One Thing I Noticed about Smoking

[nanci2539]

.....on my visits TV is the number of smokers who visit/live there. I know it's our era and I know it's a habit and a hard one to break.

I have never smoked or even tried it.

My family smokes and we lost our dad to lung cancer so I am sympathetic to those who do smoke and want to quit and can't. The rest of the family (mom, siblings) gave it up after he died.

But I wonder about the public places in TV and if there are any rules about smoking in public places?

When we were in the squares, I felt it was all around me. Even though outside, I was gagging on the smoke and found myself moving around a lot to avoid the smoke going in my face.

Please, I am not posting this to give smokers a hard time, I'm just wondering if there are any areas that are non-smoking period.

[LG]

All resturants are non-smoking............... NASTY habit.. I used to smoke 15 years ago..never knew how much I and my clothes stunk

[F16 1UB]

My wife & I quit in 89. We just got back from San Francisco Monday and I could count the smokers I saw on 2 hands after being there a week. Figured they were tourists. Totally opposite where we live now - barley is big BIZZNESS here in northern KY.

Steve

[Donna]

Nanci,
I smoke unfortunately and the pools are all non-smoking..The square is smoking but not where the entertainment is..I think it is non-smoking..

I hate my addiction and had a 50 year old brother die of lung cancer..My hubby does not smoke either..
It is a very dirty, nasty, habit/ addiction..I will be the first to agree..

There are not many places that allow smoke..I know that for a fact!

[nanci2539]

Donna, my brother in law gave up a three pack of day habit, one he had for over 30 years. That was over two years ago.

I pointed him in the direction of the Ann Penman Laser clinic (there are may in different states). It's painless and not overly expensive. He went twice. The treatment or therapy takes away the physical addition almost immediately. The mental part of it is another story and that's the hurdle but each day got better.

If he can do it, in my opinion, anyone can do it because he was a die hard smoker who liked to smoke. It was at the persistence of my sister that he finally gave in and went. I had sent her the information after hearing it advertised and it was a blessing (in her eyes) that I happen to hear it one day and send it along.

Just someting to think about - I know how hard it is to want to give it up. I saw my Dad try to give it up many times but unfortunately, it got him before he could.

I guess I'm fortunate that I never had a desire to smoke or even try it.

[swrinfla]

You should know that Florida law prohibits smoking in eating establishments. Note, however, that I said "in." You can see folks smoking at the outdoor tables around Town Square at Spanish Springs. As a smoker of some 40 years (gave it up five years ago) I remember feeling like a social outcast for several years. Now, I try to be accommodating to smokers, even though I no longer allow the habit in my home!

[Donna]

Ya know, this is funny..I am a smoker who hates the smell of smoke in my house and in my face..I hate to smell smoke when I eat too..I do not usually sit outside and smoke while eating..I enjoy inside better..Go figure.. :dontknow:

I will go out to smoke between courses though..LOL..

That is when i crave the cigarettes..I feel bad for my hubby having to subject him to smoke while eating..See I am so considerate..lol.. ;D

I do like to eat at Denny's, and would love to sit and have a cigarette with my coffee but the less I smoke the better it is for me..

You guys are very understanding to smokers and that is very unusual...
Thanks, I do appreciate the consideration..
:)

[nanci2539]

I think it's getting harder and harder for smokers. In my workplace, people smoke outdoors and I hate to tel you the comments from others who pass them coming inside. It got so bad that now they have to smoke almost a block away from the entance door.

Don't get me wrong, I detest the smell of smoke and could never be friends with a smoker. I don't even like the smell on their clothing. BUT, I do have empathy for those who want to quit and can't.

Donna, if you truly want to quit; then make the commitment and take it a day at a time. I know my brother in law said it was the absolute best thing he ever did and still thanks me today for finding the clinic for him. You said you don't like the habit so I'm pulling for you - look in to the Anne Pedman clinics - they are reasoanble and they have lots of success stories.

