Smoking

[Rio and Me]

Sadly I'm a smoker, I dont like it and am ashamed, I plan to try and stop very soon, it's hard but it will happen, I plan to do it with out patchs etc, i'll use mints instead, i'm at the "right" age to stop.
But please dont look at us smokers as disgusting people, its a bad habit and is very difficult to stop.
Ky and Rio

PS I dont smoker near my beloved dog

[Amber]

Pam,

We are learning about tabbaco in Health Class, and she was talking about how to get our parents to stop.

In the ashtray put Candy, or anything good, and his ciggaretts will be there too. He can choose if he wants the good yummy candy or his smoking.

Just a thought. My health teacher told us this.
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I would never smoke. Too gross and messy. I dont like to be around anyone smoking because of second hand smoke. And its terrible for you, its like taking life from you miniuts by miniuts.

[Pam]

First of all, a BIG CONGRATULATIONS to those of you who have quit! I know that growing up I witnessed my uncle lose a lung due to lung cancer from smoking and watching him trying to get around on one lung for several years after that taught me a lesson. Also, I used to work at a bank and we had these nice retired guards who would push the button for your elevator, etc. I grew quite fond of one who, unfortunately, developed emphysema after years of smoking. It was hard to watch him gasping for breath and wheezing just walking over to the elevators.

My daughter says she smells smoke on my clothes and things now when I come to visit. The whole time she lived here, before getting married, she never noticed it. Now she says my clothes reek and I am not even the smoker so it really affects everyone in the household.

[aly]

I have never smoked and never plan on it. I've never even been tempted to try it. I do feel sorry for people that get addicted to it and suffer from health problems. Good luck to everyone trying to quit!!!

[popcornbird]

I've never smoked and never will. Its a habit that disgusts me, and is soooo bad for your health. They say its a *slow-motion suicide*, because it will kill you eventually. My parents never smoked, my brother never smoked, and I never smoked, and I know, for certain, that none of us ever will. No one on my mom's side of the family smokes. On my dad's side, his oldest brother used to, but quit. His other two brothers have been smoking since they were teens and still do. They used to smoke in the house but have been banned from that by their families. Now they smoke outside, and outside only. Whenever we go to visit them or they come to visit us, I don't want to hug my uncles (though I do), BECAUSE they smell so bad. I don't like that smell. He he. They aren't allowed to smoke in our house though, and the excuse for that is that its bad for our birds. My dad's the only one of the 4 brothers who never attempted to smoke. He said he was close to one of his uncles, and his uncle's constant talking to him kept him away from it. His sisters never smoked either.

[binka_nugget]

I've never smoked and never will. Both my parents do but my dad is far worse than my mom about it. His car is newer by 10 years and smells alot worse than my mom's car. His room also stinks and so did the living room until he bought a purifier. I'm trying to talk my mom into quitting because I don't want to lose her anytime soon especially since my sister's not even close to done growing up yet.

I just don't understand how anyone can want to smoke in the first place. The way I see it, it's like killing yourself slowly. Kudos to those who quit.

[CountryWolf07]

I have never smoked, NEVER will try it... ever. My grandmother used to smoke so much when I was younger.. then she quit.. then she developed breathing problems.. and she died in 1999... only at 73 years old.. I actually felt mad.. because smoking was part of it.. but I was sad.. I just wanna live.. not die.

[jenluckenbach]

I have managed to live 41 years without even the curiosity to try just one. WHY DO PEOPLE START!!!!!???????? It's stinky, for one thing.
I too can not tolerate to be around second hand smoke and I practiacally hugged catnapper for her little speech***applaud***
and for those who think they enjoy it or are not stong enough to quit, go find a person dying of lung cancer (like my mom did at 54) and watch how they are suffering for their addiction.

[Pam]

Judging from the poll so far at least, it appears that most Pet Talkers have never smoked and many have successfully quit. I don't know what conclusions we can draw from that but I thought it was interesting. I wonder how representative it is of the population in general. My fingers are still crossed for my hubby and all of you who are trying to kick the habit. I imagine it is a bit like those trying to lose weight, etc. There must come a time when the "light bulb lights up" and the person simply says "OK, now is the time. Enough is enough."

[Foam]

No way! I've tried it..ONCE. Just ONE TIME, and it was a while ago. It made me cough, and almost gag so that was it for me.
Most of the people I hang out with have quit smoking since that happened. Occasionally they smoke, but it doesn't bother me since they don't pressure anyone into doing it with them.

[GoldenRetrLuver]

Originally posted by Foam
Occasionally they smoke, but it doesn't bother me since they don't pressure anyone into doing it with them.

Same here.
I have a couple friends who do smoke, and when I first met them they asked if I wanted to try it. Of course I said "No", and they never asked/bugged me about it since then. If they want to continue to do it...then it's their decision. I don't judge them, or think lower of them, and it doesn't stop me from thinking what good friends they are.

[primabella]

I have never smoked. My parents both smoked but when my mother got pregnant with my older sister, they both quit. I'm so proud of them. Then my grandfather who was a heavy smoker bought a cigarette holder which makes a recording of someone coughing and coughing each time you'd take a cigarette out. It worked for him and he hasn't smoked since.

None of my friends smoke but a few have tried or used to. I hate smoking, the smell is awful, it does nothing for your appearance and its so unattractive. I hate the whole idea of smoking. *shudder*

I'm glad to hear that so many of you don't smoke. It's a habit I never want to get into. Best of luck to all of you who wish to quit.

[Foam]

Originally posted by GoldenRetrLuver
I have a couple friends who do smoke, and when I first met them they asked if I wanted to try it. Of course I said "No", and they never asked/bugged me about it since then. If they want to continue to do it...then it's their decision. I don't judge them, or think lower of them, and it doesn't stop me from thinking what good friends they are.

Exactly! Some people think that just because a person smokes, they must be a murderer and want to ruin everyone around them's lives. It's stupid.
I have been asked a couple times about it, but they never bugged me about it. They just simply ask, I tell them no thanks, and they shrug it off as I do as well. I love them, no matter how much they smoke. They're great people!

[CathyBogart]

Blech, I don't like stinky people and I certainly don't want to be one! >.<

Edit: I smoked a clove cigarette once. My curiosity was satisfied, and I've never tried since. (Plus, I couldn't stand how I smelled afterwards, so I dove for the shower.)

[wolf_Q]

I've never smoked, and I never will. The smell gags me, and if I'm around it too much, it makes me sick.

Good job to those who are trying to quit or have succeeded! That's a great accomplishment!