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Original poster

Long term smoker. Halfway through today cigarettes have started to taste awful. Wth?

51 replies

Lilll · 23/11/2020 20:57

I have smoked for several years, I know I need to quit but it has been a crux through a difficult time.

This morning when I had one it was fine and taste the way they always do, then half way through the day when I had another it tastes disgusting and totally different.

I thought it might be a bad batch so I bought another packet in a different shop, got a different brand just incase and low and behold the exact same plastic/chemical/acrid taste.

My partner smokes occasionally and insists he can't tell a difference which is making me think I'm losing the plot!

Clutching at straws but I was using a sizable amount of mould spray today in the shed so I'm wondering if ingesting that has caused it.

Any ideas? Confused

OP posts:
ReallySpicyCurry · 23/11/2020 21:30

Pregnant.

Any time I've heard anyone complain their fags taste off, they've been pregnant Grin

Wallywobbles · 23/11/2020 21:31

When I got like this I gave up. I can still remember the taste. Never wanted another one.

IsAnybodyListening · 23/11/2020 21:44

I am a long term smoker and would LOVE to quit. The only time I ever had this was when pregnant.

LethargicLumpOfLockdownLard · 23/11/2020 21:45

@Lilll

I have smoked for several years, I know I need to quit but it has been a crux through a difficult time.

This morning when I had one it was fine and taste the way they always do, then half way through the day when I had another it tastes disgusting and totally different.

I thought it might be a bad batch so I bought another packet in a different shop, got a different brand just incase and low and behold the exact same plastic/chemical/acrid taste.

My partner smokes occasionally and insists he can't tell a difference which is making me think I'm losing the plot!

Clutching at straws but I was using a sizable amount of mould spray today in the shed so I'm wondering if ingesting that has caused it.

Any ideas? Confused

If I go swimming or use bleach products my vape tastes horrible for hours after.
PyongyangKipperbang · 23/11/2020 21:58

I smoked for years and yes, the only time it changed was when I was pg.

So 50/50 on baby or bleach! Hope its bleach!

midlifecrash · 23/11/2020 22:05

Another long term smoker here Blush - you could be getting a cold/ flu, even if you have had Covid - try giving it a miss for a day or two (not stopping, oh no, until day 2, when you think, have I stopped? until day 4 or 5 when you have one "just to see what it's like"...)

if it still tastes shit on day 4, it's probably flu, and you won't enjoy smoking for a while...

Original poster
Lilll · 23/11/2020 22:23

I feel fine health wise although I did feel quite light headed and a touch dizzy for an hour or so immediately after using a load of that mould spray. I could almost taste it as I was using it despite having a mask on! Ghastly stuff. I don't reccomend it (astonish - mould and mildew remover)

I'm praying it's not covid, pregnancy or flu. I certainly don't want either of those things again Blush

OP posts:
Scotstar85 · 24/11/2020 18:35

Any update OP?!

SunsetBeetch · 24/11/2020 18:48

That happened to me too. No idea why but I quit smoking and have never wanted a cigarette since.

I think it was possibly psychological in my case: feeling guilty for smoking? I don't know.

Original poster
Lilll · 25/11/2020 09:15

Hi all

So cigarettes are tasting a bit better, they're no longer disgusting but still a bit off.

I have a covid test coming by post which I'm expecting today, not that I suspect it's covid but purely ruling it out for everybody else's sake.

Period due tomorrow so if that doesn't arrive then I'll rule that out too.

I'm %90 sure it's the chemicals, I spend a fair bit of time in the shed working on my hobbies (I upcycle furniture) and I can still smell the stuff in there today.

I've done a bit of online research after I posted and can see from my findings and the replies here that cleaning chemicals can fuck you up a bit, so to speak.

Hopefully it returns to normal soon. I could feel my throat burning as I was using the spray so I'd be very surprised if it was anything else.

OP posts:
MLMbotsgoaway · 25/11/2020 09:56

Stop persisting! Honestly take this as a bloody good opportunity (I’m a smoker btw).

Original poster
Lilll · 25/11/2020 10:04

I wish I had the determination Blush

I've definitely cut down, having gone from 10 a day to a maximum of 5 or 6.

OP posts:
dreaming174 · 25/11/2020 10:55

This started tohappen to me after I had smoked for quite a few years, and I'd just had too many in a day. I quit soon after and now I haven't for 2 years. You never lose that craving though!

ImaSababa · 25/11/2020 11:14

I don't mean to scare you, but this happened to my late partner before he was diagnosed with a smoking related illness.

Original poster
Lilll · 25/11/2020 14:59

Thank you for the replies. I do need to quit don't I Sad

I'm only 26 and whilst I've been smoking for some years it hasn't been decades, I would hope that means I'm not at the highest risk for smoking related illnesses? (Wishful thinking maybe)

Ima I'm very sorry for your loss, can I ask if this was the only/most prominent symptom he had? I've been feeling a bit crap for the past few months but have been putting it down to PMS/anxiety.

OP posts:
PaperTowels · 25/11/2020 15:01

Just listen to Allan Carr's Easyway To Quit Smoking (or whatever it's called). No willpower required!

Original poster
Lilll · 25/11/2020 15:23

I'm looking into Allen Carr now, thank you.

I've spiralled into a panic now Sad

OP posts:
Original poster
Lilll · 26/11/2020 08:50

Well my period hasn't come yet but I've taken a test, the result of which was a strong negative.

Just waiting on my covid test results.

The weird taste is still there, day 4 now.

When I had covid before I did have a really strange taste in my mouth but it was different to this one and didn't affect me smoking.

OP posts:
Original poster
Lilll · 26/11/2020 14:18

Covid test negative too, phew.

OP posts:
PaperTowels · 26/11/2020 16:16

Maybe it's just your body's way of telling you that cigarettes are rank?! Wink

movingonup20 · 26/11/2020 16:26

I was going to say covid but your negative. I've found foods I loved now taste weird.

TheCatsAss · 26/11/2020 17:22

I had this about twenty years ago. Took it as my body saying it had decided not to want this anymore and I pretty well stopped straightaway.

Since then I've occasionally craved a fag when squiffy, pounced one from someone and managed about one drag each time before feeling the same and chucking it away.

Still like the odd spliff though...

Original poster
Lilll · 26/11/2020 20:03

I think I will try to use this as an opportunity to stop, as alot of you have said it may well be that my body is just telling me to stop.

Its not going to be easy though, I'm a fully fledged addict Blush

I'm going to buy the Allen Carr book.

OP posts:
PaperTowels · 27/11/2020 11:23

Good for you! Allen will sort you out.

PaperTowels · 27/11/2020 11:23

But read the whole thing. Do not skip bits. And follow his instructions!