Am i the worst kind of smoker - can anyone give any good advice

[Tillysmummy]

I think I am the worst kind of smoker there is. I dont buy any but nick other peoples, I often don't smoke for weeks and then will go out and have a couple. I gave up for a year when I was pregnant with / had dd and then for some insane reason started again, I was only smoking 3 or 4 a day and always outside when she was in bed. I gave up again before christmas for almost 3 months but then stupidly started again with the occasional one because I felt I had it under control. This is the problem because I can go without for so long I feel that it's not a big deal and I can control it and im unlikely to get seriously ill from smoking so little but Im sure that's wrong too although I convince myself that it's ok. Also planning to start trying for baby number 2 in June and definitely will give up then so feel like I haven't got long so what will it matter if I have the odd one.

How useless am I ? I feel ashamed and never smoke in front of friends or relatives (except my mum and gran who smoke like chimneys) - any advice for a weak person ?

The worst thing is Im such a hypocrite. Half the time I absolutely hate it and think it's disgusting and hate the smell etc.

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You sound like a true social smoker. Most people aren't and can't do it, me included. So I wouldn't worry about the odd one if it really is the odd one.

I was an even worse smoker than you tillysmummy. I smoked in bed and was soooooooo disgusting anyway, now I'm the worst sort of non smoker. When I was pregnant I cut down to 5 cigs a day and then I went to an acupuncturist and I said how I'd been smoking for 23 years and was totally addicted and frightened of stopping my crutch like habit and she took away my fear of stopping and I couldn't believe it but after one session I'd stopped totally and become disgusted - it was magic ( she lives in France though ) OR, why don't you give yourself a break and let yourself smoke socially ?

Tillysmummy - don't be so hard on yourself. If you are desperate to completely stop, read Allen Carr's book Easyway (sp?) Worked for me (unless am pissed, whoops!) Otherwise, just stop when trying for sprog 2. Do the new warnings on packets put you off more?

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Tillysmummy, I am exactly the same as you. I consider myself a non-smoker. I have been for about 7 years!! However I am a social smoker, I will have a cigarette on odd occassions, usually when pissed

I also think it's disgusting and a foul smell, yet I know when I go ou tonight I will fancy a fag. I am a fussy non-smokr though I really only like menthol cigarettes, so I always look to ponce off someone who smokes them

To me I have the best of both worlds, I don't really smoke, but once a month (or less) I enjoy one. I don't count that a problem

I gave up 4 years ago but have the very occasional one still (3 or 4 times a year, again usually when pissed!) I find that I feel so vile the next morning that it puts me off again for ages.

I also hate smoking, think people who smoke smell disgusting and wish I never did it. DH has a much harder time, he has just been back to Allen Carr in Raynes Park for the third time, but it seems to work for a year each time so it's much cheaper to spend £150 a year on that than however much on tabs and kill yourself too...

BTW Allen Carr's books made me want to smoke more as he is such a smug little w*er!!

Sambom, IKWYM about Allen Carr. My sister said 'just think, if you give up you'll never have to read that crappy book again.'

I have a good friend who I have always put down as a 'proper' smoker. Could never picture her without a packet of marlboro lights in her bag and slipping out for a quickie! Anyhow she did Allen Carr's course ... and gave up for about 6 weeks ... she then had to go back as she lapsed but after that she gave up again ... she has been fag free for more than 6 months now.
If she can do it, anyone can ... believe me!

Agree with Crunchie and WWW- would DEFINITELY not consider this a problem, Tillysmummy! In fact it is my dream to be able to do this but sadly I must resist as I would be back to proper smoking in seconds! I advise taking delight in your capacity to be a truly social smoker.