WANTED: smokers and smokers that have successfully quit!

irish123 · Oct 5, 2008

I was a smoker for 27 yrs. I quit smoking 3 yrs ago. I used the patch for 2 weeks. I was a fiend when it came to cigarettes. I smoked a pack a day. Sometimes 1-2 packs on weekends. My reason for smoking was that I was young and dumb. Started when I was 15-16 yrs old. I am now 45. I still love the smell of cigs and hope that I never smoke one again.

Kylea · Oct 5, 2008

1. I started smoking when I was 15. I quit for good when I was 23.

2. I smoked approximately 1.5-2 packs per day.

3. When I started smoking, it was because my boyfriend did, and my mom did, so I saw no reason that anything was wrong.

4. No advantages; at the time, I didn't eat as much?

5. Disadvantages? Smelly, always having to go outside when it was cold to smoke, upset my parents, my husband was allergic to it....I could go on.

6. I did smoke around non-smokers. Everyone I was around knew I smoked, and they knew that if they were with me and we weren't in a non-smoking area, I'd be smoking.

7. I quit cold turkey. Tried to wean off, and it just never happened.

8. I'm 26 now, so three years w/o smoking.

9. I quit smoking because my mom did, and I knew if she could I could. Also, my husband was allergic. And now, I will never smoke again. My mom passed away two years ago from lung cancer. She was diagnosed two years after she quit.

10. There are all kinds of smoking cesation programs out there. I tried one, once a very long time ago...

Eirene, ASN, RN · Oct 5, 2008

1. How long have you been a smoker? 16 years

2. How often and how much to you generally smoke cigarettes? 2 packs/day

3. What is your reasoning for smoking? It's an addiction.

4. Do you find any advantages to smoking? It feels good. Relieves stress.

5. Do you find any disadvantages to smoking? Stinks, bad for health, awful role model for children.

6. Are you comfortable enough to smoke around non-smokers? Why or why not? NO. I do not smoke around non-smokers. I feel it is an invasion of their health to inhale my second hand smoke. Plus, I am ashamed-- I've been a closet smoker for years.

7. Have you ever attempted to quit smoking? (If yes, what steps did you take?) Yes- I successfully quit for 5 years. I went cold turkey. I picked the habit back up when a traumatic event happened in my life.

8. What is the longest time you have gone without cigarettes since you started smoking? 12 hours.

9. Do you think you will quit smoking? Why or why not? Yes. Because I want to live to see my grandchildren.

10. Are you aware of programs or services that will help you quit? Not really except for the hospital information-- but haven't really researched it yet.

SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN · Oct 5, 2008

1. How long have you been a smoker?

27 years

2. How often and how much to you generally smoke cigarettes?

chainsmoker - 2 1/2 - 3 packs a day

3. What is your reasoning for smoking?

addiction, stress releif, I tend to be OCD and smoking replaced rituals

4. Do you find any advantages to smoking? (Give examples)

see 3

5. Do you find any disadvantages to smoking? (Give examples)

stinks, diminishes if not destroys health, and the next anti-smoking law will be that if someone sees you with a cigarette they can throw rocks at you

6. Are you comfortable enough to smoke around non-smokers? Why or why not?

I always was. If you are that allergic so it wear a bubble suit or don't leave the house

7. Have you ever attempted to quit smoking? (If yes, what steps did you take?)

I quit successfully in 1995. AD, hypnotist, patch

8. What is the longest time you have gone without cigarettes since you started smoking?

13 1/2 years

9. Do you think you will quit smoking? Why or why not?

I did

10. Are you aware of programs or services that will help you quit?

Yes, but I quit

annful24 · Oct 5, 2008

Thanks for the replys! I am currently doing a project for school about smoking cessation- this helps a lot! for those of you that quit smoking--Have you noticed any change in your health since you quit? There are so many health benefits to quitting!

20 minutes after the last cigarette

Blood pressure drops to normal.
Pulse rate drops to normal.
Hand and foot temperature rises to normal.

8 hours after the last cigarette

Blood carbon monoxide levels drop to normal.
Blood oxygen level increases to normal.

1 day after the last cigarette:

Chances of heart attack and stroke start decreasing.

2 days after the last cigarette:

Sense of taste and smell begin to heighten.
Certain nerve endings begin to re-grow.
Nicotine by-products are removed from the body.

3 days after the last cigarette

Bronchial tubes start to relax, making breathing easier.
Lung capacity begins to improve.

2 to 12 weeks after the last cigarette

Walking and aerobic exercises become easier.

1 month after the last cigarette

Circulation improves.
You experience more energy.

1 to 3 months after the last cigarette

Lung function increases up to 30 percent.
Bronchial cilia begin to re-grow, there is an increased ability to clean lungs, chances of infection are reduced, and pollutants are cleared.
Overall body energy increases.

1 to 12 months after the last cigarette

Coughing, sinus congestion, fatigue and shortness of breath decrease.

