How I Quit Smoking

Adfundum · Mar 17, 2023

Steady Pie said: ↑

Hi,

I was a smoker for years. Every morning I'd get up, go to my local deli and buy a 25 gram pouch of Port Royal Rum and Wine.

I'd finish that pouch at before going to bed, day in, day out.

My cough was so bad that my housemates sleeping on the other end of the house would come out and tell me to shut up at midnight. Every day. My lungs sounded like a cement mixer. I gained weight, I didn't exercise, every morning I'd cough up a few hundred grams of phlegm.

I tried very hard to quit several times. Every time without fail I'd get incredible withdrawals and get back on it with a vengeance, often smoking more than a pouch a day for a week after I started again.

____________________________________________

Then I discovered vaping. I started and effortlessly never had a cigarette ever again. My lungs improved dramatically. I lost over 40kg because my lungs were good enough to exercise again. I save over $400 a week because I'm not paying the tax office exorbitant amounts.

I'm still not able to kick nicotine - maybe I have an addictive personality, maybe I'm just weak willed. Whatever the reason, I'm still vaping 2 years on.

Unlike when I was smoking, I am now a criminal. The AMA has decided to ignore international best practice and embrace pseudo-science.

Their reasons are unclear to me - perhaps they want GP referrals (they are effectively a doctors union after all), perhaps they want their friends in government to continue reaping billions in tobacco excise - whatever the reason, I am now a criminal for dramatically improving my health.

The prohibition doesn't affect me - I have a gallon of 10% nicotine that should last me ~20 years, but I can't help feel for the millions who are now condemned to cancer, poor lung health and misery.

_______________________________________

Ostensibly the AMA is worried about children taking up vaping as a gateway to smoking, something I oppose strongly.

Yet I'd quite happily accept a 10 year mandatory minimum prison sentence for anyone found selling vapes to minors. Would petrol station attendants still sell them to children with the possibility of a 10 year sentence? I doubt that. They don't sell them cocaine after all.

The UK health regulator is rather furious about all this. They are worried about smokers (like me) continuing to smoke because of pseudo-science around vaping. I can't help but agree.

I am of the opinion that nobody should have to be a criminal to improve their health. What do you think? Have we taken nanny statism too far, or should I quit vaping and in time inevitably go back to smoking, ruining both my health and finances? It would definitely help the government improve their revenue. Should they profit off my poor health/death?

Who are we as a country?
Click to expand...

Years ago, I tried quitting many times, but could never do it. Pack a day smoker back when the prices were still well under a dollar a pack. One day when my daughter was in first grade, I picked her up after school. When we got home, she put her hands on her hips and looked up at me with a look I'll never forget. She said, "I don't like you when you smoke," then walked away. It's been over thirty years, and I've never touched another cigarette.

FreshAir · Mar 17, 2023

Adfundum said: ↑

Years ago, I tried quitting many times, but could never do it. Pack a day smoker back when the prices were still well under a dollar a pack. One day when my daughter was in first grade, I picked her up after school. When we got home, she put her hands on her hips and looked up at me with a look I'll never forget. She said, "I don't like you when you smoke," then walked away. It's been over thirty years, and I've never touched another cigarette.
Click to expand...

and that is the reality of it, people have to want to quit... I used vapes to quit over 10 years ago

but I 100% support people's right to smoke and not be taxed over 100% if they choose too

FatBack · Mar 17, 2023

Steady Pie said: ↑

I don't have much of an interest in cigarettes anymore (haven't had a single one in 3 years) but I support the freedom of anyone to smoke to their hearts content.

Where it really hits is cigars and pipe tobacco. A box of cigars is well over $2000 here.
Click to expand...

I sell these cheap "blunts" All night Long at work. Two for $0.99 cigars that everybody knows are for smoking marijuana after you cut the tobacco out and use it like a rolling paper.

They even have these packs that are four and five for a dollar. I thought well those have to taste like dirt I don't know why anyone would buy those, probably cuz they spent all their money on the weed

Steady Pie · Mar 17, 2023

FatBack said: ↑

I sell these cheap "blunts" All night Long at work. Two for $0.99 cigars that everybody knows are for smoking marijuana after you cut the tobacco out and use it like a rolling paper.

They even have these packs that are four and five for a dollar. I thought well those have to taste like dirt I don't know why anyone would buy those, probably cuz they spent all their money on the weed
Click to expand...

Because they're so expensive I pretty much only have Montecristos and Cohibas.

Log in or Sign up

How I Quit Smoking

Adfundum Moderator Staff Member Donor

FreshAir Well-Known Member Past Donor

FatBack Well-Known Member

Steady Pie Well-Known Member Past Donor

Share This Page

Log in or Sign up

How I Quit Smoking

Adfundum Moderator Staff Member Donor

FreshAir Well-Known Member Past Donor

FatBack Well-Known Member

Steady Pie Well-Known Member Past Donor

Share This Page

Useful Searches