No $ for rent, but have $ for cigarettes?

[mundane]

Originally posted by: SMOGZINN

Originally posted by: Mursilis

Originally posted by: SMOGZINN

Originally posted by: Orsorum
I quit smoking years ago and would absolutely love to have a puff right now. Damn cancer sticks.

5 years for me and I want a smoke every day.
If you think it is so easy to quit, then start smoking for a few months and try it yourself.

I wouldn't seriously recomend it, because although a few months of smoking is not going to seriously hurt your health, I highly doubt you would be able to quit. Then you would have a long term smoking habit, and it would ruin your health over the years that you smoke.

I've never doubted any smoker who told me how hard it was to quit - I believe it, although I've never been a smoker. I watched cigarettes kill my father though, and by the time he quit, it was far too late. Of course, the power of the addiction is all the more reason never to start.

Of course you should never start smoking. But I started when I was 14 before all the 'smoking is terrible!' craze hit. I'm not saying that we didn't know that smoking was bad for you in the early 70's, but I, like most teenagers, was an idiot at 14.

My father started when he was about that age, and continued for thirty years. After one visit to the doctor (false alarm re: lung cancer), it scared him enough to quit.

 

[MovingTarget]

Yeah, people who smoke seem to put that above all other financial concerns. Gotta have the smokes. If you smoke a pack a day, that adds up to a lot of money. It certainly does put a dent in the amount needed to pay rent...

 

[dakels]

Smoking is really expensive. $5-10 a day goes a long way to paying your rent. Not to mention added health expenses, cleaning expenses, dental, etc.

Lock a smoker in a room for 24 hours then offer them either a cigarette or a meal. I'll bet you most heavily addicted smokers will go for the smoke first.

It is unfortunate that lack of compassion make lung cancer the most deadly of cancers causing the highest amount of cancer related death per year, yet treatments and awareness is not the most well funded due to the stigma of it being a "self induced disease". If it weren't for a huge influx of lawsuit money, I don't think many anti-smoking programs would be in place.

 

[SMOGZINN]

Originally posted by: moshquerade

Originally posted by: SMOGZINN

Originally posted by: Orsorum
I quit smoking years ago and would absolutely love to have a puff right now. Damn cancer sticks.

5 years for me and I want a smoke every day.
If you think it is so easy to quit, then start smoking for a few months and try it yourself.

I wouldn't seriously recomend it, because although a few months of smoking is not going to seriously hurt your health, I highly doubt you would be able to quit. Then you would have a long term smoking habit, and it would ruin your health over the years that you smoke.

Who is saying it's easy to quit?

"Smoking is for the weak minded. That is why your friend is failing at life now. Abandon him. He is useless to you." That is what I'm referring to. People in general seem to have a poorly thought out attitude about smoking. I would say at this time most smokers wish they could quit, and have tried many times.

We as a society need to stop ostracizing smokers by calling them idiots and morons and treat it more like the addiction it is. Studies have shown that nicotine is as addictive as heroin, yet no one would look at a heroin addict and tell them to just stop. They would get them to a rehab clinic. There needs to be a general movement towards viewing smoking as an addiction that needs professional assistance to quit and not as a stupid habit.

 

[Queasy]

Hey just wait until the SCHIP expansion legislation is made into law. Then you're looking at up to a 200% increase in the price of cigarettes. Your friend really will have to choose between his apartment or his addiction then.

 

[CRXican]

Originally posted by: child of wonder
Your acquaintance sounds like my sister in law.

The other day her status on Facebook was "Citibank Auto seems to think if they keep calling me that money will appear out of my ass!!!"

The next day her status is "I'm all set! Got stocked up on cigarettes, pop, and chocolate!"

So my wife commented on her status by saying "Whew! Let Citibank know you can't pay your car payment or you'd have to sacrifice the necessities!!!"

Props to your wife!

Same as the people who "pimp their rides" but can't make the car payment.

 

[MikeyLSU]

one thing that gets me with the "too hard to quit" crowd.

I have seen many women who get pregnant and quit on the spot, no questions asked. That tells me they could have quit whenever they wanted, just didn't care enough to do it. But now that the baby's life is at risk, they quit in a heartbeat.

I will never know how hard it is because I don't smoke, and don't even pretend that it is easy. But don't tell me you can't. If you had the willpower, you could do it.

