# Say, here's a stupid question ... **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 25, 2001, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/say-heres-a-stupid-question/66519 "2001-05-25T23:04:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2001, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/say-heres-a-stupid-question/66519/21 "2001-05-26T16:19:56Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by beagledave \* > \*\*There’s always the [anatomical](http://www.presmark.com/htmlfile/pictures.htm) approach… \*\* [making Homer Simpson noises] Mmmm. Blackened lung. [/making Homer Simpson noises] I quit for about a year. What helped me was I got really pissed off that I had to run 10 yards to catch some dirt bag who tried to drive off without paying for his gas and I could hardly breathe afterwards. Then I changed jobs and a year later the stress from that job was so bad I started smoking again. (Mind you, I went from being a bullet catcher in a stop and rob, to working in a warehouse. One would think the warehouse job would be less stressful. It wasn’t.) Try to elimante those things in your life that encourage you to smoke and you’ll find it’s a lot easier to quit. ---
**Author:** ![slackergirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b38774/32.png) [@slackergirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slackergirl)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2001, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/say-heres-a-stupid-question/66519/22 "2001-05-26T16:55:45Z")
I quit a few years ago and it was a bitch. The cool thing is that I can honestly say that the thought of smoking now completely grosses me out. I still have massive cravings once or twice a year, and what I do in those cases is force myself to chain smoke 4-5 at a time. Yeah, the first couple are great, but I feel like death the next day and it definitely curbs the temptation the next time. I think it’s been about a year since the last time I did that. Breathing is a good thing. ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2001, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/say-heres-a-stupid-question/66519/23 "2001-05-26T16:57:36Z")
Back in high school one of my friends and I were talking about her granddad, a 3-pack a day sort of guy for 40 or so years. As best as we could figure, imperfectly accounting for inflation and all, he’d spent about $50,000 on smokes. damn. ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2001, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/say-heres-a-stupid-question/66519/24 "2001-05-26T18:35:22Z")
**GrizzRich** , I had heard similar stories before, told to me in attempt to get me to stop smoking. And it’s not that I didn’t understand the point to those stories, but possibly I was just not in the proper attitude adjustment to really listen to them. Your story really grabbed me by the boo-boo. I’m so sorry for your loss, but let it not be said that your dad died in vain. I know that doesn’t help, but the work he did as an activist against smoking is important. And the work your doing by carrying on, is equally important. You took my hanging curve of a request for inspiration and horror stories and knocked it out of the park. **Zyada** , you also make a great point. I’m going through some difficult times at the moment. Look for my emotional wreck thread if you really want to know. My wife quit smoking in December. I also have kids, to whom I’ve felt recently I’m not really holding up my end of the bargain. I don’t want them to suffer either. **Soda** , you bastard. You’d have to go and call me on something like that when you know it’s the nicotine talking. Ok, I’ve got six left in the pack. I’m going for a walk right now to go get some gum. The smokes will be heaved in a garbage can on the way. **Crunchy** , on your mark, get set, _ **go** _!! Time of last smoke - approx. 11:00am (west coast time), May 26th, 2001. ---
**Author:** ![Soda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cc9497/32.png) [@Soda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Soda)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2001, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/say-heres-a-stupid-question/66519/25 "2001-05-26T19:01:59Z")
**Jack** , yay for you! If you pull this off (which I’m sure you will) I will award you with unlimited flirting and general sluttiness. And that goes for you too, **Crunch**. ---
**Author:** ![August\_West](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/august_west/32/18069_2.png) [@August\_West](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/August_West)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2001, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/say-heres-a-stupid-question/66519/26 "2001-05-26T19:16:49Z")
You guys mind if I jump in on this with you? I’ve got a bit of a head start, (10:00pm CDT, 5/24)but I’d appreciate it. What’s the bet, anyway? I’d take a bottle of Maker’s Mark from the defeated. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![callie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/2acd7d/32.png) [@callie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/callie)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2001, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/say-heres-a-stupid-question/66519/27 "2001-05-26T19:25:54Z")
Here’s another thread where we are talking about the same thing. [Stop Smoking](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=68060) - just in case you’re interested. Good luck everyone! ---
**Author:** ![Crunchy\_Frog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ebca7d/32.png) [@Crunchy\_Frog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crunchy_Frog)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2001, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/say-heres-a-stupid-question/66519/28 "2001-05-26T21:17:53Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Jack Batty \* > \*\ ***Crunchy** , on your mark, get set, _ **go** _!! > Time of last smoke - approx. 11:00am (west coast time), May 26th, 2001. \*\* Way ahead of you. Stopped by Walgreens on the way home last night and bought some Nicorette gum. So far, it’s really helping the cravings. Time of last smoke - approx. 12:45am (central time), May 26th, 2001. **Soda** -looking forward to your unlimited flirting and general sluttiness. **August West** , nice to have you aboard. This isn’t exactly a bet though, more of a support group, along the lines of the SMOKE-OUT threads - here’s links to [all](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=23199) [three](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=25068) [threads](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=38072). ---
**Author:** ![GrizzRich](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/7ba0ec/32.png) [@GrizzRich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrizzRich)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2001, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/say-heres-a-stupid-question/66519/29 "2001-05-26T22:23:16Z")
BRAVO! \ ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2001, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/say-heres-a-stupid-question/66519/30 "2001-05-26T22:30:56Z")
