smoking 1 cigarette in a day

[Lisa in Katy]

My dad was a smoker until from about age 14 until his 45th birthday. Then he went through some stress and started smoking again at about age 60, although not as much as he did previously. He's now 70. He once said that in all the time he didn't smoke, there wasn't a day that he didn't wish for a cigarette. Anything that takes over your life that much can't be good for you, including those who are addicted to exercise.

Having grown up with a smoker, I know that I stunk. However I never noticed it and nobody ever said anything. Smoking was more common then in restaurants and stores. Now that there's not as much smoking in public places, it's really noticeable. It's very obvious which of my students come from smoking households - their hair and clothes stink. Even when they are out of my classroom, if I go near the backpacks I can smell it. I know that this is a bad habit, just like so many others, but aside from being unhealthy, it is stinky!

 

[Kate]

Hi, guys!
I know, that it is absurdly, but I'll ask about your opinion. How about smoking a cigarette once a day? No more, no less. Do you think, it is so "evil"?

Hi PathFinder!
I think I may have a certain understanding of your situation. Unlike most of those who have posted so far, I spent many years as neither a serious smoker or a non-smoker. Drs call my type of smoker (and perhaps you as well) a "chipper" - someone who smokes only a few cigarettes a day (or even less) for years at a time without ever increasing or becoming addicted. There are very few people who can do this, but some can (about 3% of the population I've read) and if you are truly one of those people, smoking one a day might not be that big of a deal. Unfortunately, I notice that you also have a bicuspid aortic valve and, because of that, I strongly recommend that you not smoke even one a day, even if you know you won't smoke more. The reason is because you are more prone to aortic aneurysms than the general public, and cigarette smoking is the ONLY thing that has been shown to increase the rate of growth of aortic aneurysms. Now, you may well not be one of us unlucky ones who ends up with an aneurysm, but if you are, smoking could hasten the need for your first surgery or cause you to need resurgery at an early age. I think my long term (15+ year) smoking of, I'd say, an average of 15 cigarettes a month is part of the reason my aneurysm had to be operated on at the unusually-young age of 38. So, please don't smoke one a day, even if you can. Best, Kate

 

[MrP]

Hey Pathfinder, try to find a substitute for that single cigarette each day....say exercise, something like walking or situps. Channel that urge into something positive for your health and wellbeing, and within a few months you'll never look back.

 

[Ross]

Hey Pathfinder, try to find a substitute for that single cigarette each day....say exercise, something like walking or situps. Channel that urge into something positive for your health and wellbeing, and within a few months you'll never look back.

Well he could do like me and take that want and buy a food treat, but it does seem to add a few pounds. Not so sure it's any healthier.

 

[Harrybaby666]

Ah.....relief...someone else I can compare snacks with.....

Ah.....relief...someone else I can compare snacks with.....

Well he could do like me and take that want and buy a food treat, but it does seem to add a few pounds. Not so sure it's any healthier.

Ross,
What's your favorite food fix? Lately, I have been craving the white hot chocolate that Dunkin Donuts sells, and whoopsie, I just happen to occasionally slip in a doughnut....I know I shouldn't with the Diabetes, but I have so much other stuff wrong with me, that I sometimes just say "oh what the heck". Snacktime!!!!!!!!! Harrybaby

 

[Kathleen]

Pathfinder
I found this thread to be rather close to home for me. First off I don't consider smoking evil. My husbands longest relationship has been with smokes. He made the decision to quit after smoking (alot) for 40 years. He is an ex-marine and does really care for being denied or told to do things. He began on Chantix the med that blocks the receptors that cause the cravings. The patches and gum and lozenges have been tried and failed. Our agreement is that he can still have an am and pm cigarette. He is now just two weeks into the twofer and actually decided last night don't need one tonight, don't want one. Everyone is different and whatever works for you is the best choice. Coming down hard on yourself for having one or 20 is not helpful you just have to try again. Hope I can take that dollar amount out of the monthly budget soon.

 

[Cooker]

Hi PathFinder,

Hey if you can smoke just one have at it!!! Anyway we only live once and as that goes we only die once Life is short so enjoy yourself. If smoking one a day works for you I see no harm much less evil.

I cant do it and it kind of falls under the heading of one beer or kissing your sister (that's for Deb id WV ) what's the use?????

