Do you smoke, do your friends and colleagues?

[listsandbudgets]

I was wondering about this. I saw someone smoking yesterday and realised I don't think that I know anyone who does.

When I was growing up though it was really common. My mum smoked 20+ a day until I was about 10 when she decided to give up. My dad smoked until I was nearly 20 (and probably carried on in secret!!)

People must smoke or they'd not be for sale and I'd not keep seeing cigarette butts on the pavement but how common is it now? Also they seem to cost a fortune - about £10 a pack - that must really add up for heavy smokers.

Both my parents are ex smokers, one brother smokes and the other gave up two years ago. None of my frineds smoke, my colleagues all smoked except one. I smoked for 10 years, gave up for 4 but vaped, quit vaping and started smoking again 4 years ago and have been trying and failing to quit for the last six months.

Told my partner I'd go back to vaping and ordered one online. It arrived two weeks ago and I've told him it still hasn't arrived.

@TazSyd that's great, if you could avoid me, you'd be doing me a favour

No no and no

I never smoked. I think maybe 5 of my school friends now smoke. My ex smokes, my brother switches between smoking and vaping depending on how stressful work is for him... That's about it really. 95% of the people I regularly see (or would out of lockdown) don't smoke

DP smokes up to 30 a day and started 45 years ago. He never smokes indoors, in a vehicle or blows the smoke in someone's face. He would probably look down on those of you sitting on your moral high ground - actually he wouldn't cos he's not judgmental.

One of my colleagues and my SIL smoke. My Dad and Uncle both used to but have switched to vaping, although that's pretty much the same thing. And that's it I think!

I smoked from age 16 to 21 (2006-2011) but gave up when I left uni. Lots of my friends smoked at the time too but almost all of them have dropped it now and don't even vape. I don't think I would have smoked if my Dad wasn't a smoker as it normalised it, even though he only ever did it outside. I am extremely glad that I kicked the habit.

Dh was a smoker, probably 20 a day. I asked him to consider giving up for our wedding day and tbf he stopped the day after but he does vape now instead, though not much

I don’t smoke and none of my friends or family smoke or vape.

No, I don't see the appeal. Everyone on one side of my family smoked, and most are now dead from smoking related illnesses. They did have a terrible lifestyle in general and it's the reasons I'm so health conscious now.

I'm 32 and when I was in high school, it was the 'cool' thing to do back then. I remember a 10 pack cost £2.05 back then and a 20 pack was about £4.10....ive smoked since I was 15 and have tried numerous times to stop (I come from a smoking family too) and failed every time.

I do notice that hardly anyone smokes now which is 100% a good thing. I'm the last in my circle group of friends as most of them vape of have been quit for years.

HOWEVER I'm a menthol smoker and now they've banned them, I've tried normal tabs and I literally want to vomit each time I have one.. So I bought a vape and I'm going to try and start that tomorrow (have like 2 cigarettes left in pack) as I cannot stand the taste of them. They've knocked me sick and there's no better time to quit when they make you physically gag.

I was abit like "wtf are they banning menthols for its not going to stop people starting to smoke"... I started on just normal tabs in high school, but I do think it will deter menthol smokers like me and to quit because we're used to the menthol taste. I hate spending the money. To think if I go to the shops I'll put something back that I like because I "can't afford it" but yet I won't even blink at the price of cigarettes. That's addiction for you.

Praying I kick the habit once and for all now.

I gave up smoking when I was 25 years old, oddly my friends all gave up one by one - nothing planned, no pressure...just the right time.

Good luck @Rcats1

No, no and some.

Plenty of people still smoking and sales have gone up in lockdown, according to a friend.

@sillycow6

Do you or any of your family drive or use public transport. Or buy anything that is imported via sea?

If you don't well done. If you do stop being so sanctimonious.

No, no and no.

I smoke, only one other in my friendship group does. I'm a weird smoker & i really should give up. I smoke 2 of an evening in my back garden, never anywhere else, not work, not when i go out, not at others houses, not when I'm away on holiday only ever 2 an eve in my garden& if I have people overi wait till they've left . I should give up but i really enjoy those 2 a day.

Me and my friends basically all smoked as teens/20 somethings. A few gave up in mid 20s but most of us carried on but id say by late 30s everyone had given up. Even the hardcore smokers like dh. A few still vape but even then they don't do it a lot.

Since lockdown Ivr started smoking again and I love it. Live alone, no neighbours. Probably about 6 a day. I've two 90 years old heavy smoker uncles. I feel no guilt right now.

I need my pleasures.

I only know a handful of people who smoke. Mostly men 20s-40s. And couple of young women in their early 20s.