# When can I start calling myself a nonsmoker? Now would be nice. **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [September 30, 2011, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-can-i-start-calling-myself-a-nonsmoker-now-would-be-nice/598177 "2011-09-30T18:08:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2011, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-can-i-start-calling-myself-a-nonsmoker-now-would-be-nice/598177/1 "2011-09-30T18:08:11Z")
So I guess I finally decided I wanted to quit. I totally didn’t want to quit, then I really didn’t want to quit, then I kinda didn’t want to quit, and then I maybe didn’t mind the thought of having more money and my clothes not smelling smoky anymore. I kinda didn’t care for cigs all that much anyway, so why not quit while the quittin’s good? So, I smoked my last cigarette at 10:25 am Tuesday (I didn’t tell anyone about it because I didn’t want to jinx myself or feel guilty if I fucked up). Now it’s Friday afternoon. Can I call myself a nonsmoker yet? I’ve been trying (and succeeding) not to think too much about it. I’ve also been focusing on how the benefits outweigh the negatives when I get a craving, which has prevented me from backsliding so far. But really I haven’t gotten all that many cravings. Not as many as I expected. I am pretty cranky. But I like that I don’t cough as much anymore, and my bedroom smells better. I’ve also been telling myself that it’s okay to fuck up, as long as I \*at least \*don’t smoke inside anymore, which I never intend to do again because that makes it WAY too easy to smoke more and more, and made my stuff smell worse. Although I haven’t fucked up, I think that telling myself it’s okay to fuck up has made quitting easier. I’ll be able to spend more money on other stuff I like now. I might even be able to afford my own apartment after my annual review/raise in February (given that I’ll be paying lower health insurance premiums, too). I’m finding it a bit more difficult to focus on stuff, but I expected that. I’m also sleepier, but that’s okay because when I’m asleep I can’t smoke. Also, when can I start going out without worrying about booze tempting me to backslide? I would like to go to a nice Pepe’s cantina I discovered this week as a reward for myself (I’ve never gone to a bar by myself before so it’d be a fun, atypical activity), but I’m afraid that if I have a couple rum and cokes I might run straight for a smoke during/afterward while my inhibitions are down. Because everyone knows that even self-proclaimed nonsmokers still smoke when they drink. ☹ 75 smoke-free hours and counting, yay for me. If I don’t go to the cantina, I’ll probably have some celebratory sushi for dinner, because it’s payday and for once I don’t have to run out and spend $50+ on a carton after work 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![PunditLisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2011, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-can-i-start-calling-myself-a-nonsmoker-now-would-be-nice/598177/2 "2011-09-30T18:11:56Z")
Insurance companies don’t consider you a non-smoker until you haven’t had nicotine in your system for 2 years. Note that nicotine includes Nicorette and nicotine patches. This information is from my friend who quit smoking 3 years ago, but still chomps on the gum like a fiend. He tried to get a reduction in his life insurance rates and this is what his agent told him. ---
**Author:** ![Sarabellum](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sarabellum/32/3492_2.png) [@Sarabellum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sarabellum)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2011, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-can-i-start-calling-myself-a-nonsmoker-now-would-be-nice/598177/3 "2011-09-30T18:14:23Z")
Congrats for quitting! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2011, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-can-i-start-calling-myself-a-nonsmoker-now-would-be-nice/598177/4 "2011-09-30T18:19:08Z")
It’s been almost 7 months for me and I still don’t consider myself a non-smoker. I’m a smoker who fights every day to not smoke! Isn’t not smelling like smoke awesome? That’s my favorite part. That and the $$$$$$$!! It is pretty weird going out and doing stuff that previously involved smoking. The first time I went to a concert I said to my friends “this is what you losers do between sets? Just stand here? Jesus!” Good luck! Keep going! ---
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2011, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-can-i-start-calling-myself-a-nonsmoker-now-would-be-nice/598177/5 "2011-09-30T18:21:08Z")
> [@PunditLisa](#): > > Insurance companies don’t consider you a non-smoker until you haven’t had nicotine in your system for 2 years. Note that nicotine includes Nicorette and nicotine patches. Varies by carrier. Anyway, at the point rach, you’re technically on a smoke break. ---
**Author:** ![Moonlitherial](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4bbf92/32.png) [@Moonlitherial](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moonlitherial)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2011, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-can-i-start-calling-myself-a-nonsmoker-now-would-be-nice/598177/6 "2011-09-30T18:22:32Z")
Start calling yourself a nonsmoker now. Sometimes positive reinforcement is the edge you need to stay a nonsmoker. If someone persists you can clarify to recent nonsmoker but stick to your guns. ---
**Author:** ![Elret](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b9bd4f/32.png) [@Elret](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elret)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2011, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-can-i-start-calling-myself-a-nonsmoker-now-would-be-nice/598177/7 "2011-09-30T18:32:11Z")
I totally consider you a non-smoker now! You don’t smoke. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2011, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-can-i-start-calling-myself-a-nonsmoker-now-would-be-nice/598177/8 "2011-09-30T18:33:11Z")
Going for drinks will be the hardest. When I quit, back in the days of Ronald Reagan (and the second coming of Pierre Trudeau), I could never go out to a bar on the weekend and NOT smoke: it was impossible. However, come Sunday morning and right through till Friday evening, I was a non-smoker. I was like this for a couple of years before I finally said to hell with it and quit entirely. Congratulations on taking the first step. I’m sure your colleagues appreciate your new fresh scent. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2011, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-can-i-start-calling-myself-a-nonsmoker-now-would-be-nice/598177/9 "2011-09-30T18:34:23Z")