 

[SunnyD]

Originally posted by: MikeyLSU
one thing that gets me with the "too hard to quit" crowd.

I have seen many women who get pregnant and quit on the spot, no questions asked. That tells me they could have quit whenever they wanted, just didn't care enough to do it. But now that the baby's life is at risk, they quit in a heartbeat.

I will never know how hard it is because I don't smoke, and don't even pretend that it is easy. But don't tell me you can't. If you had the willpower, you could do it.

If you want something bad enough, you'll do it. Unfortunately it works both ways.

That being said, there's been enough information and influence (cost) over the last 20 years I really don't understand why anyone cares to start smoking these days, let alone continue their habit especially in our current financial climate.

 

[darkswordsman17]

Originally posted by: MikeyLSU
one thing that gets me with the "too hard to quit" crowd.

I have seen many women who get pregnant and quit on the spot, no questions asked. That tells me they could have quit whenever they wanted, just didn't care enough to do it. But now that the baby's life is at risk, they quit in a heartbeat.

I will never know how hard it is because I don't smoke, and don't even pretend that it is easy. But don't tell me you can't. If you had the willpower, you could do it.

Well, yeah, that's how addiction works. Unless there is a reason for you to quit, most people find it impossible. People who are set in addiction often need something to sober them up. Getting pregnant is a pretty major thing, so it is significant enough to get someone to make drastic changes.

 

[SMOGZINN]

Originally posted by: MikeyLSU
one thing that gets me with the "too hard to quit" crowd.

I have seen many women who get pregnant and quit on the spot, no questions asked. That tells me they could have quit whenever they wanted, just didn't care enough to do it. But now that the baby's life is at risk, they quit in a heartbeat.

I will never know how hard it is because I don't smoke, and don't even pretend that it is easy. But don't tell me you can't. If you had the willpower, you could do it.

Never said couldn't, in fact I said I did. What I'm trying to explain is that it is incredibly hard, and not something you are going to accomplish when you are already depressed.

I would say that pregnant women are able to quit smoking because they have a very powerful incentive to do so. The maternal instinct is quite powerful, and if she is able to draw on that it would certainly help.

But to be honest I?ve known quite a few smokers who got pregnant and claimed to quit but was sneaking smokes in when no one was around, and almost every single smoking woman I?ve ever known started smoking again right after the birth.

 

[ruu]

Originally posted by: darkswordsman17
The cigarettes help calm him from worrying about the rent and other things. No it doesn't make sense, but when things are bad people will do what helps them cope with it the easiest. Its a common reason why people abuse drugs, alcohol, and all manner of other things.

This.

Also, cigarettes are shockingly addictive and really, really hard to quit. I've seen enough rational and self-possessed friends and family members completely fall to pieces when it comes to quitting smoking that I know I'll never understand what the addiction feels like, and I never want to find out.

 

[sandorski]

Originally posted by: TheVrolok
People will die before they give up smoking. That's a fact. I can't tell you how many people I see on a fairly daily basis that can't afford health insurance, buy smoke 2 packs a day or so. Hell, had a couple come in the other day with their infant who's sick (malnourishment/cough/etc.) because they can't afford proper food for it... but they can each smoke 3 packs a day (Now I don't smoke, but that's what? 2 people x 3 packs x 30 days x 5 bucks a pack = 900 f'ing dollars a month?). Needless to say, a referral to child services was made.

Most people die before they start smoking.

 

[dakels]

Originally posted by: Queasy
Hey just wait until the SCHIP expansion legislation is made into law. Then you're looking at up to a 200% increase in the price of cigarettes. Your friend really will have to choose between his apartment or his addiction then.

I don't know what that is and too busy to look it up but here in NYC ciggies cost $10/pack.

 

[Queasy]

Originally posted by: dakels

Originally posted by: Queasy
Hey just wait until the SCHIP expansion legislation is made into law. Then you're looking at up to a 200% increase in the price of cigarettes. Your friend really will have to choose between his apartment or his addiction then.

I don't know what that is and too busy to look it up but here in NYC ciggies cost $10/pack.

I don't want to derail this thread and turn it into a P&N thread so consider this post for informational purposes only.

SCHIP is a federal program that is meant to cover people who make too much to qualify for Medicare but not enough to afford health insurance. There's a bill outstanding to expand this program and part of the funding for the expansion is supposed to come from raising taxes on cigarettes, cigars, and other tobacco products by 200% and more.

