12 Top Reasons to Stop Smoking Now New Evidence May Be the Most Convincing Yet

Smokers smell so bad that... (MULTIPLE CHOICE POLL)


  • Total voters
    77

Steely Dan

Former Member
Joined
Dec 22, 2008
Messages
30,558
Reaction score
105
http://www.lifescript.com/Health/Ce...utbrain&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Cessation

12 Top Reasons to Stop Smoking Now
New Evidence May Be the Most Convincing Yet
By The Lifescript Editorial Staff
Published December 22, 2010

Every year, more than 400,000 people die from tobacco-related illnesses – and according to a new report, even a single cigarette can damage your health. Here are 12 more reasons why you need to stop smoking now...

Everyone knows smoking is bad for you, but you probably didn’t know how bad.

Even tiny amounts of cigarette smoke harm your lungs and DNA, according to a just-released Surgeon General’s report.

“The chemicals in tobacco smoke reach lungs quickly every time you inhale, causing damage immediately,” U.S. Surgeon General Regina Benjamin, M.D., said in a statement.

The more you smoke, the harder it is for your body to repair DNA damage or respond to treatment if you develop cancer, she added.

As the report notes, studies have shown that cigarettes kill 443,000 people every year in the U.S. due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cancer, heart disease, lung disease and other causes.

In fact, 1 in every 5 Americans dies of a smoking-related illness.

And that doesn’t even take into account the effects on your skin, mood, fertility and finances.

The Food and Drug Administration recently banned flavored cigarettes and began investigating menthol cigarettes. In November, it issued rules requiring graphic images on cigarette packages.

But efforts to reduce smoking have stalled in recent years, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Between 1998 and 2008, the number of smokers fell by just 3.5%, from 24.1%-20.6%.

If you’re among those who still aren’t convinced and haven't yet quit smoking, here are 12 reasons to stop smoking now....


Read the article for more info.

I'm gonna guess that very few smokers will even look at this article.
 
Here's the list. Read more about why they are on the list at the article.

1. Smokers die young.
2. You stink!
3. You have 10 times more wrinkles.
4. Your lungs are full of phlegm and tar.
5. Smoking can cause depression.
6. It’s expensive.
7. Smoking causes infertility.
8. You’ll have a difficult pregnancy.
9. Your PMS will get worse.
10. You’re a bad influence.
11. Second-hand smoke kills.
12. One is the loneliest number.
 
Okay then, Steely. Interesting timing for this thread, as this past week I have been seriously considering quitting.

It's been ten years since the last time I tried, and I still smoke a pack a day. I really am sick of smelling like cigarettes, I definitely can't afford it anymore, and I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror the other day- in full sunlight- and was a bit horrified to see a bunch of tiny 'smoker's' wrinkles I did not have before. Plus, I don't want to die until I'm good and ready.

The thought of trying to quit again spins me into a panic, though. It was sheer torture when I tried 10 years ago. I have been smoking for 30 years! I am 46 years old now.

Is there a list of the top 12 easiest, least painful and traumatic ways to quit? Buy a bag of lollipops, or something? How long will the die-hard cravings last? Am I really that tough?

Isn't the 'Great American Smoke-out (or whatever it's called) coming up in November?

I can't afford to get a prescription, but the last couple of days I've been thinking about buying the patches. Anyone else have any luck with those?
 
Thank you for the link- I see it takes me to other links that have the information I was asking about.

I think I'm going to try to quit on the Great American Smoke-Out date. Would anyone care to join me in a support thread to quit smoking? A new thread, not an old one that was started and abandoned previously. A fresh start!
 
The patches did nothing for me. In fact I was smoking while wearing patches so I quit the patches,lol. The best way I quit and the longest I stayed quit was cold turkey and 5 months. Then I went to a bar and had a beer. I don't drink often so smoking was highly associated with beer and bar, unlike my morning coffee or after nookie which I think was the problem. I was anticipating wanting one at certain times and was able to distract myself or plan something for those specific times. That beer caught me off guard. I am gonna quit again and yes November would be good. Why do they do the smoke out right before the holidays though? Wouldn't new years be better?
 
Okay then, Steely. Interesting timing for this thread, as this past week I have been seriously considering quitting.