Smoke "it" if you got "it"

Cooker

 

[JohnnyV_46]

I smoked for 31 years before my Surgery. I was born Smoking. My parents were both heavy smokers. My mother died at 59 from a Ruptured Gall Bladder. My dad lived on with Emphysema and eventually lung cancer. He died almost 9 years ago at 74. Cigarettes are Evil. I don't really understand. If someone were to develop a product like this today,and try to market it, They'd be put in jail. How is it that the Big Tobacco Companies like Phillip Morriss can continue to sell such a product?I am and Can be an Occassional Smoker. To those out there thinking that you deserve a Cigarette since your Surgery "Don't". I am not addicted.I can and do go for days or weeks without one. My lungs don't get that Throbbing they used to when they were craving nicotene. I find it hard for hard core smokers to tell themselves they're never going to have another Cigarette. I think they should be outlawed and eliminated from the face of the earth. Do what works for you....Use the time Recooping from Surgery to "Kick the Habit". You'll smoke another one. Some will lie and say they didn't or won't but any serious smoker of 10 years or longer will have another one.....Just keep throwing them away. HELP ME!!!!!!

JohnnyV

 

[Cooker]

Hi, guys!
I know, that it is absurdly, but I'll ask about your opinion. How about smoking a cigarette once a day? No more, no less. Do you think, it is so "evil"?

I was just looking over old threads and saw this one. It caught my eye due to the fact that I heard or read that limited tobacco use was used in the treatment of IBS and excessive flatulence. Anybody have any experience with this?

Oh, I am not a sufferer but just thought it was interesting.....oh excuse me

 

[barbwil]

Good thread to bring back, Cooker!

Good thread to bring back, Cooker!

You know we always think of lung cancer when we think of the dangers of smoking. My dear, dear 68 yr old friend and neighbor smoked from the time she was a teen until about 3 years ago. I went over to see her and her husband opened the door from the garage and told me to go right in. As I did she was hiding her cigarette; I told her she needn't do that because I knew she was a smoker because all smokers have that odor or that of breath mints.

She just began seeing a new doctor for a severe back pain and he has proceeded to do the full scale of tests. She told him to be sure to include a chest x-ray because she had been a long time smoker. Well, she was so relieved that it came back negative, said she would feel very guilty if she thought she had brought IT on herself.

Two weeks ago she got the results! Pancreatic cancer, metastasized to the liver and her bones!! Of course I haven't shared the Mayo Clinic quote with her:

"Cigarette smoking. If you smoke, you're two to three times more likely to develop pancreatic cancer than nonsmokers are. This is probably the greatest known risk factor for pancreatic cancer, with smoking associated with almost one in three cases of pancreatic cancer."

The silent killer has struck and I am so saddened at the thought of loosing such a loving friend and my heart aches for her husband, their two sons and grandson. She has made her peace with our Lord and is not afraid for herself but she had everything to live for and now she is terminal!!! Until recently she was the picture of health and you would think she would have many good years ahead.

She and her husband were God's gift to us during my OHS two years ago. We disagree on lots of things, politics, etc, but she will leave a great big hole in my heart!!

 

[Cooker]

Barb,

I am so sorry about your friend, it is very sad. The fact that I am 51 and just recently quit for the 2nd time makes me acutely aware of the dangers still lurking in my body...... I think it may be good to bring this subject up from time to time. Of course the self-rightious like to brow beat the smoker but I know how hard it is to quit. You can interject humor into anything but as we all know it is deadly serious.

 

[Debster]

I hate cigarettes with a passion. My dad lost his life due to heart disease at age 50-he smoked Lucky Strikes 3 packs a day. I was 19. My stepdad who passed away this year from leukemia-he quit 20 years ago cold turkey. He was a tough as hell ex Marine who just decided-that's it-I quit. My severely asthmatic brother is 45 and he probably won't make it to 50 because he is a very heavy smoker I am not trying to brow beat smokers, but it is so hard on the people that love them. Deb

 

[Debster]

Another question-my stepdad after he quit couldn't stand to be around cigarettes-worse than me-it wasn't because he wanted one-he thought they smelled really bad. Anyone else think like that??

