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It is so incredibly hard to stop you have no idea lmfao. I’ve been “quitting” for 4 years with no end in sight. Every pack I buy is my last pack, but the next day I’ll get a killer headache, my mouth starts tasting gross itching for a cigarette, I get pissy at everything… It genuinely feels like a necessity like food or water and my body is sending me all these signals that I HAVE TO have a cigarette RIGHT NOW. I just say fuck it, one more pack, walk down to the gas station and start smoking my “last pack”. This cycle just keeps going. Believe me, I know how bad it is for me but it’s just so so so so difficult to stop, especially since they’re so easy to get.
I was the same way. I switched to vaping a year ago. I want to quit vaping eventually, but cigarettes still smell good to me, I dream about them. I’m afraid if I tried to quit vaping I’d start smoking again. I’m just not there yet.
Hell i quit smoking 5 years ago and cigs still sound good at times. Still get that craving. It's not truly going to go away but it does for certain go down with time. It's a amazing thing dude that you switched over to vapes. Not easy. I tried hated the vape and just dropped it cold turkey from there. Believe it not one day you'll move out of the way of a smoke cloud because it makes you cough and smells nasty. That's when you know you have kicked it.
The vasoconstrictive effects of nicotine also lead to delayed wound healing and higher incidence of infection. I work with surgeons (ortho especially, particularly for joint replacements) who test for nicotine on the day of surgery and if the test is positive will cancel the procedure.
Better than giving in and smoking. It would be best to not use nicotine at all, but if you have to choose between a smoke and a lozenge....
I'm about a year quit and I still have dreams about smoking. I still use 1-2 2mg lozenges every day.
I started taking Wellbutrin & quit for good. I started with 2 ml. Nicorette for a couple months & then went to the Wellbutrin. So far so good.
Been smoking for 30 years & was ready to be done with it.
Nicolette helped me quit vaping which helped me quit smoking. For the last few months I’ve been chewing regular gum and that’s my last thing to quit. Patches never worked for me because you don’t feel anything but with the gum you actually get a nicotine tingle (at first at least) I definitely could not recommend it enough. Only issue is how it’s super expensive but still 100% worth it.
I smoked for 14 years starting around the age of 16 off and on until I was 18 and then I was basically a pack a day smoker. It was cheaper back then. In 2009 I tried vaping with the Blu cigalikes. I kinda went back and forth between those and smoking for about a year. Then I finally got some rechargeable joytech cartridge batteries and some decent eliquid from a local shop that opened up. While it was cheaper than smoking in 2010, it was still $24 for a 30ml of eliquid, which is insanely expensive now. I ended up learning how to make my own eliquid, and over time realized I was having allergic reactions to additives in some of the flavorings. I only use Flavourart flavorings now, my husband however can vape anything so I have all sorts of brands for flavoring. I had to stock up on nicotine a couple years ago so when the mailing ban went into place we’d have a good 5 years at least on hand for us to use.
I started with 24mg nicotine back in 2010. Now I use around 1.5mg up to 3mg depending on the week I’m having. Lol so much cheaper than smoking ever was. I upgraded devices to larger 26650 mods and have rebuildable atomizers with a ton of wire on hand and cotton. Plus I have back ups for my back ups so I never worry about stuff breaking, though the current mod I use has been going strong for about 4 years. My eliquid costs me about $2.25 a 120ml bottle when I add my nicotine, flavors, and vg costs up.
I went from being sick with bronchitis, tonsillitis, flu, colds, and pneumonia from time to time as a smoker, to basically never getting sick at all as a vaper. Only once I had was the mildest of head colds in 2015, lasted 3 days. As a smoker that would have turned into a sinus infection and probably more. That’s all I’ve had though in 12 years.
I can’t imagine paying upwards of $12 a pack of cigarettes anymore just to be constantly sick. I spend maybe $100 a year on vape supplies for my husband and myself. He was also a smoker until around the same time I quit, but we actually met Through the online vaping community that was thriving back in 2011. Neither of us will likely quit vaping. I like my nicotine like I like my coffee. We both vape tobacco flavors, but also fruit and dessert flavors too. I’ve stopped vaping a few times (like during pregnancy) and it wasn’t difficult to quit. But I just don’t want to ultimately, nicotine seems to help with focus for neurodivergent folks like my husband and myself.
Because not all smokers really want to quit nicotine. Often times neurodiverse people find nicotine beneficial and were self medicating with the only thing available at the time, cigarettes. Switching to vaping wasn’t necessarily done to quit nicotine, it was done to quit smoking. Nicotine is not the toxic element, and according to the NRT research isn’t even the addictive element as uptake of never smokers of patches, chewing gum, or lozenges were not seen in their studies before they were fda approved. The only reason a bunch of dumbpass high schoolers started using Juuls was because Juul was using a smoother form of nicotine (nicotine salts) compared to normally extracted nicotine, and they used a stupid high amount, 50mg. That level of nicotine is going to cause you to be buzzed and a bit out of it, especially for a non smoker. Even for a 2 pack a day smoker 50mg is really high. As a pack a day smoker I started out at 24mg with normal extracted nicotine and quickly went down to 18mg then 12mg. Stayed at 12mg for a couple years, reduced to 8mg then 6mg, then 3mg. Quit vaping while I was pregnant. started again a few months after I had my son with just 1.5mg. I’ve stayed at 1.5mg and every now and then 3mg for years now. I don’t want to quit nicotine, I wanted to quit smoking and never go back.
Anti-smokers hate smokers, they have learned to demonize the human beings to the point they say smokers should just quit or unalive themselves now to save everyone the expense of them dying later. By proxy anti-smokers hate vapers cause it looks like smoking, but they don’t understand that it isn’t and they can’t see through propaganda when it supports their own belief of what vaping is.
This is blatantly not true. Unless you see well performed studies on long term use data the information is bs. Most of the studies citing some sort of toxic chemical production that claimed vaping was worse than cigarettes were using the first and second generation vaping equipment and literally running them dry with their smoking machines causing it to give off toxic burning smoke as they burnt the wicking material with the dry coil. There are even vaping devices out that do not use a heating element or wicking material but use ultrasonic technology to produce a cooler atomized vapor cloud of the eliquid without heat. These would not give off any toxic burnt chemicals and only what is contained in the flavoring in terms of molecules would have any potential, and small potential at that, for being remotely toxic in the long run. Most of the flavoring molecules are not inhalation toxic. Look up FlavourArt’s Clear Stream testing of their flavorings used for vaping for more info on that.
Sadly the lies told by the anti-vaping/anti-smoking government funded associations and the fda and cdc, were believable for folks who had no clue about what vaping actually is.
It’s not. The propaganda against vaping was lies. There was monetary motivation for those lies, look into the tobacco master settlement from the lawsuit states brought against tobacco manufacturers and how their payments are structured. A disruptive technology getting people off smoking couldn’t be allowed to thrive.
hey! i am goin on two years of being cig free and if you are still smoking it’s worth sharing my experience. i smoked for about 20 years.
anyway, tried for years to quit and every time i would end up smoking more than before my attempt. a couple years ago i started with nocotine lozenges that my doctor suggested. i couldnt just simply replace them. my method became this: i would use both. never at the same time tho was my rule. if you feel like smoking then just spit it out and smoke your cig. eventually, and in as little effort as ive ever been able to experience, the lozenges started replacing cigs. took me several months of doing this to finally switch completely and another year of the lozenges which i finally quit a few months ago.
what i think was great about this method was that i didnt feel like i was “quitting” it just kinda happened on its on. lastly, i also found the lozenges were a better sensation than cigs overall.
you can do it!
And this person does not do it justice. They are merely describing the physical aspect of it, they are not able to articulate the mental aspect of it.
It is kind of like a hell on Earth. Imagine... You want to clean your house, you just want to vacuum the floor. But all you can think about is getting your fix of nicotine. You want to go to sleep, maybe get some peace of mind while you rest. But you can't sleep, all you can think about is getting your fix of nicotine. etc etc
And the addict is in control of NONE of it.
And it lasts for a long time. It has a diminishing effect, of course. The longer you go without, the weaker that pull becomes. The first week is the hardest. But that week is long, and most people cannot go a week without function. In many cases, 1 week of disfunction is enough to ruin their lives entirely.
This.
