[Smokers only] Was the increase enough to quit?

I don't smoke now, I used to when I was younger until I noticed a drastic decrease in my stamina for sports.. Had to quit, aint nothin gettin in da way of ballin.

My roommate smokes, I don't think he's quitting anytime soon because of the tax hike. He says he'll quit, but he won't. So anyways, I voted "no" on the poll on his behalf

I've known lots of people going cold turkey actually, and it has worked for them. They say it's not hard at all, which is pure bullpoop IMO.

Good luck to you all for quitting.

 

I've never smoked, but I thought some might find this interesting..

My company decided to institute a policy throughout my division (very large corporation, very large division--basically like its own company). Anyway, starting January 1, 2007, there's a no-smoking policy...inside and outside any of our buildings.

So basically, no more smoke breaks unless you get in your car and drive off the property. Which would constitute your lunch break or whatever (something more than the usual quick-stand-outside-and-come-back-in break)

Like I said, I don't smoke...and I'm actually kinda allergic to it. But this seems a little crazy.. (on the plus side, they're offering a free program that helps you quit to all employees...including counselors with as many sessions as you need, nicotine patch/gum/whatever, support group if necessary, etc.)

 

I feel for you smokers. I quit back on July 4th weekend cold turkey. I'll second that thats the way to go. (its not easy)

72 hours smokefree and then it gets easier, check out allen carrs easy way to quit, its a good book. also whyquit.com has a good timeline of the process.

 

That has typically been my problem. I have never been addicted to nicotine. I go 3 or 4 days without with no problem. I also chew a lot of gum or sunflower seeds in the meantime. I would typically buy a pack every 2 weeks. I was over a pack a day through college but just got tired of it after a while. Now, I just smoke when I feel like I can enjoy it...which typically involves alcohol. With the new tax and a 15 month old, I've decided to just quit all together.

 

Anyone know if this will effect cigars sold in Houston too??

 

Wow that's very nice of your company, it seems like they really care about their employees. So basically, it's more like your company is doing the employees a favor.. if they're going out of their way to do it

I think this is only affecting cigarettes.. I have a friend who works at a gas station and he says the only thing that was raised was cigs.

 

I quit when most brands were less than a $1 but before then I was a 2 pack a day smoker.

Tips to quitting:

Save your ashtray trash into a mason jar or something with an airtight lid before you quit. This serves as a reminder of what others see that you may not. Just looking at the jar took away my cravings sometimes. Other times I'd have to open up the jar and take a whiff. But this tip was most effective for me.

Take the money you’d be spending on cigs and put that in a jar. As you see that building up, you’ll see how much you were spending/wasting. After 1 year – treat yourself to something nice.

Also, procrastination helped me. I'd tell myself that in 1 hour I'll go get a pack...3 hours later, I realized that I missed my time and my strongest craving was gone.

Regular gum. While not effective for me, others have said it helps those mornings and when you first get in the car cravings.

Remember, that if it were to stay this tough, no one would quit. It gets much better and pretty soon you'll be one of the repulsed by smokers (but sympathetic).

The more tips you can pick up the more chances you have to quit as each one has a certain amount of effectiveness at a certain time.

Good luck and I’ll be praying for you.

 

I've quit, effective Jan 1, not because of the tax hike, but for my health, although the tax hike does help motivate

those that said the first 72 hours are the toughest are right, I'm on hour #64 and it sucks! and yes, I did smoke right up until midnight Dec 31!

 

I guess so, but they're essentially forcing their employees to quit something (smoking) that has little to nothing to do with their job (and doesn't really affect their job performance). Because they're saying you're not allowed to do something all day that you're obviously addicted to doing.

Yeah, it's "doing the employees a favor"...but only if they want to quit (or at least, are willing to). Otherwise, they may end up losing some good people over it if they value their right to smoke outdoors over working for this company.

(if any relative of mine that smoked was working for this company, I'd be happy and be asking them to quit and take the free help)

 

I am not here to preach but I'd like a moniker suggestion, swilkins.
Please?

OK, if you must, then: Yippee! Less ClutchFan smokers when we have get-togethers!!!

 

Thanks for the link!

 

*tear* So righteous, maaaannnn... so righteous... *exhales air*... freak, you even got the second L right. I love you, man.

KUDOS, my friend. I owe you ANOTHER beer. You are still drinkin', right?

 

Mine was and is....the lady in my life.

When a gorgeous woman says "if you want some more of this, you'd better toss those cancer sticks", the little head, with assistance from the big head, make the ciggies disappear.

It's been well worth it, health-wise and otherwise.

 

Does that include bars and bowling alleys?

 

All this anti-smoking bull**** just makes me want to smoke more. And it makes me want to smoke places I'm not supposed to. And it makes me want to blow smoke in little kids' faces then cough phlegm on them.

 

where can i find those!?!?!?