It's been ten years since the last time I tried, and I still smoke a pack a day. I really am sick of smelling like cigarettes, I definitely can't afford it anymore, and I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror the other day- in full sunlight- and was a bit horrified to see a bunch of tiny 'smoker's' wrinkles I did not have before. Plus, I don't want to die until I'm good and ready.

The thought of trying to quit again spins me into a panic, though. It was sheer torture when I tried 10 years ago. I have been smoking for 30 years! I am 46 years old now.

Is there a list of the top 12 easiest, least painful and traumatic ways to quit? Buy a bag of lollipops, or something? How long will the die-hard cravings last? Am I really that tough?

Isn't the 'Great American Smoke-out (or whatever it's called) coming up in November?

I can't afford to get a prescription, but the last couple of days I've been thinking about buying the patches. Anyone else have any luck with those?

smart blonde, I've been smoke free over a year now, after 40 years of a two-plus-pack-a-day habit. (I had some mild coronary problems last year. No big deal (not a heart attack) and I'm fine now, but I decided it would be too embarrassing to be seen smoking after that.)

A couple of points:

1. I'd quit twice before for a year or two and in my experience, quitting does get easier with age. I have no idea why.

2. Before I quit, I went to my shrink for advice, hoping he (very much a pharmacological wizard) would tell me there is now a magic pill to end the addiction.

To my disappointment, all he recommended was using the patches twice as long as the instructions say on the box. (So if the box says to use Phase 1 patches for one month, use them for two months instead, before you transition to Phase 2.)

The reason is that you delay giving up nicotine completely until you have had more time to get over the various habits we build around smoking.

I'm grateful to say that despite my initial disappointment that there was no "magic pill", his advice actually worked quite well. And for what it's worth, my husband quit at the same time and he had been smoking longer than I!

At this point, I don't even think about smoking and have almost no desire to light a cigarette. (If I think about it long enough I can conjure up some of the old anticipation, but it takes work. Merely being around smokers doesn't bother or tempt me at all.)

Oddly, I still smoke heavily in my dreams. I have no idea why, but apparently smoking is/was a big part of my unconscious self-image.

But I do think I really had to want to quit. In my case, it took a health scare to provide the motivation. But anyone who smokes will have his or her own health scare some day--and it may not be as minor as mine!
 
The patches did nothing for me. In fact I was smoking while wearing patches so I quit the patches,lol. The best way I quit and the longest I stayed quit was cold turkey and 5 months. Then I went to a bar and had a beer. I don't drink often so smoking was highly associated with beer and bar, unlike my morning coffee or after nookie which I think was the problem. I was anticipating wanting one at certain times and was able to distract myself or plan something for those specific times. That beer caught me off guard. I am gonna quit again and yes November would be good. Why do they do the smoke out right before the holidays though? Wouldn't new years be better?

Smoking isn't allowed in bars in California any more, but the first couple of times I quit, it was drinking in a bar that got me started again. I agree, that association is very powerful (and, of course, the alcohol lowers one's inhibitions!).
 
Ha! Good point- nothing like a little more stress to go with the holidays, huh? So, are you with me, Jaxson? I think it will be so much better to know someone else is going to battle, too. We can offer support to each other.

Oh well. I will just have to focus on the money I will be saving. For the past few years I have been buying my cartons of cigarettes at the local 'Indian'/ Native American reservation a couple of miles from where I live. A couple of weeks ago, without warning they raised the price $10 per carton!

Last week, I called and had them turn off my cable t.v. just so I can save $60 a month. I pay more than double that a month in cigarettes. I can't rationalize the expense of smoking any longer.

I beat an addiction to alcohol years ago. That was hard. Something tells me this won't be a picnic in the park, either. I need a support group here at WS. Misery loves company, until we start feeling strong and healthy!
 
Okay then, Steely. Interesting timing for this thread, as this past week I have been seriously considering quitting.

It's been ten years since the last time I tried, and I still smoke a pack a day. I really am sick of smelling like cigarettes, I definitely can't afford it anymore, and I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror the other day- in full sunlight- and was a bit horrified to see a bunch of tiny 'smoker's' wrinkles I did not have before. Plus, I don't want to die until I'm good and ready.

