Replies to '01/02 No Kidding New Year's Resolutions'

As a smoker myself let me clue you in on a couple of things,

Firstly Nicotine is as addictive as cocaine, and your friends that jus quit "cold turkey" I would BET they were closet smokers for a good long time after, please its like saying Drug Addicts aren't addicted (though I agree these are addictions of CHOICE if you chose NOT to do it in the first place, then you DO NOT become addicted ), like a drug addict, a closet smoker can and will HIDE their addiction from even the people who live with them, and become quite good at it, ever wonder how a Meth Addicted Mom can hide it from their spouses and kids ? Same idea.

Look you chose NO to smoke, that's great, really, but I am NOT a criminal (cigrettes are still legal ) nor am I the greatest  contributor to Global Warming or air Pollution, and yes despite what you might think, Nicotine is an ADDICTIVE DRUG, both physical and psychological, the people who say they have quit with NO DT's from this are LIARS or damn good actors (worthy of Academy Awards I daresay ) Most of us who have tried and failed or succeeded will tell you the same thing, that's why the aids are popular, they take the edge off, would you suggest a coke addict just QUIT "cold turkey ".

Its like anything else, if you haven't experienced it for yourself, you cannot KNOW, and you know what if you use that attitude with your friends, they will NOT tell you the truth of how they are feeling at that moment.

We do get that it isn't good for us, we know that, just as an alcoholic KNOWS that drinking could KILL them or a Drug Addict knows their addiction could KILL them, we know it.

You've already kicked us out of society, you've already stigmatized and ostrasized us, be happy with that, and if we chose to continue then just be happy we are not in your space.

~~laughing~~ Ummm, smokers "DO" realize that they are participating in a dangerous and potentially deadly activity.

You personally dont have to buy into the FACT that nicotine is an addictive substance, and it takes very little of the substance to have you hooked.

Yes, people do stop cold turkey (Im on day 3 of cold turkey) but that doesnt mean they dont suffer from withdrawl.

Quite frankly, I dont even trust myself out in public today. Im so irritated and anxious that Im afraid I'd rip someones head off.

Sleep......forget it. Tonight I think I will try a sleeping pill. The last 3 days have been hell, and in total Ive had about 3 hours sleep.

But for anyone else reading, the hold that nicotine addiction has on you lessens everyday. Everyday gets a little bit easier. There are TONS of resources on the web to help you.

Good luck, and please wish me luck too. 3 days without a smoke, Im proud of myself.

I can understand why people used to start smoking. Before it was known to be dangerous. When I was a kid, in the early sixties, I thought it was something that most adults did. And, was planning to start once I turned 21. Until 1966, when a doctor spoke, at my Junior HS, about the health consequences of smoking. That was the turning point for me. I don't smoke. And, I avoid anyone who is smoking. With so much information about the dangers of smoking, I can't understand why anyone would even begin to smoke.

It is quite obvious that you have never smoked.  It IS an addiction.  It is an addiction that is just as difficult to stop as heroin.  I recently quit smoking after 40+ years.  I couldn't have done it without the help of a new drug.  A smoker doesn't KNOW they are addicted.  My brain told me I NEEDED a cigarette.  I didn't just want one, it was a serious NEED.   Smoking is not a choice once the person has become addicted.  Those friends of yours didn't just stop cold turkey.  It was a very difficult thing they did.  Please don't judge smokers as stupid or ignorant because that don't quit.  If you have never smoked, you don't have a clue what a quitter goes through.  I've been smoke free now for 7 months and I know that I will forever be fighting the habit and the addiction.