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Original poster

If you smoke, can I ask why?

184 replies

KrayKray00 · 11/07/2017 20:18

I am currently standing in the rain having a cigarette.

I quit for 4 years and was never a heavy smoker. But I have found myself wondering and waiting to have my next "fag".

It started about three weeks ago when I started getting my youngest to sleep in his cot after 2 years of co-sleeping. After about an hour I of getting him to sleep I would then go outside and have a cigerett once he had finally dropped off. Almost like 5 minutes peace and chill out. My children don't know I smoke as I never do it in front of them but I smell, I know I smell horrid, I hate It.

Before if I had been on a night out drinking I could smoke and it wouldn't bother me the next day or whatever it would just be for that night but I have now found myself unable to stop.

Once the children have gone to school or Nursery's I go out for one, if I am a at uni or work I long for one. I have had 6 today and will probably have another one later on.

I am rather fit and go to the gym 5-6 times a week and I even want one when I come out! I have noticed my throat is sore when I wake up too.

I don't feel well I ke I have have been smoking long enough to seek help from the GP and I do not like vaping. But when I do smoke I get like a break is that makes sense? I feel so disgusted in myself and feel like I have let myself down. It doesn't bother me if other people smoke at all but I feel terrible.

If you smoke can I ask you why? Is it habit? Addiction? A release? I want to quit before I get into a deep hole but do not know what to replace it with?!

OP posts:
Caenea · 11/07/2017 21:55

Because I like it.

I like the routine of rolling, lighting, inhaling.

I started in uni at nineteen because I was smashed all the time and found smoking quite lovely. For two years I smoked when we were all out drinking - social smoker.

Then I got a horrible job in a soul crushing hell-hole and having a smoke got me out the office and stopped me murdering them all. Just carried on. Put them down completely when I was pregnant, kept it up until DD was three months old and was told she was putting on weight too slowly. Back up to five a day now, which is at least not as bad as the 20 I was on. Like most PPs, it's a break. It's the precious time I get when I'm not parenting (I smoke when she's napping. I have a special smoking outfit I put on).

I know good and well it's bad for me, but I enjoy it so sod it.

Caenea · 11/07/2017 21:56

Also the GP can and will refer you to stop smoking regardless of how long you've been doing it

LoniceraJaponica · 11/07/2017 21:57

"The only reason people smoke is because they are addicted to nicotine."

But why do people start?

I watched my mum die a long, slow death from a smoking related disease, and it was horrible.

user1492023898 · 11/07/2017 21:59

I started smoking because it was incredibly cool.

JustArandomUser · 11/07/2017 22:03

Blergh! Smoking has been the end of a few fairly promising relationships for me. Nice girl, get on really well... Then the first kiss...

Boak!

Never been out with a smoker for more than a week.

LoniceraJaponica · 11/07/2017 22:05

I tried smoking, but I hated it, which is why the fact that people persevere is such a mystery to me.

RebelRogue · 11/07/2017 22:05
  1. I enjoy it.
  2. It keeps me sane.
LesLavandes · 11/07/2017 22:07

I gave up smoking 24 years ago and started 2 years ago after the breakdown of my marriage. I desperately want to quit but I keep lighting up. I will read the Alan Carr book

lovemycatsanddog · 11/07/2017 22:12

I didnt even start smoking until i was 28 and moved to a new town,and new set of friends,tried many times to stop, with patches and inhalers,all sorts,
Finally quit 3 years ago, with Champix,
I have to admit having an odd one of my sons rollups, but never want to start again,
Watching my bank account grow helps, i opened a seperate one and put in there what i would have spent on cigarettes,
I only ever bought 10 a day, but ,wouldnt like to pay the price they are now anyway
I can recommend Champix,i had no side effects at all, and you smoke for the first 2 weeks while taking them, so pleased i stopped

woollyminded · 11/07/2017 22:12

@MajorasMask I didn't take to vaping easily. I just told myself I could have a cigarette any time I wanted but that I would just have 3 vape puffs first. After a while I was settling for the vape without really thinking about it. There are all sorts of conveniences with the vape too so I'm quite happy now really, a little nostalgic for the old days sometimes.

RebeccatheOld · 11/07/2017 22:15

I used to smoke socially about 10 years ago, but lately have been really craving a smoke. This thread has not helped!!!
😆

glitterglitters · 11/07/2017 22:15

I'm an ex smoker but I always describe it to non-smokers as "punctuation" of the day. Breaking up rough days into manageable chunks and having a cig as a breather.

AskingForAnEnemy · 11/07/2017 22:17

I quit at new year but last few weeks I've been having the odd one usually at work so nobody knows other than a couple of work colleagues.