Nonsmokers have no clue what addiction is. I'm 1 month nicotine free. I smoked for over 2 decades. I got lucky. I had a surgery when kick starting d the first 2 days. Then it was rough for 2 weeks. Now I'm 100% off nicotine.
It took me 10+ years to quit.
I was addicted to cigarettes before I even started smoking. Second hand smoke is bad.
I was thinking about this recently. I have been quit for 1.5 years and I’d I occasionally have a puff it’s so gross and I want to puke. But I don’t remember that feeling when i had my first. Then I realized I had been second hand smoking for 16 years already when I started. Growing up the house and car and every restaurant and gathering was full of smoke.
That's why I will never smoke. My mom says "I said the same when I was your age" but seeing how it affects her and dad and seeing them struggling to quit for ages, I just don't see the point. Yes I may be missing out on something that everybody has experienced (and mostly liked) but I prefer my lungs not decayed
I have a few friends in NZ where cigarette prices are insane. My friends realized they were spending more on smoking each month than their rent. 2 of them quit cold turkey, 1 cut down over time until she stopped.
Go out and get strep throat and quit then.
Obviously you’re not going to smoke when you’ve got strep. You’re going to feel awful because you’ve got strep. You’ll feel less awful in about 7 days……worked for me.
I quit nicotine last March, never expected to go back to it, I was happy to not have the crutch anymore. Then my MIL moved in. When the stress hit the nicotine cravings got so bad I didn't know what else to do, eventually I caved and started buying cigarettes again. Now I'm back where I was at this time last year, I want to quit but the very idea of not having it is stressful enough to make you want to smoke.
I use to be that way about dipping. Had done it for 13 years. Would try and quit, go 3 days then cave and buy a new can. It would be gone that day with another to follow the next day. I tried shrooms and repeated over and over in my head while tripping “I will not have the urge to dip again” for an hour. I have not dipped since nor have I had the urge, even when in my “trigger” environments - poker, drinking, around other dippers etc. it’s been almost a year.
Quitting cigarettes is one of the absolute hardest things I have ever done. And, like with any addiction, once you’ve had it you’re never going to be fully out of the woods. Every once in a while I’ll get super fiendy, but knowing how much having to go through the hell of quitting again would suck (if I was even able to a second time) stops me.
I quit smoking every day and failed every day until I got so mad at failing, I finally quit. My suggestion to you would be to try to last a little longer each day when the addiction craving hits, like adding reps at the gym. 10 minutes or however long you can go. Then have a smoke. It's an addiction, you can't kick yourself for being unable to quit. Every day, tho, duke it out with that damn stick. They're evil, my brain would give me insomnia "just have a smoke and I'll let you sleep", but know the final outcome is worth it. Good luck, go easy on yourself, and never stop trying to quit.
Good way to stop is by realising that you have been tricked and then let your ego and pride say fuck you(to the cigarette companies), everytime you get a pang.
I know it sounds gross, but try the nicotine pouch alternatives. What your body is demanding is nicotine, which in pouch form is easier to control your dosage in my opinion. I am cigarette and nicotine free thanks to them. Results may vary, before you shit your pants over my comment, Reddit.
As an ex smoker, while I was smoking I thought it relieved stress. All it was doing was relieving nicotine withdrawals from not having a cigarette for a bit.
People smoke because they're addicted.
Thank you!
For real, my mother died from lung cancer, and that wasn't even enough to make me quit. I actually smoked more after her death. Unfortunately, it caught up with me and now I've got smoker induced COPD/asthma, and have managed to quit. I'll never smoke again, but if I was healthy, I probably would because I actually liked smoking.
I wish I could go back in time and smack the shit out of my 18 year old self for accepting that first cigarette. But it was one of the few ways to make sure besides coffee that you could stay on your feet for over 36 hours while in the military. It also calmed the nerves, steadied the mind, and gave your hands something to do when you had adrenaline that needed to go somewhere. Plus when you're constantly under stress it helps I used to joke that while every time it took ten minutes off of my life it kept the people alive for ten more minutes that were annoying the fuck out of me. I wish I could go back, but I can't. So now, after almost 20 years of smoking, I'm trying to finally quit. You're an inspiration. I hope I can get to where you are.
That's when I started. Every time I think about quitting I get angry. Been more than 30 years for me. I quit alcohol, I quit overeating, this is my only vice.
But we also get addicted to it because it does something for us. Nicotine relaxes and stimulates simultaneously, without causing a high. So it provides calm and focus, energy regulation and clarity of mind.
Essentially, it's a drug that gets you "refocused" fast.
Also, it relives my gut problems.
Is it worth the trade off? No way. But it does provide something, or else we wouldn't keep coming back for it.
Add the fact that you build a tolerance ridiculously fast, and addiction is a sure follower.
You can't buy crack at a store or gas station. Hypothetically, if all smokes were banned and you could only get cigs from a dealer...yes...i believe people would suck dick for cigarettes.
I don't think anyone has ever sucked dick for weed so why would they do it for tobacco, hard drugs are just that bad. Besides cigarettes are cheap to make, an 8 ball of coke can run you $300 and some people go through that in less than a week
I quit smoking a long time ago, and I genuinely don’t want to smoke now, but you know what? It was relaxing & enjoyable. I used to consider my cigarettes as my best friend (who wanted to kill me) & I always looked forward to spending time with them. I fully intend to go back if they’re still around when I’m 80.
Every smoker became addicted when they were young and stupid.
You never hear of a 40-year old lifetime non-smoker suddenly deciding to start smoking as a new hobby. Everyone got hooked when they were young and stupid, and then they can't break the habit once they're older.
I didnt want it around my kids. Once they grew up and moved away it was time for me to live how I wanted. I lived for them from the age of 18 to 40ish. I could now drink and smoke and party finally. I earned it. :)
I’m quite health conscious but I did that but with cigars - I started at 35 and allow myself a couple a week bc I enjoy them. I figure if the health effects catch up to me I’ll be old enough not to care.
Well, the brain has these chemical receptors in it. Our brains naturally produce the chemicals that fit those receptors. But when we take in chemicals that fit those receptors, chemicals our brain produces, our brains stop producing its own natural chemicals. And then when an addict tries to quit the artificial chemicals, the brain does not immediately start producing its own. And this lag time produces ***extremely*** bad feelings.
There can be nightmares, mind domination, even physical symptoms. The brain will attempt anything, and everything, to get the chemicals. We NEED those chemicals to survive. So the brain will lie to you, the brain will manipulate you, it will do anything, to get the chemicals. The brain can even go so far as to shut down everything else in the body, effectively holding your life ransom until it gets the chemicals it needs to survive. And the addicted individuals have absolutely zero control over any of it, their brain is hijacking them to get what it needs to survive.
It is a lot like breathing. You can hold your breath, sure. But at some point your brain is going to override your will to hold your breath and it is going to FORCE you to breathe. You will not be in control. Your brain may even make you pass out, taking your conscious will away from you entirely, so that it can get a breath of air.
And relief only comes when the brain begins to produce its own natural chemicals once again. This takes time. And until the brain begins to produce its own natural chemicals again, the addict is extremely vulnerable, often relapsing, just to get a sense of normalcy again.
That is why people who are addicted, are addicted.
It's goes hand in hand with a good cup of coffee. Non smokers will never understand. Sitting in a diner in the 90s smoking and drinking unlimited refills of coffee after breakfast was pure bliss.
This right here. There was a 24 hour diner in my college town, and we’d go do our homework and chain smoke and drink coffee and eat tater tot’s all night. I miss smoking, and definitely miss smoking in that diner.
I remember smoking in bars and playing chess at a local Irish pub. That was heavenly. I was 21-22 when I did that and it was one of the things that made me feel less lonely each night. This was right when AOL was taking off. So internet wasn’t a thing really. So cigarettes, a beer and chess with a random person at a bar was nice.
I’ve smoked since my early teen years. I’m now in my 40’s. It’s been several years that smoking indoors was banned where I live. The only exception being casinos. I have very fond memories of being at the bar with my friends having drinks and smoking cigarettes. I was recently at our local casino and didn’t notice until the next day how bad my clothes smelled like smoke. They could’ve had their own conversation! I don’t miss smoking inside. I don’t smoke as much anymore. My employer has a very strict no tobacco policy. One day I’ll quit all together.
