Smokers are not the cause of the deficit, but they certainly contribute to it more than nonsmokers. Case in point, the diseases that follow smoking place a huge financial burden on our health care system. You will find that much of the effort to raise taxes on cigarettes is due to the added health care expenses caused by smoking.

By way of disclosure, I do not smoke and never have...um cigarettes. Smoke if you like, just don't blow it towards me, please.

Don't let anyone ever tell you that quitting smoking is easy. I quit 4 years ago cold turkey and to this day when I'm dreaming at night -- I still smoke. No kidding. I used to love smoking. I quit because it became an expense that pissed me off every time I bought a pack. Nearly $4.00!!!! I guess I'm too cheap. :eek: :D

:) I am going thru this right now!! ZYBAN is kick-ass great!! So is hypnosis to go with it! It is still not easy, but it takes determination.....I really enjoyed smoking, but I also got tired of the expense, the airport hassles, the "you can't smoke in here" problems. I decided I no longer wanted to be under the control of the tobacco, I wanted to be back in control....so I decided to quit as soon as I got the weight gain thing beat....I was growing out of 36" pants.
so I lost 30# since March ( I wear 34" pants now), then quit smokes at the end of May. It's still tuff at times, but I am determined this time!! It helps to have a buddy to call when needed rather than light up. Hang tuff!! More goodies for the boat!!:D

Similar story.
1-2 pack a day smoker for 20 years (I'm 39).
Got tired of expense/hassles/loss of control.
I used Zyban for 30 days in March -- to get over the hump.
Haven't had a cigarette since then. It's tough -- but am determined this time.

Watching my wife's uncle die in 6 short months from lung cancer was also a wakeup call and added motivation. Horrible death.

Big bucks I'm saving go right into the boat gas fund. Nice. Feel better too.

Oh yea, my mother died two years ago from emphysema.....a long, slow process of strangling yourself. Ugly...... but it still took two years for me quit. And I still get upset about it when on the radio they talk about taking away more "smoker rights"..... ex-smokers generally are the worst kind & I am determined not to be a "pain in anyones a--" about this, ever!!

Quit 11 months and 12 days ago now. The patch helped the first 6 weeks for me.

I'm a social smoker and have been for years, and that mainly entails cocktails and/or boating i.e. usually means simultaneously. I smoke Basic menthol unltra-lites and I get'em for 19.95 per carton.
Non-smokers don't bother me unless they start flappin' their self-righteous mouths which means they probably flap/complain about a lot of other things too (nay-sayers & pessimists). To each his own whether it be smokin', drinkin', skydivin', race-boat drivin', and/or all the other things that are hazardous to your health but entertains you. Just don't blame anyone else in the end and don't cast stones, that's all...

Rick

I don't EVER complain about smokers, except or unless they burn up my BOAT!!

Started taking Zyban again this morning.

Quit almost 5 years ago (wow has it been that long? :eek: ) - woke up on Saturday, Mrs DR (well, she wasnt' the Mrs at the time, but you get the idea) says to me "I wish you would quit, so you won't die young and we can have more years together." Or words to that effect.

Tossed my Marlboro Lights in the trashcan. 3 hours later, Mrs. DR says "Either we're getting you that patch or some f*@#$@g cigarettes, because you're driving me nuts!" I had a slight case of the nicottene fits :)

In any case, I've only had one cigarette since that day. The Key is, YOU must want to quit. If you're not committed, don't waste your time. If you are ready to quit, then you can do it. Zyban, the gum, the patch, all can help you over the rough spots, but you have to want to quit.

I can tell you this - after 15 years of smoking, I can't believe the difference in the way food tastes, no more shortness of breath, your clothes don't stink. It's wonderful - best thing I ever did, and it's all thanks to my wonderful wife! Thanks babe, you're the best! :)

I quit and i have so much mroe cash now, thank god.......

Cheep Smokes
 

We get them cheep at the reservation (Seneca). I by Piramids for $14.50. They have their own brand for $8.50. Top name brands are $22.50. Nice to have a res. near by, if you smoke!
Too bad aabout the idiots in NYC that think they will raise more money by raising the tax. The black market will get all the money!