[rdkent]

Donna, I was a 3 pack a day unfiltered Pall Mall smoker. I tried quitting several times because my wife/kids wanted me to. Never made it past a few days. In 1990 I decided I wanted to quit because a) my wife has mild asthma, and we could no longer watch tv together, etc because I just had to smoke, and b) I was noticing it affected my breathing more and more, as well as sinuses. I quit cold turkey for about 5 days, and was suffering but hanging in there, when I happened to run into my doctor. Told him what I was doing, and he said he never could have quit without nicorette gum. Wrote me a scrip and I used the gum for about 3 months. Haven't had a cigarette since February 1990. It was one of the harder things I've done, but it can be done if YOU really want to. Good luck.

[Donna]

Rdkent..That is great..Good job.. :bigthumbsup:..I tried to quit 4 times..

I had a collapsed lung and was in ICU for 10 days..I quit for 6 months and was going nuts..Needless to say, I started again..Crazy..I know!! :'(

I tried the patch..I was allergic to it.I tried Zyban..I was allergic to it..Cold turkey..I went nuts!!!

I have tried so hard and had no luck!!

I do like to smoke but would love to quit..

I guess I have a very addictive personality..Ya think??

I give so much credit to people that have quit..I know how hard it is..I thought when I quit for 6 months, I had it licked..I did NOT!! :(

I am going to try Chantix..Pray I can do it this time..

[DugCave]

Donna, sounds like me. I quit several times but always came back. Then I started to eliminate one ciggarettte a week till I got down to 1/2 pack a day. I have been smoking 1/2 pack a day for five years now. Not as good as quiting for good, but I don't crave the two pack a day habit I had for years. Good luck.

[villagerjudy]

I am also an ex smoker that took only about 1,600 attempts to quit. I was such a raving "you know what" by day three that my husband actually bought me cigarettes to calm me down. I admitted defeat and went on the anti depressants that work for quitting smoking. It kept the anxiety to a manageable level so I could focus on not smoking (Husband said that I wasn't a raving.....while using the meds). I also chewed the gum (LMAO for 2 and 1/2 years). I have been "clean" for 8 years. Knowledge isn't the key....I was an ICU nurse during part of my smoking career. Good luck to all of you trying to quit....hardest thing I ever did.

[nanci2539]

Donna - listen, you can do it! The first hurdle is admitting you want to stop.

Look into Anne Penman

http://www.annepenman.com/

Like I posted, it worked for my brother in law and he as a two plus pack a day smoker for over 30 years.

[BUC]

Donna,
I smoked 3 packs of camels a day for 35 years. I had just brought a new cartoon before going to the doctor's appointment (lung specialist) he told me that if I didn't quit smoking I wouldn't see 60. He gave me these things little cardgiges inhalers Holds a tiny bit of nicotine I went out to my truck and said God, my Heavenly Father I can't do this alone please help me! That was in 2003 I haven't smoked since my wife still smokes and many of the people I work with smoke but I don't. By the way I had a cat scan thing done and the doctor says my lungs show no signs of damage from all those years of smoking. So ask your doctor for the inhalers but most importantly ask the Lord to help you.

[whartonjelly]

Welbutrin has worked for many ! I eat too often, Anxiety, I guess, although I was never aware of it. My doctor put me on welbutrin and I no longer had the urge or need to eat. It stops cravings. Good Luck !

[redwitch]

I'm with Donna -- I've tried almost everything under the sun to quit and have never been successful. Wellbutrin gave me migraines, upset my stomach and a few other nasty side affects. The patch gave me hives but it was working, darn the luck. The Nicotine gum just made me throw up. Hypnosis had zero effect. Acupuncture just made me nervous -- those needles scared me. lol Cold turkey was out of the question -- even my non-smoking husband at the time begged me to start again. The "witch" in my name fit very accurately, especially when you changed the w to a B. Gradual withdrawal just didn't exist in my mind. I may start checking into the laser treatment to see how it works, etc.

I wish I could quit. It's a waste of money, makes me smell yucky, affects my health and, most importantly, makes me a social pariah many times over. At the same sad time, it relaxes me, keeps me from wanting to kill someone on a bad day, is a great way to start a morning. I haven't given up on the concept of quitting, I just wish I could do it before I die.