> [@PunditLisa](#): > > Insurance companies don’t consider you a non-smoker until you haven’t had nicotine in your system for 2 years. Note that nicotine includes Nicorette and nicotine patches. > > This information is from my friend who quit smoking 3 years ago, but still chomps on the gum like a fiend. He tried to get a reduction in his life insurance rates and this is what his agent told him. How do they know? ---
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2011, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-can-i-start-calling-myself-a-nonsmoker-now-would-be-nice/598177/10 "2011-09-30T18:40:38Z")
They test your piss. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2011, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-can-i-start-calling-myself-a-nonsmoker-now-would-be-nice/598177/11 "2011-09-30T18:44:34Z")
> [@MeanOldLady](#): > > They test your piss. Jeez **MOL** , sometimes I wish you’d just come out and say what you mean instead of hiding behind all these flowery euphemisms you continue to challenge us with. ---
**Author:** ![Alice\_The\_Goon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Alice\_The\_Goon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alice_The_Goon)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2011, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-can-i-start-calling-myself-a-nonsmoker-now-would-be-nice/598177/12 "2011-09-30T18:47:53Z")
I think you can start calling your_self_ a non-smoker any time after quitting. In fact, the little mantra that helped me psychologically when I quit was, “Why would I smoke a cigarette? I do not smoke. I am a nonsmoker.” Good luck staying quit- it’s one of the most important things you will ever do. ---
**Author:** ![Al\_Bundy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e79b87/32.png) [@Al\_Bundy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al_Bundy)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2011, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-can-i-start-calling-myself-a-nonsmoker-now-would-be-nice/598177/13 "2011-09-30T18:47:54Z")
Whether you are a non smoker now depends on your commitment. I can’t say you are a non smoker without knowing. However, the self-doubt you display by asking suggests that you are on probation at best and are not a non-smoker yet. For you, we’re going to say 2-3 years of abstinence. ---
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2011, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-can-i-start-calling-myself-a-nonsmoker-now-would-be-nice/598177/14 "2011-09-30T18:51:29Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > Jeez **MOL** , sometimes I wish you’d just come out and say what you mean instead of hiding behind all these flowery euphemisms you continue to challenge us with. 😃 I’m not sure how long nictone shows up in a urinalysis, but also all of the insurance companies I work with also request that you self-report your smoker status. So if someone happens to know how long nicotine will continue to show up in testing, I suppose they could inaccurately report previous tobacco use and none would be the wiser. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2011, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-can-i-start-calling-myself-a-nonsmoker-now-would-be-nice/598177/15 "2011-09-30T18:59:17Z")
> [@MeanOldLady](#): > > 😃 > > I’m not sure how long nictone shows up in a urinalysis, but also all of the insurance companies I work with also request that you self-report your smoker status. So if someone happens to know how long nicotine will continue to show up in testing, I suppose they could inaccurately report previous tobacco use and none would be the wiser. [Apparently](http://stopsmokingonlinetoday.com/effects-of-smoking/how-long-does-nicotine-stay-in-your-system/) it’s from 3-4 up to 20 days depending on the level of tobacco use. ---
**Author:** ![Caffeine.addict](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f475e1/32.png) [@Caffeine.addict](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caffeine.addict)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2011, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-can-i-start-calling-myself-a-nonsmoker-now-would-be-nice/598177/16 "2011-09-30T18:59:35Z")
[QUOTE=rachelellogram] Also, when can I start going out without worrying about booze tempting me to backslide? I would like to go to a nice Pepe’s cantina I discovered this week as a reward for myself (I’ve never gone to a bar by myself before so it’d be a fun, atypical activity), but I’m afraid that if I have a couple rum and cokes I might run straight for a smoke during/afterward while my inhibitions are down. Because everyone knows that even self-proclaimed nonsmokers still smoke when they drink. [/QUOTE] I quit ten years ago. Since then I only had a cig about six months after my quit date and I was extremely drunk. After that, I really didn’t drink more than one or two drinks at a bar for at least two years because I was worried about back sliding. Focus on the positives. You’d be amazed at how smelly your clothing and jackets get. I found a jacket I owned when I was a smoker six years after I quit. I finally had to throw it out since I couldn’t get that smoker smell off of it. ---
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2011, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-can-i-start-calling-myself-a-nonsmoker-now-would-be-nice/598177/17 "2011-09-30T19:04:43Z")
> [@DCnDC](#): > > [Apparently](http://stopsmokingonlinetoday.com/effects-of-smoking/how-long-does-nicotine-stay-in-your-system/) it’s from 3-4 up to 20 days depending on the level of tobacco use. Wow, that’s it? I say long-time ex-smokers start fibbing about when they’ve last had a cigarette. Although, if it’s really been that long, I’d say you’re fine with most insurance companies. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2011, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-can-i-start-calling-myself-a-nonsmoker-now-would-be-nice/598177/18 "2011-09-30T19:10:14Z")
Granted, those figures are referring to a urinalysis test. Nicotine may show up in a hair follicle test for up to a year. ---
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2011, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-can-i-start-calling-myself-a-nonsmoker-now-would-be-nice/598177/19 "2011-09-30T19:12:03Z")
Insurance companies don’t use hair follicle tests. Some might, but major carriers underwrite A LOT of policies, and using hair follicle testing would be ill-advised. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2011, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-can-i-start-calling-myself-a-nonsmoker-now-would-be-nice/598177/20 "2011-09-30T19:16:38Z")
> [@MeanOldLady](#): > > Insurance companies don’t use hair follicle tests. Some might, but major carriers underwrite A LOT of policies, and using hair follicle testing would be ill-advised. What were they testing for when they did a saliva swab from me: HIV? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-can-i-start-calling-myself-a-nonsmoker-now-would-be-nice/598177.md?page=2)