No idea why I do it to be honest, was a heavy smoker for years and was doing so well with nicotine lozenges and a vape, it's frustrating that it still has a hold on me

LoniceraJaponica · 11/07/2017 22:21

"I'm an ex smoker but I always describe it to non-smokers as "punctuation" of the day. Breaking up rough days into manageable chunks and having a cig as a breather."

That I can understand. At work the smokers leave their desks, go outside and socialise with each other. What I struggle to understand is why they still want to do this on a day like today - we have had pouring rain and 12 degrees Sad

BertieBotts · 11/07/2017 22:24

I'm a bit like you I think. Never been a heavy smoker but always just liked it.

I don't smoke at the moment but I don't consider myself to have 'quit' or anything and I'm not really interested in how long I've been 'smoke free' or anything like that. I get it helps sone people and thats great but for me it would feel fraudulent.

I fully expect to smoke again at some point in my life but the health risks and the cost are enough to put me off doing it regularly. I'm quite happy to treat smoking as something occasional.

My policy is total avoidance when ttc, pregnant or cosleeping with a little one. I did allow myself the odd one when DS was a bit older and I used to jump in the shower after and wait at least an hour to go to bed.

I miss the act of going outside to do it and the stillness. I can't seem to replace that with anything. Usually I have my phone in my hand. Mind you, I expect if I smoked now I'd be MNing in my fag breaks Blush perhaps mindfulness or meditation or a simple walk would serve the same purpose.

BertieBotts · 11/07/2017 22:25

Lonicera smoking in the rain and cold is the best. I miss it most then.

woollyminded · 11/07/2017 22:26

Why do people eat big fat chocolate eclairs when they're not hungry, that one more corner of nan bread that pushes you over the edge, one more drink when you go from daft fun to the spins...we're a funny lot us humans and we go about doing weird human things all the time. I try not to be to hard on myself for it.

TheSnowFairy · 11/07/2017 22:28

One more point - my dentist said that if you smoke more than 3 a day you are causing damage to your teeth and gums.

I gave up a few months ago after around 25 years smoking - not evangelical at all, and disagree with the '3 day quit' that user talks of - I can still be at the pub and like the smell and crave one.

MrsQuim · 11/07/2017 22:32

I too used the Carr method after 25 years of smoking. Never looked back and I don't miss it at all. It's been 7 years for me

LoniceraJaponica · 11/07/2017 22:33

"One more point - my dentist said that if you smoke more than 3 a day you are causing damage to your teeth and gums."

I didn't know that. Both my parents were heavy smokers, and both wore a full set of dentures.

plasticpotato · 11/07/2017 22:40

i gave up 3 weeks ago today (hooray) It just became too expensive - tenner a day o_0

I got the Smoke Free app & went cold turkey and avoided the pub etc Grim as anything for the first week but honestly now....no more coughing etc

I read something about it not helping if you have MH problems, which I do, and that has helped spur me on, it feels like a massive achievement.

plasticpotato · 11/07/2017 22:42

Oh and playing solitaire on my phone every time I have a craving heh

Nikitasol · 11/07/2017 22:43

Started again in February after splitting with Ex. Feel like it's getting me through a rough patch and then hopefully stopping again. I gave up 12 years ago for good I thought. Hopefully it'll not last this time.

notangelinajolie · 11/07/2017 22:48

I started smoking in the 80's when I was 20. Everyone else smoked so it was the norm. At least 20 a day. I gave up when I was 28 because I was pregnant. That was nearly 25 years ago. I didn't find giving up difficult mainy because a) I was pregnant and b) I don't think I was hugely addicted - I was a social smoker and only smoked when out with friends in pubs etc and at work where at the time everyone smoked in the office. I did not smoke at home because DH didn't smoke.

25 years later and not a single cigarette since, I still think of myself as a smoker who doesn't smoke. I would never say I was a non smoker. There are times when I still would like to smoke - like now for instance. DH is away, I'm on my own and I have wine Wine I don't think the urge to smoke will ever go away for me. TBH I woudn't have a bloody clue what to ask for in the shop do they still do B&H?

Glad I smoked years ago, There really wouldn't be much pleasure for me in having to nip outside for a fag. I smoked in the days when you could smoke anywhere you wanted. I very much doubt I would take up smoking in today's world.

sproutish · 11/07/2017 22:50

I started smoking occasionally when I was 15 at parties because I thought it was very chic and mysterious. Became more regular when I was at 6th form and we were allowed to smoke off the school site at breaks.
I would say the real addiction started when I was 18, buying them for myself and working in a place where everyone smoked, and smokers got more frequent breaks.
I smoke a lot less now, roll instead of buying straight cigs and make a packet of tobacco last at least a week. Mainly because I can't afford the best part of a tenner a day for the 20 cigs I was smoking per day. But I smoke because I enjoy it.
Only smoke outside, smoking inside makes me feel sick but I think that's because I was never smoking before the ban so wasn't used to it.