Any smokers Out There?

rustyshackleford · Feb 15, 2009

Ban smoking? Also ban alcohol, red meat and coca cola. If you want to force people to be healthy, smoking is only the tip of the iceberg.

yeah, but at least there's a degree of justification in those things in moderation.. no such luxury with smoking it's just a nasty disease that grabs people and doesn't let go.. even when you wake up coughing up a lung, you still reach for a smoke first thing.. its bizzare!

twistedpupchaser · Feb 15, 2009

I started smoking when I was 10 years old, I was 10 foot tall and bulletproof, oh, all the cool kids were smoking. If I knew then what I know now, I would never have started.

I am glad some people find it easy to quit, it isn't easy for me.

rustyshackleford · Feb 15, 2009

I started smoking when I was 10 years old, I was 10 foot tall and bulletproof, oh, all the cool kids were smoking. If I knew then what I know now, I would never have started.
I am glad some people find it easy to quit, it isn't easy for me.

I am NOT being patronising here, and i am no trying to preach that holier than thou crap, but i though that too... but, Allen Carr. Allen Carr has books, dvds, audio stuff and clinics that have a 95% success rate in getting people to kick the habit. i watched the hour long dvd and haven't looked back. really can't recommend it all enough!!

FLmomof5 · Feb 15, 2009

I noticed that 'easy quitter' and 'just watch this DVD' are 24 and 25. :icon_roll

I started smoking my senior year in HS. That was in 1979. My father, GF, uncle, all Irish alkies (only my father still lives). My GF was in his 90s when he died. My uncle, on his 75th BD. I would say that I can still function on nicotine but not on alcohol! My mother's father died of cancer. 74 yrs 11 mo 14 days of age. It wasn't lung cancer that killed him. It started as BONE cancer...spread to the lungs, then to his liver, kidney and spleen. Took him 6 mo to die. He was a 3 pk a day smoker and started at 14.

I have quit numerous times. This time I plan on trying that new shot which prevents the nicotine from crossing the blood/brain barrier. We'll see how that goes!

But, in the meantime.....while we all know the dangers of smoking....there is a reality out there....80% of smokers NEVER get lung cancer. They recently found 2 genes associated with lung cancer. If you have both - you will get lung cancer....with or without smoking or being around second hand smoke. If you have one of the 2, you have an increased likelihood. If you don't have either, your likelihood decreases to nil.

I am not trying to justify smoking. It is just the information out there is not 100% accurate. Yes, it stinks and can be expensive. (not here in the south....just in liberal bastions who want to tax you into quitting -> hence the $9/pk in NYC)

meluhn · Feb 15, 2009

I also quit after about 13 years although I still do smoke in times of extreme stress or sadnessor if I am having a drink. (Only 1 or 2 though) I Picked it up again after 5 years when my Mom was dying of cancer and again at the last semester of nursing school. However, I am now smoke free and don't miss it at all. I did gain about 20 lbs though but it is still worth it. The thing that did it for me was when a nurse that I worked with died of CHF r/t emphysema at the age of 49. I decided I didn't want to look back on my life (when it was already too late) and regret that I didn't quit, and now am incapacitated because of something so stupid and pointless. Also, I was 26 when I quit and I noticed a couple of wrinkles. And, I was a young Mom and didn't want my daughters smoking when they got older. I hated smoking around my kids, I felt like trailer trash. It made me feel very self conscious and like a bad mother--even though I really wasn't. It took me several tries to quit for good but if it doesn't stick--keep trying!!! The patch helps take the edge off. It was definitely one of the hardest things I have ever done. I definitely took alot of pleasure from smoking. Do whatever you have to do just QUIT.

HonestRN · Feb 15, 2009

I have smoked on and off throughout my adult life. Quit for up to seven years at a time. It's not that quitting is hard for me but I work on an oncology floor and I see patients that have quit for 10-15 years and suddenly are diagnosed with lung cancer. They tell me how they have been told that after quitting that their lungs were supposed to heal and now they have lung cancer. If someone could guarantee that I would not get lung cancer if I quit today I would do it in a heartbeat. The rebellious side of me says if I am going to get lung cancer might as well enjoy the trip.

ChristineN, BSN, RN · Feb 15, 2009

I've smoked on and off for three years. I tend to smoke more at work, or when life is stressful. Smoking is definitely a stress relief for me! I have quit for months at a time, but all ways end up going back (just started again last week). Despite smoking, I tell myself that when/if I ever get pregnant, I'll not be an idiot and smoke during the pregnancy.

NurseEric81 · Feb 15, 2009

Likewise with the 'stop smoking' industry: there's money in this: what is in smoking preventation chewing gum and patches - tobacco - and who makes the tabacco? The tabacco industry!

There is no "tobacco" in the chewing gum and patches, there is nicotine in them. Any established company can make nicotine gum and patches. CVS, Walgreens, even Osco makes their own stop-smoking gum and patches. Do you really think the cigarette companies want people to stop smoking?!?!?! If people stop smoking they are no longer a "valued" customer of RJ Reynolds, or Philip Morris. Yea they have put flyers in the packs on how to stop but that was just pressure from the FDA.

Just my :twocents:

Eric

Medic2RN, BSN, RN, EMT-P · Feb 15, 2009

Do you really think the cigarette companies want people to stop smoking?!?!?! If people stop smoking they are no longer a "valued" customer of RJ Reynolds, or Philip Morris. Yea they have put flyers in the packs on how to stop but that was just pressure from the FDA.
Just my
Eric

I don't think the US government wants people to stop smoking either, especially since it has now tied the Children's Health Insurance Program to additional taxes on tobacco products.

http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/KIDS05_20090204-221811/198535

Smoke 'em if ya got 'em and save a child's life!!

meluhn · Feb 15, 2009

In reference to enjoying the ride on your way to getting lung cancer--I am sorry but that is really ignorant.

allnurses Guide · Feb 15, 2009

My parents both quit about 6 months ago using Allen Carr's EasyWay. They smoked for around 40 years and have had no problems quitting. In fact, everyone I know who attended Allen Carr or read the book quit.

Old and New · Feb 15, 2009

I'm 55 and can probably outrun half of you...I roll my own and hold the smoke in my mouth for a minute. I quit for 2 years once, easily, and quit for 6 months several times. Nurses who don't understand addiction don't really provide the non-judgemental attitude needed by people who are addicted to any substance. Non-compliance usually has a reason beyond stubbornness and as a student I'm learning that it's my job to find out what that reason is, if possible. Sorry about your mother, but to act as though she did this to YOU is missing the point entirely. But at least you're not going out on a limb...most people seem to agree with your point of view. Thanks for letting me vent.