Quitting Smoking

I was mid 40s and had a bout with pneumonia, took a week to recuperate and go back to work and I fired up a smoke and it almost killed me. I tossed it on the ground and stomped it out and never had one since. Best thing I ever did, I think I did it soon enough to save my lungs. I got my taste back and became addicted to those nutty Ice Cream Cones. I just couldn't get enough of those ice cream cones, I had no trouble with quitting the smoking I just enjoyed the ice cream. I had a new carton of smokes on my dashboard of the car and they sat there for about 6 months before I finally just tossed them into the trash. I still believe it is a persons right to do what they choose and not preach to them what they should do or not do. Now for me working years as a mechanic in the automotive field I sniffed a lot of brake dust and that is the real killer, much worse than cigarette smoke because it is asbestos and I knew a lot of older brake men who did that for over thirty years day in and day out, they were all dead before I became 40.

 

Agree. I have never even tried smoking and I grew up on a tobacco farm. Just never appealed to me but I couldn't care less what other people do. I wish my husband could quit for his own good, but I never mention it to him.

 

I acknowledge that by switching from smoking to vaping I've traded one addiction for another, but vaping is a much safer addiction. According to the Canadian Lung Association, there are 4,000 chemicals in each cigarette, and these are responsible for causing health problems like lung cancer and COPD, not the nicotine. Vape liquids generally have just THREE ingredients: food-grade vegetable glycerin (found in many food products), propylene glycol (same stuff they use in asthma inhalers), flavouring, and nicotine.

Nicotine is the addictive substance in cigarettes. To get off the smokes, you can choose whatever concentration of nicotine in the vape juice that works for you. It ranges from zero nicotine to, I think 12 mg. I started at 6 mg. and dropped to 3 mg. and my cravings are satisfied. If you want to try vaping, I suggest you start at 6 mg at least and then gradually decrease to 3 mg. and then 0 mg. See if that works for you.

I was absolutely shocked at how easy it was for me to quit the cigarettes. Believe me, I was a "die-hard" (pun intended) smoker. Some people still feel the need to smoke cigarettes in between vaping, but I never did. Some people are able to eventually quit vaping, but I don't think I'll do it anytime soon. I just love the experience and flavour.

Feel free to PM me if you have more questions, Richard. I'd be happy to pass along my vaping knowledge and experience.

 

I agree about not preaching to people about smoking. We have two friends who still smoke cigarettes, but I don't bug them about switching to vaping. They both tried it, and it didn't work for them. It does make sad though, when they're over for a visit and they have coughing fits and I hear them wheeze. But they are intelligent adults, they know fully well it's not healthy, so it's their choice. I know how addictive nicotine is, so I don't judge.

 

I agree, and this is interesting: When I was smoking in my 40s to 60s, I didn't want my family to know that I was still on hooked on the things (didn't want the flak from them), so whenever we had a gathering, I wouldn't smoke for hours at a time and it didn't bother me. But, once I got in the car to go home, the first thing I'd do is light up. LOL So, I think smoking is as much a psychological habit as a physical need.

 

The tobacco companies and Big Pharma have always said that vaping isn't as safe as people assume. Gee...I wonder what motivates them to make such assertions? Maybe because they're losing HUGE amounts of dollars as people switch to a healthier option, and they're not getting their piece of pie from the burgeoning vape industry? LOL

 

John, while it's addictive, nicotine alone isn't nearly as unhealthy as the 4,000 chemicals found in cigarettes. And you can buy nicotine-free vape liquids at almost any vape store. Vaping IS a much healthier option.

 

Richard, I suggest you watch this video. Hopefully, you'll be able to find it in its entirety on YouTube or elsewhere. It's seven years old, but even more true today. It'll give you great insight on how vaping has, and is, saving lives.

(58) A Billion Lives - Documentary Film Announcement - YouTube

 

But how do I quit the Aldi's chocolate ice cream?!!!!

 

Put it on dry ice and send it to me

 

Reminds me of my few visits to the Las Vegas VA Hospital after it opened in the mid 90s. They had a nice over head roofed breezeway in front of the entrance and all the wheel chaired men would be sitting outside under the breezeway smoking with both hands. Everyone of them had an oxygen tank strapped on the back of their chair. My old Korean War Vet Friend from where I lived would laugh and tell me they're all just waiting to die. I guess they all figured they had nothing to lose. All the stop smoking voice started in California in the 70s and just progressed. In the end it was a good thing, it did make a lot of people realize they were slowly killing themselves. Now I don't believe second hand smoke does as much damage unless a person's immune system is not tolerant. I do believe it did hurt a lot of people in the home while young. In my case no one in my family has died from lung cancer. My oldest Uncle was a cigar smoker his entire adult life and he lived to be 96 and did have one lung removed in his late 60s but he did quit after that and lived one for a long time. He came very close to declining the surgery and I told him to hang around a while longer and watch all the changes coming. He was a tough person as were all of his family. As children they were picking cotton for 25 cents a day.

 

I think my reasoning on the subject is due to the secondhand smoke not bothering me. Even quitting long ago it does not bother me for a smoker to smoke around me. There are people that have no tolerance of the smoke and I can understand that. It really is a nasty habit due to the tar emitted all over everything in the house. My Grandmother smoked but she died at 93 due to just getting too old and a last living older member of her immediate family. She died very peaceful just saying she was tired and she was going to take a nap. She just lay down and closed her eyes and fell asleep. My Mother was with her because the doctor had called her and told her that Grandmother did not have much time. They enjoyed a meal together and my Mother ask her what she would like and she ask for 3 Tacos and a cold beer. That was her last meal and I am glad the two of them were together. Once my Mother left home they slowly drifted apart but were still always there for each other, I think it was a nice way to be close for the last time. My Mother reached 90 and was really strong and had a terrible final few months due to an infected knee replacement she had for over 20 years. They removed the knee hoping they could stop the infection but she lay there in bed without the knee for a month and finally told them to stop all treatment. She was dead within a few days. Due to the covid crap no one could visit except my sister who lived nearby in Vegas. It was criminal how this nations leaders abused their authority and caused so much grief and death due to their ignorance.

 

I've know a couple of people in their '80s and '90s who smoked and suffered virtually no adverse effects. Neither had lung cancer and passed away of age-related illness. I think if they still enjoy smoking at that age and it gives them pleasure, what the heck...let them do it, as long as they're still capable of being careful to not cause a fire. It's sad to see the ones who are oxygen tanks and still smoking. I think you're right...they probably think they have nothing to lose as their health will likely not improve if they quit, so they keep on puffing.

 

My dad smoked all his life, too. I got him a cigarette holder for him in my teens (like the celebrities of old used). He smoked filtered cigs but the filter in the holder darkened too, as he smoked, just catching a bit more tar. Vaping might have helped but he did not die from smoking.