# The Great SD SMOKE-OUT Topic - Part 3 **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [September 11, 2000, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-sd-smoke-out-topic-part-3/32795 "2000-09-11T18:29:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**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:** [September 11, 2000, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-sd-smoke-out-topic-part-3/32795/1 "2000-09-11T18:29:33Z")
With Shayna being away, and since no one has posted to [The Great Straight Dope SMOKE-OUT Topic](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=23199) or [The Great SD SMOKE-OUT Topic - Part 2](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=25068) since late June, I thought I’d start up Part 3. Especially since there may be some newbies out there who haven’t seen the previous threads. I _ **need** _ to quit smoking. I have chronic bronchitis. I wake up every morning hacking and coughing. I get winded walking up a flight of stairs (and I’m only 27!) So, all you kiddies out there, take it from me, smoking is bad. My GF currently has cancer and is undergoing chemotherapy treatments. She’s asked me to quit so I don’t have to go through the same thing. My maternal grandmother, a smoker of 35-40 years, died from lung cancer. My father quit smoking when he was 30 for me and my sister (respectively 3 years old and 5 years old at the time). Both parents repeatedly ask me to quit. Friends here on the board have time and time again offered their assistance to me if I ever wanted to quit. Well, here it is. I’m gonna quit. My target date is this Friday, September 15th. I’ll have a three-day weekend, so I won’t be able to use work stress as an excuse for a cigarette. I’ll keep you all updated on my progress, whether you want to hear about it or not. Expect to see a lot of me in the Pit during this time, as I expect to be grumpy and generally pissed off about everything. Anyone who’s interested, post here. We can help each other out. ---
**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:** [September 11, 2000, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-sd-smoke-out-topic-part-3/32795/2 "2000-09-11T19:34:16Z")
Just got off the phone with the GF, she’s going to quit with me (of course, she’s under Dr’s orders, with the cancer and all). Still looking for Friday to be my Quit Day. Isn’t there _anyone_ who’s going to quit with me? You bastards can’t let me do this all alone! ---
**Author:** ![Zyada](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zyada/32/3028_2.png) [@Zyada](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zyada)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2000, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-sd-smoke-out-topic-part-3/32795/3 "2000-09-11T19:54:42Z")
I don’t smoke, but I’ll sponsor you if you want a sponsor. Gimme a B: _ **B** _ Gimme a R: _ **R** _ Wait a sec… who’s this “Crunchy Frog” dude? (heh, your name changed between my reading the thread and hitting the post button, cool) ---
**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:** [September 11, 2000, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-sd-smoke-out-topic-part-3/32795/4 "2000-09-11T20:04:47Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Zyada \* > \*\*(heh, your name changed between my reading the thread and hitting the post button, cool) \*\* It threw me off too. I went to change my sig and it wouldn’t take BratMan007 as a correct user name. ---
**Author:** ![Sea\_Sloth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Sea\_Sloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sea_Sloth)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2000, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-sd-smoke-out-topic-part-3/32795/5 "2000-09-11T21:18:31Z")
Wha?! BratMan is now Crunchy Huh? Eh… I quit smoking almost 2 years ago because I finally got so sick with pneumonia that I physically couldn’t smoke. This was after many years of chronic broncitis and asthma. It was really hard for the first 3 months and once in a while I screwed up and had a cigarette when drinking. Now I haven’t smoked since January of '99 after 10 years of puffing away. BratMan, uh, Crunchy, you don’t yet know how liberating it is to not worry about cravings at inopportune times, to never smell like a wet ashtray, to be able to jog, or even just boogie without lungs collapsing, and to know that every day your lungs are healing themselves, making it less likely that you will die of disgusting, painful emphysema or lung cancer or throat cancer or heart disease. Free yourself! You have the desire to reclaim your life. I know you can do it. Good luck, friend. Elkems ---
