To enjoy smoking?

[Boyred8]

I've been trying to quit for a while and I have come to the realisation that I actually just enjoy smoking a lot. It gives me a break from the chaos. Anyone else felt the same way?

Smoking isn’t lovely, it’s revolting. No one ever enjoyed their first puff on a fag. It’s disgusting.

What feels lovely is satisfying the nicotine addiction. That’s why people find a cigarette calming because it stops their nicotine withdrawal symptoms.

What feels lovely is satisfying the nicotine addiction. That’s why people find a cigarette calming because it stops their nicotine withdrawal symptoms

Then, even when they stop smoking they associate a cigarette with 'feeling relieved' psychologically.

Also they think the side effects of smoking will happen to other people, not them. They will be the daily cigar smoking granny who made it to 110. Not the 27 year old who had her lips amputated.

It's lovely, it's enjoyable, it's calming. It's five minutes out of your day, it's a little meditation

It doesn't appear any of those things though, the way smokers pull on their fags as if their life depends on it, often with shaky (yellow) hands. They look desperate, anxious and addicted you never see a healthy looking smoker, they are always old for their age.

It's 5 minute out of your day which may well be killing you and those around you.

Smoking is just gross

Hmmmm old for my age, I beg to differ I get told I look a lot younger than 50.

10 years since I have smoked. I have to admit, the odd time I get a hankering out of the blue and sometimes when I am watching a movie and see someone pulling hard on a cigarette and getting that hit lol. That said, I HATE anything having a hold over me so I am very grateful that I gave up and I am no longer beholden to the cancer sticks.

Do you think any smoker has ever looked back and felt glad that they smoked?

I don't miss smoking. I stopped back in 2006 when I found out I was pregnant.
But I enjoyed it. I can't understand why my DH put up with the stink.

I still like the whiff of it when I walk past a smoker, although I'm so very glad its banned from indoors these days.

I've stopped last year and I was missing these breaks. So I made them again but without the ciggy doing something else.
I also nearly threw up in a bus when smoker came in I apologised to everyone I knew for years of that from me.

Smoking is boring. I was outside smoking while missing out on conversations inside. I was just standing out there bored during my breaks just because I wanted a ciggy.
It's boring and it stinks af and it took me a while to realise that.

I had 2 cigarettes since I stopped and did NOT enjoy either of them which is making me really happy.

Also my hair are LUSH now! Like honestly LUSH.

I have about ten cigs a year. I don't think I'm addicted (haven't had one since Oct), but I do genuinely enjoy it. So no I don't think YABU or deluding yourself to think it can be enjoyable, and not just because of the nicotine addiction. However, the reason I gave up smoking regularly- and always regret the odd one I do have- is that it is so, so bad for you (obviously) and I cannot bear the idea of how I'd feel if I got a smoking related illness and the impact of that on me, my family and NHS resources. So YABU to carry on just because it's nice.

Also. It's quite scary to realise how much it takes over your body. I always thought that it's just "meh" addiction, not like "proper" drug addiction or similar. Nope. The detox was HORRIBLE. I didn't expect it to be that bad. Totally worth it though

What is enjoyable is satisfying the craving.
If it's the five minutes time out that is enjoyable then do it with a coffee.
If the craving isn't there in the first place the actual act of smoking is quite disgusting when you think about it.
I smoked for 20 years, 8 years without one and would never go back.

YANBU, of course it's very enjoyable, albeit with risks. (Unfortunately it was declared an open target for puritans years ago in ways that other risky activities were not )

Oh I miss it dearly. Its been three years now but I find I hardly go out and socialise much unless its with no smokers. Theres nothing like being outside a nice pub under the heaters chatting and smoking with your friend drinking a nice red. It literally cant be beaten so, i just stay in 😀

I love it, loved it for twenty six years up until ten weeks ago when I quit.

I didn’t quit Cos I wanted to, I quit because I was noticing the effects on my health and knew that it was time. Had to put it in the past and that’s where it’s staying now.

I’ve always enjoyed a fag after a few drinks. Smoking is quite nice.
BUT last year I watched a relative slowly, hideously suffocate to death from COPD caused by smoking, and now I’ll never touch the things again. Not worth that kind of horror

I switched to vaping early November last year and don't miss cigs. I do know what you mean though I did enjoy smoking a lot.

I am one of those annoying ex smokers though in that I now hate the smell and declare what a waste of money it is (I spent about £30 on my vape and now spend about £10-£15 a week on oils and £2.50 occasionaly for a new filter)

My mum has smoked for about 40 years and has no intention of quitting. She has COPD and I dread the smoking eventually taking her

I smoked for a couple of years in my teens but I’m 49 now and hate it. It bloody stinks. Just standing near a smoker in a shop makes me want to gag. Walking near them and my kids being subjected to it is vile and selfish.

My dad dies 5 years ago from cancer. He smoked from being a kid. Watching him waste away was the most hideous thing I’ve ever experienced. Being raised by smoking patents was embarassing; they always had to sneak out of stuff and swap seats on planes. We always had to sit in smelly areas of restaurants. The car reeked, and our uniform stank.

Vile.

Yanbu as long as you enjoy the increased risk of cancer.

I'd say it's more a matter of accepting it.

I loved smoking. Like others I gave up recently because I knew it was time. A close (non smoking) relative has cancer and I don't want to willingly put my family through the worry of me getting ill too. I don't miss it really but I loved the 5 minutes to chill. It is like meditation and I haven't really replaced it so I feel like I'm missing something a bit. I've given up before but I know this is the last time and I'm a bit sad knowing that I'll never have that feeling again. But free too. I didn't like the grip it had over me.

Yes, my mum enjoyed smoking too. She died a slow and painful death. About 20 years before her time. I miss her every day.
But I'm sure that won't happen to you. You're invincible. Those magic, fantastic cigarettes will keep you safe.

@trappedsincesundaymorn my drinking doesn't shorten your life, your smoking does shorten mine..... oh the irony!

I miss it too..
Been smoke free since 1st jan and it's been a daily struggle! Whilst I do miss the smoking, I don't miss the smell, the cost or the hold on me it has.

I stopped after my cancer diagnosis. I was 33 . If you want to do it and are fully aware of the risks to you and others, that's your choice. I know I couldn't afford it these days. I used to smoke B&H, I'd need a mortgage for that nowadays !!!! When patients say they smoke 60 a day, I can't believe anyone has the money for that .

Having been a smoker for nearly 20 years I can relate to this... Until quite recently I used to love the occasional after dinner fag, although I quit being a proper “smoker” years ago.

But ultimately it’s a particularly nasty addiction which shortens your life and is unpleasant for those around you. And unlike other dangerously addictive drugs you don’t even get a high from it.

The thing that really did it for me is that my DD has asthma and I couldn’t live with the idea that I was continuing to do something which had the potential to make her dangerously unwell for no real reason. That’s kept me off it and now the thought of it makes me feel nauseous.