2 to 4 after the last cigarette

The risk of developing Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease reduces by 5%.

1 year after the last cigarette

The risk of developing Coronary Heart Disease reduces by 50%.

2 years after the last cigarette

The risk is reduced for recurrence of ulcers.
The ability for short-term healing is improved.
The risk of death from heart disease declines 24%.

3 years after the last cigarette

The risk of heart attack and stroke approaches that of someone who has never smoked.

5 years after the last cigarette

The risk of developing mouth, esophageal, throat and bladder cancer reduces by 50%.

5 to 15 years after the last cigarette

The risk of stroke reduces to that of someone who has never smoked.

10 years after the last cigarette

Pre-cancerous cells are replaced by healthy, normal cells.
There is a 50% to 70% reduction in the risk of developing lung cancer.
The risk of pancreatic cancer is reduced.

10 to 14 years after the last cigarette

The risk of developing Heart Disease drops to that of someone who never smoked.

15 years after your last cigarette

The risk of developing lung cancer is the same as non-smokers.
For Congestive Heart Disease, the risk reduces to the same as someone who has never smoked.
Life expectancy is as long as that of a non-smoker!

cpkRN · Oct 5, 2008

1. How long have you been a smoker?

Started at 19, quit at 26 - 8 years

2. How often and how much to you generally smoke cigarettes?

1/2 - 1 pack per day

3. What is your reasoning for smoking?

Started because I wasn't a drinker (at the time) and I was bored waiting around for my drunk friends at the bars. That, and all my friends smoked. My young, dumb mind thought I could still be "cool" and be sober to drive everyone home.

4. Do you find any advantages to smoking? (Give examples)

I used to find that it was a stress reliever. Smoking also gave me a wider social circle (i.e. meeting/talking with people when going outside to smoke at work or in the dorm at college).

5. Do you find any disadvantages to smoking? (Give examples)

Clothes, breath, and hair stink. Going outside to smoke in the winter (used to live up north). Doctor's lecturing me about health risks when I was well aware and just either didn't want to/couldn't quit. Family pestering me about it.

6. Are you comfortable enough to smoke around non-smokers? Why or why not?

I was at first because smoking laws were different then and there were very few friends who didn't smoke; however, I was never comfortable smoking around children. As I got older, it became more of a hinderance/embarrassment and I would often hide to smoke.

7. Have you ever attempted to quit smoking? (If yes, what steps did you take?)

Quit cold turkey. Was hospitalized for 2 weeks for major surgery. Was so sick then and it was such a painful recuperation at home that I didn't feel like smoking (unfortunately, this can probably be attributed to a Morphine PCA then heavy doses of Percocet when I was discharged). After I was well, I figured if I could go that long, I might as well stick with it - I had been wanting to quit anyway.

8. What is the longest time you have gone without cigarettes since you started

smoking?

When I was a smoker, I was "successful" for 3 months; however, some new life circumstances started me right back up again.

9. Do you think you will quit smoking? Why or why not?

I vow to never smoke again.

10. Are you aware of programs or services that will help you quit?

I was, but didn't care or didn't have the time to use them.

Quidam · Oct 5, 2008

This is a survey for smokers -- including those smokers who are not yet ready to quit -- to learn more about their perspective.
For those of you that were previous smokers and have been successful at quitting, tell me about your story of quitting and how you feel now that you have quit.
THANKS!:heartbeat
1. How long have you been a smoker?
I smoked for about 10 years.
2. How often and how much to you generally smoke cigarettes?
I smoked about a pack and a half a day. Every chance I got!
3. What is your reasoning for smoking?
I don't really know why I started smoking...my parents both smoked...I remember deciding to smoke...but I don't remember WHY I wanted to smoke.
4. Do you find any advantages to smoking? (Give examples)
Calmed my nerves, kept my weight in check.
5. Do you find any disadvantages to smoking? (Give examples)
Cough, I stunk, I was harming my health, I was harming my family, there are so many!
6. Are you comfortable enough to smoke around non-smokers? Why or why not?
I was...but I would ask if anyone minded and I never minded going away from everyone else. I knew that not everyone wanted to be exposed to my smoke and I thought that was perfectly fine.
7. Have you ever attempted to quit smoking? (If yes, what steps did you take?)
I tried to quit many times...and finally what helped me the most was a smoking cessation class that was presented by the Seventh Day Adventist Church. I am not a Sevent Day member...It was a very good program that was not at all religious. Lots of good information, tools to use to help you quit, this is what did it for me. It was not my last cigarette...but it was within the last 10-12 of them.
8. What is the longest time you have gone without cigarettes since you started smoking?
I went 6 weeks without a cigarette and finally broke and asked my Mom for one...she gave it to me and I smoked a little of it...I got so nauseated, dizzy and just generally cruddy feeling that I had to lay down and it lasted about 2 hours! I never wanted another cigarette after that. That was the LAST cigarette.
9. Do you think you will quit smoking? Why or why not?
I will NEVER smoke again...I don't want to have to go through quitting again. It was very difficult, very emotional. For about 8 years after I quit I would have a dream about smoking where I could actually feel myself inhaling...actually feel the smoke fill my lungs. I would think "WHY are you doing this again" Very vivid dream...and always the same thought.
10. Are you aware of programs or services that will help you quit?

