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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

I so wish I still smoked

56 replies

Tintackedsea · 28/06/2023 23:03

It's been well over 10 years since I quit but fuck me I miss the fags. I don't miss the poverty and the stench but I miss the 5 fucking minutes to myself. I miss the time out. I miss the decompress.

I'm not going to start again but...

AIBU to just miss smoking?

OP posts:
SocksAndTheCity · 28/06/2023 23:09

YANBU. It's fifteen years at least since I stopped and it's still the first thing I think of after a crap day or a couple of drinks.

Maybe one day they'll find a way to make Marlboro Reds that are good for us Smile

Cantrushart · 28/06/2023 23:14

I hear you 😟

CallieQ · 28/06/2023 23:14

YABU it gives you cancer

IncompleteSenten · 28/06/2023 23:16

I wouldn't go back to it for anything but sometimes I do still think oh for a fag and a pint 😁

Justchooseone · 28/06/2023 23:16

No. Not at all. I’ve kind of drifted back into smoking again last month or so after about three years of having given up (haven’t bought any but smoking friends etc) and DP just had a go at me tonight. I’ll have to knock it on the head. I fucking love smoking. I honestly feel like it’s like alcoholism and you have to fight it everyday 😢

Judgyjudgy · 28/06/2023 23:17

I feel you. Nothing like a cigarette 🚬

Walkingtheplank · 28/06/2023 23:18

Its been 22 years for me. Still miss it. Which is ridiculous I know.

Merryoldgoat · 28/06/2023 23:19

Nope. 18 years on and I still feel it.

i probably have 5/6 fags a year, feel hideous afterwards but love every second of them.

ComtesseDeSpair · 28/06/2023 23:20

I’ve never smoked but do carry a vape for socialising and parties - just for that that nice social moment all sitting on the kitchen worktop and all leaning out of the window at a tower block house party, or going for a quiet breather in the garden for a one on one chat. With minimal rather than regular usage that harms are negligible, if any.

Maverickess · 28/06/2023 23:21

YANBU

But - don't cave!

I just have after a very stressful week and I feel like absolute shit because of it, physically and mentally, and I've got all that quitting stuff to go through again, will be quitting again after these ones are gone.

I think pp is right that with it being an addiction, it never really goes away for some people. It's a crutch and it feels so natural because I did it for so long.

WineIsMyMainVice · 28/06/2023 23:23

Justchooseone · 28/06/2023 23:16

No. Not at all. I’ve kind of drifted back into smoking again last month or so after about three years of having given up (haven’t bought any but smoking friends etc) and DP just had a go at me tonight. I’ll have to knock it on the head. I fucking love smoking. I honestly feel like it’s like alcoholism and you have to fight it everyday 😢

Absolutely agree!!
I’m nearly 50 and I started at 13. Stopped so many times and always gone back to it. Finally stopped November 2022 and I really hope that’s the last time. Now I’m done. But also feel like the craving ruins every good night out now because as soon as I’ve had a couple of drinks and I smell it, that’s all I can think about!!! 😫

Mumtothreegirlies · 28/06/2023 23:24

I was hard core smoker for 18 years and gave up over 2 years ago and can honestly say I don’t miss it. However if they invented a ciggerette that didn’t smell and wasn’t unhealthy then I would take it right back up again for the ritual side of it. Going out into the garden for 5 mins peace so I get you totally.

abyssofwoah · 28/06/2023 23:24

YANBU. I find summer the worst for missing it. I’ll never go back but god I would love to sit in the garden on a summer evening with a glass of wine and a rolly up.

Lolabear38 · 28/06/2023 23:27

I feel you. For the most part, I just really enjoyed smoking. I know it gives you cancer. I know it stinks. I know it’s super expensive. But I still just really liked it. I’m the same as you - for the 5/6 minutes it would take me
to smoke a cigarette, that’s all I could do. It was a time out, a few moments to myself outside with no jobs or partner (now ex) moaning at me. I also have really fond (probably rose tinted) memories of balmy summer evenings spent with friends in beer gardens or on the beach, drinking cheap wine and smoking cigarettes together, before we all started having kids and evenings out became pretty much a thing of the past. What I wouldn’t give to go back just for a day!