[golfnut]

why would u want to quit something that makes you feel good...gn

[redwitch]

Because the feeling good is only while I'm smoking at home, where it's quiet and private. I really do love going out front, sitting on my porch, reading the paper, planning my day, with my Coke (don't drink coffee) and a smoke. Otherwise, it is a way to alleviate the urge for nicotine, nothing else. The reasons for quitting far outweigh the joy of that morning cigarette. If only the need for nicotine was outweighed by something else.

[chuckinca]

Was a 3 pack a day smoker. During a physical in 1990, the nurse called in the doctor after giving me a breath volume test; he looked at the test results and said "you have a decision to make".

I quit cold turkey. Tough for a couple months but that ended it for good. I used to hate having to have a cigarette every 15 minutes and having to go outside to smoke.

.

[golfnut]

i'm thinkin the need for nicotine will soon be outweighed by the box they bury you in, sorry if i sound blunt but that's JMO...gn

[l2ridehd]

Easiest way to quit. Start running. Yes the first day you only go 25 yards, fall into a coughing fit, think your going to die. But when you want that next one, grab the sneakers and try it again. This time you will make 50 yards and the progress improves and the pain and hacking gets less. Soon you will measure your distance in miles and the desire will be gone, the weight will drop, and sooner then you think you will be ready to run a marathon. It really does work.

[jebartle]

Wait 'til the pictures on pack of cigs come out.....My Dad smoked with both hands (Chesterfield) 3 packs a day, died from complications of emphysema...I know it must be a tough habit to break....Glad I never started.

[Talk Host]

Wait 'til the pictures on pack of cigs come out.....My Dad smoked with both hands (Chesterfield) 3 packs a day, died from complications of emphysema...I know it must be a tough habit to break....Glad I never started.

Did he really smoke with a cigarette in each hand. Wow, that's lots of smoke. I smoked 3 packs a day til 1978. Then quite cold turkey. That was the 567th attempt. Never had another puff.

[JenAjd]

I was a "situational" smoker but quit 30 years ago. I grew up with a parent who smoked...but back in those days it seemed like alot of people had the habit. Even movies depicted it. Remember the ads of the 50's??? Anyway...I now count myself among those who detest being around smoke. I believe I have asthma because it will spur me into coughing if it's too intense. I recently had a friend who passed away from a hideous death with lung cancer. She didn't smoke but cared for a mother who did...so I believe it was the 2nd hand stuff that got her. My FIL, a heavy smoker, passed away from emphasema...another hideous death. My point? It's a horrible and very expensive habit that doesn't have good health outcomes....and it does affect others!

It may be the smoker's "right" to do so...BUT it is an offensive habit. I've been reading about e-cigs (not quite sure what they are) that smokers are using to successfully quit. I would wish smokers well in their quests to quit!!

[bluedog103]

Like Donna I quit for 6 months and thought I had it beat. Then in a bar one night I bummed a cigarette thinking I could smoke just one. An hour later I bought a pack from a machine. Then a day or two later bought a carton. I smoked for another 22 years.
15 years ago I got tired of the hypocrites in power in New York State who would scream about who terrible smoking is, then hike the taxes on smokes to raise money for most anything. It seemed that the only minority they could attack and tax with impunity was the smokers. That finally annoyed me enough that I quit. I used patches which made my arm burn like hell but I figured that was a price I had to pay.
My morning cough cleared up with a week and my endurance quickly improved. The weight thing has been difficult but it wasn't easy when I smoked either. I had no idea how badly I stunk until the odor wasn't there anymore. Now I absolutely detest the smell of smoke, as do most ex-smokers.
If I could do it, with my lack of will power and an addictive personality, anyone can do it. Good luck.

[Mikeod]

I still remember when my dad, who smoked regularly from the first day I remember, was looking at a new car. He really wanted the car, but it was a little out of his price range. He calculated how much he was spending on cigarettes each month and realized it more than covered the car payment. Quit on the spot and never smoked again. Guess you have to have a good incentive.

