Smokers And Past Smokers- I have some questions for a project.

[Pelican49]

Quote:
Maybe, but the opposite is true sometimes. Neither my sister nor her husband ever smoked. Two of their grown kids smoke, one doesn't.
My husband & I both smoked and my grown kids do not. My kids are very anti-smoking and were thrilled when I quit. I still miss it.

 

[Robin'sBrood]

Quote:

I have to agree with Jeeper to disagree with hoppy... I grew up with a smoker in the house (father) and except for experimenting with them some in high school, I've never been a smoker. To my knowledge my brother has never even tried the nasty things. And despite growing up in a non-smoking household, my two oldest sons are now smokers.

 

[Mom 2em All]

Quote:
Maybe, but the opposite is true sometimes. Neither my sister nor her husband ever smoked. Two of their grown kids smoke, one doesn't.
My husband & I both smoked and my grown kids do not. My kids are very anti-smoking and were thrilled when I quit. I still miss it.

Its possible- but nobody in my immediate family smoked, ever and I am a smoker.

My answers:

1. What age were you when you started smoking? 13
2. What age are you now? 41
3. How has smoking effected you medically? out of breath easily- is that proven to be because I smoke, or just out of shape? no, but most likely because I smoke.
4. How many cigarettes/packs do you smoke a day, on average? 2
5. Have you ever tried to quit? yes, quit cold turkey for seven months last year
6. What brand do you smoke? Kool
7. How has it effected people around you? effected, how? I believe my family dealt with MORE when I did not smoke than they do now that I am smoking again
8. Do you regret smoking? If not, BE HONEST. I absolutely regret smoking- I think most smokers agree that we do not like being addicted to such an expensive habit and being stinky.Not
to mention going outside and freezing/getting soaked/deciding if during a break we would rather use the restroom or smoke, etc.

I want to add one thing- use it if you can, if not- well, no harm done. I quit for seven months- cold turkey. I gained thirty pounds even though I tried hard not to gain any weight. Worse than that, I experienced anxiety and panic attacks - really bad ones. I may have quit smoking but I did not substitute that habit with an effective way of coping with stress/anxiety- where I would grab a cigarette when I was upset, stressed, worried, etc- I did not have any coping crutch/skill to deal with those feelings. The panic attacks were AWFUL. And I was obsessed with my fear of dying.

I experienced a VERY AWFUL personal family disaster, and I started smoking again. (I also lost 20 of the 30 pounds I put on) I think of quitting again, but there is no way I will even attempt it with no coping skills/crutch to keep me from having those panic attacks again. I also wanted a cigarette every single day that I was quit. It never got any easier for me after the first week. I wanted a cigarette every day. So, while I am sad that I have an addictive habit, I have to say that I feel better now than I did for those seven months.

 

[fl_deb]

1. What age were you when you started smoking? 12

2. What age are you now? 50+

3. How has smoking effected you medically? It did while I was smoking b/c I would get alot of sore thoats and coughing esp in morning. I don't have any residual affects at this time that I am aware of.

4. How many cigarettes/packs do you smoke a day, on average? 2 packs

5. Have you ever tried to quit? yes finally sucessful at age 26!

6. What brand do you smoke? Marlboro box

7. How has it effected people around you? My son was asthamatic (sp. sic) and very sick as a small child with lung related illnesses. My husband died of cancer, and he had smoked heavy for most of his life.

8. Do you regret smoking? If not, BE HONEST.
Yes! I wish I had not ever smoked because if I ever do get cancer I will know it was my own fault for being so stupid as a child, however, once in a great while, I will smell a cigarette and have an urge to smoke to this day.

 

[featherz]

Just an aside from a completely 100% non smoker (never even tried it)- my mom and dad BOTH smoked (mom died of unrelated causes when I was a kid, but dad smoked until I was about 12, then quit) - I never picked up the habit. Matter of fact I thought it was SO gross and disgusting that I was the biggest militant anti smoker around. So it's not for sure that you'll smoke if your parents did (although probably doesn't help).

 

[chooniecat]

I find this subject fascinating(and the most disgusting thing in the world) as I grew up with 2 smoking parents and brother smoked and I NEVER saw the attraction. Quite the opposite. (and I had earaches SEVERELY as a kid until I left home)Am VERY much an individual and questioned my parents about it and they enjoyed it(?) and everyone wanted to act like grown ups(what does THAT have to do with it? these were STUPID grown ups in my mind,and yes I love my parents!!) The point is-given that everyone else was smoking I am very proud that I was mature enough(?) to question WHY in goodness gracious would you start something SO gross, expensive, rude. And have ALWAYS had to defend my pride even though I truely DO wonder how someone can start this disgusting thing. I am serious. would love to know why some people can tolerate starting a gross(to me) habit and others of us are " WHY"? Mom quit appx. 7 years ago(she has mild emphysema so VERY lucky) and we are finally close. Dad has COPD but he is also very lucky in my book. and the health reasons aside, once again, I do NOT know why you would start. my mom said she was bored while dad overseas(well-I get bored but I wouldn't start smearing cat poop in my hair and that sounds more attractive than smoking!!) and Dad was just a teen trying to look cool(???? It don't look cool,dad!) like I said-it IS fascinating to me so PLEASE don't be offended, smokers, I am fascinated with someones ability to start such a thing.

 

[PepsNick]

Guys, ok, I get your points. Can you please stay on a friendly subject? I don't want everyone getting mad on here and the post closed, because I need this post. Please just answer the questions and you can tell about your experience.

 

[acid_chipmunk]

Quote:

 

[gryeyes]

1. What age were you when you started smoking?
40

2. What age are you now?
57

3. How has smoking effected you medically?
"Smoker's cough" and sometimes I wheeze at night.

4. How many cigarettes/packs do you smoke a day, on average?
A pack a day

5. Have you ever tried to quit?
Yes, yes, I have. I always started up again, sometimes as much as 10 months later.

6. What brand do you smoke?
Virginia Slims, Ultra-light, menthol

7. How has it effected people around you?
Some folks are snotty about it, I have a friend on oxygen I shouldn't smoke around, so I go outside around her.

8. Do you regret smoking? If not, BE HONEST.
Only because of the cost of the cigarettes and the mess it makes. Other than that, I rather like smoking. I really don't wish to quit, but I do wish it was cheaper!

 

[Strange_Screams]

1. What age were you when you started smoking? 21
2. What age are you now? 31
3. How has smoking effected you medically? broncitis regularly
4. How many cigarettes/packs do you smoke a day, on average? 1 1/2 packs a day
5. Have you ever tried to quit? A few times, was never successful though
6. What brand do you smoke? SkyDancer menthol
7. How has it effected people around you? Friends that dont smoke have never seemed to mind since I go outside, my family smokes
8. Do you regret smoking? If not, BE HONEST. I enjoy smoking, but I wish I had never started, cost to much and everything smells bad