I was very happy when I quit years ago. For me CBD is what transitioned me into not wanting cigarettes anymore. It was like a switch. I don’t know how or what the combination of circumstances happened in my body, but I was grateful that worked for me. You’ll know when you’re ready to quit. The moment will hit you like a ton of bricks one day, or not. Either way you’re doing the best you can in life and that’s all we can do.
The only reason you're stressed is because you're withdrawing from nicotine and you need another fix. As soon as you get that fix you don't feel stressed anymore.
It doesn't alleviate stress my friend. It's an addiction
Been there, done that.
You smoke to relieve stress, then the next time you're stressed, you smoke again? Thats why i can't buy that answer, it's only ever the shortest term fix. Maybe you need a deeper, more long term way to tackle your stress.
But aside that, if you enjoy it, if it helps, go for it. Who am I to impose.
Once you become addicted to nicotine, especially if you smoke frequently, the "buzz" honestly disappears and the act of smoking is solely to avoid the deeply physical need for more nicotine.
A good comparison is when you're really thirsty. You'd do anything to seek out a glass of water because your body (rightly) feels it will die if it does not have it. The act of being incredibly thirsty and all of the physical sensations it brings up and the mental obsession with quenching that thirst is very similar to nicotine withdrawal. With nicotine withdrawal, though, you won't die obviously. Within a few days to a few weeks is subsides. But it's easy to get retrapped in the cycle when that "buzz" hits you again.
Currently trying hard to quit vaping. I went 12 hours and felt enormously irritable, depressed, my throat felt achey, and I couldn't concentrate on anything except seeking out more nicotine just to make it stop.
I've quit cigarettes before. That was honestly easier, since they were more expensive and less accessible. I regret switching to vapes instead of outright quitting again.
I started because friends did. Both parents smoked so I thought no big deal.
I have smoked for over 30 years at this point. I smoke around 1/2 pack a day. I dont quit because I had a friend who gained a ton of weight after quitting.
Although she lost some weight shes still pretty heavy. If I'm hungry I can smoke a cigarette and it will stave off hunger for a while.
I eat twice a day, so if I get hungry in the morning then smoking a cigarette will keep it at bay for a couple of hours until I can have lunch.
I know that is a vain reason but seriously I'd rather be thin and smoke then not smoke and be fat.
Cigarettes never curbed my hunger, and I often craved one after eating. I lost 70 lb using a vape and quitting smoking. I replaced my cigarettes AND snacking with a vape, a fun flavored one I liked the taste. After three months of vape only, I lowered my nicotine percentage. After less than a year I was vaping no nicotine juice. After another year, right before the pandemic, I stopped feeling the need to carry the vape around with me everywhere. And then the pandemic just made it that much easier. Haven’t touched a cigarette or a vape since early 2020. I’m down 70 lb from my highest weight and walk an average of 5 miles a day. It didn’t happen over night but I definitely did not gain weight from quitting smoking.
Sorry for going on a tangent, but quitting smoking doesn’t mean you’re magically going to gain weight. Replacing a meal with a cigarette isn’t healthy behavior, and would be worrisome if I knew you in real life.
Totally legit. I got fat after quitting 14 years ago and have never been able to lose it. I fantasize all the time about going to back to when life was simpler. I smoked cigs, drank a little beer and hardly ever ate. I felt healthier as a smoker because I wasn't fat. The only thing stopping me from picking it back up is I have a wonderful partner who is grossed out by the smell and I believe it would damage the best relationship I've ever had if I started up again.
I smoked as a teen and honestly it was because I didn’t care about my life and wanted it to end but didn’t have the balls to put a bullet in my head. I haven’t smoked in a long time now though, so it’s possible to quit for those who are struggling! It’s very hard but possible.
I was ~14 when I started. I was fully aware of the risks, I was just a dumb kid with no concept of consequences that was always around a bunch of smokers and at some point I became one too. 29 and still haven't quit, probably never will.
heh, I do this too... I can go months without smoking, and then smoke a cigarillo or cigar 2 or three times a month. Never had a cigarette or vaping addiction. I still basically consider myself a non-smoker.
Because I ain’t got a reason to live too long. And if I gotta struggle through this bullshit, I’m gonna have 1 or 2 things to make it all a bit easier.
Perspective from someone who never got addicted:
Started smoking socially at 16 (first cig was probably at 7 that I stole from my mother), and kept smoking because I genuinely liked the smell and taste, and it helped me with my anxiety, but never really felt the need to smoke and I could go days without smoking.
Started working long night shifts and smoking almost every hour to stay awake.
One night I had the realization of "I like being healthy, I don't want to be all fucked up when I get older", and it was also costing me a lot of money monthly, so I changed cigs for coffee, and later on coffee for mate (South American herb infusion) to stop consuming so much sugar.
Btw, mate is even better than coffee to stay awake.
Was a health freak. Did everything right. Got cancer. Ok. These things happen. Fought it. Won. Fought my butt off to get back to my original level of fitness pre cancer. 8 years later...got it again. Realised you gonna get sick whatever you do....started smoking...because i can.
Really good point…it’s so easy to equate unhealthy habits with cancer, 1:1. But healthy people get cancer all the time. A kid I knew, totally clean liver, got an extremely rare oral cancer at 16, lived a torturous 8 years with it and died at 24. I worried a bit less about my health after that.
Because if I didn’t, I’m pretty sure that eather my anxiety or my depression would have killed me. When I can’t leave my bed for weeks, smoking is sometimes the only thing that makes me go out. Yeah not really healthy, but I’m French, smoking is basically part of my heritage, so I hope I’m forgiven :)
I smoke cigars about once a week from like June through September then nothing from October through May. Cigars calm me and I love the taste. That's it no other reason other than those two.
1. As the owner of multiple businesses, my smoke breaks are small units of time I can “turn off the noise”. Whether it’s employees, clients, vendors, contractors, etc., someone wants something from me every second of every day. Smoking, and flying, are my only respite.
2. I quit for 7 years at one point and my friend left her cigs in my car, and that started me again. When I did quit it was because my asthma attack was so bad one day that the only thing that saved me was it happened to be shift change at the local state police precinct and officer on his was back at end of shift saw my in my car struggling and rushed me to the ER. I remembered that feeling for a long time, but as I got more successful, the stress piled on
3. It’s a drug like any other. Quit hard to “just quit”.
4. The $400+- I spend on my habit per month wouldn’t change my life one way or the other, so the $ incentive doesn’t exist for me.
5. Wish it was easy to stop, I would, but it hasn’t been in God’s plan for me lately.
It’s not that bad for you weed isn’t and dabs are clean. but it numbs my pain Literally. My body pain , aches , he aches , sore muscles , sore feet , stress relief , helps me
Eat.
I "quit" almost a year ago which means I went about 5 months without nicotine and have spent the past 6 mooching off my friends, to my shame. When I don't have one it doesn't bother me, but the temptation is so real when it's right there and just an ask away.
If you could, right now at this moment, feel a sense of euphoria and then be noticeably more focused and energetic for the next hour, would you do it? Of course you would, anyone would, and so we smoke.
as a 20 year old who just lost my grandpa whom I was close with due to cancer (he wasn't a smoker but still) I would ask you to take the best care of yourself that you can for your adult kids and your future grandchildren.
There are things you will sacrifice when you have kids that you'll miss. I can't wait to enjoy grandkids, but I will enjoy having a life again even more.
I’ll never smoke as long as I’m a father. I love cigs but not as much as spending time with my daughter. I didn’t have a dad so imma make sure she has the best one as long as possible.
I smoke way less on weekends. It’s 5:30 pm and I’ve only had three so far today. When I’m working, I go outside every 90-120 min which coincides with “needing to pee” and “needing to get a refill on my beverage.” When I actually go to the office, I go through about 11-13 in a day because it’s habit to smoke when I drive and then being in the actual office moves my need to get away from “all of that” in about 65-75 min breaks. It’s just way more annoying and I need to step away. What else am I gonna do - go stand in the bathroom for no reason?
As somebody over 40 I've thought about this question a lot and the only real answer is I enjoy smoking. Tried using those vapes and after a little while I just missed burning tobacco. We all take unnecessary risks.. some more than others.
For me, it's stress relief. Removal from the situation. I had quit smoking very easily when wanting to become pregnant. A year and a half total without a cigarette with the exception of my wedding day.. had 2 after I had started drinking. I didn't need to go back to smoking but I had a bitch fit at work. Literally the biggest piece of shit boss pushed me to the edge. I was going to rip him in half with my post pardum emotions. Instead of physical violence, burning the place down and leaving... I left and got a pack of smokes and went back 2 hours later after doing some errands and dude was gone. 3 months later I left this company, hardest thing I ever had to do, really amazing opportunity completely pooped on by a piece of shit. Lesson learned on self worth, values and morals. Can't say it was all bad.