 

[Farang]

Originally posted by: MikeyLSU
one thing that gets me with the "too hard to quit" crowd.

I have seen many women who get pregnant and quit on the spot, no questions asked. That tells me they could have quit whenever they wanted, just didn't care enough to do it. But now that the baby's life is at risk, they quit in a heartbeat.

I will never know how hard it is because I don't smoke, and don't even pretend that it is easy. But don't tell me you can't. If you had the willpower, you could do it.

It is easy to quit for 9 months. Really quitting is just like a sickness, it lasts a couple of weeks and then you're in phase 2. Phase 2 is when you're done quitting but are now a former smoker. The problem is phase 2 never goes away for the rest of your life, it is a residual craving for a cigarette especially in times of stress. So anyone can quit for 9 months, the rest of your life is another story.

 

[child of wonder]

Originally posted by: Farang

Originally posted by: MikeyLSU
one thing that gets me with the "too hard to quit" crowd.

I have seen many women who get pregnant and quit on the spot, no questions asked. That tells me they could have quit whenever they wanted, just didn't care enough to do it. But now that the baby's life is at risk, they quit in a heartbeat.

I will never know how hard it is because I don't smoke, and don't even pretend that it is easy. But don't tell me you can't. If you had the willpower, you could do it.

It is easy to quit for 9 months. Really quitting is just like a sickness, it lasts a couple of weeks and then you're in phase 2. Phase 2 is when you're done quitting but are now a former smoker. The problem is phase 2 never goes away for the rest of your life, it is a residual craving for a cigarette especially in times of stress. So anyone can quit for 9 months, the rest of your life is another story.

I smoked from ages 17-24 then quit 5 years ago. I've cheated only twice and that was when I was out drinking heavily and had a single cigarette (although I barely inhaled any of it).

Quitting SUCKED but I've been pretty proud of the fact that I don't get those cravings when I'm stressed anymore. The only time I miss it is when I'm out at bars but I've gotten cloves for that (herbal cigars you just puff).

The method that finally got me to quit was to begin puffing every other drag of my cigarettes like a cigar. I would get about half the nicotine this way. After 4-5 days of that, I increased the amount of puffing gradually over time. After another week to 10 days I was to the point where I would only inhale about 1-2 drags of my cigarette and the rest was puffing. After a couple days of that I began to notice how disgusting cigarettes taste and decided to just stop altogether.

I had weened myself off the nicotine habit while still satisfying that psychological urge to smoke. Once the nicotine addiction was gone (puffing almost 100% of the cigarettes for a few days) then the psychological side started to come around since they tasted so bad.

 

[oogabooga]

Originally posted by: MikeyLSU
one thing that gets me with the "too hard to quit" crowd.

I have seen many women who get pregnant and quit on the spot, no questions asked. That tells me they could have quit whenever they wanted, just didn't care enough to do it. But now that the baby's life is at risk, they quit in a heartbeat.

I will never know how hard it is because I don't smoke, and don't even pretend that it is easy. But don't tell me you can't. If you had the willpower, you could do it.

You can outweigh the "I know this is bad for me" with the "Damn this feels good".

It is harder to outweigh "I know this is bad for me and my baby" with "damn this feels good" Yet sadly sometimes "damn this feels good" wins.

My grandfather smoked for his whole life and one day the dr said it was probably going to make my grandmother sick even if he was smoking outside, away from her. So he stopped, cold turkey, didn't complain, nothing. Just stopped.

When people (relatives, family friends, etc) compliment him "for his conviction" he says "Don't, it wasn't that hard for me. The guy who still smokes but struggles with quitting is far braver than I am. I don't know why it was easy, I'm just grateful that it was"

 

[dakels]

Originally posted by: Farang

Originally posted by: MikeyLSU
one thing that gets me with the "too hard to quit" crowd.

I have seen many women who get pregnant and quit on the spot, no questions asked. That tells me they could have quit whenever they wanted, just didn't care enough to do it. But now that the baby's life is at risk, they quit in a heartbeat.

I will never know how hard it is because I don't smoke, and don't even pretend that it is easy. But don't tell me you can't. If you had the willpower, you could do it.

