Suffering with the fags

[Bigmallly]

I've never smoked and find the smell of smoke, fresh or stale, repulsive. I can mostly avoid being near people that smell like an ashtray

Isn't it strange how we can't abide different things as I feel exactly the same way around someone who has had a drink, I can't abide it the same way you can't abide been near a smoker................but I would not dream of asking anyone to stop drinking, in fact I always have drink in for visitors even though I think it is the route of all evil.

The reason for this post is because it is a support thread for redscar not one for soap box comments.

[Alison]

Have the full costs of smoking (and treating the effects of smoking) been taken into account here?

- direct costs to NHS of treating smoking related illness
- ditto for treating passive smoking illnesses
- revenue (income tax) lost from people not working, due to illness or early death
- money not spent on fags will be spent on other things, hence generating more VAT for the Govt
- and lots of other things I can't think of right now

Think it's impossible to work it out accurately across the whole scheme of things. You only point out very valid costs but they are somewhat offset by the fact that more smokers die younger therefore don't need as much geriatric care, state pension etc. What is clear however is that it's much better for the individual (and those around them) to give up smoking so good on those who are trying .

[areia]

well done i finally kicked it good and proper when i fell pregnant just over 3 and a half yrs ago, cold turkey, and this time ( apart from the fact they are blimin expensive now ) I really have lost the urge,

Now im on receiving end my OH is on week 3 hes on 24 hr patches and if he gets bad the odd tablet thingy. the last week hes not had the urge for the extra tablet,
do you want to give up yes well tell yourself that often

[redser]

Well done to both of you!

[Currysniffa]

I stopped smoking 6 years ago. I found it tuff at first but as the days turn into weeks and months its became easier. I don't even think about them now its like I'd never smoked. So just keep going.

If you really want to stop smoking. Your half way there already!

[bubblewrap]

well done i finally kicked it good and proper when i fell pregnant just over 3 and a half yrs ago, cold turkey, and this time ( apart from the fact they are blimin expensive now ) I really have lost the urge,

Now im on receiving end my OH is on week 3 hes on 24 hr patches and if he gets bad the odd tablet thingy. the last week hes not had the urge for the extra tablet,

What's he going to use to wean him off the patches & tablets after all It's still nicotine.?
I was a HEAVY smoker 2 x 50 grams of drum a week & I went cold turkey as the patches worked out just as expensive as the tobacco.

[petal]

The allan carr easyway rejects the use of patches to get your fix. You realise you are a drug addict and that this evil drug has imprisoned you. its such a good book and really helped me through a difficult time.

[Glutton4...]

If only my Husband would read the ruddy book - I've read it, and I don't smoke!

Well done to get this far, Redser. Good on ya!

[redser]

Thanks, 2 weeks tomorrow. 1 week since the wobbler that started this thread

[mothhawk]

Thanks, 2 weeks tomorrow. 1 week since the wobbler that started this thread

...............

[Patchninja]

Redser, you're a star!
For anyone reading this thinking of giving up - if you want to use patches or any other help available, then I say Go for it. It's not just the nicotine you have to get rid of, it's the thing about having something in your hands, fiddling etc...... it's very easy to stop the patches etc. I certainly needed patches as well as the tabs you put under your tongue but only needed them for a couple of weeks. I think anything that leads to success id fine by me. Some peeps can go cold turkey but it wasn't for me. The important thing is to be fag free! How you get there doesn't really matter and it's horses for courses. Just do it!

[smallblueplanet]

Hey Red, hope you're still trying to stop smoking, I skipped bits of the thread. Keep going! As Patch says it's horses for courses as to how you do it, but the key thing is wanting to. Really wanting to.

I gave up over 10 years ago and it's one of the best things I've ever done. It wasn't easy and when I started, after ages thinking about it and some failed attempts, it still wasn't easy. But each time you stop smoking for longer you realise what you can do.

I feel so much better for not smoking.

I'm NOT stopping drinking though...

[Glutton4...]

Congratumalations on your two weeks of smelling fab! Well done!

[Alison]

Redser, you're a star!
For anyone reading this thinking of giving up - if you want to use patches or any other help available, then I say Go for it. It's not just the nicotine you have to get rid of, it's the thing about having something in your hands, fiddling etc...... it's very easy to stop the patches etc. I certainly needed patches as well as the tabs you put under your tongue but only needed them for a couple of weeks. I think anything that leads to success id fine by me. Some peeps can go cold turkey but it wasn't for me. The important thing is to be fag free! How you get there doesn't really matter and it's horses for courses. Just do it!

Sounds like you were lucky with the patches etc as I know several people who really struggled to give up both patches and gum and ended up using them for several years, finding it harder to kick them then they had to kick the fags. I know they work for some people but you do have to be careful.

[redser]

Thanks for the words of support. 2 things that are working for me this time are making a big effort to be a hermit. If I'd tried carrying on my normal routine life it would have been harder. So it's been pretty much home and work. Sounds boring but if it gets me to a certain point then it's worth it. Maybe winter is a good time to try?
The other thing is this thread. It would be self-indulgent to expect it to go on forever but it really has helped coming in every day and reading the words of support and success stories, so thanks.
Anyone else quitting?