The NO Smoking Thread

[Veiled Princess 1]

OK this isn't really specific to MENA but I noticed in another thread here that there are a few folks here struggling to quit smoking-- myself included-- and with Ramadaan approaching (for those of us who are muslim) it's something important to do immediately.

If you're struggling with this addiction (or even if you're not struggling but finding quitting to be an easy experience) post your story here and we can be of support to each other.

If you have any tips or tricks to make it easier post them here too....

Dr. Bob's Quit Smoking Page

National Center For Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion

What's in cigarette smoke?There are over 4,000 chemicals in cigarette smoke.

A cigarette is 40% tobacco and 60% poison.

The recipe for a cigarette is:

Acetone - nail polish remover

Acetic Acid - vinegar

Ammonia - floor/toilet cleaner

Arsenic - rat poison

Butane - cigarette lighter fluid

Cadmium - rechargeable batteries

Carbon Monoxide - car exhaust fumes

DDT/Dieldrin - Insecticides

Ethanol - Alcohol

Formaldehyde - preserver for dead bodies

Hexamine - barbecue lighter

Hydrazine - rocket fuel & jet engines

Hydrogen Cyanide - gas chamber poison

Methane - swamp gas

Methanol - rocket fuel

Naphthalene - mothballs

Nicotine - insecticide/ addictive drug

Nitric Acid - fertilizers, explosives, & jets

Nitrobenzene - gasoline additive

Nitrous Oxide - laughing gas

Phenols - disinfectant

Stearic Acid - candle wax

Toluene - industrial solvent

Vinyl Chloride - PVC pipes

© American Cancer Society

I had my first cigarette at the ripe old age of 11 and have smoked ever since then, quitting from time to time for various lengths of time. I am now 28 (29 this year--on my birthday--inshallah) and I have been one month without a smoke so far (this time). I pray this is it! My last time quitting!

It never really bothered me to be a smoker until lately. After my conversion to Islam it has weighed heavy on my heart. My age is also having an effect on my desire to quit. It's scary to think I'm nearing 30 and hearing about other people that age or just a little older dying from cancer every day. I need to be here for my kids!!!!

For me, the first thing I have to do is get myself in the right mindset... I convinced myself, using the list above, that those cigarettes are nothing more than poison.... a drug... no better than crack cocaine! maybe worse?

I can't offer any advice on how to make it stick since, so far, all my attempts to quit have been short lived. Inshallah this one will last.

Some days are better than others. Some parts of the day are better than others. I love those little Chinese restaurant mints; they're extremely helpful when a craving hits. Also, taking a walk (or a ride on the exercise bike) or getting some air helps too.

I suggest a lot of prayer!

Good luck to anyone else trying to give up this disgusting addiction and may God be with us all, ameen.

Anyone else????

[Jenn! 918]

I'm not ready to quit just yet. But good luck to you!

[dollface41601 0]

smoking a ciggy as we speak.....

[Veiled Princess 1]

smoking a ciggy as we speak.....

That's just cruel

[ya falaha! 0]

Well I haven't had a smoke since last Friday, alhamdulillah. I feel fine so far. Inshallah I can keep this up throughout Ramadan and hopefully stop smoking for good. I've quit before but things happen in my personal life (visa process being one) that cause me stress and I go back to it. I hope this will be my last time quitting.

Good luck to the rest of the ladies/men who are trying to quit as well

[noura 0]

I quit a long time ago and picked it up again abt 1 1/2 yrs ago. I quit again (alhamdoulillah) in November before I had surgery, this time for good I believe (except the occasional shisha ). I just want to share tho, that I went to the funeral of a beautiful woman yesterday who died at the young age of 55 from LUNG CANCER. So, please, quit as soon as you can folks, if at all possible. Your children need you. I nag my mother regularly abt her smoking. I can't stand going to her house for less than 5 min only to walk out smelling like a stinky ashtray. It's gross.... I pray Said can stop too one day, but he at least only smokes outside. Gawd, I love that man and I want him to be with me for a long time!

Good luck!

Noura

[Mrs. Forgetful 2]

My husband hates that I smoke. I do too. I have been try to (really)quit for about two weeks now. I have bought 2 packs in these two weeks and I haven't had one since Monday night. I think my only problem is is that when I want just one, I have to buy a whole pack because it seems like everyone in Philly smokes Newports or Parliments, which I can't stand. So when I buy a pack I feel bad that I spent $5 just to smoke one and I finish the whole pack! I hope this time I can stick to quiting.

Good luck to everyone!

Edited September 7, 2006 by Mrs. Forgetful

[Ban Hammer 13,275]

I had my first cigarette at the ripe old age of 11 and have smoked ever since then, quitting from time to time for various lengths of time. I am now 28 (29 this year--on my birthday--inshallah) and I have been one month without a smoke so far (this time). I pray this is it! My last time quitting!

wow you've been smoking longer than me! i started in the first gulf war. time for a cig, brb

[gimygirl 0]

best of luck in your fight to quit smoking!! you won't regret it! (neither will your wallet)

[Jenn! 918]

best of luck in your fight to quit smoking!! you won't regret it! (neither will your wallet)

That's for sure. I figure between my husband and I, we spend about $3,000 a year on cigarettes!

[type2negative 0]

best of luck in your fight to quit smoking!! you won't regret it! (neither will your wallet)

That's for sure. I figure between my husband and I, we spend about $3,000 a year on cigarettes!

I Quitted in 1 day. Was smoking from 13-18 2 packs a day.

Didnt plan, just stopped and thats it.

I Guess I have Balls. Hehehehehehehe

[Ban Hammer 13,275]

best of luck in your fight to quit smoking!! you won't regret it! (neither will your wallet)

That's for sure. I figure between my husband and I, we spend about $3,000 a year on cigarettes!

how much you paying for a carton? i'm paying about $26 a carton.

[Jenn! 918]

best of luck in your fight to quit smoking!! you won't regret it! (neither will your wallet)

That's for sure. I figure between my husband and I, we spend about $3,000 a year on cigarettes!

how much you paying for a carton? i'm paying about $26 a carton.

You live in Kansas, I live in Boston, for one. I think cartons here are at least $40. Plus, we don't always buy cartons, stupid I know, but I feel like we smoke more if we have cartons around. AND, hubby smokes almost 2 packs a day, me about half a pack.

[iceyspots 0]

$50-$55 for a carton in michigan.. ohio is somewhat cheaper.. new york is out of this world I was there a couple years ago and cigs were over $70 per carton

[Ban Hammer 13,275]

best of luck in your fight to quit smoking!! you won't regret it! (neither will your wallet)

That's for sure. I figure between my husband and I, we spend about $3,000 a year on cigarettes!

how much you paying for a carton? i'm paying about $26 a carton.

You live in Kansas, I live in Boston, for one. I think cartons here are at least $40. Plus, we don't always buy cartons, stupid I know, but I feel like we smoke more if we have cartons around. AND, hubby smokes almost 2 packs a day, me about half a pack.

ouch! $40 a carton! sounds like the state has a heck of a tax on them

$50-$55 for a carton in michigan.. ohio is somewhat cheaper.. new york is out of this world I was there a couple years ago and cigs were over $70 per carton

jeesh it's getting expensive to kill oneself nowadays