Smoking

[ailbhe]

Since I quit smoking, almost exactly three years before Emer was born, as soon as I thought I might be pregnant with Linnea, I have never once regretted my decision. I had, after all, been trying to quit for most of the time I'd been a smoker.

But sometimes I really, really miss them. I watched a woman in the cafe rolling a cigarette from a brand of tobacco I never even liked and I wanted it. The smell of ready-rolled does mostly make me slightly queasy, but even now, after two pregnancies, I sometimes enjoy the smell of real tobacco.

This is presumably the nature of things - when one gives up an enjoyable habit, however sensibly, one wistfully wishes to indulge in it just once more.

But me and smoking are not like that. I can't have just one. If I have just one, I will have many, many more.

But I still want them, sometimes.

Comments

[rosefox]

I have smoked one whole cigarette in my life, on my 21st birthday. Every time I see someone smoking, I want one. Every time I'm on the phone with the_xtina and I hear her light up, I want one. It's one of those things that doesn't really let go of you.

The only thing that stops me, sometimes, is that if I have a cigarette sinboy also gets to have a cigarette, and if he has one it won't be just one. Like you, I can hold off for the sake of my loved ones, no matter how much the cravings make me twitch.

[helenprev.livejournal.com]

Oh gosh yes. I've never smoked but it is now nearly two years since I quit drinking and the smell of a really nice red wine can make my mouth water!

[sinboy.livejournal.com]

It's been over 8 years for me, and I still crave them.

[pauamma]

Speaking as a former heavy smoker: that's normal. I haven't had any bad craving attack so far this year, but I had a few last year.

[surelars.livejournal.com]

Oh, sure. I know that feeling - the sudden craving. And I quit in '82.

Thing is - I like the taste of tobacco, quite a lot. Interestingly, as I have in recent years come to work in places and move in places with no smokers, I these day really dislike the smell. If I get to stand next to a smoker on the platform waiting for the train, I move away.

But I'm lucky, I guess. I can give in, nick a smoke off a friend, smoke it, and not touch a cig for the next year. One does not lead to many for me. 5 years ago or so I would sometimes buy a pack when going to a party were I knew there would be smokers, and smoke all of them in one night - and then not smoke for 6 months. I've stopped doing that, though - it stopped being fun.

The craving is getting less and less in recent years, but I think that has a lot to do with being less exposed to smoking now.

[gloriap.livejournal.com]

I quit smoking about 30 years ago after having smoked 10 years. I can honestly say I don't miss it a bit and the smell of cigarette smoke (unlike pipe smoke) is horrible to me. We did buy a pack of cigarettes and have a few every New Year's Eve for a few years after we quit because it seemed strange to drink w/o smoking.

Strangely, however, I LOVE the smell of a wooden match being lit.

[flybabydizzy.livejournal.com]

Strange about the wooden match, I know just what you mean!
I smoked 2 cigarettes one evening about 30 years ago and was ill for a couple of days; I've never smoked since. The smell makes me heave and wheeze. An extreme reaction to smoke was also a symptom of early pregnancy for me - even a diagnosis, one time.
I am currently preparing to redecorate my daughter's bedroom, as she has moved away. She was a 'secret' smoker - she thought I didn't know. Her room, her clothes and even her books all stink, so I have to limit my time in her room.
My addiction is cheese; which, as I am intolerant of milk products, is not useful! I avoid it as much as I can, but every now and again I will have a slice of pizza, or attack the block of strong cheddar in the fridge.
I don't think there is a 12 steps program for cheese.

Timing!

[rmc28]

My colleagues and I are just having a "robust discussion" on the smoking ban.

[micheinnz.livejournal.com]

I have one drag every couple of years or so, and even then it's a struggle to give the thing back to its owner.

That's the reason I never started -- I knew I'd never stop.