).

Everyone’s different but the Allan Carr book works for me – it helps get me into a healthy frame of mind and healthy people don’t smoke do they? The hard bit is staying stopped once you are over the initial enthusiasm. If you can recognise the triggers that make you want to smoke then that’s half the battle.

Good luck

It baffles me. Then again, as a small, child, I watched my grandfather die slowly and painfully from lung cancer. Don’t get me wrong, if people want to smoke, that’s their business and as long as they don’t inflict their carciogenic exhalations and fumes on me that’s fine. But buying a ticket in the lung and throat cancer lottery – ever met someone who’s had their larynx removed? – is just plain stupid. Unless, of course, you really think there’s a plus side to something that screws your lung function, affects your brain chemistry, makes you stink like an ashtray full or fag butts and, as a special bonus, stands a great chance of killing you in the long term. 😉

I gave up on new year. that is all, just cut down to only smoking if your going to have a drink, then reduce your drinking, then have a night of too much drinking and smoking, then stop and don’t go back 🙂

works for me, everytime.

Nice of so many non-smokers to drop in here for a bit of self congratulation!

Its absolutely true that you will never give up until you have a decent reason – mine was having a kid on the way. I’m not saying you can’t. If you keep everything in moderation it becomes hard to convince yourself to quit, because I reckon you get 95% of the enjoyment of smoking out of about 5% of the cigarettes you smoke. For instance with a drink or having a sit down after a big day in the hills.

As for all this hysteria about dropping dead at 40-50, the odd cigarette is going to have no material effect on your odds of survival. Cut out the pointless ones and don’t worry about the odd one here and there.

Anyway, why this obsession with living forever?! I am watching a collection of grandparents slowly decline into full time care. Their quality of life is rubbish. A couple of them could have checked out already, and might have been better for it.

(Reads GG’s post, hangs head in shame. Decides to learn to drive, and buy a big 4×4, as that’s much better for the environment!)

Trouble is, I am obviously too stupid to see why I should give up smoking, as I’m a Cretin.

As were these people:

Bunch of thick ****, the lot of them. None of whom had any lasting legacy, either…

hardest thing i ever did (am doing?) Only smoked for a few years, but still trying to break the habit. Gave up mid 2007, drifted between smoking lots, some and none for the rest of that year, occasional ciggies through ’08 (mostly when pissed). Along with a lot of guilt Haven’t had one this year and hope to keep it that way.

Still crave them when driving and when feeling awkward, around new people and that.

I know people who’ve kicked the smack but not the fags!

stopped just before christmas

feel a lot better for it

4 weeks on monday 🙂

i’m starting to forget to remeber that i used to smoke, which i guess means i’m starting to get over it

You just don’t get it do you Rudeboy ?

……. every one of those smokers who’s pics you’ve posted, are now dead.

Erm but how did they die, GG?

Wasn’t because of smoking, was it?

Eh? Eh?