I was. I researched and finally found something local...but I had to wait 8 months before the next class was offered and I remember thinking...I DON'T WANT TO QUIT NOW!!! Ha!

I feel wonderful about quitting. I never want to feel that enslaved to something again.

BrayaRN · Oct 5, 2008

1. How long have you been a smoker?

I was a "full-time" smoker for about 5.5 yrs

2. How often and how much to you generally smoke cigarettes?

I usually smoked 3/4 to a pack a day. Sometimes more if I was drinking.

3. What is your reasoning for smoking?

Boredom, addiction, nicotine buzz, socializing

4. Do you find any advantages to smoking? (Give examples)

I have found that workers that smoke tend to get or take more breaks during a shift. I waitressed my way through nursing school and if I did not smoke, I mostly likely wouldn't have taken those 5-10 minute breaks. Now as a non-smoking RN I do not take the 30 minutes of paid breaks we have per shift. Of course it is my own fault for not taking them.

5. Do you find any disadvantages to smoking? (Give examples)

Here in Michigan they are around $5/pack. I do not want to end up with COPD. I can almost always tell a long-time smoker by their diminished lung sounds. Plus it is getting harder to find places to smoke.

6. Are you comfortable enough to smoke around non-smokers? Why or why not?

I was usually little ashamed to smoke around non-smokers. It took me a long time, in my early twenties, before I would light up in front of my mom.

7. Have you ever attempted to quit smoking? (If yes, what steps did you take?)

I have quit smoking twice. The first time was for six months. I used the Walgreens brand nicotine patches and would use Commit lozenges for breakthrough craving. Both times I was nicotine free by 12 weeks.

8. What is the longest time you have gone without cigarettes since you started smoking?

This is the longest time. I have been quit for 1 year and 2 weeks!

9. Do you think you will quit smoking? Why or why not?

I predominately quit smoking because I knew that I wanted to have children. I just pray that I don't start back up someday.

10. Are you aware of programs or services that will help you quit?

I already mentioned the way I got off nicotine, both times. I've have heard people have had luck on Chantix as well.

CT Pixie, BSN, RN · Oct 5, 2008

1. How long have you been a smoker?

25 yrs (wow..thats sad!)

2. How often and how much to you generally smoke cigarettes?

light a pack a day but probably only smoke 1/2 the pack.

3. What is your reasoning for smoking?

I wish I knew, maybe that would help me quit. Big reason..I guess because I am stupid and stubborn..and the fear of failure of quitting again.

4. Do you find any advantages to smoking? (Give examples)

No advantages..none at all

5. Do you find any disadvantages to smoking? (Give examples)

Everything about smoking is a disadvantage, from spending so much money on cigarettes, to the smell, to the ways its affecting my health

6. Are you comfortable enough to smoke around non-smokers? Why or why not?

If they are friends, I will smoke around them if they don't mind. Other than that, I smoke away from non smokers. And usually if I am with non smokers, I won't smoke at all.

7. Have you ever attempted to quit smoking? (If yes, what steps did you take?)

Yes, I used Chantix

8. What is the longest time you have gone without cigarettes since you started smoking?

6 months

9. Do you think you will quit smoking? Why or why not?

Yes I WILL quit..when I am ready again. Why? I would love more $ in my pocket instead of less $ in my pocket and a pack of cigarettes in there instead. My health is dependant on quitting. I want to see my children grow up and raise their children

10. Are you aware of programs or services that will help you quit?

Very aware. Its kind of hard not to know about them, since on a daily basis, I see commercials, hear the lecture from nonsmokers, etc.

annful24 · Oct 5, 2008

did you guys know that--> “If each nurse in the U.S. helped just one person per year quit smoking, we could create a groundswell and potentially triple the current U.S. quit rate.” (http://www.tobaccofreenurses.org/resources/treatment/guide.php)

Thats amazing! also...NOVEMBER 15th is the American Smokeout DAY! everyone should pass on the word! They want people to quit smoking for a day and then will help them formulate a plan to quit for good! (http://www.cancer.org/docroot/subsite/greatamericans/Smokeout.asp) :yeah:

Babs0512 · Oct 5, 2008

1. I smoked for 30 years

2. I quit August 18th of last year

3. I smoked out of addiction and habit

4. No advantages to smoking

5. Smoking kills ya, it's expensive, it's not safe to smoke anywhere

6. I hate none smokers! Wait, I'm now a non smoker!!

7. Yes, I used Chantix successfully

8. 13 months

9. Already quit, hopefully will never smoke again

10. Chantix had a helpful website that I could log onto daily for support.