Originally Posted by Professional Princess

Yes I can vouch for that. Mum gave up smoking too late as well.

Mums throat was filled with blood hours before she died. The smell was awful and as she took her last breath, she gasped like a fish out of water and held our hands, I actually felt her heart stop beating.

They said her cancer type was typical of that of a smoker. Although non smokers can get small cell cancer. It also is the most aggressive of cancers and by the time it is diagnosed, 6-8 weeks is the prognosis.

A pathologist once said to me that if you could smell a piece of lung biopsy taken from a smoker, you would be sick.

So if anyone has or knows people that smoked till the age of 100 and was fine, they were not, they were lucky and their lungs would have been buggered.

And I maintain that whatever else in the way of pollution that children breathe in, there is no excuse, no justification to either smoke in pregnancy or in the same airspace/vicinity of your children.

If someone has so little respect for their lungs then that is their right and their choice to enjoy a cigarette. It is not the choice of their kids.

Smoking is addictive, cocaine is addictive, heroin is addictive, so if someone has an addiction, whether it be legal like cigarettes or not, it is THEIR addiction and not anyone else's.

And its not about a 'Nanny State', because nobody wants one of those, its about not pushing your 'addiction' on other people.

Originally Posted by stevemich

I have just been going through this thread and know there are lots of other issues coming in (car pollution, alcohol etc) but wanted to get back to a purely smoking related topic.

When I was a smoker I have to say that I was not aware, or in denial about so many things...
The following is a quick list of things I now know (or avoided thinking about then):

• The monetary cost of smoking - 5 quid a day builds up, but unless you see the monthly/yearly amount you spend all in one go (BIG shock factor) it is easy to dismiss as it trickles through your fingers.
• Asthma - I had mild asthma as a kid and continued to have it as an adult. I told myself it was no worse (even though it was a bit) and that I would be stuck with it for life anyway. I now have no asthma.
• The Smell - I could always smell the smoky clothes after a night out, but was unaware of the lingering smell even of one ciggy that I smoked outdoors. I can smell a ciggy miles away now, so when in a lift with someone who has just had one or sitting next to someone on a bus who smoked before getting on, I find it repulsive. From personal experience I did not know I smelt that bad. If I did I would have been ashamed of what others thought. I can even smell when a smoker has been in lift before me. You can use any amount of perfume/aftershave - believe me, it does not cover it up.
• The cough - yes, the flemmy hacking cough first thing in the morning that kind of creeps up on you over time, but when you stop smoking goes quite quickly. Answer this, do you spit or swallow the result of a good hack?!
• I've got to die of something - I said that to avoid thinking of the consequences. You do have to die of something, but why pay to increase your chances of dying from a painful, dibilitating disease when you do not have to?
• I enjoy it - I used to love blowing smoke rings, but now I think about it, that is all I enjoyed. Smoke getting into your eyes and making them water, emptying the week old ashtray, feeling the tightness as the smoke goes down your throat.
• I'm not THAT addicted - I used to say that all the time. But if my pack ran out and the shops were shut. The rising jitters/panic that come with the thought of what if you cannot get another pack soon.... I did not realise how much I denied my need for them. I look back and am relieved that I need not worry about that now.
• Looking cool - ok, most smokers would not suggest they look cool with a fag in the hand, but really, wake up! Try watching as smokers come out of an office all tense and fumble for a pack, struggle to light it (if windy) and eventually succeed, blowing out a cloud of smoke. Does that seem good? Do you think "wow, I should do that". Thought not.
• Brown fingers - the old classic. And they smell. Go on, wash your hands, sniff your fingers and tell me you do not smell the nicotine staining them!
• Family - I now have a family and can safely say that it is my responsibility as a husband/father to actively do what I can to be here for them as long as I can be. My life is for them too, and to kill myself via a smoking related disease and leave them without a father & husband is the height of selfishness.

I understand when smokers say there is no-one worse than an ex-smoker, however we can speak from both sides of the arguement. Smokers (like I used to) want to avoid being reminded of all the negatives which ex-smokers often point out! I used to use the arguement that I finded the NHS etc, but it was all a smoke screen (if you'll excuse the pun) to try and justify an unjustifyable habit.