The thought of trying to quit again spins me into a panic, though. It was sheer torture when I tried 10 years ago. I have been smoking for 30 years! I am 46 years old now.

Is there a list of the top 12 easiest, least painful and traumatic ways to quit? Buy a bag of lollipops, or something? How long will the die-hard cravings last? Am I really that tough?

Isn't the 'Great American Smoke-out (or whatever it's called) coming up in November?

I can't afford to get a prescription, but the last couple of days I've been thinking about buying the patches. Anyone else have any luck with those?


Join the e-cigeratte forum and try that. I quit almost two years ago. I would recommend the Ego-T
 
Smoking isn't allowed in bars in California any more, but the first couple of times I quit, it was drinking in a bar that got me started again. I agree, that association is very powerful (and, of course, the alcohol lowers one's inhibitions!).
There is no way I would have even considered quitting smoking when I was still drinking. The two went hand in hand for me.

Now that I've been sober awhile, I have a confidence that I can beat the smoking, too. I really think I'm ready. But, I need to set a date, and be prepared.

You and your husband are a wonderful inspiration, Nova. To hear the 'words of wisdom' from those who have successfully gone through it already will be such a help! Any hints will be great, too.

For some reason, I just know I will need to have some kind of 'replacement', like lollipops, or something. The whole hand-mouth thing will be a big deal.

I am definitely going to go with the patches, and do as Nova did, and just extend the length I'm on them.
 
I was considering the e-cigarettes last year, and was excited when one of my co-workers tried them. He was quite enthusiastic at the beginning, but now he's abandoned them completely. He said they didn't work. I guess they just didn't work for him.

I am willing to try anything.
But, I want to really quit. Not try to quit and fail.
 
There is no way I would have even considered quitting smoking when I was still drinking. The two went hand in hand for me.

Now that I've been sober awhile, I have a confidence that I can beat the smoking, too. I really think I'm ready. But, I need to set a date, and be prepared.

You and your husband are a wonderful inspiration, Nova. To hear the 'words of wisdom' from those who have successfully gone through it already will be such a help! Any hints will be great, too.

For some reason, I just know I will need to have some kind of 'replacement', like lollipops, or something. The whole hand-mouth thing will be a big deal.

I am definitely going to go with the patches, and do as Nova did, and just extend the length I'm on them.

The hand/mouth thing is tough. I'm still not likely to spend a long time on a phone call, because I no longer smoke while I talk. And I wish I could say I quit smoking without gaining weight, but that would be a lie.

But my understanding is that most people eventually lose the extra weight they gain. It's just one more step in the process.
 
Okay then, Steely. Interesting timing for this thread, as this past week I have been seriously considering quitting.

It's been ten years since the last time I tried, and I still smoke a pack a day. I really am sick of smelling like cigarettes, I definitely can't afford it anymore, and I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror the other day- in full sunlight- and was a bit horrified to see a bunch of tiny 'smoker's' wrinkles I did not have before. Plus, I don't want to die until I'm good and ready.

The thought of trying to quit again spins me into a panic, though. It was sheer torture when I tried 10 years ago. I have been smoking for 30 years! I am 46 years old now.

Is there a list of the top 12 easiest, least painful and traumatic ways to quit? Buy a bag of lollipops, or something? How long will the die-hard cravings last? Am I really that tough?

Isn't the 'Great American Smoke-out (or whatever it's called) coming up in November?

I can't afford to get a prescription, but the last couple of days I've been thinking about buying the patches. Anyone else have any luck with those?

Here are some things I've heard, and/or, learned over the years.

1. Don't expect it to be easy. Bruce Williams used to have a radio show years ago where he'd offer financial advice. Anyhoo, he had his own airplane and crashed and was in the ICU for awhile and on a lot of morphine for his pain. He said that quitting morphine wasn't easy but it was a lot easier than quitting cigarettes.

2. Know you're stronger than the cigarettes. Anytime you feel like smoking realize that, while very difficult, you have the power.

3. Take your cigarette butts and put them in a lidded jar with water in it. Anytime you feel like smoking open the jar and inhale deeply. It will probably make you sick to your stomach and curb the urge. The color of the water might make you think too.