**Author:** ![SmoothOperator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3bc359/32.png) [@SmoothOperator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmoothOperator)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2000, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-sd-smoke-out-topic-part-3/32795/6 "2000-09-11T21:25:39Z")
You can do it Br…Crunchy Frog 😕 . I smoked for 18 years and quit 6 years ago. It may or may not be difficult for you. The worst part for me was relearning how to deal with stress. I smoked instead of dealing with whatever was stressful for me. See if your doctor’s office can give you the name of a support group and you and your girlfriend go to the meetings. And of course, you know we will try to help as much as possible. ---
**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:** [September 11, 2000, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-sd-smoke-out-topic-part-3/32795/7 "2000-09-11T21:37:26Z")
Crunchy I would _LOVE_ to join you! Unfortunately, I have 9 out-of-state relatives arriving that very day and staying the weekend at my house. You see the reason that I would not attempt such an endeavor that day, don’t you? Can I start (quitting) the following Wednesday? ---
**Author:** ![Stuffy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f17d59/32.png) [@Stuffy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stuffy)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2000, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-sd-smoke-out-topic-part-3/32795/8 "2000-09-11T21:40:38Z")
OK, Crunchy Frog (_crunchy frog?!_😕 )Im with you. Ive smoked off and on for 13yrs, last time I managed 6 mos. I hope to do much better this time around. So hows this support thing gonna work? ---
**Author:** ![Strainger](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/strainger/32/244_2.png) [@Strainger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Strainger)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2000, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-sd-smoke-out-topic-part-3/32795/9 "2000-09-11T23:58:50Z")
I’d like to throw my hat into the ring as a non-smoker who will gladly sponsor/encourage/anything else I can do anyone who’s trying to smoking. ---
**Author:** ![evilbeth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/evilbeth/32/2268_2.png) [@evilbeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/evilbeth)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2000, 6:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-sd-smoke-out-topic-part-3/32795/10 "2000-09-12T06:22:50Z")
I’m always available as a sponsor! ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2000, 9:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-sd-smoke-out-topic-part-3/32795/11 "2000-09-12T09:47:58Z")
Go, Crunchy Frog! Wooohoooo! You go, boy! It can be done. I used to smoke 3 packs a day. But haven’t smoked in nearly 11 years. I give all potential quitters the same advice. Keep your mind and your hands occupied. Take long walks. Eat whatever you feel you have to. The extra weight will come off. Talk about what you’re going through, 'cause it helps. And tell yourself ‘Just for today, I will not smoke’. GO CARDINALS!!! ---
**Author:** ![Lsura](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7993a0/32.png) [@Lsura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lsura)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2000, 9:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-sd-smoke-out-topic-part-3/32795/12 "2000-09-12T09:59:34Z")
I’d love to quit again. Mine is for financial as well as health reasons. Having the extra $3 or so a day would make a HUGE difference in my finances. And I know I would feel better. After 14 years of smoking(and I’m only 27) it’s time to quit. I’ve been cutting back a lot lately-so I think I can do it. 🙂 Good luck Crunchy. ---
**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:** [September 12, 2000, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-sd-smoke-out-topic-part-3/32795/13 "2000-09-12T13:52:01Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Sue Duhnym \* > **Can I start (quitting) the following Wednesday?** Whenever you’re ready. My target day is Friday just because I’ll be home from work for three days, taking away that stress and excuse for smoking for me. One thing I’ve ready in my previous attempts to quit smoking is that you’ve got to be mentally ready and willing or it won’t work. If anyone hasn’t read the first two threads, please scroll back and read, as they help explain how this works better than I can. ---
**Author:** ![Jester](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jester/32/8223_2.png) [@Jester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jester)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2000, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-sd-smoke-out-topic-part-3/32795/14 "2000-09-12T14:02:10Z")
Crunchy, Lsura, count me in as a non-smoking sponser. This board has pretty much taken over my life, so I’ll be around if you need me. But, you can also email me if you got to ([Mojo530@aol.com](mailto:Mojo530@aol.com)), or IM me if you’ve got aol. Same address. Anyway, Friday is your D-Day, and we’re all pulling for you! ---