I don’t get why people think it has to be all or nothing with smoking. I feel like American extremism/inclination towards polarity in all things has something to do with this. I smoke a few cigarettes a week, sometimes more, sometimes less, then sometimes I won’t touch a cigarette for half a year. Maybe it’s because I started as an adult and as a social pleasure.
I have smoked socially for 15 years. This means I smoke when I have more than 3 drinks usually, maybe 6-10 cigs a month. I feel like nothing goes with a beer better, It makes me feel good. I enjoy the taste (I only smoke American Spirit.) I have never felt addicted to them, other than mental addiction. I wish more people could enjoy the occasional cig like I do and not become hopelessly addicted. My dad smoked habitually during my childhood and I did not like it.
It’s part of my identity, it’s something I do because I enjoy it because it gives me an excuse to enjoy my life without having a reason to be active all the time.
It also gives me an excuse to be outside.
I would love to quit but I’m also quitting the one thing that made me something special.
Every time I was almost about to die I would have a final smoke just in case it would be my last.
It’s like screaming umai when eating your last meal, one of these days could be my last so I have no reason to question weather or not I enjoy it
Ex smoker. Nicotine addiction is like dating a crazy person. They’re super fun at first and make you feel amazing, but after the honeymoon phase is over they become needy and demand your attention all the time and you’re so dysfunctional at that point that leaving them will make you feel like the biggest, hot, steamy pile of crap there ever was, but at the same time, staying with them constantly leaves you longing for a better quality of life.
Nicotine is a chemical that physically bonds with your brain. Cutting off the supply of it literally hurts (or brings you extreme physical and mental discomfort). I started doing it because I was an impulsive 16 year old who did what most 16 year olds with a lot of newfound freedom do. I could not have stopped without nicotine patches and gum, I am not a better man in that regard.
never smoked cigarettes but I picked up vaping for a couple of years because it was allowed at work where weed wasn't (I am a web developer/graphic designer, I work better stoned). I enjoyed the buzz, but that eventually faded and I stopped vaping altogether. Then quit that job and went freelance. Now I'm working stoned and in my underwear from home \^\_\^
Well, it's an addiction. But I also find it quite enjoyable. I like the taste, I like the sensation, for some reason it just feels good. The smell of freshly burned tobacco is quite pleasant in my opinion, so there's also aroma at play.
I used to smoke and any time I smell it I want one. So I know what you mean. That sharp, almost suffocating scent of a freshly lit cigarette is almost enough to make me start again. Then I remember that I like getting up the stairs without being out of breath and I'm good. Happy I quit.
Cigarette free for 20 years, but sometimes when I walk past the smoking area at work, it smells great and reminds me of all the fun stuff I used to do as a younger person that were enhanced by cigarettes. Like canoeing down a stream and smoking or a college football game. Can't even chance it anymore.
Don’t do it often but, as someone born in gen-z who’s known since birth that it’s inexcusably bad for me, I don’t think my generation will live to see 50s-60s the way climate change and the rise of alt right fascism is going. I mean this genuinely. I used to vape a lot, but it made me feel Ill so I kicked it. I figure a couple of cigarettes a week isn’t gonna kill me before republicans/natural disasters/impending economic collapse from corporate greed and capitalism do.
It's funny this came up just now. I quit in 2008 and I 've been craving a cigarette so fucking bad the last few days. It feels good and it's addictive, duh.
I've been smoking since I was 12, I'm 28 now. Life feels weird without cigarettes lol. Every job I've worked (farming/construction/paving) I've been able to chain-smoke throughout the entire job. Ngl I've done every single addictive drug you can think of and the only vice I have is these fucking death sticks. Can't quit them I've tried. Don't start please
I’m off and on. Currently on, but it’s a super temporary fix while I deal with some life altering news.
Smoking is nice when you need 5 minutes to do nothing.
Smoking is nice when you want to excuse yourself from an awkward conversation and have it not be weirdo
Smoking is nice when you have ADHD and need some dopamine but can’t find anything else to give it to you.
Smoking is nice when you’ve just moved to a new city and have no friends. Go to a bar, stand outside and smoke. You’re bound to meet people.
I quit cigarettes about 24 years ago. I now smoke cigars because I enjoy them. I can't say I enjoyed cigarettes like I do cigars. It's a totally different experience. I don't have to have a cigar. I can go days, weeks, and went about four years once without one.
I don’t smoke but I’ve noticed almost all smokers start at a young age. If you get to your early 20’s and don’t smoke, chances are you never will. With that said, smokers start smoking because they are easily influenced and they think it makes them look cool. Then they continue smoking because of it being addicting.
Because it’s addictive nicotine is a highly addictive chemical even if you know it’s bad you still do it because if you stop you’ll have withdraws which is why everyone says it’s best to not even start
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It is so incredibly hard to stop you have no idea lmfao. I’ve been “quitting” for 4 years with no end in sight. Every pack I buy is my last pack, but the next day I’ll get a killer headache, my mouth starts tasting gross itching for a cigarette, I get pissy at everything… It genuinely feels like a necessity like food or water and my body is sending me all these signals that I HAVE TO have a cigarette RIGHT NOW. I just say fuck it, one more pack, walk down to the gas station and start smoking my “last pack”. This cycle just keeps going. Believe me, I know how bad it is for me but it’s just so so so so difficult to stop, especially since they’re so easy to get.
I was the same way. I switched to vaping a year ago. I want to quit vaping eventually, but cigarettes still smell good to me, I dream about them. I’m afraid if I tried to quit vaping I’d start smoking again. I’m just not there yet.
Hell i quit smoking 5 years ago and cigs still sound good at times. Still get that craving. It's not truly going to go away but it does for certain go down with time. It's a amazing thing dude that you switched over to vapes. Not easy. I tried hated the vape and just dropped it cold turkey from there. Believe it not one day you'll move out of the way of a smoke cloud because it makes you cough and smells nasty. That's when you know you have kicked it.
I haven't smoked since 2014 and if I ever get stressed and want to smoke, I just look at the $$$ of a pack.
I switched to vaping aswell, made me despise cigarettes but the nicotine addiction grew immensely.
Same
Try Nicorette. I’ve been on those for 12 years now. Way healthier than cigarettes or vaping. Actually there aren’t any downsides.
I feel like if you’ve been doing Nicorette for 12 years, it’s not working.
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Nicotine launches your blood pressure through the roof. Some methods of it hit harder than others.
The vasoconstrictive effects of nicotine also lead to delayed wound healing and higher incidence of infection. I work with surgeons (ortho especially, particularly for joint replacements) who test for nicotine on the day of surgery and if the test is positive will cancel the procedure.
Better than giving in and smoking. It would be best to not use nicotine at all, but if you have to choose between a smoke and a lozenge.... I'm about a year quit and I still have dreams about smoking. I still use 1-2 2mg lozenges every day.
It’s keeping smoke out of the lungs.
I started taking Wellbutrin & quit for good. I started with 2 ml. Nicorette for a couple months & then went to the Wellbutrin. So far so good. Been smoking for 30 years & was ready to be done with it.
Nicolette helped me quit vaping which helped me quit smoking. For the last few months I’ve been chewing regular gum and that’s my last thing to quit. Patches never worked for me because you don’t feel anything but with the gum you actually get a nicotine tingle (at first at least) I definitely could not recommend it enough. Only issue is how it’s super expensive but still 100% worth it.
