It isn’t quite as bad as I thought it would be. I have smoked 1-2 packs a day for about 25 years (I am 41 now). I am using these Nicorette lozenges and they really do seem to help with the cravings. They taste like shit and they hurt my throat when I swallow but I have now gone almost 24 hours without a cancer stick.
Neither mundane nor pointless I suppose, but here I am. I am doing it because there’s no good reason to smoke and every good reason to quit. Its bad for me, I have two boys that have been begging me to quit, its expensive and I can’t afford it. It smells bad.
I will say this: I think smoking cessation aids should be subsidized by the government. I’m not for a lot of government doing a whole lot of anything, but jeez…getting people to quit smoking now would cost taxpayers and insurance companies a lot less overall then paying for their health care when the get emphysema, cancer, throat polyps, etc.
Check with your insurance company - they may have something subsidized! Mine subsidizes patches…I think maybe in conjunction with the state of Ohio.
Good luck on quitting! I’m 75 days in to quitting and other than having more money and a better sense of smell (which is MUCH WORSE than it sounds) I don’t feel any different.
Well I do feel glad that I quit smoking. But I’m not running any marathons any time soon
Good on ya! Keep it up, and even if you relapse a few times, don’t assume you’ve failed. You’ll be surprised how much money you’re going to save, you’ll be amazed at your new ability to taste and smell, before too long your lungs are going to work a lot better, and you won’t have that tobacco stench (which you probably don’t even notice any more) on you much longer. These are all things to look forward to and good reasons to resist the craving. Watch out for weight gain, though!
Took me ten years of repeated efforts to kick the habit, and I’ll cheer for anyone fighting the same fight.
It does get worse before it gets better, but hooray for you for quitting. You’ll be so glad. You’ll save time, and money, and in a few days food will start tasting better.
Thanks guys. While I was napping here at the house this afternoon (Tuesday is my only day off) I had a coughing jag in my sleep. The lungs, it seems, are already trying to expunge the brown oysters lodged within.
I know what you mean about the sense of smell, it takes a while to readjust the ‘stink’ reaction.
And the marathon thing. After a huge hill walk (up and down steps & slopes a half dozen times) I used to start coughing until I could taste tar - six years after quitting.
I feel a little guilty…I just popped a dip into my mouth. Fortunately, I really despise the experience of dipping, so I doubt that I’ll be switching one delivery method for nicotine with another in the long term.
I probably shouldn’t be drinking beer while I am trying to quit, but…testing my mettle and all that.
If you feel yourself faltering, there’s always ecigs. And if you’re gonna reach for the dip, see if your local tobacconist carries Stonewall hard snuff. If not, you can get it here. (I don’t recommend the “Natural” flavor. Java is delish, and Wintergreen is good if you usually like that flavor.)
I don’t think I want to try e-cigarettes. I am afraid that I will like them and I will be substituting one for the other. And they aren’t cheap either.
My wife and I recently separated and I have both boys and the house and don’t have her income anymore. Saving money is paramount right now since I pay for everything, including daycare, etc.
Well, they are much cheaper than a month of actual cigarettes. So if you feel yourself going back to smoking, you should consider that alternative - is all I’m saying.
Good on you for quitting. I gave up over a year ago using patches for the first month. That’s always been the hardest time when I tried to give up in the past.
Fortunately, in NZ the healthcare system does subsidise giving up. A month’s supply of patches plus a pack of lozenges or gum (Habitrol) costs you just $3. Considering that a pack of cigs costs around $15, how can you not give up? That’s what I’d like tell my partner who still smokes.
A pack a day smoker is spending about $450 a month! That’s money down the drain and out the window! Boy, am I glad I gave up! Okay, breathless rant is over.
Good for you for quitting! I’m sure the first little while (thought I’m sure it doesn’t feel like a ‘little while’ when you’re living it!) sucks bad, but I believe the rewards will all be worth it in the end!
10:10pm, just had some tomatoes, basil paste, fresh mozzarella, olive oil, garlic, onions and balsamic vinegar for dinner and yes, I want a damn smoke!
But I am sucking on one of these godforsaken lozenges. And then hopefully, sleep.
