So, I just quit smoking...

[Stasisesque]

I'd been an average (pack a day) smoker for the past 12 years, and did not especially want to quit. I understood the cons behind smoking and the pros of quitting - but I also heard the horror stories surrounding quitting. Chest pains, dizziness, spiking in blood pressure - a multitude of symptoms brought on by the dreaded nicotine withdrawal. Each potential horror worse than the last. Figured actually, I'd wait a few years until I was much more driven to quit.

Then I had oral surgery - a tale of woe in its own right. I couldn't eat for days, let alone smoke. I lived on milkshake, more of it dropped down me than poured into me. Life was too much of a strain to even think about having a cigarette. I noticed, after a period of three or four days that I hadn't craved a cigarette even once.

So, I simply stopped. No patches, no e-cig, no gum, no hypnosis... unless general anaesthetic can cure nicotine addiction, I've done it all cold turkey. I'm proud of me, my friends are proud of me, my family is... disgusted at the fact I used to be a smoker.

Why, despite now being cigarette free (and to add insult to injury, alcohol, caffeine and drug free to boot) am I still looked upon with disgust for having given in to the foul temptress ciggie in the past? It's a phenomena I've encountered elsewhere too, others who are proud ex-smokers don't get congratulated for giving up the habit, but rather are shunned for ever having puffed on one fag*. As a species** are we simply incapable of recognising someone else's progress and preferring to remind them of their mistakes?


*I'm English.

**Edit: As kindly pointed out below vvvvvvvvvvvvvv I am an idiot, this was meant to say society.

 

[Digital_Hero]

Congratulations on quitting smoking! People are just high-ground dicks don't worry about them. I don't think its as a species, as much as a society; considering the fact that SMOKING IS EVIL, DONT DO IT is rammed down our throats almost constantly.

So don't worry about them. Congrats on quitting and I hope you can break the habit!

 

[novixz]

We just want to feel better than everybody else, to be unique. Which would you believe more: man who has just ran a mile in 2 minutes, or a man who just ran a mile in 30-60 minutes? Because we just don't believe that somebody is better than everybody because some people are just jealous.

 

[Saelune]

Dunno why. However as a super anti-smoker, -I- am proud of you for quitting. I cant be mad at people who quit when I constantly go on about how bad smoking is.

 

[lacktheknack]

Derp. Congratulations on quitting! Your family will get over it eventually. Just be happy that your friends are proud of you, they'll give you the support you need.

 

[Stasisesque]

Congratulations on quitting smoking! People are just high-ground dicks don't worry about them. I don't think its as a species, as much as a society; considering the fact that SMOKING IS EVIL, DONT DO IT is rammed down our throats almost constantly.

So don't worry about them. Congrats on quitting and I hope you can break the habit!

Oh dear god I did actually say species, didn't I? Well that was... not the word I wanted. I meant society.

My excuse is it's early/my cat was bugging me/was eating breakfast (yes I do get up before 5am)/all of my intelligence came in cigarette form/badgers etc.

 

[viranimus]

Congrats... When I quit it was at least encouraged by the need for immediate dental work. Honestly its the easiest way to quit because if your in pain from it, last thing on your mind is smoke.

 

[smearyllama]

Good on you, mate.
While I respect that smoking is a choice that people make, and I won't bother them about it, I do think it's a pretty nasty habit. Good job quitting. Some temporary pains > Possibility of lung cancer and horrible hacking and wheezing death (exaggeration, but still...)

 

[DirgeNovak]

[HEADING=1]Congratulations![/HEADING]
And yeah, people can be asses. I think tobacco is just disgusting, and I do often judge smokers, but people who have the courage to quit have my respect.

 

[octafish]

I'd been an average (pack a day) smoker for the past 12 years, and did not especially want to quit. I understood the cons behind smoking and the pros of quitting - but I also heard the horror stories surrounding quitting. Chest pains, dizziness, spiking in blood pressure - a multitude of symptoms brought on by the dreaded nicotine withdrawal. Each potential horror worse than the last. Figured actually, I'd wait a few years until I was much more driven to quit.

Then I had oral surgery - a tale of woe in its own right. I couldn't eat for days, let alone smoke. I lived on milkshake, more of it dropped down me than poured into me. Life was too much of a strain to even think about having a cigarette. I noticed, after a period of three or four days that I hadn't craved a cigarette even once.

So, I simply stopped. No patches, no e-cig, no gum, no hypnosis... unless general anaesthetic can cure nicotine addiction, I've done it all cold turkey. I'm proud of me, my friends are proud of me, my family is... disgusted at the fact I used to be a smoker.

Why, despite now being cigarette free (and to add insult to injury, alcohol, caffeine and drug free to boot) am I still looked upon with disgust for having given in to the foul temptress ciggie in the past? It's a phenomena I've encountered elsewhere too, others who are proud ex-smokers don't get congratulated for giving up the habit, but rather are shunned for ever having puffed on one fag*. As a species are we simply incapable of recognising someone else's progress and preferring to remind them of their mistakes?


*I'm English.

Good luck with quitting. I'm afraid you haven't quit yet. In six months time you will have a better idea of how you are fairing. First time you go to the pub or a party will be a big test. Something stressful will happen and that will be another test. If you can get through six months then you will probably have quit. Never give up giving up is what I'm trying to say.

 

[Lightning Delight]

If it counts for anything, I'm proud of you. And people are just really judgmental. I most definitely look down on people for smoking, but I think highly of people who quit. It shows they have the determination and willpower to better themselves.