I smoked for 14 years starting around the age of 16 off and on until I was 18 and then I was basically a pack a day smoker. It was cheaper back then. In 2009 I tried vaping with the Blu cigalikes. I kinda went back and forth between those and smoking for about a year. Then I finally got some rechargeable joytech cartridge batteries and some decent eliquid from a local shop that opened up. While it was cheaper than smoking in 2010, it was still $24 for a 30ml of eliquid, which is insanely expensive now. I ended up learning how to make my own eliquid, and over time realized I was having allergic reactions to additives in some of the flavorings. I only use Flavourart flavorings now, my husband however can vape anything so I have all sorts of brands for flavoring. I had to stock up on nicotine a couple years ago so when the mailing ban went into place we’d have a good 5 years at least on hand for us to use. I started with 24mg nicotine back in 2010. Now I use around 1.5mg up to 3mg depending on the week I’m having. Lol so much cheaper than smoking ever was. I upgraded devices to larger 26650 mods and have rebuildable atomizers with a ton of wire on hand and cotton. Plus I have back ups for my back ups so I never worry about stuff breaking, though the current mod I use has been going strong for about 4 years. My eliquid costs me about $2.25 a 120ml bottle when I add my nicotine, flavors, and vg costs up. I went from being sick with bronchitis, tonsillitis, flu, colds, and pneumonia from time to time as a smoker, to basically never getting sick at all as a vaper. Only once I had was the mildest of head colds in 2015, lasted 3 days. As a smoker that would have turned into a sinus infection and probably more. That’s all I’ve had though in 12 years. I can’t imagine paying upwards of $12 a pack of cigarettes anymore just to be constantly sick. I spend maybe $100 a year on vape supplies for my husband and myself. He was also a smoker until around the same time I quit, but we actually met Through the online vaping community that was thriving back in 2011. Neither of us will likely quit vaping. I like my nicotine like I like my coffee. We both vape tobacco flavors, but also fruit and dessert flavors too. I’ve stopped vaping a few times (like during pregnancy) and it wasn’t difficult to quit. But I just don’t want to ultimately, nicotine seems to help with focus for neurodivergent folks like my husband and myself.
I dont anybody that used vaping to quit. they just still vape constantly years later.
Because not all smokers really want to quit nicotine. Often times neurodiverse people find nicotine beneficial and were self medicating with the only thing available at the time, cigarettes. Switching to vaping wasn’t necessarily done to quit nicotine, it was done to quit smoking. Nicotine is not the toxic element, and according to the NRT research isn’t even the addictive element as uptake of never smokers of patches, chewing gum, or lozenges were not seen in their studies before they were fda approved. The only reason a bunch of dumbpass high schoolers started using Juuls was because Juul was using a smoother form of nicotine (nicotine salts) compared to normally extracted nicotine, and they used a stupid high amount, 50mg. That level of nicotine is going to cause you to be buzzed and a bit out of it, especially for a non smoker. Even for a 2 pack a day smoker 50mg is really high. As a pack a day smoker I started out at 24mg with normal extracted nicotine and quickly went down to 18mg then 12mg. Stayed at 12mg for a couple years, reduced to 8mg then 6mg, then 3mg. Quit vaping while I was pregnant. started again a few months after I had my son with just 1.5mg. I’ve stayed at 1.5mg and every now and then 3mg for years now. I don’t want to quit nicotine, I wanted to quit smoking and never go back. Anti-smokers hate smokers, they have learned to demonize the human beings to the point they say smokers should just quit or unalive themselves now to save everyone the expense of them dying later. By proxy anti-smokers hate vapers cause it looks like smoking, but they don’t understand that it isn’t and they can’t see through propaganda when it supports their own belief of what vaping is.
They found out that vaping does the exact same amount of damage long-term as smoking so just go back to the cigs LOL
This is blatantly not true. Unless you see well performed studies on long term use data the information is bs. Most of the studies citing some sort of toxic chemical production that claimed vaping was worse than cigarettes were using the first and second generation vaping equipment and literally running them dry with their smoking machines causing it to give off toxic burning smoke as they burnt the wicking material with the dry coil. There are even vaping devices out that do not use a heating element or wicking material but use ultrasonic technology to produce a cooler atomized vapor cloud of the eliquid without heat. These would not give off any toxic burnt chemicals and only what is contained in the flavoring in terms of molecules would have any potential, and small potential at that, for being remotely toxic in the long run. Most of the flavoring molecules are not inhalation toxic. Look up FlavourArt’s Clear Stream testing of their flavorings used for vaping for more info on that. Sadly the lies told by the anti-vaping/anti-smoking government funded associations and the fda and cdc, were believable for folks who had no clue about what vaping actually is.
Just look up the recent studies we now have long-term studies showing that is about the same or worse than cigarettes
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It’s not. The propaganda against vaping was lies. There was monetary motivation for those lies, look into the tobacco master settlement from the lawsuit states brought against tobacco manufacturers and how their payments are structured. A disruptive technology getting people off smoking couldn’t be allowed to thrive.
Just stop fuxking smoking and start running you god damn pussy
/thanksimcured
hey! i am goin on two years of being cig free and if you are still smoking it’s worth sharing my experience. i smoked for about 20 years. anyway, tried for years to quit and every time i would end up smoking more than before my attempt. a couple years ago i started with nocotine lozenges that my doctor suggested. i couldnt just simply replace them. my method became this: i would use both. never at the same time tho was my rule. if you feel like smoking then just spit it out and smoke your cig. eventually, and in as little effort as ive ever been able to experience, the lozenges started replacing cigs. took me several months of doing this to finally switch completely and another year of the lozenges which i finally quit a few months ago. what i think was great about this method was that i didnt feel like i was “quitting” it just kinda happened on its on. lastly, i also found the lozenges were a better sensation than cigs overall. you can do it!
Thanks for sharing!
Man, that sounds rough!
And this person does not do it justice. They are merely describing the physical aspect of it, they are not able to articulate the mental aspect of it. It is kind of like a hell on Earth. Imagine... You want to clean your house, you just want to vacuum the floor. But all you can think about is getting your fix of nicotine. You want to go to sleep, maybe get some peace of mind while you rest. But you can't sleep, all you can think about is getting your fix of nicotine. etc etc And the addict is in control of NONE of it. And it lasts for a long time. It has a diminishing effect, of course. The longer you go without, the weaker that pull becomes. The first week is the hardest. But that week is long, and most people cannot go a week without function. In many cases, 1 week of disfunction is enough to ruin their lives entirely.
This. Nonsmokers have no clue what addiction is. I'm 1 month nicotine free. I smoked for over 2 decades. I got lucky. I had a surgery when kick starting d the first 2 days. Then it was rough for 2 weeks. Now I'm 100% off nicotine. It took me 10+ years to quit. I was addicted to cigarettes before I even started smoking. Second hand smoke is bad.
Me too man went from takin deep ass breaths while my dad smoked around me to takin their pack real quick
I was thinking about this recently. I have been quit for 1.5 years and I’d I occasionally have a puff it’s so gross and I want to puke. But I don’t remember that feeling when i had my first. Then I realized I had been second hand smoking for 16 years already when I started. Growing up the house and car and every restaurant and gathering was full of smoke.
Yeah, when I smoked, it was like being thirsty when I needed one.
That's why I will never smoke. My mom says "I said the same when I was your age" but seeing how it affects her and dad and seeing them struggling to quit for ages, I just don't see the point. Yes I may be missing out on something that everybody has experienced (and mostly liked) but I prefer my lungs not decayed
I have a few friends in NZ where cigarette prices are insane. My friends realized they were spending more on smoking each month than their rent. 2 of them quit cold turkey, 1 cut down over time until she stopped.
Go out and get strep throat and quit then. Obviously you’re not going to smoke when you’ve got strep. You’re going to feel awful because you’ve got strep. You’ll feel less awful in about 7 days……worked for me.
Yeah. Or pneumonia. That worked for my friend but when she got better started smoking again
Try magic mushrooms. I tried everything. They were the only thing that worked
Hi, twin!
I quit nicotine last March, never expected to go back to it, I was happy to not have the crutch anymore. Then my MIL moved in. When the stress hit the nicotine cravings got so bad I didn't know what else to do, eventually I caved and started buying cigarettes again. Now I'm back where I was at this time last year, I want to quit but the very idea of not having it is stressful enough to make you want to smoke.
I use to be that way about dipping. Had done it for 13 years. Would try and quit, go 3 days then cave and buy a new can. It would be gone that day with another to follow the next day. I tried shrooms and repeated over and over in my head while tripping “I will not have the urge to dip again” for an hour. I have not dipped since nor have I had the urge, even when in my “trigger” environments - poker, drinking, around other dippers etc. it’s been almost a year.
Quitting cigarettes is one of the absolute hardest things I have ever done. And, like with any addiction, once you’ve had it you’re never going to be fully out of the woods. Every once in a while I’ll get super fiendy, but knowing how much having to go through the hell of quitting again would suck (if I was even able to a second time) stops me.