Still, we lost him to lung cancer many years later.

[Chi-Town]

It would be nice if the Florida law banned smoking where food is served, inside or out. It is probably coming, because many states have done that. When I smoked i didn't like the smell when I was eating. So much of what you taste is what you smell.

[memason]

Ever think about how much your taxes would go up if "magically" all smokers stopped buying cigarettes and paying the outrageous taxes they pay?

Just saying...

[jebartle]

Did he really smoke with a cigarette in each hand. Wow, that's lots of smoke. I smoked 3 packs a day til 1978. Then quite cold turkey. That was the 567th attempt. Never had another puff.

Naaa! But he was hooked BAD! and I guess in the long run, I smoked also (second hand)...here is a funny story....A friend was describing a ride home with his folks, dad flipped his cigarette butt out the window, came back in passenger window, at my friends lap who was 8 yrs old at the time, he decided to puff away until his sister "turned him in" , probably had to be there~Ha!

[2BNTV]

In order to avoid a lenghty post, let me just say that I lost a lot of family members due to smoking and then getting cancer and or heart disease. They always rationalized their own behavior.

I realize that smoking is a nervous habit/addiction, and one becomes addicted to nicotine. I do have one family member still alive as he quit several times. His experience was that you couldn't relax and say your only going to smoke one cigarette. He also had a relapse by smelling smoke from someone elses cigarette and couldn't resist the urge to have a cigarette.

IMHO - Everyone has the right to live their life as they see fit. I realize to quit is a very difficult thing to do but doesn't one owe it to themselves and love one's to try and stop?

[laryb]

I'm with Donna -- I've tried almost everything under the sun to quit and have never been successful. Wellbutrin gave me migraines, upset my stomach and a few other nasty side affects. The patch gave me hives but it was working, darn the luck. The Nicotine gum just made me throw up. Hypnosis had zero effect. Acupuncture just made me nervous -- those needles scared me. lol Cold turkey was out of the question -- even my non-smoking husband at the time begged me to start again. The "witch" in my name fit very accurately, especially when you changed the w to a B. Gradual withdrawal just didn't exist in my mind. I may start checking into the laser treatment to see how it works, etc.

I wish I could quit. It's a waste of money, makes me smell yucky, affects my health and, most importantly, makes me a social pariah many times over. At the same sad time, it relaxes me, keeps me from wanting to kill someone on a bad day, is a great way to start a morning. I haven't given up on the concept of quitting, I just wish I could do it before I die.

Hi Red... I started smoking when I was 13 and smoked about 2 packs a day for over 40 years, beside working in a coal burning power plant, great combination, huh? Anyway, after the second time they told me I had cancer, I decided it was time to quit. If you haven't tried Chantix, you might want to give it a try, it worked for me. You get to smoke the first week, sort of giving you a chance to get use to the idea of quitting. It's no walk in the park, but it works. After the first month I figured I had just gone a month without smoking, so I stopped the pills and haven't smoked since. It's been over 3 years and don't even think about smoking. Think the pills are more of a mental thing, but whatever works, go for it. It worked for me. (ps. the cancer was removed and they tell me it shouldn't come back:coolsmiley: )

[K9-Lovers]

why would u want to quit something that makes you feel good...gn

That's what my dad said when he refused to quit smoking. He died at age 57.

[chuckinca]

My wife had a lady friend who recently died in her early 50's from lung cancer. She didn't smoke cigarettes - just some grass a couple times a day.



.

[K9-Lovers]

Smoke is smoke . . .

[batman911]

I do not mind the second hand smoke as much as all the butts we saw on the streets and cart paths. My wife and I picked up hundreds of butts in our walks along the cart paths during our visit. This is one of the reasons non-smokers are against smoking.

Ex-smoker.

[golfnut]

chuck, do you know if it was St Augustine or Zoysia....gn

[Ajack]

I quite a 3 pack a day habit over 25 years ago and the smell of cigarettes still smell good to me.

