Occassional Smoking?

Question

I have quit smoking on a day to day basis, which in itself is a huge accomplishment. I have not smoked on a day to day basis in about 5 years (Iam now 25). My problem comes when I go out to the bars. How can I kick this nasty habit totally??? Any suggestions??

My boyfriend's uncle also just died from lung cancer and he was young. I don't want to have to worry about that, nor do I want to worry that I am contributing to contamination of others.

Answer 1

My son (2 years old) stopped hugging me after I had a smoke, he could not stand the smell. I gave up a year ago after 20 years.

Think of someone you love and would want to be around, That's how I stay away from smoking.

Answer 2

I have the same problem as you insofar as quitting on a day to day basis. My problem, though, is that I live with a smoker. Here in Delaware, we can't smoke at all in public buildings anymore, not even in bars. This has been a huge help in quitting. Also, as someone else mentioned earlier, alcohol can contribute to wanting a cig. As other people have suggested, I would not go to bars for awhile and not drink either. If you must, then try grabbing one of those little red drink stirring straws and chewing on it when you want a cig or even mock smoking. Many times, immitating the deep breathing part of smoking will eliminate a craving for me.

Answer 3

Where I live it wouldn't be a problem for you. It is banned even in bars. I used to smoke before my kids came along. I realize now what a waste of time and money that was. Not to mention I was selfish making everyone else breath in my toxins.. I grew up in a household where there was smoking so I had no idea what it was like not being around smoke. Once I quit, I then couldn't be around smokers in closed rooms anymore. I felt very light headed and got really bad headaches. Not to mention the smell. Yuck!! I don't even like walking by someone outside cause you can still smell it, especially when the wind blows. I am certainly not sad that it is banned in bars in Toronto. I understand that some people who have been smoking for many years are mad, but they need to be considerate of others and maybe quit themselves. You should look up Heather Crowe. She was a waitress, trying to raise her daughter and didn't smoke a day in her life but yet got lung cancer just from being around it in a bar. That might help persuade you. If all else fails, try nicorette gum or the patch. Talk to your doctor for other possibilities, there is help around if you want it!

Answer 4

For some reason alcohol makes people want to smoke cigarettes. Either cut back on the alcohol or find some substitute for cigarattes while you're out like bar snacks, pretzels and stuff. Anyway, being in the smoky environment and not smoking isn't go to be doing much for you anyway because it's pretty much the same as smoking if not worse, Think about it you're in a closed off area with who knows how many cigarettes lit at any given money and alot of bars don't have open windows or doors and stuff like that, that pathethic thing on the ceiling isn't going to do much to freshen up the place and aside from that not smoking decreases your risk of lung cancer but I recently heard and was suprised to hear that 20% of all lung cancer cases are in non-smokers.

Answer 5

Bars and cigs seem to go together. I like the idea someone else had of chewing on a straw - it might help you.

An important thing though - as long as you go to a smokey environment such as a bar you are getting almost as much exposure as if you were smoking yourself. Perhaps it's time you found a new kind of hang out.

Answer 6

well, shoogy, for the time being, try not to frequent places where you are more apt to smoke. i know exactly what you mean, i've travelled the same road. i had to stay away from a lot of my friends for awhile, until i was convinced that i was done smoking. you may find yourself being proud that you've not smoked day-to-day, and at the same time going to the bar a couple times a week, and telling yerself, "well, i haven't smoked in days, and i AM at the BAR, afterall, so......." be stronger than the addiction, hun, and avoid people and places that are sure-fire triggers to relapse. good luck, and good quitting!

Answer 7

Put yourself into test,it is the only way to find out how strong you are.People go to bars to enjoy have a small drink and most of them also smoke.Some people smoke because if they don't smoke then they will not be "part of the gang" Be unique stop smoking,you can do it,you have to be strong and everytime you want to smoke remind yourself that you can overcome this temptation because you are strong person.Everyone can stop only if they want to.First of all ask yourself this question "Do i really want to stop?' If yes then you can do it just two things Believe in yourself and Be Strong!:)Best luck to ya.

Answer 8

Move to Montreal ! Can't smoke inside bars !

Seriously, maybe if you put a patch before going out it will keep you out of that crap. Or use a gum (Nicorette or other). But watchout if you dance a lot - your heart will blow out !

But you know, the best is your motivation ! And having 4-5 cigarettes a week is not that bad... ;-)

Answer 9

I smoked for nearly 25 years.
I chucked it and now I cannot even stand the stink of cigarette smoke. Come 2008 that will have been me clean for 20 years.
Bars here in Scotland now are smoke free, it's the law . .smokers must go outside to indulge their habit and astonishingly it seems to work.

Do not touch even one as that is all your hard work undone, from that point on you will have to start again.

Trust me its worth it.

Kep it up, my thoughts are with you.

Answer 10

Congrats on (almost) kicking the habit ! Seems simple, stay outta those bars. Drinking and smoking seem to go hand and hand .... so if you really wanna quit (for good) make the sacrifice.