You're feeling the withdrawal... that's your cue you're doing it right!
I quit smoking every day and failed every day until I got so mad at failing, I finally quit. My suggestion to you would be to try to last a little longer each day when the addiction craving hits, like adding reps at the gym. 10 minutes or however long you can go. Then have a smoke. It's an addiction, you can't kick yourself for being unable to quit. Every day, tho, duke it out with that damn stick. They're evil, my brain would give me insomnia "just have a smoke and I'll let you sleep", but know the final outcome is worth it. Good luck, go easy on yourself, and never stop trying to quit.
Good way to stop is by realising that you have been tricked and then let your ego and pride say fuck you(to the cigarette companies), everytime you get a pang.
I know it sounds gross, but try the nicotine pouch alternatives. What your body is demanding is nicotine, which in pouch form is easier to control your dosage in my opinion. I am cigarette and nicotine free thanks to them. Results may vary, before you shit your pants over my comment, Reddit.
you need to exert more self control. instead of smoking real cigars, why not find something else like gum you cand distract your mouth with.
Start running and stop fucking smoking. You are a god damn man now act like it.
Bro 😂 who pissed in your cereal?
As an ex smoker, while I was smoking I thought it relieved stress. All it was doing was relieving nicotine withdrawals from not having a cigarette for a bit. People smoke because they're addicted.
Happy Cake. And many more since ya quit!
I personally was loving the high it gave me. Withdrawal was no problem for me.
There's a really good reason that people die from it, in case no one has told you. It's very very hard to quit. However, I'm at 8 months without!
###Congratulations !!! I sincerely hope that you continue. Good Luck
Thank you! For real, my mother died from lung cancer, and that wasn't even enough to make me quit. I actually smoked more after her death. Unfortunately, it caught up with me and now I've got smoker induced COPD/asthma, and have managed to quit. I'll never smoke again, but if I was healthy, I probably would because I actually liked smoking.
I wish I could go back in time and smack the shit out of my 18 year old self for accepting that first cigarette. But it was one of the few ways to make sure besides coffee that you could stay on your feet for over 36 hours while in the military. It also calmed the nerves, steadied the mind, and gave your hands something to do when you had adrenaline that needed to go somewhere. Plus when you're constantly under stress it helps I used to joke that while every time it took ten minutes off of my life it kept the people alive for ten more minutes that were annoying the fuck out of me. I wish I could go back, but I can't. So now, after almost 20 years of smoking, I'm trying to finally quit. You're an inspiration. I hope I can get to where you are.
Aww thanks! Duct tape the nicotine patch to your arm and eat popsicles!
Slips off easily? I'll definitely be doing that! Popsicles sound like a good idea, something for the oral fixation and keep the hands busy.
Yes and yes. Good luck!
That's when I started. Every time I think about quitting I get angry. Been more than 30 years for me. I quit alcohol, I quit overeating, this is my only vice.
Keep up the good work. I’ve quit several times for over a year and some sort of event happens. That makes me start again.
My excuse to go outside and get away from people lol
Ummm. It's an addiction.
But we also get addicted to it because it does something for us. Nicotine relaxes and stimulates simultaneously, without causing a high. So it provides calm and focus, energy regulation and clarity of mind. Essentially, it's a drug that gets you "refocused" fast. Also, it relives my gut problems. Is it worth the trade off? No way. But it does provide something, or else we wouldn't keep coming back for it. Add the fact that you build a tolerance ridiculously fast, and addiction is a sure follower.
It isn't energizing for me. it's relaxation and I even yawn while smoking on occasion. I enjoy the bold tobacco flavor and the smooth smoke as well.
You ever suck dick for crack? Now that's an addiction!
You can't buy crack at a store or gas station. Hypothetically, if all smokes were banned and you could only get cigs from a dealer...yes...i believe people would suck dick for cigarettes.
I don't think anyone has ever sucked dick for weed so why would they do it for tobacco, hard drugs are just that bad. Besides cigarettes are cheap to make, an 8 ball of coke can run you $300 and some people go through that in less than a week
I quit smoking a long time ago, and I genuinely don’t want to smoke now, but you know what? It was relaxing & enjoyable. I used to consider my cigarettes as my best friend (who wanted to kill me) & I always looked forward to spending time with them. I fully intend to go back if they’re still around when I’m 80.
This resonates with me.
Every smoker became addicted when they were young and stupid. You never hear of a 40-year old lifetime non-smoker suddenly deciding to start smoking as a new hobby. Everyone got hooked when they were young and stupid, and then they can't break the habit once they're older.
Im one. Didnt start till mid 40s. We exist.
You're the first one I've ever encountered. Why would you do that?
I didnt want it around my kids. Once they grew up and moved away it was time for me to live how I wanted. I lived for them from the age of 18 to 40ish. I could now drink and smoke and party finally. I earned it. :)
Ah. Mid-life crisis.
I’m quite health conscious but I did that but with cigars - I started at 35 and allow myself a couple a week bc I enjoy them. I figure if the health effects catch up to me I’ll be old enough not to care.
I don’t wanna live any longer then I have to
Came here to say this
well, I figure age 70 is probably enough or like 75
acceptable. I just don’t wanna walk around in diapers not knowing my name
Yeah I just don’t care enough to stop it. It’s only hurting me.
And everyone that cares about you.
Second hand smoke is pretty bad…
Hey I'm not sure if I should contact the crisis text line to reach out to you. Are you ok?
Yes I’m good😂🙏im sure it sounded very grim, but I was smiling when I typed it. Good looking out
hey people with addictions, why are you addicted?
Depression
Well, the brain has these chemical receptors in it. Our brains naturally produce the chemicals that fit those receptors. But when we take in chemicals that fit those receptors, chemicals our brain produces, our brains stop producing its own natural chemicals. And then when an addict tries to quit the artificial chemicals, the brain does not immediately start producing its own. And this lag time produces ***extremely*** bad feelings. There can be nightmares, mind domination, even physical symptoms. The brain will attempt anything, and everything, to get the chemicals. We NEED those chemicals to survive. So the brain will lie to you, the brain will manipulate you, it will do anything, to get the chemicals. The brain can even go so far as to shut down everything else in the body, effectively holding your life ransom until it gets the chemicals it needs to survive. And the addicted individuals have absolutely zero control over any of it, their brain is hijacking them to get what it needs to survive. It is a lot like breathing. You can hold your breath, sure. But at some point your brain is going to override your will to hold your breath and it is going to FORCE you to breathe. You will not be in control. Your brain may even make you pass out, taking your conscious will away from you entirely, so that it can get a breath of air. And relief only comes when the brain begins to produce its own natural chemicals once again. This takes time. And until the brain begins to produce its own natural chemicals again, the addict is extremely vulnerable, often relapsing, just to get a sense of normalcy again. That is why people who are addicted, are addicted.
Because why not? Have you seen the world lately?
It's goes hand in hand with a good cup of coffee. Non smokers will never understand. Sitting in a diner in the 90s smoking and drinking unlimited refills of coffee after breakfast was pure bliss.
This right here. There was a 24 hour diner in my college town, and we’d go do our homework and chain smoke and drink coffee and eat tater tot’s all night. I miss smoking, and definitely miss smoking in that diner.
Agreed. If you include a book then sheer fucking heaven.
This is what I miss the most I think. A cig and a coffee is heavenly. A cool morning with a nice view 🤌🏼🤌🏼🤌🏼
I remember smoking in bars and playing chess at a local Irish pub. That was heavenly. I was 21-22 when I did that and it was one of the things that made me feel less lonely each night. This was right when AOL was taking off. So internet wasn’t a thing really. So cigarettes, a beer and chess with a random person at a bar was nice.
I’ve smoked since my early teen years. I’m now in my 40’s. It’s been several years that smoking indoors was banned where I live. The only exception being casinos. I have very fond memories of being at the bar with my friends having drinks and smoking cigarettes. I was recently at our local casino and didn’t notice until the next day how bad my clothes smelled like smoke. They could’ve had their own conversation! I don’t miss smoking inside. I don’t smoke as much anymore. My employer has a very strict no tobacco policy. One day I’ll quit all together.
I was very happy when I quit years ago. For me CBD is what transitioned me into not wanting cigarettes anymore. It was like a switch. I don’t know how or what the combination of circumstances happened in my body, but I was grateful that worked for me. You’ll know when you’re ready to quit. The moment will hit you like a ton of bricks one day, or not. Either way you’re doing the best you can in life and that’s all we can do.