Its … so … dark in … here. Mommy? … Is that … you? Oh, … the rabbits … look at the … pretty rabbits. [sub]heading into hour number four - oooh these are the tough times[/sub] ---
**Author:** ![Snooooopy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee7513/32.png) [@Snooooopy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snooooopy)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2001, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/say-heres-a-stupid-question/66519/31 "2001-05-26T22:34:53Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Jack Batty \* > \*\*Its … so … dark in … here. > > Mommy? … Is that … you? > > Oh, … the rabbits … look at the … pretty rabbits. > > [sub]heading into hour number four - oooh these are the tough times[/sub] \*\* You could take your mind off this by going on a 7 1/2 mile walk. I don’t think I’ll be joining you, though. ---
**Author:** ![Crunchy\_Frog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ebca7d/32.png) [@Crunchy\_Frog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crunchy_Frog)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2001, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/say-heres-a-stupid-question/66519/32 "2001-05-26T22:50:33Z")
Get something to supplement the craving, **Jack**. No, I don’t mean start smoking a pipe, either. As I said, Nicorette gum is working for me. Or heroin, I hear that takes the edge off quitting smoking. ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2001, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/say-heres-a-stupid-question/66519/33 "2001-05-26T22:56:38Z")
So far I’ve been through three toothpicks, two sticks of Freedent and one apple. It’s the just sitting around the house part that’s killing me. I think I’ll go to the grocery store. ---
**Author:** ![callie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/2acd7d/32.png) [@callie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/callie)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2001, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/say-heres-a-stupid-question/66519/34 "2001-05-27T02:19:03Z")
**Jack** - get some juice - orange works well for me. Drink lots of water - flush all those toxins out! Take lots of showeres, brush your teeth 50 times. Now you even have time to floss. Good luck! ---
**Author:** ![Persephone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ecc23a/32.png) [@Persephone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Persephone)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2001, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/say-heres-a-stupid-question/66519/35 "2001-05-27T02:55:22Z")
Gaaaaaaaaaaaack. Ack! Ack! Ack! AAAAAAAAAAGH! I’m hoping to try and scrape together enough money to get myself a color cartridge for my printer, so I can print those vile things and carry them with me. I’d hang them on my wall at work, but they’re just a little _too_ gross. I don’t think my boss would let me–although she’ll be really supportive of my quit attempt. Holy crap, those were yukky! But oddly inspirational. Maybe that’s just the kick I needed. ---
**Author:** ![aha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/eada6e/32.png) [@aha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aha)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2001, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/say-heres-a-stupid-question/66519/36 "2001-05-27T03:05:57Z")
…smoking will kill yer ass, ain’t that motivation enough? If it ain’t let me know and I will give you a word by word description of my cousin’s death from emphyzema. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Sue\_Duhnym](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/91b2a8/32.png) [@Sue\_Duhnym](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sue_Duhnym)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2001, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/say-heres-a-stupid-question/66519/37 "2001-05-27T04:53:06Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by GingerOfTheNorth \* > Jack Batty - Zyban worked like a charm for me…The pleasant side effect of Zyban (or Wellbutrin - same thing but cheaper and different name, but EXACTLY THE SAME PILL) - is the funky dreams you get. I’m with Ginger. My Doctor changer my antidepressant from Paxil to Wellbutrin SR (sustained release) and though I haven’t quit, I have really cut down just because I: a. Don’t have the urge. b. Am not satisfied by smoking. I don’t think I’ve finished a smoke in a month. Apparently it’s because the drug binds to the same receptors in the brain that nicotine does. c. Nope, sorry Opal. I can see how the Zyban “reformulation” would help immensely, it’s horrible that smoking cessation aides aren’t usually covered by insurance. 😉 😉 😉 😉 In fact, I’m going to go have a smoke then take a look at Dave’s link. Maybe I’ll join you. ---
**Author:** ![Soda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cc9497/32.png) [@Soda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Soda)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2001, 7:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/say-heres-a-stupid-question/66519/38 "2001-05-27T07:56:31Z")
Oooh, baby, I just _love_ your minty fresh breath… Come here and kiss me long and hard you studlike man you! ---
**Author:** ![DRY](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a87d85/32.png) [@DRY](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DRY)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2001, 8:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/say-heres-a-stupid-question/66519/39 "2001-05-27T08:47:50Z")
**Jack Batty** , Yes, you should quit smoking. And you don’t need me or anyone else to give you a good reason to do it. You know what those reasons are. What you can and should look to us for is for support and guidance. In particular, I’d look to the others who’ve quit smoking here, and read the threads they ( **Persephone** , **Shayna** , **Satan** and others) have started or posted to. This will give you all the motivation and encouragement you need (besides the posts to this thread). Good luck! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Crunchy\_Frog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ebca7d/32.png) [@Crunchy\_Frog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crunchy_Frog)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2001, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/say-heres-a-stupid-question/66519/40 "2001-05-28T21:47:06Z")
How you doing, **Jack**? Hanging in there? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/say-heres-a-stupid-question/66519.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/say-heres-a-stupid-question/66519.md?page=3)