**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:** [September 12, 2000, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-sd-smoke-out-topic-part-3/32795/15 "2000-09-12T14:51:51Z")
Thanks for all the offers of sponsorship, but I can’t post from home, so those 1st three days I’ll pretty much be on my own. I’ll probably hang around my sister’s house (no smoking around the new baby!) and my GF that weekend and try not to light up. ---
**Author:** ![Kiki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/dc4da7/32.png) [@Kiki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kiki)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2000, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-sd-smoke-out-topic-part-3/32795/16 "2000-09-12T16:28:50Z")
I’m going to quit smoking too. It’s too damn expensive for one thing and I want to set a better example for my kids. So I’ll join you Crunchy… I’ll try my best. I’ll encourage you and support you if you’ll do the same for me! Good luck! ---
**Author:** ![nederlander](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/8e8cbc/32.png) [@nederlander](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nederlander)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2000, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-sd-smoke-out-topic-part-3/32795/17 "2000-09-12T17:55:05Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by spooje \* > \*\*And tell yourself ‘Just for today, I will not smoke’. > \*\* it sounds like you’re in recovery from something else, too. i know a lot of people in AA and NA, and “just for today” is a very common theme in their programs. as for myself, i smoked during high school and much more heavily in college. tried to quit repeatedly with not much luck. then my parents got me started on nicoderm for christmas two years ago, and that was finally the beginning of the end. i started up again with the occasional smoke after dinner the next summer, and finally put the pack down for good last august. i was disappointed in myself, but replapse is a part of recovery. i’ve had one cigarette since last august, and that was after a phish concert when we discovered that my friend’s car had been broken into and close to $1000 worth of our stuff got made off with. but again, relapse is a part of recovery. if nothing else, it teaches you that you can’t have “just one.” good luck with it. you have our support. oh, and if you can afford it(and depending on how much you smoke, it may even be cheaper), i strongly suggest you look into nicoderm. it doesn’t make it easy, but it certainly takes the edge off. ---
**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:** [September 12, 2000, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-sd-smoke-out-topic-part-3/32795/18 "2000-09-12T18:07:28Z")
_says nederlander_: > [@](#): > > it teaches you that you can’t have “just one.” About 2 years ago I quit smoking cold turkey. I went 6 months without a cigarette. Then my birthday rolled around, I went out with my friends and had some beers. Sure enough, I convinced myself I’d been good, it’s my birthday, I can have “just one” smoke that night. I’ve been smoking again ever since. ---
**Author:** ![Strainger](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/strainger/32/244_2.png) [@Strainger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Strainger)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2000, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-sd-smoke-out-topic-part-3/32795/19 "2000-09-13T17:27:24Z")
Just bumping this thread since I feel it’s pretty important and yet it sinks so fast. Looks like your start date is after I’ve gone out of town but I’ll be checking on y’all when I get back! Best of luck to those of you who are quitting this weekend. Also, Crunchy, Rachelle, stuffinb, Lsura, Sue (after Wednesday of course), and anyone who’s quitting, feel free to send any rants my way. I’ll “listen!” ---
**Author:** ![Satan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Satan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Satan)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2000, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-sd-smoke-out-topic-part-3/32795/20 "2000-09-13T20:34:23Z")
Zyban. It rules. See sig for proof… * * * Yer pal, Satan - Commissioner, [The Teeming Minions](http://football.fantasysports.yahoo.com/full/show?lid=39428&page=leaguehome) \*I HAVE BEEN SMOKE-FREE FOR: Five months, four days, 18 hours, 37 minutes and 21 seconds. 6311 cigarettes not smoked, saving $788.88. Extra life with Drain Bead: 3 weeks, 21 hours, 55 minutes. \***“I’m a big Genesis fan.”-David B. _(Amen, brother!)_** \*\* [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-sd-smoke-out-topic-part-3/32795.md?page=2)