Did you smoke for decades?

[The Fool]

If you did, then you may remember when a pack cost 45 cents and a carton $3. You remember when the tobacco companies were found guilty of making cigarettes more addictive and had to shell out millions, and who paid those millions? We did, their addict! You watched as your costs rose from every local, state and federal government slapping a sin tax on us when they needed more funds. It never felt quite fair to me, but I felt powerless, because I was hooked.

If you've smoked for decades then you probably have tried to quit at least once. Did you try some of those nicotine replacements? Patches, gum, inhalers, lozenges? Did you not feel like they were all invented by non-smokers who just didn't understand what smoking was all about? Was it not like kissing through a screen door...a tease without the satisfaction?

For 40 years I smoked cigarettes, over 2 packs a day. For the past 20 of those years I have wanted to stop, tried countless times, spent thousands of dollars (did you know you can buy lots of nicotine replacement products on Ebay) got as much as 3 months together at one point. I was proud of myself on the outside and miserable on the inside. It was not a pretty way to live.

5 months ago when I tried my first e-cig my expectations were pretty low. Imagine my surprise!!!! I haven't been this excited about anything since I discovered Prozac and wanted to put it in the drinking water! I want to buy a dozen kits and hand them out on street corners!

Now, I realize that not everyone will embrace this the way that I have. I think that some of the people that I've rattled on and on to think I'm a little crazy. That's okay, I've been called worse. But this forum, you dear, dear people *get* me. You are my comrades in the truest definition of that word. I have been coming here for 2 months now, finally got up the nerve to post (I'm a shy gal) and on Saturday I'm going to meet up with locals from here. I'm excited.

My whole world has changed. Almost 6 months off cigarettes and I'm tasting things and smelling things that I haven't smelled or tasted since I was 13. I've been thinking of jogging, I know my lungs could take it, I just wonder about these old knees. What I just can't seem to believe is that I am experiencing all these benefits and still am able to get the satisfaction I got from smoking. I am very very happy. Thanks to all of you!

A quick note about my name choice....The Fool is the first card of the Archetypes in the tarot deck. I'll get a picture of it up when I figure out how. The card shows a young man with a nap sack starting out on a journey....a new beginning. It seemed appropriate.

 

[Jonmo1]

Great story, congratulations. Same boat here.
They really don't "Get" what smoking is all about....that is so true and well stated.
It's not JUST the nicotine, it's the ritual behavior.
And vaping gives us that and more.
And I also could not be happier.

I have a copule decades of smoking under my belt, not as much as you.
I remember as far back as about $1.75 a pack.

But now, this community of happy vapers is wonderfull.
It's kinda like AA, reading and writing on this forum while vaping really strengthens the punch of my PV.

 

[malyden]

Congratulations and keep on vaping!

 

[classwife]

You go girl !!! I am a 54 year old 40 year smoker. Had my last one on March 19 after having my 510 for 1 week. Love this vaping. Love ECF. Loving life more now too !!!

 

[jude8753]

I remember when they were cheaper than 45 cents and they had cigarette machines on just about every corner and anyone could purchase them. When my Son was a little kid I would send him in the store to buy me a pack and no one blinked an eye.

I never wanted to really stop even though I tried on occasion through the years. I really didn't think I would stop when I got my first e-cig 2 months ago, but I did and it really surprised both myself and my partner.

This truly has been a blessing for many people and I'm so glad they have helped you also. I wish you all the best and hope you have fun at your get together. I don't like to get overly fanatical about this miracle because people already think I'm nuts.

 

[Mr.Self_Destruct]

Congratulations! Simply amazing you have been able to quit a 40 yr habit. That is something to be very proud of. I hope it gets easier for you. Good luck to you and good health.

 

[zbasspro]

Hello fellow Missourian! I really enjoyed your post! I smoked for 27 years and was with you most of the way. My 1st carton was $7. It`s only been a little over 2 weeks for me, but I`m ready to start challenging my lungs to see where I`m at. I`ve been trying to quit for 23 of the 27 years I smoked. The longest I was ever able to quit was 6 months MANY years ago, and shorter spans since then.

I still skeptical of the health concerns of the ecig (I was always taught if it`s too good to be true....you know the rest), but I know it is better than the analogs, my body tells me. Stay the course and I wish you well. Hope you are going to the convention in August, I plan to be there should be really cool.

 

[tazzmann]

I am currently 40 years old and started smoking when I was 12. My mom was a smoker and my dad an ex-smoker. I too was like jude and would be sent to the store to buy my mom a carton of Virginia Slims. No one cared or carded. Over the years, I have tried everything from gum, to tablets, to Welbutrin. Some worked, for a short while, but it was always back to smoking. The PV's give me a pleasure and a way out of the cycle for life. I am feeling better, tasting and smelling things i haven't tasted or smelled since I was a kid. In fact, the wife and I feel so good, we have started improving the other area in our life that needs it...losing weight. We have been even kicking around the idea of participating in a 5K later this year. Something I NEVER would have thought of when smoking!

