I will think twice before I say ANYTHING to a smoker about his/her habit. We non-smokers naturally want our fellow citizens to enjoy the freedom from the tyranny of smoking addiction and the terrible harm it does, but when we speak up, we must make every effort to be kind and encouraging and helpful rather than snide, condescending or dismissive.

thank you for your well-voiced observations.

People who have never smoked (like me) need to understand and empathize with those who, like yourself, once did or continue to – and strive against mighty odds to quit.

You’re absolutely right to point out to us non-smokers that, to direct unkind and unhelpful comments at smokers, is most counterproductive and hurtful.

I will think twice before I say ANYTHING to a smoker about his habit. We non-smokers naturally want our fellow citizens to be free of the smoking addiction and the terrible harm it does, and kind and encouraging and helpful rather than act snidely, condescendingly or dismissively.

You have helped me to better understand things from a smoker’s perspective.

Sincerely,

Jos Callinet.

Second, that first cigarette has a hook in it. They finally proved that the American tobacco companies intentionally put addictive chemicals in their cigarettes to keep their consumer base. It has been shown that quiting cigarettes is harder than quiting heroin.

Third, the longer someone smokes, the harder it is to quit because the addiction becomes a habit, so you have the double problem of addiction and habit.

How do I know this? I smoked for 20 years and have been smoke-free for 21 years now, and quitting was the hardest thing I’ve ever done. I still ocassionally have a strange feeling of wanting something but I don’t know what, then I realize I’m wanting a cigarette. This happens most often when I’m in a situation in which I would have lit up – at a stop signal, finishing a meal, etc.

It takes more than just wising up or just wanting to quit. You have to know your enemy and have strategy going into the battle. I went to AA for a year and used everything I heard there about alcohol to fight against cigarettes. I also read everything I could about how smoking effects the body and what tricks others used to quit. And it took every trick in the book (like using cinamon sticks to ‘pretend smoking’. You feel the stick in your fingers like a cigarette would feel; you see the stick; you take a deep drag of air into the lungs. It helps get past the strong craving.)

I also found that telling a smoker how stupid they are for smoking makes them need a cigarette. Denying their need/desire has the same effect. Offering an option helps more: tell them to take 3 deep breaths, give a stick of gum, ask them to go for a short walk. It takes only a few seconds to get past a craving, but pissing the smoker off just makes them light up to deal with being pissed. After all, smoking is a crutch that smokers use to help them get through lifes bumps. Cigarettes are friends that are always there for you and to live without them is scary and you grieve their loss when you quit.

So, stop telling smokers they are stupid. They already secretely believe that and that’s why they started smoking in the first place. When you’re trying to get out of the turd pile, more turds don’t help. Instead, offer constructive, helpful comments.

If anyone wants more information on how I quit smoking, feel free to contact me.