Why do I smoke?

Question

This sounds like a stupid questions, I know, but I don't understand why I (or anyone else for that matter) smokes. It tastes bad, it makes me stink, and it's bad for my health. I think I like it because it gives me a few minutes peace. People allow smokers time out to take care of their habit. It's also a social thing. I get invited outside to smoke and visit. Yes, I do have the cravings but have not been a lifetime smoker. I know I need to quit. I'm 40, overweight, suffer from depression, and have high cholesterol in additon to being a smoker. I just can't for the life of me figure out WHY I continue with this bad habit when I KNOW it's killing me.

Dear First 3 Answers:
Thank you for telling me I'm a sexy, lazy, ****. I really appreciate your insight and help. All 3 of you add such greatness to the Yahoo community. Keep up the good work!

Answer 1

You smoke because you are addicted. It's physical and mental and one of the hardest habits to break. You say you need to quit (we all do really) but do you TRULY WANT to quit.
Throughout all the years I've smoked, cigarettes have become my personal rewards, I look forward to having smoke breaks, at the same time, I hate it. It's not just the nicotine, there are all kinds of nicotine replacement methods that are even cheaper than cigarettes. Maybe they are kinda like having a binky (pacifier). Also there is the fear of gaining weight.
The last time I quit, it lasted 2 weeks. My husband continued to smoke and he would dismiss himself about once an hour. It got to where I'd follow him and get in on some 2nd hand smoke. It was way downhill from there.
I did learn that I could quit if I truly wanted to and how to do it. Like with anything else, it takes practice. First try quitting for a short time, like maybe a day. If you can't make it, try again. Each time, figure out why it didn't work that time. Oh yeah, go ahead and use a replacement for the nicotine, so the withdraws aren't an issue. So eventually, you will learn just what you asked, "why do I smoke?". Good luck! And I think it's time to continue trying myself. : )

Answer 2

I can't tell you what your personal reasons are for smoking but I was a smoker and contracted secondary polycytheamia. I was informed that this was a potentially very serious condition and after a substantial medical investigation smoking was found to be the culprit. After being told this news I stopped smoking immediately and without effort. I did not miss the nicotine and fail to understand why I ever smoked as ceasing was such a non event !

Answer 3

Because someone in high school made it sound so cool. I too smoke and do want to quit. It is hard. I have attempted afew times but always go back. Don't give up. The patch does work but you need to do the program correctly. I know afew people that have quit cold turkey and they say that it is the best way to do it. I am scared to try that. It is hard to give up something that has been a part of your life for so long whether it is self destructing or not. Build a support group and try one of the methods. good luck.

Answer 4

I think it's the breathing. When we inhale, it is a deep breath and when we exhale, we blow out for a long period of time. It's similar to meditating. I've actually gone into a nicotine fit at work before and was unable to go on a break to take care of it because we got so busy. So I just started "pretending" I was smoking and took deep breaths and, I'd be lying if I told you that fixed the problem, but it did help a great bit!

Answer 5

You know it's bad for you but you keep doing it... sounds a little self destructive. It's possible that you don't value yourself enough to quit, so with each cigarette you punish yourself and your body (which you also must do with food since you're overweight). Punishing yourself validates your poor self worth to yourself, so you feel good in a way. I think you can start to treat yourself better, start valuing your life and your health and yourself, and instead of smoking, go outside and take those few minutes to breathe deeply and calmly, to meditate in a way. Take in foods that nourish your body, start to treat yourself the way you'd treat a loved one.

I know cigarettes are addictive and hard to quit, but going cold turkey is really the best way to do it. Your biggest obstacle seems to be mental and emotional. I don't even know you, but I know that many people less able than you have been able to quit smoknig and turn their lives around, and so I believe you can too.

Answer 6

I used to feel the same way too. I hated the taste, smell, etc of smoking and tried to quit many times. One day, it was weird, I just looked at myself and was disgusted. I threw away my pack that day and havent smoked since. You will quit when you are ready to quit, its just a horrible habit now. Try to do something else at those times when you usually smoke to trick yourself into a different habit (wash dishes after dinner, or go for a walk...something different that changes your routine). Good Luck!

Answer 7

i am 25 and smoke the funny thing is i didn't bye smokes all day yesterday until i started feeling like crap i went 12 hrs. i want to quit but it is hard i didn't think it would be but it is and i want to quit for myself and my little boy but i don't smoke in my car or house so i freeze out side right about this time of year but i think i started to smoke just to do it cause my friends did and now i think it is to have a few min. alone thats nice a few min. alone. but if you think about it if you keep smoking you will be alone soon enough so good luck on stopping i am going to try also on quitting

Answer 8

All I can tell you is what happenned to me: I quit cold after 43 years of smoking regular Camels. So, great. Now I'm overweight, taking vitorin for cholesterol, and exforge for hypertension. My new hobby is firing doctors. Some of these guys never met a pill they didn't like. It took me over two years after quitting and going to the doctors to get down to only two pills, and one doctor, when I never took pills for anything all my life.

Answer 9

Non-Smoking please, I dont brain if others do...my ex hubby smoked and my father and mother smoke, and my sister however I don't smoke so I quite often find it irresistible bigger if no longer, however that dosent imply that I am long past in case you remove darkness from from time to time.

Answer 10

Good question, i mean why do something that makes you more stressed and gives you cancer?