Original poster
Tintackedsea · 28/06/2023 23:28

Och, I'm never starting again. I know that. 100% I couldn't be a social smoker. I couldn't have the odd puff. I'm acutely aware that there's no "casual use" option for me. I'd be back up at 20 a day before I knew it and the kids would be barefoot.

I've had a shite day at work and that wee niggly nicotine worm is still in my brain saying to me "ach, a fag would sort you out."

Amazing that you never really get "cured".

But...oh...!

OP posts:
Jakadaal · 28/06/2023 23:31

I hear you! Finally 'stopped' about 10-15 years ago BUT I go on holiday with a friend once a year and I buy cigarettes and smoke like a demon Smile I think it's my one last rebellious act as a nearly 60 year old Wink

I smoke for 5 days then return home and don't smoke again. This year though I just couldn't abide the taste so I bought a vape!

I know all of the health risks but bloody hell I loved the 20 odd year old me who smoked with my friends

Yellowdays · 28/06/2023 23:32

It's just a mind set thing. Honestly. I smoked for years and I've never regretted stopping, or wanted another single cigarette. It's perfectly possible to sit in the garden for a five minute breather and a coffee, or wine if you want. Create those routines. And well done for not smoking!

Classinglass · 28/06/2023 23:37

I miss it when I’m stressed or upset, something to take the edge off but I could never actually smoke again.

Defender90 · 28/06/2023 23:41

YANBU. I've not smoked since 1999 and today I stuck my pen in my mouth and wished it was a club cig.

I miss the breakfast smoke most of all.

bellabelly · 28/06/2023 23:43

I gave up (after many failed attempts over the years) about a year and a half ago. Sometimes I have dreams where I'm smoking again and I love it. I've promised myself that if I really, really want to start again when I'm 80 then I can...

alloutofcareunits · 28/06/2023 23:46

YANBU, I quit 26 years ago and still often wonder if I could just have one a day after my evening meal, I'd enjoy it so much! But I know one would become two etc.....

PumpkinPie77 · 28/06/2023 23:50

YANBU. I have up smoking cigarettes at least 15 years ago. I bloody loved smoking! Chain smoking, in a club, on a dance floor, at a busy bar. Fag in one hand, vodka and coke in the other. Puffing away. Loved it.

Wouldn't ever smoke now though as I'm a responsible adult and know the risks.

But gosh I'd love just one night of stinky fag breath and smoky hair!

Occasionally I pretend to puff on a pen or other stick like object. . I pretend to inhale and everything, then pretend blow it away. Ah the good old days.

Crumpleton · 29/06/2023 00:28

I'm gave up nearly 17 years ago now, hell I've surprised myself there.
But was getting near 20 a day and money was needed for other things

But YANBU... the fag after I'd eaten lunch/dinner was always the best.

Growlybear83 · 29/06/2023 00:32

It's been over 25 years since I stopped smoking and I still miss it at times. I really like the smell when I walk past someone in the street who is smoking, although I don't miss the smell of stale smoke indoors and on my clothes. I've had friends over the years who could smoke a couple of cigarettes on a night out but I know if I had even a couple of puffs I wouldn't be able to stop again.

LordSalem · 29/06/2023 00:46

I took up vaping because I couldn’t afford to smoke any more. I'd been getting knock offs that made me feel ill and couldn't even afford that. Vaping is great, I enjoy the flavours and being able to do it indoors but ugh, I'd love a ciggie. Haven't had one since last year and I've got an emergency pack that's probably not very fresh any more but I feel like I'd let myself down if I had one. Even during recent times of extreme stress, I figure there will always be a rainier day and that's when I'd have one. I dream about it and wake up feeling guilty!