So keep it up and good job to all those who are off the analogs!

tazz

 

[mistinthewoods]

Dear Fool. It seems wrong to call someone as thoughtful as you by that name. I understand the significance but it still seems wrong. Posts like yours here this afternoon are one of the reasons I check the new members area so often. I find it inspiring.
I was 12 when I started smoking and I quit for the last time in February at the age of 52. I believe ecigs are a miracle too. I know that they have been for me. When you experience something like this it's hard to not be fanatical. I get your post 100%. Thanks.

 

[otrpu]

5 decades +
otrpu

 

[MacArthurBug]

18 years I smoked. I don't miss it 'tall. It's amazing.

 

[zomzom]

What a wonderful lady you are to share your story. Congratulations on kicking the habit! Enjoy your meet up at the weekend

 

[JustKryssi]

Fantastic post!

I smoked for 30 years, quitting for 3 years once, and quitting for both pregnancies...always went back. I don't see that happening now.

I remember cigarettes costing a little less than a dollar a pack and cannot believe they actually them to 13 year old me...

 

[Max0819]

Welcome,

Always a good subject. Excellent post.

37 Years, 1.5pks/day. - me
32 Years, 1.5pks/day. - wife

Now, 3-5 cigs per day (each), and I know that is going down. (especially since my Buzz arrived yesterday).

First it was Billions, not millions.

Governements gleefully stole that money that was to go for healthcare and education. Most I believe have actually "sold" those payments to other greedy profitiers, so they could have 20 years of money - NOW!. To spend on pet projects.

Errrrr the irritation of it all.

Not only do non-smokers not 'get it'. Many if not most don't understand, or selectively do not remember, how it was.

Then:

50 - 60% population smoked (more someplaces, than others)
Doctors smoked, while examining you.
News Anchors smoked, yes on TV
Talk Show Hosts smoked, yes on TV
Bank Tellers smoked, while cashing your check
Barbers smoked, while cutting your hair
Stewardess smoked, while giving you a HOT meal
Heros smoked, while being heros (Astronauts, Athletes, Movie Stars) etc..
No such thing as no ashtrays.


Now: :

Degenerates smoke, ostracized, banned, ridiculed, and ripped off.


Max
Gleefully vaping a dreamcicle.

 

[CaptJay]

Nice first post 'Doing cartwheels in your mind' is the way I like to describe the feeling of being smoke free with so little effort - even if vaping isn't as good as quitting entirely (and I vape because I like smoking but hate cigs btw so quitting totally wasn't an option)
And only 2 decades here - I feel like an amateur compared to some of you

 

[mick11]

Congrats and continued success

In H.S had the fortune/misfortune to live in Winston-Salem, NC......3 packs for a dollar specials were easy to find.

Now, 35+ year habit is a distant memory after only 4 months of vaping

VAPE ON YALL!

 

[zbasspro]

Welcome,

Always a good subject. Excellent post.

37 Years, 1.5pks/day. - me
32 Years, 1.5pks/day. - wife

Now, 3-5 cigs per day (each), and I know that is going down. (especially since my Buzz arrived yesterday).

First it was Billions, not millions.

Governements gleefully stole that money that was to go for healthcare and education. Most I believe have actually "sold" those payments to other greedy profitiers, so they could have 20 years of money - NOW!. To spend on pet projects.

Errrrr the irritation of it all.

Not only do non-smokers not 'get it'. Many if not most don't understand, or selectively do not remember, how it was.

Then:

50 - 60% population smoked (more someplaces, than others)
Doctors smoked, while examining you.
News Anchors smoked, yes on TV
Talk Show Hosts smoked, yes on TV
Bank Tellers smoked, while cashing your check
Barbers smoked, while cutting your hair
Stewardess smoked, while giving you a HOT meal
Heros smoked, while being heros (Astronauts, Athletes, Movie Stars) etc..
No such thing as no ashtrays.


Now: :

Degenerates smoke, ostracized, banned, ridiculed, and ripped off.


Max
Gleefully vaping a dreamcicle.

Thanks for posting. Nothing worse to me than an ex smoker. Every time I`ve managed to do so in the past I`ve not had that attitutde, nor do I intend to this time.

We who have found a way out need to consider ourselves blessed, not holier than thou!

Thanks Again

 

[cliff5550]

4.5 decades smoking here.
I can recall being able to buy a pack of Marvel cigarettes at the local bus station for 25 cents. So, of course, that's where all us junior high kids bought ours.
Absolutely loved your first post!

 

[shellknob]

I have only been vaping 5 days, but have not had a single analog. I am 63 yrs old and have smoked for over 40 years. .... I too think this is the best invention since Prozac came on the market. I have been on Prozac 17 years. Very close in importance to my grandkids: prozac & e-cigs!

 

[waskel]

21¢ a pack when I started. Of course gas was 19¢/gallon...