I need Zyban (tell your doctor your depressed and ask for an Rx for Wellbutrin, and the insurance company will pay for it -- it is EXACTLY the same medication from the same manufacturer. They gave it two names, because - DUH - it's not covered if you want to take it to quit?)

I need the patch.

I need a rubber band.

And, I need a good kick in the ass too!

All of the above, and I was also serious when I asked if anyone had a room they could lock me into for a month......

I appreciate all the advice, and IntooDeep (Isn't that a song by Genesis?) I'm really sorry to hear about your wife - at 39?

Jennifer

if i coudl get them cheap i would start smoking again.


Wanna hear soemthign really sad??? I quite cus i got tired of paying $5 a pack I figured I coudl fill up mybaot each week withet h$$$ smoking cost me. It had absolutley nothing to due with the health risks.....

Jennifer,
I've got an extra room with a lock. Several of my smoking friends are considering quitting after seeing my success at it. You are right about the Wellbutrin. They originally made Wellbutrin as a anti-depressant but it had a higher rate of seizures than the competitors so the doctor's wouldn't prescribe it. They now have the chance of seizure down to less than some of the competitors, but the stigma was still around. Then they found the added benefit of helping people quit smoking and changed the name to Zyban. I am currently taking Wellbutrin. After doing some research, I found that the Wellbutrin had less side effects than any of the other anit-depressants. They also have the added benefits of increasing your sex drive. I really didn't need that. :eek:

Jen, It's not easy, but you can do it. It's not just the Zyban, but you have to take the whole program seriously. I still have the little card on my refer showing July 4, 1998 as the date I am going to quit. I did, and stuck to it.

Good luck.

Jennifer,
I've got an extra room with a lock. Several of my smoking friends are considering quitting after seeing my success at it. You are right about the Wellbutrin. They originally made Wellbutrin as a anti-depressant but it had a higher rate of seizures than the competitors so the doctor's wouldn't prescribe it. They now have the chance of seizure down to less than some of the competitors, but the stigma was still around. Then they found the added benefit of helping people quit smoking and changed the name to Zyban. I am currently taking Wellbutrin. After doing some research, I found that the Wellbutrin had less side effects than any of the other anit-depressants. They also have the added benefits of increasing your sex drive. I really didn't need that. :eek:

Jen, It's not easy, but you can do it. It's not just the Zyban, but you have to take the whole program seriously. I still have the little card on my refer showing July 4, 1998 as the date I am going to quit. I did, and stuck to it.

Good luck.

Funny how that extra tax money, earmarked for added healthcare costs, never seems to find its way to that fund.....:confused: :confused: :rolleyes:

do we have to get into this?I think everyone on this board knows that the government totaly steals from us--the citizens.

I'm starting to even take into account that police are there just so they can operate their "townships".

I hate the fact that when revenue is low, they call for more cops to go out on patrol to "fine" wrong doers"

one hypocritical event I remeber is this.....

the local jetski rental place (across from dutchmans in L.B.I. N.J.)
was testing out a ski in a no wake zone(I use to work at the rental place)-the skis had to be "cleaned out" so we would take short burst under a bridge to clean them out and then bring them back, MIND YOU barely making ripples in the water.

well, Here I am across from the jetski place with my friend(we brought my boat to dutchmans) and we are drinking beers and eating shrimp. a state police boat sees the jet ski rental do there little "clean out" in the no wake zone and decides he needs to throttle up to get to him faster.

MEANWHILE there are about 10 boats parked across the passage way at the dutchmans.

needless to say the stat police bot made about a 4 foot wake and caused all the boats tied up to BASH against the bulkhead.

I wanted to run over to the state cop and yell at the top of my lungs WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING!!!!!!!!!!!!
but, I didnt need him to act like a prick(some arent) and write me a ticket for something...:o

heh the govt gives funds back to the people

ahahaha
dont get me started.
wait u just did....