It is easy to quit for 9 months. Really quitting is just like a sickness, it lasts a couple of weeks and then you're in phase 2. Phase 2 is when you're done quitting but are now a former smoker. The problem is phase 2 never goes away for the rest of your life, it is a residual craving for a cigarette especially in times of stress. So anyone can quit for 9 months, the rest of your life is another story.

Interesting. I am about 9 months out of quitting a 15 year old habit. Even now the craving is still there, fairly strong too at times I might add. I started smoking cigars once in a while. Started to get where I wanted a cigar every other day and I was afraid I was getting addicted to cigars. I had to get some serious dental work done and haven't had a cigar in over a month. The craving for tobacco is still there though.

To people who don't understand the addiction, it feels like hunger/starvation. Try not eating all day then sitting at a table full of your favorite food and not having a bite. It's not like this for everyone, there are varying degrees of mental and physical addiction.

 

[alkemyst]

typical day in the life of the poor person. sucks esp that they don't see they main problem is themselves.

 

[Zebo]

Originally posted by: alkemyst
typical day in the life of the poor person. sucks esp that they don't see they main problem is themselves.

Yup despite some anomalies we all know about - like our president and some doctor you know, mostly poor people smoke and are just as self destructive to their finances as they are to their body.

 

[MikeMike]

I tried to stop smoking when i was home for break... i became a complete jackass and very moody, it sucked ass...

 

[SoulAssassin]

I admit I used to smoke and was definitely addicted to it...but you know what I am even more addicted to? A roof and 4 walls.

 

[Farang]

Originally posted by: child of wonder

Originally posted by: Farang

Originally posted by: MikeyLSU
one thing that gets me with the "too hard to quit" crowd.

I have seen many women who get pregnant and quit on the spot, no questions asked. That tells me they could have quit whenever they wanted, just didn't care enough to do it. But now that the baby's life is at risk, they quit in a heartbeat.

I will never know how hard it is because I don't smoke, and don't even pretend that it is easy. But don't tell me you can't. If you had the willpower, you could do it.

It is easy to quit for 9 months. Really quitting is just like a sickness, it lasts a couple of weeks and then you're in phase 2. Phase 2 is when you're done quitting but are now a former smoker. The problem is phase 2 never goes away for the rest of your life, it is a residual craving for a cigarette especially in times of stress. So anyone can quit for 9 months, the rest of your life is another story.

I smoked from ages 17-24 then quit 5 years ago. I've cheated only twice and that was when I was out drinking heavily and had a single cigarette (although I barely inhaled any of it).

Quitting SUCKED but I've been pretty proud of the fact that I don't get those cravings when I'm stressed anymore. The only time I miss it is when I'm out at bars but I've gotten cloves for that (herbal cigars you just puff).

The method that finally got me to quit was to begin puffing every other drag of my cigarettes like a cigar. I would get about half the nicotine this way. After 4-5 days of that, I increased the amount of puffing gradually over time. After another week to 10 days I was to the point where I would only inhale about 1-2 drags of my cigarette and the rest was puffing. After a couple days of that I began to notice how disgusting cigarettes taste and decided to just stop altogether.

I had weened myself off the nicotine habit while still satisfying that psychological urge to smoke. Once the nicotine addiction was gone (puffing almost 100% of the cigarettes for a few days) then the psychological side started to come around since they tasted so bad.

I was quit for about 3 years and started again for 4 months so I can never really trust myself that it is over. It has been over 2 months now since I quit again and I feel like I'm probably going to start again, especially if I end up going overseas for a long time (since cigarettes are usually very cheap abroad).

Now during those 3 years I mostly ignored cigarettes, what got me was being in India around a bunch of smokers and then smoking some spliffs and then occasionally having a cigarette when drinking and then I was back in it.

 

[Zebo]

My dad says anytime he walks into a 7-11 he is tempted to ask for a pack- quit over 35 years ago.

Stay strong people!

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: Zebo

Originally posted by: alkemyst
typical day in the life of the poor person. sucks esp that they don't see they main problem is themselves.

Yup despite some anomalies we all know about - like our president and some doctor you know, mostly poor people smoke and are just as self destructive to their finances as they are to their body.

ummm this is about making rent. Our president and doctors probably aren't coming up short on rent.

I have no problem with vices. I have a problem with those that don't pay their bills properly and later my tax dollars have to go to supporting rather than improving things.

I dislike smoking majorly, but I will be the last person you'd see saying to ban it.