smoking

It's not actually French, is it?

I was always a casual smoker, mainly smoking when boozing. I quit fully about 8 years ago and only really have minor cravings and mostly when I'm drinking. I had one relapse when I was pissed about four years ago. I nicked a roll-up off a mate and was violently sick in a pub car park, so that was worth it.

I had a few similar relapses during the period when I'd stopped for 10 years. But more in a fresh state than pissed and my experience was completely different - other than feeling bit iffy the odd time, probably quite a standard reaction because your body isn't used to the toxins in it. But it was mainly a case of savouring each drag and worrying that I'm enjoying it too much and need to not do this again.

i quit after i had kids and feel extremely #blessed that i just don’t ever think about it any more. even when i’m out with someone at a pub or whatever, and they light up - i have zero desire to join them.

what i do miss
- the little routines i.e. taking a stroll outside
- the natural camraderie of those who are consciously killing themselves
- you look cool, at least in your own mind

what i don’t miss
- bad poos
- feeling like shit
- not being in control of your own mind

I quit in September after realizing I needed all my lung strength to bike against heavy Dutch winds. Haven’t had a single drag since and I was a heavy social smoker.

I think the major factor against me quitting is that I smoke in such a managed way that I don't experience most of these cons. No cravings, no bad poos (whatever that means??!), no insomnia, no pneumonia or colds...it's all good until the throat cancer gets me, I guess.

oh in orbit... just wait and see. your poos will be magnificent

re: “feeling like shit” i don’t mean getting ill i just mean the accumulated effects of literally pouring smoke directly into your body several times a day

i also have no idea what "bad poos" are, and I just want to leave it at that and not know anything further about other ilxors' gut bacteria or fecal matter ...

🤝

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BEsRKrCSF2I

the son of the old British Tobacco Advisory Committee guy (smoking a fag) in this late 50's pathe newsreel vid went on to be the CEO of the Phillip Morris empire in the 80's!

probably should have posted it to the pathe thread but I suppose tobacco dynasties is on topic

one thing I never knew until today was that they used to make ciggies with rose petal filters, or maybe they still do idk

i’m #BadPoosCrew

I quit about ten years ago when I stopped having a social life. I actually can’t stand the smell of burning cigarettes now, it takes me back to my shitty twenties. It feels like such a distant and unrecognizable part of my life.

Enjoying some menthol American spirits (bought by accident I think or maybe not, can’t remember)

French inhale to nose exhale leaves my nasal cavity feeling minty fresh

I wouldn’t get into menthols now, they might be banned in the US within a year

I only have this one box, wouldn’t consciously buy again

I will confess I tried a Dunhill International (red) the other day and really enjoyed it. Some time thereafter I tried one of their menthols (green) and it was good too. Still it’s hard to imagine getting into the cig habit, as even when I have 2 or 3 I wake up the next morning feeling unbelievably gross. In retrospect it’s amazing that 20 yrs ago I practically lived in smoke-filled bars and found it no more than a minor annoyance.

Even though I found it really hard to give up, and it took about 6 or 7 years of not smoking before I no longer wanted a cigarette, I just can't imagine smoking now. Even if the scientists turned around and said "Sorry we got it wrong, smoking is no more harmful than eating an apple", I still wouldn't start up again.

here we go

Just the idea of pouring smoke into my lungs now feels gross. But each to their own, obviously!

I am at a festival, and I am shocked by the number of people smoking cigarettes.

I was in Paris last month and I was surprised by the number of people you see walking down the street smoking, that doesn't seem to have changed in 20 years. Whereas in Sydney, where I currently live, you almost never see people smoking in the street. Vaping maybe, but smoking in public is now rare.

Its actively banned even in many outdoor places now depending on the state. Not sure about Sydney, but I think in Brisbane, and Canberra at least.

You cant smoke in outdoor venue areas anymore if food is being consumed too (some places are lax enforcing this though)

I kinda unintentionally quit about 18 months ago by swapping to vaping. Which tbrh is just as hard on ones lungs I reckon, but who knows.

I still smoke one a day, two or three if with friends drinking.

i quit two years ago and now i run ~4 miles every day that weather permits. still have crushing dreams in which i have a cigarette and wake up feeling terribly guilty for hours with the sense that i haven't "really" quit

Yep - in my experience it takes years to fully get rid of the desire. You'll get there though!

the couple of cigs a day method is either an iron discipline or grr! gtf outta my way before I kill you approach to nicotine addiction. I don't believe it is sustainable tbh.

xxxp

yeah I get vaping cough and am thinking of packing in vaping as well tbh. My lungs are already fucked enough from industrial shit I've breathed in.

I wish people would stop smoking pot on my street, that smell is more repulsive than cigarettes, but we’re all expected to be cool with that

A week ago I was sent for a chest x-ray which revealed a tumor on my lung. Following up with a CT today. Needless to say this has been one of the worst weeks of my life.

I started smoking at 14 or 15, heavily at 16 or 17, quit at 28 and relapsed at 30. Since my 34th birthday I've smoked only intermittently and never more than a few a day. I'm 39 years old now and this is surreal. It could still turn out to be a false alarm, but i don't actually believe this is happening.

Wow, that's scary stuff... sorry to hear about the diagnosis. Hopefully they caught it on the early side - the treatment tool chest has vastly improved over the last few years

Shit. I'm so sorry. Fucking hell.

I'm so sorry to hear that Deflatormouse. As a former smoker, that is one of my worst fears. Let us know how it goes.

I'm really sorry Deflatormouse. Hoping for good news for you and here for support as you navigate a scary time

my heart just dropped reading this. so sorry you're going through this. one of my biggest fears, esp being a dad now. i'm on chantix but still sputtering along unfortunately

i'm so sorry deflatormouse, wishing the best for you

Very sorry you are going through this. Wishing you strength and hoping you get the best news possible.

Thank you all for the empathetic, kind and thoughtful messages. I'm in denial rn and clinging to the possibility that it's benign. That's the only way I can cope. In a day or so it may no longer be possible to deny.

i'm so sorry, wishing you the absolute best.

Robust hugs for you, Deflatormouse. I wish I could be there in person.

thank you (((((♥️)))))

Aw, shit. Hoping for the best.

Hope it's benign and/or treatable, I know it's harrowing but try to be good to yourself <3

Hoping for the best for you, Deflatormouse

Yes, sending love and positive thoughts your way. Please keep us posted.

So sorry to hear and also hoping for the best for you.

I quit 5 years ago but it's often on my mind i have yet to see the consequences.

i'm on chantix but still sputtering along unfortunately

i used chantix (or champix as it is branded here) and even though it is horrible to be on it worked for me.

Keep us posted D

oh man. hoping for the best. good luck Deflator.