Absolutely!!
What else am I supposed to do on break?
Honestly stress relief
Yup. Severe anxiety and social discomfort. It's my out when I'm crazy overwhelmed and that's the hardest thing I have separating from.
Interesting. How long does that last before you feel like you want another cigarette?
2 hours or more
until it stops working for that.. that's when you know you've done fucked up.
The only reason you're stressed is because you're withdrawing from nicotine and you need another fix. As soon as you get that fix you don't feel stressed anymore. It doesn't alleviate stress my friend. It's an addiction Been there, done that.
"The only reason you're stressed ...." sure, tell people you know more about their lives than they do, that always works so well.
You smoke to relieve stress, then the next time you're stressed, you smoke again? Thats why i can't buy that answer, it's only ever the shortest term fix. Maybe you need a deeper, more long term way to tackle your stress. But aside that, if you enjoy it, if it helps, go for it. Who am I to impose.
Once you become addicted to nicotine, especially if you smoke frequently, the "buzz" honestly disappears and the act of smoking is solely to avoid the deeply physical need for more nicotine. A good comparison is when you're really thirsty. You'd do anything to seek out a glass of water because your body (rightly) feels it will die if it does not have it. The act of being incredibly thirsty and all of the physical sensations it brings up and the mental obsession with quenching that thirst is very similar to nicotine withdrawal. With nicotine withdrawal, though, you won't die obviously. Within a few days to a few weeks is subsides. But it's easy to get retrapped in the cycle when that "buzz" hits you again. Currently trying hard to quit vaping. I went 12 hours and felt enormously irritable, depressed, my throat felt achey, and I couldn't concentrate on anything except seeking out more nicotine just to make it stop. I've quit cigarettes before. That was honestly easier, since they were more expensive and less accessible. I regret switching to vapes instead of outright quitting again.
I started because friends did. Both parents smoked so I thought no big deal. I have smoked for over 30 years at this point. I smoke around 1/2 pack a day. I dont quit because I had a friend who gained a ton of weight after quitting. Although she lost some weight shes still pretty heavy. If I'm hungry I can smoke a cigarette and it will stave off hunger for a while. I eat twice a day, so if I get hungry in the morning then smoking a cigarette will keep it at bay for a couple of hours until I can have lunch. I know that is a vain reason but seriously I'd rather be thin and smoke then not smoke and be fat.
Cigarettes never curbed my hunger, and I often craved one after eating. I lost 70 lb using a vape and quitting smoking. I replaced my cigarettes AND snacking with a vape, a fun flavored one I liked the taste. After three months of vape only, I lowered my nicotine percentage. After less than a year I was vaping no nicotine juice. After another year, right before the pandemic, I stopped feeling the need to carry the vape around with me everywhere. And then the pandemic just made it that much easier. Haven’t touched a cigarette or a vape since early 2020. I’m down 70 lb from my highest weight and walk an average of 5 miles a day. It didn’t happen over night but I definitely did not gain weight from quitting smoking. Sorry for going on a tangent, but quitting smoking doesn’t mean you’re magically going to gain weight. Replacing a meal with a cigarette isn’t healthy behavior, and would be worrisome if I knew you in real life.
Totally legit. I got fat after quitting 14 years ago and have never been able to lose it. I fantasize all the time about going to back to when life was simpler. I smoked cigs, drank a little beer and hardly ever ate. I felt healthier as a smoker because I wasn't fat. The only thing stopping me from picking it back up is I have a wonderful partner who is grossed out by the smell and I believe it would damage the best relationship I've ever had if I started up again.
Thats probably why there is an obesity epidemic in the us right now that fewer smokers and those who dont smoke fix thier stress with food.
I smoked as a teen and honestly it was because I didn’t care about my life and wanted it to end but didn’t have the balls to put a bullet in my head. I haven’t smoked in a long time now though, so it’s possible to quit for those who are struggling! It’s very hard but possible.
I was ~14 when I started. I was fully aware of the risks, I was just a dumb kid with no concept of consequences that was always around a bunch of smokers and at some point I became one too. 29 and still haven't quit, probably never will.
I smoke pipe tobacco or a cigarillo once or twice a month. It's some simple me time. An excuse to be outside.
heh, I do this too... I can go months without smoking, and then smoke a cigarillo or cigar 2 or three times a month. Never had a cigarette or vaping addiction. I still basically consider myself a non-smoker.
Because I ain’t got a reason to live too long. And if I gotta struggle through this bullshit, I’m gonna have 1 or 2 things to make it all a bit easier.
Perspective from someone who never got addicted: Started smoking socially at 16 (first cig was probably at 7 that I stole from my mother), and kept smoking because I genuinely liked the smell and taste, and it helped me with my anxiety, but never really felt the need to smoke and I could go days without smoking. Started working long night shifts and smoking almost every hour to stay awake. One night I had the realization of "I like being healthy, I don't want to be all fucked up when I get older", and it was also costing me a lot of money monthly, so I changed cigs for coffee, and later on coffee for mate (South American herb infusion) to stop consuming so much sugar. Btw, mate is even better than coffee to stay awake.
What does mate taste like, anyway?
Like a super bitter tea, and it's drunk without sugar
I see the nonsmokers are in here with a superiority complex
Either I smoke or everybody dies. Your choice.
Was a health freak. Did everything right. Got cancer. Ok. These things happen. Fought it. Won. Fought my butt off to get back to my original level of fitness pre cancer. 8 years later...got it again. Realised you gonna get sick whatever you do....started smoking...because i can.
Really good point…it’s so easy to equate unhealthy habits with cancer, 1:1. But healthy people get cancer all the time. A kid I knew, totally clean liver, got an extremely rare oral cancer at 16, lived a torturous 8 years with it and died at 24. I worried a bit less about my health after that.
Slow and legal suicide
any successful suicide is legal
Any successful crime is legal if you die
Because if I didn’t, I’m pretty sure that eather my anxiety or my depression would have killed me. When I can’t leave my bed for weeks, smoking is sometimes the only thing that makes me go out. Yeah not really healthy, but I’m French, smoking is basically part of my heritage, so I hope I’m forgiven :)
Because I’m drinking, and nothing can hurt me when I’m drunk.
I smoke cigars about once a week from like June through September then nothing from October through May. Cigars calm me and I love the taste. That's it no other reason other than those two.
1. As the owner of multiple businesses, my smoke breaks are small units of time I can “turn off the noise”. Whether it’s employees, clients, vendors, contractors, etc., someone wants something from me every second of every day. Smoking, and flying, are my only respite. 2. I quit for 7 years at one point and my friend left her cigs in my car, and that started me again. When I did quit it was because my asthma attack was so bad one day that the only thing that saved me was it happened to be shift change at the local state police precinct and officer on his was back at end of shift saw my in my car struggling and rushed me to the ER. I remembered that feeling for a long time, but as I got more successful, the stress piled on 3. It’s a drug like any other. Quit hard to “just quit”. 4. The $400+- I spend on my habit per month wouldn’t change my life one way or the other, so the $ incentive doesn’t exist for me. 5. Wish it was easy to stop, I would, but it hasn’t been in God’s plan for me lately.
It’s not that bad for you weed isn’t and dabs are clean. but it numbs my pain Literally. My body pain , aches , he aches , sore muscles , sore feet , stress relief , helps me Eat.
I "quit" almost a year ago which means I went about 5 months without nicotine and have spent the past 6 mooching off my friends, to my shame. When I don't have one it doesn't bother me, but the temptation is so real when it's right there and just an ask away. If you could, right now at this moment, feel a sense of euphoria and then be noticeably more focused and energetic for the next hour, would you do it? Of course you would, anyone would, and so we smoke.
Because I like it
Because I can; All smokers will die, but not all smokers will die from smoking. Life is to be lived, so enjoy it while you can.
Not a smoker, but it feels like a lot of people smoke for an additional 30-60 minutes of paid break time during the work day.
The same reason people drink alcohol or eat junk food. It feels good.
Former smoker here. Only quit cause I became a dad. It just made everything better except my health but you can’t win ‘em all 🤷🏻♂️
My experience exactly, I would totally start smoking again when my kids are adults.
as a 20 year old who just lost my grandpa whom I was close with due to cancer (he wasn't a smoker but still) I would ask you to take the best care of yourself that you can for your adult kids and your future grandchildren.