 

[Granbonny]

My Hubby smoked a pipe for many years...Had to give it up when he got dentures... He still smokes a few cigerettes a day...Always outside....he will be age 77 this Nov..and works like a young man of 20... This past 6 months..he has ripped out all the carpet and installed hardwood floors. alone One room he rented a heavy sander for 3 days...His b/p, ect is perfect. and he never Complains..after doing a hard days work......He has maintained his same weight for the 41 years we have been married..I am sure he has good genes..His Dad died at 93 and his Mom at 88..His Dad was also a pipe smoker..My parents both smoked..Dad died at age 92 and Mama at age 83...I think both our parents gave up smoking in their 70's.....I smoked when I was younger..not much.....but still remember..people saying..You smoke? Had to laugh...most of the ones that said that..drank like fish, took sedatives, ect.....to calm themselves daily...neither of my children are smokers..and Papa John knows not to smoke around the Grandchildren ..or in their homes, ect.....so I cannot be on his case..if he enjoys a few cigerettes a day..........what is sad..is to see so MANY fat people..so young.. I am talking about people in their 30,40,50 years.......See it everyday at grocery store..with their carts filled with Ice cream, potato chips, all fattening foods....maybe they don't smoke but I see them years later with heart problems.. Plus, they seem to have a hard time pushing their loaded carts down the aisles.. The Government has banned all smoking..so when will they try to educate people on being over=weight?and putting up signs in fast-food places..saying..eating this food is dangerous to your health?..Sorry to be on my soap-box..Why we don't go out to eat much..Hubby always enjoyed a cigerette and a cup of coffee..after our meal...No more.. ......Bonnie

 

[Cooker]

Another question-my stepdad after he quit couldn't stand to be around cigarettes-worse than me-it wasn't because he wanted one-he thought they smelled really bad. Anyone else think like that??

Yes!! I work with several smokers. They stink. I said to one of the guys who?s says he only smokes at work and his family would kill him if they knew he smoked. I said they know, they can smell you coming a mile a way!! I apologize to all the noses I offended in the past!!

 

[Ross]

I haven't smoked since 2/1/07. For the first several days it was easy since I was in the hospital. Now that I am starting to feel somewhat normal, it has finally dawned on me that I wouldn't mind having a cigarette. Of course that feeling disappears as soon as my husband gets within 10 feet of me and I smell that nasty smell on him since he hasn't quit yet. I can't believe I walked around smelling like that for so many years!!

Are you being honest? I ask because every time Lyn gets near me and I smell it (It's on my clothes right out of the laundry anyhow) all I want to do is go take and have one. It's like fillet mignon to me, yet the smell on the clothes is putrid.

One thing I won't do is elaborate on the health effects of smoking. I've known people that were 90 and smoking and did till they died and they died of natural causes. I've also known younger folks who have smoked and died of cancer. Point being, there is no clear cut way to determine what causes cancers, so why blame something. I'm betting now that since no one can smoke in restaurants, bars or bowling alleys anymore in Ohio, the cancer rate is going to stay stable or rise anyhow. Time will tell.

 

[Dennis S]

I think it's about probabilities.

I think it's about probabilities.

When I was young I loved fast cars, and driving fast--real fast. I look back now and shudder at the risks I incurred for myself and others. i never had to pay the big price that I was flirting with every time I hit the gas. I was fortunate. But the fact that I never had the big accident, and never hurt anyone, doesn't mean it was safe to drive that fast.

I think smoking is like driving too fast, eating too much, etc. Some will die, and some will skate. It depends on what cards are dealt, and none of us get to see the cards before they are placed in our hands. Nevertheless, when we do these things we are playing a dangerous game. I may get killed tomorrow as I drive to church, no doubt about it. But I can help my probabilities immensely by driving a normal speed.

 

[tobagotwo]

By the numbers, I understand that there doesn't seem to be a noticeable difference between those who smoke five or less cigarettes a day and those that don't. Of course, that doesn't take into account heart surgery, valve, or aortic problems at all.

So, I guess it would be hard to say that one would hurt you dramatically.

However, on the reality side, it won't be one. Or, at least, it won't stay one. It'll be a few one day, when you're with other smokers. Or just when you're drinking. Or when something bad happens. At some point in the process, you'll lie to someone you care about, about how many you've had, or whether you're back to smoking again. Eventually, you'll realize that you are smoking again, and you won't really be able to remember exactly how or when it happened.

[added later: I can say this because I know how it goes. I smoked and I quit unsuccessfully several times. If the door is open even a little bit, you'll trick yourself into walking through it eventually. I've been off cold turkey now since 12/31/1999. But in my heart, I know that if I had just one, I'd start up again.]

The real question is, Why are you fighting so hard not to give it up?

 

[Dennis S]

I am sooo glad this doesn't start till Monday morning. We have a friend who has a gorgeous place up the road that she uses on weekends. She buys the best steaks ever, and we are going there for dinner tonight.