To think that smoking looks really, really cool?

Unfortunately I agree. Also things like people adroitly handling lighters (I think I admire and am impressed by this as I don’t have the knack), lighting two and passing one to the other person, stubbing a cig out violently when exasperated…
Cigarettes/smoking have a whole language around them that it will be a pity to lose, even though obviously there’s nothing else good about them.

edited for typo

Ugh no it’s vile!!

In the past everyone smoked so it was normalised and therefore glamorous people gave it their sheen. The reality is most people smoking do not look like Caroline Besette or Audrey Hepburn while smoking!

Amazes me how people coming out at breakntimes during work to suck on a ciggie.
That life and $ , moods surround a single ciggie ever so often.
Ex smoker...like hell its cool.

It looks awful, smells even worse,it’s always a personal thing, but seeing someone put a cigarette to their mouth just puts me off immediately as do vapes. It’s not sophisticated and it’s definitely not clever

You wouldnt think so if you worked in my vascular unit. Black necrotic toes that come off in your hand, coughing up phlegm, brown or missing teeth, leather wrinkled skin, heart disease isnt sexy or chic.

Then there's the mess,ash and cigarette butts,both of which make me feel sick. I don't have a weak stomach I was nursing over 40 years and have seen some terrible things.

I've never smoked a cigarette in my life and don't plan to start now. My parents both smoked like chimneys, including in the house and the car (different times). I can't stand the smell and avoid being around smokers.

Having said that, I agree with you. I think smoking looks cool. Not in reality but in films, etc. It's entirely irrational, but there you go.

I am fully aware that they do, but carrying out heart surgery on a patient who smokes must be frustrating, regardless.

Steve McQueen was the king of cool. Never imagine him with a bloody vape. Nope. Proper fags for him. Always looked super cool.

But hey, if looks could kill...

I HATE smoking, but I can’t lie, Love Story made it look so sophisticated 🤣

My dad had part of his mouth and face surgically removed because of cancer strongly related to smoking. He is permanently disfigured and can’t speak properly or chew because he had to have his remaining teeth removed too.

I'm glad I've never felt the need to poison my lungs

It’s disgusting and dangerous, but yes, some
people look super hot when smoking.

I don't think it looks cool. It's a sign of an addiction, which is a weakness. I feel a sort of mixture of pity and revulsion at the sight.

No I think it makes people look really stupid.

The cravings and irritableness before lighting up, the smell and hacking cough mean it is just not attractive to me. Can look good in photos but they don't show the reality. And cool people will look cool with or without cigarettes.

I'm actually really pleased that the thread is being balanced with the very real descriptions of the smoker with inhaler in one hand and fag in the other. That's actually a thing, because smoking is a highly addictive and irrational habit that no-one ever starts out expecting themselves to get addicted to.

The more I think about it, the more irresponsible I think your thread is. To make the flippant ozempic comment is literally going to reinforce that association for the many women who smoke because they are scared of gaining weight. You are either very ignorant of the real consequences of smoking - as in, you understand it intellectually but have not experienced it in a friend or relative - or very stupid. Or - in the pay of the tobacco companies. But I suspect just not very reflective.

It makes people look dirty.

I agree. I won’t tolerate it either.
the Image of my dm in resus trying to breathe will remain with me for the reminder of my life.

I remember having to go to the chest clinic with my mum back in the 80’s and there were people in there hocking up pleghm, wheezing, coughing and short of breath! So no I don’t think smoking is cool! It’s a disgusting smelly habit!

You’ll be shocked to learn that many HCP smoke, binge drink, take drugs, eat crap food so not all will be frustrated.

Thank you for reminding me of the book because I do have that upstairs.
Totally agree re the one cigarette: I stopped for 6 months and then had one kn a night out, and that was it. Off the bandwagon.

It’s not cool in any way. It’s massively unintelligent.

Oh, good luck with it. It is really tough at first but so worth it. I just feel "I am so glad I don't have to do that any more".

And it gets much easier really quickly. As soon as you are utterly determined to stop, the cravings diminish. It's the nagging thought at the back of your mind that you might have just the one that drags out the cravings.

You do have to be really clear - you can't ever have one again. If you have a drag on a cigarette, you are almost certainly going to end up smoking again. I learned that over many years of trying to stop.

I found the Alan Carr book really helpful in reframing cravings. Basically, you have to experience them and welcome them because that is the only way you learn to conquer them.

But anyway - however you do it, it is worth it and you will feel so much better and wealthier in a few months time.