 

[Stasisesque]

Good luck with quitting. I'm afraid you haven't quit yet. In six months time you will have a better idea of how you are fairing. First time you go to the pub or a party will be a big test. Something stressful will happen and that will be another test. If you can get through six months then you will probably have quit. Never give up giving up is what I'm trying to say.

I didn't mention how long I'd been without a cigarette. I did this deliberately.

All of the above have already happened.

 

[HydraMoon]

People find their ego-building blocks in varied places. Some find it in what they do, others find it in what they don't do; other people find their ego-building comes from what OTHER people do and don't do. We do love to feel superior to others, to say 'Well, I would never do that!'. It's a human thing.

I'm about four months smoke-free after smoking two packs a day for fifteen years so a HUGE congrats from me to you. It took me six tries to finally quit so I hope it sticks for you!

 

[Zelda_Lover26]

I totally agree. With all of that, smoking is a somthing I just can't comprehend someone actually wanting to willingly do. In fact, when I hear someone has quit said habit, it makes me not only happy, but quite proud of them. Once you start such a thing, quiting is a big thing to ask of ones self (No, I do not know from experience. My grandmother actually smoked as well, and was forced to quit when she got hospitalized. You could probably imagine how worried everyone was, and I can only imagine how difficult it was for her, and am proud that she hasn't smoked since.). Being able to is something that should truly be praised. Excellent work dude. truly excellent work.

 

[MorsePacific]

If it helps, I'm pretty proud of you. Granted I don't know you, but quitting smoking is a pretty big deal to me. My grandmother died of lung cancer and my mom is well on her way there if she doesn't quit soon. So congratulations on making a really good decision, man.

As for the weird stigma against ex-smokers, I've never really noticed it, but I'd ignore it if I were you.

 

[AJvsRonin]

In the process of quitting now, I've got my plan and sticking to it, now down to 2 a day and none on weekends, but the anti smoking thing reminds me of something funny.

I met up with a few friends and the cousin of one of them was there as she was visiting from over seas, they were all drinking heavily but I was staying sober as I was driving several of them home and plus I enjoy a couple of beers but getting hammered just isn't fun for me.

We left to go to another bar and I moved away from the group to have a smoke, staying downwind from them so they didn't have to suffer second hand smoke. The cousin then took this opportunity to go into a full tirade about how disgusting I was and that I was killing myself and everyone around me (I was standing alone). I smiled and took it, choosing to not comment on the following things:

She was at least 40 kilos over weight (88 pounds), putting her at great risk of diabetes, hypertension etc.

She had just done 4 jager bombs with some sleazy dude she met at the bar and I'm not sure but I think they went off to the bathroom together for whatever reason.

I'm well aware of the science behind the health concerns of smoking but all factors considered I'd happily put a grand on the bet that I'd out live her. At the time I was part of my college ski team, was completing training to be qualified as a SCUBA Dive Master and had spent 10 years doing ju jitsu.

Smoking has become sort of a boogey man lately and in her case was just an excuse to feel superior to someone else.

As a side note, is it just me or does the current reluctance to accept climate change now by the media remind you of the reluctance to accept smoking causing cancer back in the day?

 

[Krion_Vark]

*SNIP*

Considering how smoking used to be looked upon as cool and is now being seen more and more as taboo. Yeah society is kinda retarded. More power to you for quitting. People who use other drugs and are able to quit are looked upon differently with more of a good light while cigarette smokers are looked upon like they were when they still smoked.

Sort of off topic sort of not: People I work with talk about quitting but how they have tried everything and can't. They say that we should have rehab centers for smokers because there are a bunch of smokers that want to quit but can't because of the way their life is. They would probably make a lot of money with them too.

Sort of back on topic. Watch yourself for the next 20 years since there is apparently a 20 year lag time that lung cancer can still rear its ugly head.

 

[feauxx]

i quit smoking about 3 months ago. so far everybody has been proud. the only negative thing i have encountered is friends who still smoke being kinda sad and pissy about me not being a smoking buddy anymore. but on the other hand most smokers are extra proud because if they tried they know how difficult it can be.

 

[Guitarmasterx7]

People still judge you for smoking if you quit smoking? I guess it makes sense, people are judgmental in general. To be honest I wouldn't want to be friends with the kind of stick in the ass ************ who openly talks down on smokers, let alone ex smokers anyways so I couldnt give a shit less. Though from my experience most people who find out that I quit smoking last year are more likely to say "good for you" or something than some dumb shit about how nicotine is bad.

 

[rmb1983]

I'm about four months smoke-free after smoking two packs a day for fifteen years so a HUGE congrats from me to you. It took me six tries to finally quit so I hope it sticks for you!

That's quite the habit to break. Congratulations.

I'm proud of me, my friends are proud of me, my family is... disgusted at the fact I used to be a smoker.

I'm a little mystified as to why, of anyone, your family would be so hard-bent as such about that. Other than secretly wishing for karma to give them a good, swift kick in the pantaloons to realize the error in judgement, there, but I digress. Your friends are there to support you, and relish in all the positives you've gained from quitting -- being able to taste something fully, not being tied down to your habit, a healthier future, etc, etc.

That being said, I am still a smoker. When I have a reason that I sincerely want to quit for (kids, as an example), I'll join you in the "High-Five, I Totally Quit Smoking!" club, but until then, I will enjoy it.