as with alcoholics you won't get a smoker to give up until they decide to give up themselves.
I teach smoking cessation and have a sis who is a smoker she knows she should give up but she doesn't really want to because she is not ready yet.

It is sad watching someone slowly kill themselves with smoking but there is not a lot you can do besides give them the information on why they should stop and then leave it up to them, constant reminders make them more determined not to give up

It makes me MAD..........you want your friend to do something that YOU want her to do and she doesn't!!!
Everyone who smokes know the risks that go with it......and some people are happy to live like that.....and if that is what SHE wants, then YOU have to learn to live with and respect her decision.....
I am a smoker, have given up a couple of times, but once a smoker, always a smoker....
Last time i gave up was August 2006 as we went to Oz Oct'06 and i knew being a smoker, i couldn't do the flight without a cig....I loved not smelling of cigarettes, (and so did my OH), no yellowing fingers, smelly clothes, and knew someone who smoked by them just walking past me as i got my sense of smell back, and everything i ate tasted soooo good....it was great to be able to say to people that i had given up, and for all the good and benefits i had being a non-smoker, i started again feb/march'07...
why?? cause i was bloody miserable!!
I ENJOY smoking....yes its a habit, but i really do enjoy having a cigarette...and the other thing, i put on nearly 4 STONE in just those months of not smoking....went from a size 12 to a size 18!!and that wasn't from picking....or eating the wrong things, i just ate what i normally did....but boy was i sad...
Since being back on the cig's i am back down to a size 14 and still have about a stone and a half to lose having lost 2st 6lb already, i am back to being smelly, but incredibly happy.....i know alot of it is a psychological thing, but right now in my life i would rather be slim, happy and a smoker, than a fat, miserable non-smoker!! Everyone benefits from having a happy mum/wife, and i've never smoked in our house so am not inflicting it on them....
Everyone is entitled to live their life the way they want to, and if smoking is part of that, so be it....sure, smoking kills, but have a look at the statistics on alcohol-related deaths!! Smokers are getting pushed out of society, but wouldn't everyone moan if all smokers gave up, where would the gov get the taxes from then??
This used to be a free country.... but now it seems only if you fit!!

you are still free to smoke.
Unfortunately that stuff about taxes is not true I had to research this for my degree and I always thought that smokers paid for themselves however that is not true the costs of smoking outweighs the taxes produced, however smoking is not illegal and smokers shouldn't be discriminated against.
the OP is just concerned for her friend she is not having a pop at smokers

My 11 year old daughter has a bowel disease called Ulcerative Colitis.......and over the years I have read quite a few articles regarding Chrones/UC becoming passive/less active when the patient smoked.
Can't say for sure but I have been on many sites researching these inflammatory bowel diseases..........and it seems to be true that smoking can help certain people reduce their symptoms.
Seems to be stress related and smoking reduced their stress levels.....hence a milder flare up or remission.
Beth x x

I showed this to my sister, she packed in next day.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=HHA0HRjDgc8

Taxes. Well the money could come from the billions saved on not treating smoking related diseases which far outweigh the taxes on cigarettes.

Its not a free country - its a democratic society. And that means when the clear majority of people don't want something around them, such as smoking then this can be legislated against.

I think even the most ardent smoker realises deep down that they are on a sinking ship both socially and from a health perspective.

I miss smoking. Im glad I dont anymore and I wont go back but I miss it.

Especially with a pint.

Or after sex.

I loved my smokes I did.

My favourite time for a smoke was while driving. I just couldn't put the car in gear until I'd lit that fag. Or with a cup of coffee after dinner. Or after sex. Or while having a drink. Or while watching TV. Or really any time. I did like smoking, although am glad we don't do it anymore.

If all smokers gave up, you would still have most diseases that are related to smoking, just wouldn't be able to blame smoking for them.....
Smokers know the damage it does to their body, and whilst i try not to inflict my addiction on others, i do get irate the way smokers are slated.....even when i was a non-smoker it would make me mad...i just think it's a personal choice to smoke or not, and that the OP should just accept the decision her friend has made to be a smoker, and whilst i know she has her friends best interests to mind, should let her live her life they way she chooses to...


I enjoyed being a non-smoker, to the point that i am going to quit again.... my biggest downside is putting on the weight...i have a really big issue with that which is why i started again....
Until i do give up again, i'll have 1 for you.....just let me know which 1 that'll be

Well guys its almost 24 hours since my last fag, and Im pleased to say Im doing ok!!!!! suck my patch on this morning, Iv chewed a few more chewing gums than I normaly would, and I walked for 30 mins along burns beach, so day 1 is almost over and Im giving myself a pat on the back Ill report back in a few days if that ok with you guys.

Amanda

Best of luck Amanda. If you keep up the walking you should have no problem with weight gain, either.

I know for some people it can be extremely difficult to quit. I was one of the lucky ones who just stopped and never really had a problem. As a matter of fact I went to light up one day and realised as I pulled a ciggie out of the pack that I hadn't had one in a few days. It was then and there that I decided I was now a non-smoker. It also helped that I was 8 weeks pregnant and the mere thought of anything stronger than air made me yak.

Hey....Well Done!!

I'll give you another pat on the back....

Keep it up and yes, would like to hear how you get on...

You know you're supposed to put the patches on your skin, not suck them. That would give you one hell of a blast of nicotene

JTL

Only joking, keep going...

I enjoyed being a non-smoker, to the point that i am going to quit again.... my biggest downside is putting on the weight...i have a really big issue with that which is why i started again....
Until i do give up again, i'll have 1 for you.....just let me know which 1 that'll be[/QUOTE]


Hiye,

I understand completely about the weight issue. I gave up smoking a few weeks ago and having lost over 5 stone I was terrified of putting weight back on. I could have eaten all day long in the first few days after giving up but it will pass. You just need to be aware of what you are putting in your mouth. I eat fat free jelly and fruit. I do jog 3 miles a day so that helps me. I feel great now without the cigs. For me it was only a habit not a nicotine thing so once I broke the habit I was fine. Best of luck to you

Thanks Helena, the actual giving up smoking was fine, because i wanted to do it, and staying off the cigs was ok, till the clothes started getting really tight...no what i mean..
I promised my OH and kids when i started again, that i would give up when i had lost weight and gone back to what i was originally, and am just over halfway there... why is it it takes longer to lose than to put on....
i went up to 13st12lbs which is quite alot when your only 5ft3, and am now at 11st4lbs, would like to get to around the 9st 7lb/10st mark, though jogging 3 miles a day is out the question
congrats to you for doing so well....