4. Use this resource; http://www.smokefree.gov/

5. Figure out what you're spending on cigarettes a week and every week put that money in a savings account or a jar in your house. Wait one year from your last cigarette (NO CHEATING :nono:) and then withdraw the money and blow it on something special for yourself. Nothing necessary, something you've always wanted but didn't have the money for. It'll be your quitting trophy.

6. Take a calendar and every day you don't have a cigarette put an X on it. This will help you by realizing that you've gone two days without a cigarette you can go one more, you've gone two weeks, you can go some more, you've gone a month! Wow! You're doing great don't ruin it now! Etc....

7. Print this and put it up on your fridge;

smokers-lung.jpg

http://www.google.com/imgres?q=smok...tart=0&ndsp=21&ved=1t:429,r:5,s:0&tx=48&ty=72

Good luck! :rocker:
 
Wow. I have no words.

Thank you, Steely. That's harsh.
If looking at that every day doesn't do it, nothing will.
 
I was considering the e-cigarettes last year, and was excited when one of my co-workers tried them. He was quite enthusiastic at the beginning, but now he's abandoned them completely. He said they didn't work. I guess they just didn't work for him.

I am willing to try anything.
But, I want to really quit. Not try to quit and fail.

I haven't done a formal survey, but it seems to me that different methods work for different people. If you truly want to quit, you may have to make a few attempts. Try not to get too discouraged if you slip up. (Since you've kicked an alcohol addiction, I'm sure you know this.)

On that subject, I'll admit that for the first couple of weeks, I took the patch off every night and smoked a cigarette or two in secret before I went to bed. (I was really resentful and childishly felt I was being "forced" to quit by my body.) Then a smoker friend came for a visit and I smoked a couple more with her. At that point, it was obvious where the "just one won't hurt me" method was leading me and I felt very foolish. And so I REALLY quit, once and for all.

BTW, I know nothing of the prescriptions available, but my shrink must not think they are very effective. He happened to be quitting himself at the same time I did and he used the patches just as he advised me to do. And he's a pharmacological specialist, so it's not like he's reluctant to resort to chemical aid.
 
I've smoked since I was 13, i'm 31 now. I've quit 2 times, both with Chantix, nothing else worked for me (cold turkey, gum, patches or the E-ciggs), but both times i got sooo stressed about various things after the 3 months of chantix that i started up again.. maybe the key is staying on the chantix for much longer than 3 months.
 
I've smoked since I was 13, i'm 31 now. I've quit 2 times, both with Chantix, nothing else worked for me (cold turkey, gum, patches or the E-ciggs), but both times i got sooo stressed about various things after the 3 months of chantix that i started up again.. maybe the key is staying on the chantix for much longer than 3 months.

Chantix was the only thing that worked for me.... and man did I have some wild dreams. I enjoyed them though. Sometimes I'd be mad I woke up and couldn't finish my dream. :)
 
Feb 15 2012 will be 2 years for me. I had 'cold laser' treatment. It cost about $150. and that's a little over 2 cartons of cigs. I didn't think it would work, but it did. I smoked Kools for way over 30 years. I quit while my mom was on Hospice. (My mom passed away this past June, she was on Hospice for a year and a half.) It was a very stressful time, and I did it. There were a couple of times that I wanted a cigarette, but I know if I have one, I will be smoking again. The urge goes away after a bit, it's not that hard to NOT have one.
 
Feb 15 2012 will be 2 years for me. I had 'cold laser' treatment. It cost about $150. and that's a little over 2 cartons of cigs. I didn't think it would work, but it did. I smoked Kools for way over 30 years. I quit while my mom was on Hospice. (My mom passed away this past June, she was on Hospice for a year and a half.) It was a very stressful time, and I did it. There were a couple of times that I wanted a cigarette, but I know if I have one, I will be smoking again. The urge goes away after a bit, it's not that hard to NOT have one.

What is cold laser?
 

Members online

Online statistics

Members online
188
Guests online
1,764
Total visitors
1,952

Forum statistics

Threads
589,969
Messages
17,928,506
Members
228,026
Latest member
CSIFLGIRL46
Back
Top