[Bill-n-Brillo]

I stopped smoking cigarettes years ago. Switched to crack......... :) JOKE!!!

An add-on to jebartle's story: "Back in the day", a buddy and I were taking a spin in my car. All 4 side windows down. I flipped a cigarette out the driver's window........which proceeded to reenter said vehicle and wedge itself in the seat back/seat base crevice of the rear seat. Cloth upholstery. "Sniff, sniff...man, do you smell something burning?" Sure enough. We're out in the middle of absolute noplace - no houses, no businesses for miles. Smoldering upholstery, two guys, a bit of, shall we say, "creativity".......and the fire was out in no time. Teenage boys - go figure!! Absolutely true story.

But in all seriousness, my mom died from lung cancer. She smoked all her life, ever since she was a kid - back when it was a well-accepted norm. By the time we found out she had cancer, her overall health was too poor to survive any method of treatment. She made it to age 89, though. Not fun....and not pretty to see her go through it.

Glad I quit. Cold turkey worked for me.

Bill

[cologal]

Quit 20 years ago cold turkey 2 1/2 packs a day habit. The only things that keeps me from smoking is knowing that I could never quit again.

It works for me.

[FMF Doc]

I started smoking at 13 and smoked for 45 years. I finally quit because it became such a problem to find a place to smoke.

CHANTIX is the only thing that worked for me and it worked the first time. Great vivid dreams too.

Good luck to anyone having the courage to quit.

[LuvItHere]

I haven't noticed much cigarette smoke around Lake Sumter Landing square. What I have noticed many times is CIGAR smokers sitting on their golf cars parked right at the curbs around the band stand and dancing.

The stench of the cigars is absolutely sickening. Why do cigar smokers think it's classy to stink around other people?

[downeaster]

I quit (cold turkey) long before it was popular to quit In fact it was still cool. It wasn't easy but I soon discovered food started tasting better. No, I did not gain weight. A number of years after quiting I landed a part in an amateur theater production that required me to light, not smoke, a cigarette. I faked it during rehearsals but the director said I had to try it at dress rehearsal to make sure I wouldn't make an ass of myself. I didn't gag but that was one nasty tasting coffin nail. It was only scheduled for four performances and by the time it was over there was no chance I was going to be hooked on smoking again.

I have seen so much misery as a result of smoking I can't imagine why anyone would do it.

[Hawkwind]

Dad quit smoking and drinking cold turkey on the same day. Now that is will power for someone that drank way too much.

[mmfan]

Dad quit smoking and drinking cold turkey on the same day. Now that is will power for someone that drank way too much.
I have always admired people that are able to quit cold turkey.

[debzaranti]

It would be nice if the Florida law banned smoking where food is served, inside or out. It is probably coming, because many states have done that. When I smoked i didn't like the smell when I was eating. So much of what you taste is what you smell.

I hope they DO pass this law in FL...both inside and OUTside eating establishments. I'm a former smoker (can't believe I ever did that to my body!)...haven't smoked for 31 years. I also have asthma...had it while I was smoking (OK, I was a true idiot!). I quit after I watched my grandfather die a long, slow, painful death from lung cancer. He smoked from the time he was 11 until shortly before he died at age 72.

Back to the point....one of my favorite things about living in FL is that you can eat outdoors at most of the restaurants. Having lived my entire previous life up north, this is a real treat. However, it is ruined by all the smokers. I don't care that it is "outside"...I agree w/the original poster...cigarette smoke always seems to "find" me. It chokes me to the point that I can't breathe, let alone eat. Many a meal I've had to sit with my napkin over my nose and mouth in an attempt to filter out a smoker's noxious fumes.

I'm sure smokers think because they are smoking outside that it doesn't affect or hurt anyone else. They are sadly mistaken. Forgive me for sounding intolerant. I DO believe if people want to smoke they should be able to...in their homes and cars...but NOT in public places where others can be affected by their habit/addiction. I used to be there, I know how it is. I quit cold turkey. Anybody can DO it....you just have to want to. I replaced my cig habit with gum chewing! Worked for me.