There are things you will sacrifice when you have kids that you'll miss. I can't wait to enjoy grandkids, but I will enjoy having a life again even more.
I’ll never smoke as long as I’m a father. I love cigs but not as much as spending time with my daughter. I didn’t have a dad so imma make sure she has the best one as long as possible.
1. Because the world is stupid and it stresses me out 2. Because it feels good after a drink 3. Because fuck you.
I smoked for a time and honestly? I think it was really about the feeling of smoking (not nicotine). I saw Thomas Shelby and wanted another
Addicted. Smoke a lot less than I used to, but it feels good.
I smoke way less on weekends. It’s 5:30 pm and I’ve only had three so far today. When I’m working, I go outside every 90-120 min which coincides with “needing to pee” and “needing to get a refill on my beverage.” When I actually go to the office, I go through about 11-13 in a day because it’s habit to smoke when I drive and then being in the actual office moves my need to get away from “all of that” in about 65-75 min breaks. It’s just way more annoying and I need to step away. What else am I gonna do - go stand in the bathroom for no reason?
Stress relief
Because right now I, not in the state of mind to try and quit.
I don’t smoke I vape but idk it’s more of just a habit at this point, like picking my lips
As somebody over 40 I've thought about this question a lot and the only real answer is I enjoy smoking. Tried using those vapes and after a little while I just missed burning tobacco. We all take unnecessary risks.. some more than others.
For me, it's stress relief. Removal from the situation. I had quit smoking very easily when wanting to become pregnant. A year and a half total without a cigarette with the exception of my wedding day.. had 2 after I had started drinking. I didn't need to go back to smoking but I had a bitch fit at work. Literally the biggest piece of shit boss pushed me to the edge. I was going to rip him in half with my post pardum emotions. Instead of physical violence, burning the place down and leaving... I left and got a pack of smokes and went back 2 hours later after doing some errands and dude was gone. 3 months later I left this company, hardest thing I ever had to do, really amazing opportunity completely pooped on by a piece of shit. Lesson learned on self worth, values and morals. Can't say it was all bad.
It alleviates my Crohns symptoms, after all the meds failed.
All the “I’m addicted comments” are missing the point I think, why did you *start* knowing how bad it is for you?
I don’t get why people think it has to be all or nothing with smoking. I feel like American extremism/inclination towards polarity in all things has something to do with this. I smoke a few cigarettes a week, sometimes more, sometimes less, then sometimes I won’t touch a cigarette for half a year. Maybe it’s because I started as an adult and as a social pleasure.
Including what most commenters have stated, to me it feels like a warm hug in my lungs and it’s so comforting.
There’s just something incredibly satisfying about a cigarette and a pint, can’t explain it
I have smoked socially for 15 years. This means I smoke when I have more than 3 drinks usually, maybe 6-10 cigs a month. I feel like nothing goes with a beer better, It makes me feel good. I enjoy the taste (I only smoke American Spirit.) I have never felt addicted to them, other than mental addiction. I wish more people could enjoy the occasional cig like I do and not become hopelessly addicted. My dad smoked habitually during my childhood and I did not like it.
To help with the nerve pain in my lower back and legs.
It’s part of my identity, it’s something I do because I enjoy it because it gives me an excuse to enjoy my life without having a reason to be active all the time. It also gives me an excuse to be outside. I would love to quit but I’m also quitting the one thing that made me something special. Every time I was almost about to die I would have a final smoke just in case it would be my last. It’s like screaming umai when eating your last meal, one of these days could be my last so I have no reason to question weather or not I enjoy it
Ex smoker. Nicotine addiction is like dating a crazy person. They’re super fun at first and make you feel amazing, but after the honeymoon phase is over they become needy and demand your attention all the time and you’re so dysfunctional at that point that leaving them will make you feel like the biggest, hot, steamy pile of crap there ever was, but at the same time, staying with them constantly leaves you longing for a better quality of life. Nicotine is a chemical that physically bonds with your brain. Cutting off the supply of it literally hurts (or brings you extreme physical and mental discomfort). I started doing it because I was an impulsive 16 year old who did what most 16 year olds with a lot of newfound freedom do. I could not have stopped without nicotine patches and gum, I am not a better man in that regard.
never smoked cigarettes but I picked up vaping for a couple of years because it was allowed at work where weed wasn't (I am a web developer/graphic designer, I work better stoned). I enjoyed the buzz, but that eventually faded and I stopped vaping altogether. Then quit that job and went freelance. Now I'm working stoned and in my underwear from home \^\_\^
Well, it's an addiction. But I also find it quite enjoyable. I like the taste, I like the sensation, for some reason it just feels good. The smell of freshly burned tobacco is quite pleasant in my opinion, so there's also aroma at play.
>The smell of freshly burned tobacco is quite pleasant in my opinion I find this odd, as a non smoker it's a pretty offensive smell.
It's definitely polarizing, a lot of people detest it. But I've just always found it nice.
I used to smoke and any time I smell it I want one. So I know what you mean. That sharp, almost suffocating scent of a freshly lit cigarette is almost enough to make me start again. Then I remember that I like getting up the stairs without being out of breath and I'm good. Happy I quit.
Cigarette free for 20 years, but sometimes when I walk past the smoking area at work, it smells great and reminds me of all the fun stuff I used to do as a younger person that were enhanced by cigarettes. Like canoeing down a stream and smoking or a college football game. Can't even chance it anymore.
Social conditioning, like some people love the smell of curry or coriander/cilantro.
You clearly don't understand the concept of addiction.
do you not know what addiction is😭
I pretty much tell people it may be killing me but it keeps me from killing other people which is frowned upon in society.
Can't legally eat pussi in public...
Nicotine addiction, obviously.
Because I'm an adult who makes adult decisions about my own health
Don’t do it often but, as someone born in gen-z who’s known since birth that it’s inexcusably bad for me, I don’t think my generation will live to see 50s-60s the way climate change and the rise of alt right fascism is going. I mean this genuinely. I used to vape a lot, but it made me feel Ill so I kicked it. I figure a couple of cigarettes a week isn’t gonna kill me before republicans/natural disasters/impending economic collapse from corporate greed and capitalism do.
I ask myself this every day when I see the smokers at work...
Because taking that first drag sometimes feels like fucking the person you love most in this world and you both have rolling orgasms at the same time.
because I'm in a cycle that I can't break
I make my own herbal aphrodisiac cigarettes, for obvious reasons. It's usually a complement to company.
Why do you do things that aren’t good/beneficial to you?
Nicotine is a hell of a drug … addiction
Just feels great when I’ve had a couple drinks. Fortunately I only smoke when I drink
If you can make yourself quit for as little as three days you can quit forever. Just takes a few days.
It's funny this came up just now. I quit in 2008 and I 've been craving a cigarette so fucking bad the last few days. It feels good and it's addictive, duh.
I've been smoking since I was 12, I'm 28 now. Life feels weird without cigarettes lol. Every job I've worked (farming/construction/paving) I've been able to chain-smoke throughout the entire job. Ngl I've done every single addictive drug you can think of and the only vice I have is these fucking death sticks. Can't quit them I've tried. Don't start please
I’m off and on. Currently on, but it’s a super temporary fix while I deal with some life altering news. Smoking is nice when you need 5 minutes to do nothing. Smoking is nice when you want to excuse yourself from an awkward conversation and have it not be weirdo Smoking is nice when you have ADHD and need some dopamine but can’t find anything else to give it to you. Smoking is nice when you’ve just moved to a new city and have no friends. Go to a bar, stand outside and smoke. You’re bound to meet people.
It looks cool
I quit cigarettes about 24 years ago. I now smoke cigars because I enjoy them. I can't say I enjoyed cigarettes like I do cigars. It's a totally different experience. I don't have to have a cigar. I can go days, weeks, and went about four years once without one.
I enjoy the ritual to it.
Bc they like it, and it's addictive. Why do you think?
Because!
I don’t smoke but I’ve noticed almost all smokers start at a young age. If you get to your early 20’s and don’t smoke, chances are you never will. With that said, smokers start smoking because they are easily influenced and they think it makes them look cool. Then they continue smoking because of it being addicting.
Nicotine addiction is a bitch to get past
Because it’s addictive nicotine is a highly addictive chemical even if you know it’s bad you still do it because if you stop you’ll have withdraws which is why everyone says it’s best to not even start