I do not know if this helps anyone, but when you next light up just consider the above stuff and honestly ask yourself, do you REALLY enjoy it? Does it really bring you any discernable lifestyle benefit?

If you really want to smoke (although now I cannot understand why) then fair enough, but please do so away from people/children who have no desire to be affected.

If you want to quit, then I wish you all the willpower in the world!

Steve

Originally Posted by Paul&Nic

Ok the time has come!

I've been a cigarette smoker for about 20 years. I've smoked 10 a day for prob the duration and always kidded myself that I was a light smoker, altho I DO know that even one a day will have a detrimental effect on the body, I'm not stupid!

After a reccie trip here last year and seeing how anti-smoking Australia is I said if we ever get there, I'll give up!

We've been here for 10 weeks now and to be honest altho the missus keeps on asking "so when you ditching the fags then?" ... I've side stepped the question, but as I say the time HAS come!

I bought a 25 pack of Benson & Hedges last night, I've had a few, but after spending an hour or so reading some of the posts on this thread, I've done this:

http://usera.imagecave.com/piccies/2...30cigs0036.JPG

The time has come to STOP beating around the bush, and to put my money where my mouth is!

I've said all along that I won't need any patches or anything else, but will just need to REALLY want to do it myself. Don't get me wrong, if I find I'm having trouble I will seek help, but I know how I am and altho the next week or so WILL be hard, I WILL kick it!

Please wish me luck!

Originally Posted by stevemich

Good luck - Bensons were always nasty anyway!

Originally Posted by Paul&Nic

Ok the time has come!

I've been a cigarette smoker for about 20 years. I've smoked 10 a day for prob the duration and always kidded myself that I was a light smoker, altho I DO know that even one a day will have a detrimental effect on the body, I'm not stupid!

After a reccie trip here last year and seeing how anti-smoking Australia is I said if we ever get there, I'll give up!

We've been here for 10 weeks now and to be honest altho the missus keeps on asking "so when you ditching the fags then?" ... I've side stepped the question, but as I say the time HAS come!

I bought a 25 pack of Benson & Hedges last night, I've had a few, but after spending an hour or so reading some of the posts on this thread, I've done this:

http://usera.imagecave.com/piccies/2...30cigs0036.JPG

The time has come to STOP beating around the bush, and to put my money where my mouth is!

I've said all along that I won't need any patches or anything else, but will just need to REALLY want to do it myself. Don't get me wrong, if I find I'm having trouble I will seek help, but I know how I am and altho the next week or so WILL be hard, I WILL kick it!

Please wish me luck!

Originally Posted by meelie

Best of luck! Just remember NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE! K sent!

Originally Posted by Paul&Nic

Thanks.

I must admit it's only been a few hours but I keep thinking I should be doing something, I guess the habit part is as much a struggle as the craving.

I'll eat an apple, see how we go with that one ...lol

Originally Posted by Paul&Nic

Thanks.

I must admit it's only been a few hours but I keep thinking I should be doing something, I guess the habit part is as much a struggle as the craving.

I'll eat an apple, see how we go with that one ...lol

Originally Posted by Paul&Nic

Thanks.

I must admit it's only been a few hours but I keep thinking I should be doing something, I guess the habit part is as much a struggle as the craving.

I'll eat an apple, see how we go with that one ...lol

Originally Posted by stevemich

Just wanted to see how you were going and to point out that today is "No Tobacco Day" - well according to Sunrise anyway! :D

Just a word of advice - do not tell yourself you have done well so far so will have a cigarette or puff just to "reward" yourself! :rolleyes:

All the best!

Originally Posted by Paul&Nic

Well almost 24 hours I think and not toooooooooo bad.

Altho I wasn't a heavy smoker, I am finding the 'habit' part harder than the craving as we speak. I keep looking for the ashtray and my roll up ...lol.

I'm finding I'm hungry more of the time, which falls right into the bit about how smoking is an appetite suppressant, but also a tad worried that Paul is gonna double in size over the next few months ...lol, but I'm trying to stick to the fruit & veg as at least that's good for you!

Early early days, but I'll not reward myself with a cigg, no way!

All over once I take a single puff ........... failed!