Tobacco(cigarettes) usage in SF

[Habu-MFFI 175]

I smoked for about 35 years. I use to love a pack of CAmel Lights....man those things were smoooooth... Several years back the doctor told my wife she needed to quit smoking because of a health problem. Well a that time I thought..what the heck. Quit and help her. I quit cold turkey 7 years ago and this coming May will be 8 years. I figured the patches, gums and kits were all a crutch and I didn't need a crutch...I need to quit.

Today if someone is smoking near me I pure gag...I have actually chocked and puked all over the place from the smell of the cigarette. No way will I start again.

I can smell someone that smokes if they walk by me. It sticks to there cloths and hair...really nasty smell. I never smelled that odor while I was smoking.

I definately feel better healty wise, but did put on some quick weight.

You will have to figure out for yourself if you want to quit or try something else to use as a crutch. Quit now and let the Q course and other training blow the nasty brown gunk out your lungs and feel better.

[XJWoody]

Originally Posted by Habu-MFFI 175

...I definately feel better healty wise, but did put on some quick weight...

Wondering what's the deal with this. Does the nicotine boost metabolism or something?

After 30 years of 2+ packs/day, I quit cold turkey on 1-19. Since then, I have gained approx 10#. Not a 'deal breaker' for sure, but it's a bit peculiar, since my eating habits have not changed much - if any.

Don't know If I signed up to become a roly-poly.

[hdgb]

Was gonna leave this one alone as smokin is a personal life decsion no matter how it started or ended. But my respectful candid side won't let me stay out This is trully a whiny thread.
First smoking has nothing to do with being special ops. You wanna smoke then do! you wanna quit then quit..... If your a candy ass and can't hang it won't make a shit wether your smoking or sucking pure O2.
I spent 25yrs smoking in the GB trenches all over the world. Ran, humped, skied, and swam all around me into the ground. I never guit anything in my life so not gonna start now Point is This may be the new army SF with cool sweat suits and expensive running sneakers and no smoking allowed. But they are no better or worse then some of the great warriors that ran around in boots and fatigues and smoked non filter camels or lucky strikes. cigs might kill me but the enemy couldn't so i'm Ok with that!
My best smoking buddy -- hell we would smoke in a snow cave, light up before and after a blistering 10miler in the mountains of colorado. Smoke in a LAR-V rebreather before a dive. smoke on the ramp of a plane before freefallin out. My buddy got his head blown off in Irag tell me what smokin had to do with that or him being one of the best SF guys i ever knew. Quit your whining and ruck up mister.
"I quess not many guys in elite units smoke" has got to be the dumbest least informed statement i have ever heard. Son you have gotten the wrong idea and others here have given that ill conceived impression to you.

[Utah Bob]

Originally Posted by XJWoody

Wondering what's the deal with this. Does the nicotine boost metabolism or something?

After 30 years of 2+ packs/day, I quit cold turkey on 1-19. Since then, I have gained approx 10#. Not a 'deal breaker' for sure, but it's a bit peculiar, since my eating habits have not changed much - if any.

Don't know If I signed up to become a roly-poly.

Nicotine is a stimulant. it does boost your metabolism. And it's about as addicting as cocaine. Maybe a little more so.
I'm always amused by those who say they smoke because they like it.
Of course you like it. Your addicted brain is telling you you like it.

I remember an old Bob Newhart routine about the discovery of tobacco.
"And what do you do with this "Tobacco" Sir Walter?
Okay let me get this straight. You roll it up and stick it in your mouth?
Then what?
You set fire to it??"

[Pete]

Originally Posted by Red Flag 1

Are you suggesting a person can give up the addiction and become a "leisure" user of tobacco?.......

Yes, I did but my "leisure" is limited to a weekend only every couple of months. Sure not when I go out for a couple of beers - I might start back sliding.

I'd been smokin' about 6 years or so and the team had been raggin' on me to quit. We were on a two week or so FTX in western NC. One of the first mornings I said "OK, I quit" and one of the commo guys asked "Are you sure?" When I said yes he ran over grabbed all my smokes and stomped them into the ground.

I had chewed a bit before that and he was a big time Copenhagen dipper so he kept me buzzin' for the rest of the FTX. Got home and there was no place to spit so I didn't dip. A couple of weeks later we went to the range and Ernie H gave me a big 'ol dip. Got sicker than a dog, head all spinning and fell over.

After that I had no desire to smoke for recreation but did smoke now and again when I was chatting with a TS who smoked. Been that way ever since.

[Red Flag 1]

Pete,

I have always enjoyed a good smoke. Cigars, and MacBarrens pipe tobacco in a good Briar pipe still call to me. I can hold out for a while and be a "social smoker"; in the end....well.

Thomas J. Jackson, aka Stonewall Jackson, did not partake of spirits or tobacco but on rare occasions. When asked why, General Jackson would answer my saying, "I like it too much". I understand General Jackson's answer.

RF 1