So How Did You Start?!
Not that I have not tried them one or twice, I just never did like them myself; I couldn't understand what all the fuss was about.
In fact, It was so painful and nauseating an experience, that I never had a clue how or why people could actually BEGIN to smoke cigarettes. It really seems to me like an 'acquired habit' most definitely. I mean, many times smokers will say they would do anything to quit, yet it almost seems like it was a very intentional process to begin smoking in the very first place. Am I wrong in thinking this?
So I am very curious what other people think about this starting of a smoking habit thing. What are your worst and best experiences?
Please tell me whatever your experience with the things were, I am very interested from the viewpoint of actual smokers, or even ex-smokers.
Answers:
First of all, congratulations on never picking up the habit! :D
You're not wrong on the fact that smoking is pretty much an intentional process to begin with. I mean, the choice is yours- either you start or you don't, no questions.
I had my first cigarette when I was 12 from the influence of others. The people I was friends with smoked and were into those type of things so I believe that I agreed to smoke that first cigarette to fit in because they were doing it and I felt like I should too if I was going to be friends with them. They didn't pressure me into it or anything, it was jsut how I felt about the situation. Luckily for me though, I wasn't a smoker for too too long- 2.5 years but I have quit.
Best experience: the last one I smoked was by far the best because I knew it was going to be my last.
Worst experience: I held smoke in my lungs for way to long and when i exhaled nothing came out.
any one can quit if they REALLY want to. it takes will power. when i was 15 i smoked for afew months till finally one of my friends knocked me silly lol it made me stop so it was good.
My mom started smoking when my twin brothers died in a car accident when they were 2. Since my dad was driving, and everyone knows my dad is a bad driver, and my mom *could have* been driving instead, she felt guilty and almost wanted to hurt herself without hurting her kids I think. My dad smoked already so all she had to do was take some cigarettes from his pocket so it was easy too. She wishes she didn't start now though. I'm pretty sure it was just a spur of the moment thing.
Way back in the 1950's I was dating a neighborhood friend that smoked and I was very sensitive to cigarette smoke and would sneeze and cough when he would light a cigarette. It was a very popular thing and tobacco company's were giving cigarettes to any body that could strike a match. Kids bought cartons for their Dad who had cotten home from the Military Service Those were the days if aq parent asked you to do something you ere proud to run do anything as some of the Dads would not be comng home and you did as you ere told. That was before they asked. Then you took the dollar or so and did it, Women did not smoke on the street but with friends it was cool and neat.I think I was paying a quarter for a Pack of Chesterfields and my friend had taught me to smoke. Then when I could smoke and talk normally he informed me I smoked like a guy and that just would not do. My mission was to watch TV, our set was three years old and not every one had one. I had to learn to smoke like a lady;.I managed quite well as I never smoked accept with my guy friends and my parents knew that I smoked but not fhen their friends were in our home. I eventually smoked
about 3/4 pack a day. I smoked 23 years, mostly driving to and from work.I quit smoking when the cost went up and I had switched to Pall Mall . I smoked so few I kept My carton in the freezer.when I quit I did stop cold turkey though I could start tomorrow without thinking about it. I would have to do it home. just like starting over again, I had actually quit to encourage my husband to stop. He died at 53 with a cigarette in his hand,
smoke like a lady.
A very old grey widow.
I lost both my parents to smoking-related diseases when I was a teenager. I swore I'd never smoke. But then I tried one in college. It wasn't great. Then I got married to an abusive man and picked up the habit of sneaking one a day to get rid of stress. I got a divorce and then I didn't have to sneak them. One turned into 3, to 10, and escalated. I'm looking forward to the day when I will quit and be back to 20+ years ago when I wasn't an addict and was disgusted by smoking. I already am disgusted, but I'm hooked.