Smoking

Rubecula

I stopped smoking for 20 years and when I quit I simply stopped. It was just will power and perhaps I was not in the strictest terms 'addicted'.

A few years ago a trauma made me reach for a cigarette. ( I drink very little alcohol, otherwise I might have reached for the bottle instead)

I am still smoking, but when I am in a situation where I can't smoke it does not bother me. However a smoke break at work is pretty much the only break I get. Never the less I can't actually stop this time.

I was curious if there are any possible suggestions out there on what I could do instead of smoking. Artifical cigarettes perhaps? I It would have to address the problem that started me smoking again and perhaps allow me a few minutes to myself during the day, to take stock of the situation if you follow me.

karl tyrrell

suck a polo mint and do a crossword every lunch break take your mind of the urge :rolleyes:

Rubecula

I think that is a good idea thank you, however I do not get lunch breaks, which is why I smoke for a break at work. I have to eat on the run as it were.

The Orb

I'm off them 3 years. I believe that if someone really wants to stop they can and will. You were off them for 20 years, a great achievement, so you would be an expert on what is required and don't need advice from relative rookies like me. Can I be so bold as to ask whether you really want to give them up? I know how hard it is and after a couple of pints I still get an awful goo on me for a smoke, you did it once and you CAN do it again.

Rubecula

To be honest, it has become a habit rather than an addiction. I have been told I should stop on medical grounds. That should be reason enough of course, but I find that that is something I can not care about.

I think it may be a mental issue with me, so I was really looking for something I could do instead of lighting up. When I did originally give up I must admit I always felt the odd urge to smoke, but it was momentary 'pangs' and I could easily ignore it.

I have always believed that once a smoker you will always be a smoker, just one who is not interested in having a smoke at that time. (Not sure that makes sense the way I meant it to)

I have smoked cigarettes, hand rolled and ready made, I have smoked pipes and cigars, but since I restarted I have only smoked cigarettes (Usually hand rolled as it allows me a few extra moments to myself and I find I can think while I am preparing the smoke)

For a while I sucked on the end of a pen instead of smoking but once with a blue face is once too many:pac:

AntiMatter

I've been using snuff to get off them.

It works on the same principle as patches, gum or e-cigarettes for a fraction of the cost. (about 35-40 times cheaper than patches, by my reckoning)

Rubecula

I am not sure about the use of snuff, never crossed my mind before but I don't think the idea has a lot of appeal for me. Thank you though for a novel approach that I had not thought on before.

Wibbs

The biggest thing I miss about the whole smoking thing is they give you an excuse to do nothing/have a think/take a break That's the hard thing to replace. I've not found any solution to it I'm afraid. You could go the pipe smoking non inhalation route I suppose.

The Orb

"I have been told I should stop on medical grounds. That should be reason enough of course, but I find that that is something I can not care about."

I gave up immediately after being advised to on medical grounds. I find your statement that it is "something you cannot care about" somewhat worrying considering my own experience which gave me all the incentive I needed. I think if you started to care about your health i.e. yourself then you'd kick them no bother. Are the ciggies the real problem?

Wolfe Tone

Just go for a dump and take the newspaper with ya, a nice break.

minikin

Sounds like you haven't tackled the original trauma and are just using it as an excuse for not ditching the fags.

Have the smokes 'addressed the problem that started you smoking'?
Of course they haven't, so why insist that a replacement activity be able to do so?

You have no genuine excuse to continue smoking, you're stinking the gaff out and harming your own health - so grow a pair and just stop!

Otis Driftwood

minikin wrote: »

Sounds like you haven't tackled the original trauma and are just using it as an excuse for not ditching the fags.

Have the smokes 'addressed the problem that started you smoking'?
Of course they haven't, so why insist that a replacement activity be able to do so?

You have no genuine excuse to continue smoking, you're stinking the gaff out and harming your own health - so grow a pair and just stop!

Advice is welcome,insults arent.Thanks.

OP why not have a look in The Giving Up Smoking forum,lots of great advice there.

Bottle_of_Smoke

There's a non nicotine medication called champix which blocks receptors so you don't enjoy the cigarette. You quit smoking after 8/9days by which stage you won't want one because it makes smoking like herbal cigarettes.

It also relieves withdrawal symptoms.

PK2008

Alan Carr's Easyway to quit smoking- get it!!!!

Smoked for years- on again off again, nicorette gum patches the lot- went 1 1/2 years off them but it was always in the back of my mind espoecially at certian times/occasions. Alan Carr's book is the only thing thats ever helped me really understand why I smoke and why I dont need to. Im off them 2 months now and havent even thought about having another

minikin

Advice is welcome,insults arent.Thanks.

Apologies nedtheshed for any insults, none intended.

Rubecula

The Orb wrote: »

"I have been told I should stop on medical grounds. That should be reason enough of course, but I find that that is something I can not care about."

I gave up immediately after being advised to on medical grounds. I find your statement that it is "something you cannot care about" somewhat worrying considering my own experience which gave me all the incentive I needed. I think if you started to care about your health i.e. yourself then you'd kick them no bother. Are the ciggies the real problem?

Thanks for your considered thoughts. No the ciggies are not the real problem. They are, without going into details, my way of dealing with the original problem. Obviously it is the wrong solution, which is why I posted this thread in the first place. As for my health. I really should be more concerned about it, and I am trying to be.

MUSSOLINI wrote: »

Just go for a dump and take the newspaper with ya, a nice break.

Brilliant idea..... apart from the stink.:pac::pac:

minikin wrote: »

Sounds like you haven't tackled the original trauma and are just using it as an excuse for not ditching the fags.

Have the smokes 'addressed the problem that started you smoking'?
Of course they haven't, so why insist that a replacement activity be able to do so?

You have no genuine excuse to continue smoking, you're stinking the gaff out and harming your own health - so grow a pair and just stop!

Yes it does sound like I have not tackled the original problem. Which is what I am trying to do. (Hence the OP)

Strangely the smokes did address the problem, so I am afraid you are wrong there. (But as you have no idea what that problem is then you could not know that):)

Actually, I may have a genuine excuse for the smoking, if not a particularly good reason. I am not stinking the gaff out either, as I only smoke in an open space in the open air. Of course it is true that I am harming my own health, but as I mentioned up above I am trying hard to change my attitude in that direction.

I am not offended with the "Grow a pair" comment, as I took it it was meant with humour.

Thank you one and all for taking the time to post replies to me.

The Orb

I hope you get over whatever has caused your problem and the relapse, I can't say that I wouldn't relapse if something traumatic happened to me. Best of luck, you'll get there.

Eric Cartman

+1 on the snuff, and if you order off the internet etc.. theres lots of different flavours and strengths of snuff to keep you off the fags, im down from 20 a day to 10 a day because I bring snuff to work with me , its dirt cheap (3 euro a tin) and a tin will last a month easily