OK Smokers....

[K8-EEE]

Hey if you need another reason to quit how about every puff is a GWB supporting action!

I saw a post in the Lounge that reminded me of that. It's not even the number one reason to quit! BUT IT'S NUMBER TWO! Right after "those things will KILL YOU..."

I have a GWB-hating smoker friend, I wonder if he has ever thought about that aspect of it.

[Lorien]

1. I have one too

she's trying to quit (again), but she fears that Philip Morris may own her soul. It's tough on her, and tough on those of us who care about her too!

:-(

[HuskerDem]

2. The three day hump

I did smoke........ five years ago I quit. I did it with Tic-Tacs and really good books and my bike. If you can go for 72 hours without Nicotine you can stop forever.

[kayell]

3. I quit 11/6/2004 No more money for the pukes.

My Stats:
Your Quit Date is: 11/6/2004 11:00:00 AM
Time Smoke-Free: 18 days, 1 hour, 18 minutes and 50 seconds
Cigarettes NOT smoked: 361
Lifetime Saved: 2 days, 18 hours
Money Saved: $51.30*

*this figure would be much higher in almost any other state in the country. Everyday I am withholding money from the puke supporters.

Tell hime to get on over to www.quitnet.com
There are even forums and clubs for people with different interests. He can quit along with fellow dems.

[K8-EEE]

4. Yay!!! GOOD FOR YOU!

I like your way of calculating your savings too. I'm gonna pass that one on.

I made a deal with myself that I would quit at age 25 because even in my smoking days I noticed that old smokers looked older and sicker than everyone else. So I quit my 25th b-day, Jan 2, 1985. Wow...it will be 20 years in Jan!!! THAT is unbelievable.

Truly I would not be hiking and swimming like I do now if I hadn't quit all those years ago, saving myself 20 years of smoking damage, it's the best thing I ever did.

[Lorien]

5. Good for both of you!

I've seen how tough it is for both friends and family members; quitting is a MAJOR accomplishment!

And my gosh-you do save a bundle of $$$ by quitting too! :wow:

[K8-EEE]

6. It's Like Lighting $10 Bills on Fire Every Day!

It wasn't as expensive when I smoked...I was shocked to find out how much they cost now!

[HuskerDem]

7. When I moved to North Carolina I was a smoker in smoker heaven

I could buy cigs for 50 cents a pack. No.......... It wasn't the stone age. It was 1992.

I was at the store a few weeks ago and a positively lovely young girl walked up to the counter and asked for a pack of menthol cigarettes. It was really sad to see. The price was shocking too. Over three dollars............... Yee Gads. I am SO GLAD I quit.

In addition to the regular stuff, like tasting my food and not smelling like an ashtray - my whole family is healthier. We don't get sick anymore. All of the colds and bronchitis that were a normal expected part of life have vanished with the smoke.

[vinessa4freedom]

8. I'm trying not to be weak

Quitting is the toughest thing in the world. You are a great inspiration! Thank you and Congrats!

I wish I never started. Yuckiest habit in the world

[JaneDoughnut]

9. I can't quit

I know I need to, but I'm simply not ready. I'm willing to switch to an organic cigarette or something in the mean time, though. Any suggestions?

[crispini]

10. You'll probably have to try a boutique smoke shop

and do some research on the web. Now that American Spirit's been bought by Marlboro I don't know of any.

[K8-EEE]

11. Well, If You Don't Want To Support Phillip Morris....

or Altria or whatever it is, giant GWB supporters. Check out Dunhills....that is what I smoked when I smoked, they are strong and delicious -- yes I still think so after 20 years, LOL!

But the hard cravings part DOES go away. I don't miss the after-smell and the car smell and the smell on my clothes and all that, but if somebody lit up a Dunhill in front of my right now I'd go AAAHHHHH!!

Now back in the day I think these were Brit imports? I used to have to go to a smoke shop and get them. By now they have prob been bought by a a GWB congomerate compadre!!

[JaneDoughnut]

12. Thanks

I'll see if Up In Smoke has those. I don't think they had any organics.

[prolesunited]

13. Quitting smoking is the BEST form of economic activism

Think of all the money YOU will save on cigarettes. Why talk about clipping coupons and best values when you're simply going to let it all go in a cloud of smoke?

Also, your money is going to corporate GOP backers who are exporting death to other countries since they face such a backlash here. Your money is going to getting poor people addicted in other countries.

Next, think of future medical costs. How many diseases, ones that will literally KILL you, are associated with smoking? You might get "lucky" and have a massive heart attack and just keel over. Or perhaps you'll just suffer a lingering, painful death from cancer or emphysema.

I know this all sounds harsh, but this was the soundtrack loop I played in my head prior to quitting a couple of years ago. It was the hardest thing I had ever done. I started first with aversion therapy, making myself think all sorts of horrible things when I smoked for about a month beforehand.

It got to the point where instead of relaxing when I smoked, I would nearly have a panic attack picturing myself gasping for air. Then, I just picked a quit date and stopped cold turkey. I did it over the weekend and pretty much just spent two days in bed, sleeping as much as I could and eating whatever I wanted and drinking a ton of water.

The first week was a living hell, but it got progressively easier. I avoided smokers and didn't drink for about four months because I knew I would give in to temptation. Now, I can be around both and it doesn't bother me.

I now have high blood pressure and asthma, both of which suck. Heredity and allergies play into both of these conditions, but perhaps I wouldn't have these problems now if only I hadn't started or at least stopped sooner.

The Lounge is an excellent support group for wannabe ex-smokers. A number of people have quit with the help of DUers. I know it helped me.

JUST QUIT!!! You really can do it.

[JaneDoughnut]

14. Yeah, duh, I know all that

But that doesn't change the fact that it is both a psychological and physical addiction, and you must be ready and motivated before you can quit successfully.