It has been proven tobacco is harder to quit than drugs. Nicotine has been proven to be as addictive as cocaine and heroin and may even be more addictive. Many people who smoke develop nicotine dependence, which makes quitting all the harder, especially when they try to stop smoking on their own.
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Many do not recognize the stench they produce (bathing, smoking, drinking, general hygiene) til they change their habits.
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Nicotine is not addictive, inhaling deeply is. Imo.
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Stopping smoking was the single most difficult thing I have ever done. Also one of the most rewarding financially and health wise. Youâre right itâs totally physically addictive. I didnât realise how hooked I was until I tried to stop again and again and again. I was finally successful in 2002.
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1986 for me, donât want a medal.
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thatâs about the year I started smoking 
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Congrats Ms. AnnieS.
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1983 for me, I would very much like a medal.
I successfully gave up in 1979 too but thought I could have the odd fag because I enjoyed smoking so much, unfortunately it was only a few weeks before I was back to 40 a day after having not smoked for a couple of months
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You did get rewarded sir ( may not a medal, but better), lungs rejuvenate very quickly when a person quits smoking. According to health experts, the lungs begin to rejuvenate almost immediately after quitting smoking, with noticeable improvements in lung function within a few weeks, and continued healing over months and years, with the most significant changes happening within the first 1-9 months after quitting; this includes improved circulation, reduced coughing, and better cilia function to clear mucus from the lungs.
What about the BO,ers whoâve never smoked?
I would never have managed all the off-road bike rides if I hadnât stopped smoking. Me and my brother clocked up about 50-60 miles a week for nearly 25 years (weather permitting). Really rough ground too. Actually though, it wasnât just will power that stopped me smoking. I was scared out of it when I got cancer at 40 years old and lost a kidney.
Got over that some years after and often thanked the Lord when zooming down a hill over the stones in the open countryside wind in the face and all that. Iâm sure none of that would have been possible if not managing to give up the smokes.
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Many had to breathe in a lot of second hand smoke. Going anywhere used to be like sitting next to a car exhaust.
20 years ago we had a smoking room at work for those who still insisted in indulging. The whole stairwell leading up to it reeked. I had given up by then, and could sanctimoniously walk past feeling slightly sorry for the poor souls inside who were still hooked on the evil weed.
Although on the down side, popping out of the office to have a ciggie on the doorstep was a great chance to have an informal chat with top brass. Now called âwater cooler momentsâ and not quite the same.
I donât understand your thinking that an unvaxxed person is a danger to a vaccinated one Senile?
Surley, if a vaxxed person who doesnât exhibit any outward signs of having covid and could pass it around to all and sundry without even realising it, then itâs the unvaxxed person who should avoid avoid all the vaxxed people?
As an unvaxxed person who had covid, I can assure you that it would have been impossible for me to mingle in any way in the outside world. I think you are just using guilt tripping to enhance your beliefs including smoking in public places. If I donât want to be killed by a passing car, I stay off the motorwayâŠI donât guilt trip all the motorists for being there in the first place.
When I broke my knee cap, smoking was allowed on the hospital ward, even ashtrays by the bedside. That was because nobody was actually ill in there. How things have changed since 1985.
I often think of these Beatles words when it comes to smoking (from: Iâm So Tired)
Iâll have another cigarette
And curse Sir Walter Raleigh.
He was such a stupid get.
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With all due respect, Yes you would Mart. As a smoker I ran 36 full marathons, 64 half marathons and countless fell and road runs of over 50 milesâŠand enjoyed a fag after every one of themâŠ
I had a history of being asthmatic. Always using an inhaler. I donât think I would have had the puff to get started on the cycle rides without managing to stop smoking some years earlier.
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Itâs quite astonishing that at one point smoking was even considered a cure-all
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Yes but OGF perhaps you would never have developed a heart condition. I definitely wish I had never smoked. Despite quitting I know a COPD risk remains.
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Especially menthol cigarettes.
During the covid years some scientist said people that smoke are less likely to catch it because they have more catarrh that protects the lungs.
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