8 hours ago, Harrisfan said:

I tried smoking. Didnt do anything for me. Seems like the dumbest habit around.

7 hours ago, Harrisfan said:

I smoked for 2 years. You keep making silly comments for some reason.

So which is it? Are you saying you 'tried' it for 2 years despite it being dumb and didn't do anything for you?

You are either a liar or incredibly dumb. Quite possibly both.

Explain yourself.

3 hours ago, Harrisfan said:

Some researchers argue that nicotine alone may not be as addictive as once believed, suggesting that the habit, ritual, and other chemicals in tobacco smoke (like acetaldehyde, pyrazines, and monoamine oxidase inhibitors) significantly enhance its addictive properties. The act of smoking itself—including the hand-to-mouth motion, flavors, and social cues—may be a key driver of addiction, with nicotine acting more as a "vehicle" than the primary cause.

That's the type of hyperbole that you'd hear from doctors who are paid by the tabacco lobbies to make the agrument that nicotine isn't addictive.

Using the same logic, then heroin isn't really addictive. It's just the habit of shooting up on a park bench, and then turning into a fentanyl zombie with your friends as you nod into oblivion. But heroin is really inert. It's just habit, of course.

Try an experiment. Crew 10 piece of 4mg nicotine gum for three months straight. Then quit cold turkey. Let us know how it works.

Personally I admit I was a nicotine addict. I'd never touch anything with nicotine in it again. That's tickling the dragon imho.

7 hours ago, Harrisfan said:

Buy gum

Avoid alcohol

Avoid smokers

Go for a walk

Find new hobbies

Quitting is easy. Most smokers do it out of boredom.

The idea that "most smokers do it out of boredom" flips reality—boredom is a barrier, not a driver of quitting for the majority.This phrase echoes a humorous Mark Twain quote ("Giving up smoking is the easiest thing in the world. I know because I've done it thousands of times"), which highlights how often people relapse, not how easy or boredom-driven quitting is. In short:

Quitting is tough, not easy, and boredom doesn't make most people quit—it's more likely to make them start again.

I'm 80 years old, I stopped smoking 50 years ago and it's the best thing that I ever did. I still walk long distances every morning and I feel great. I still haven't given up the booze, although I reduced my daily intake drastically when I reached 65. The main thing is I don't cough when I first wake up.

11 minutes ago, Smokey and the Bandit said:

The idea that "most smokers do it out of boredom" flips reality—boredom is a barrier, not a driver of quitting for the majority.This phrase echoes a humorous Mark Twain quote ("Giving up smoking is the easiest thing in the world. I know because I've done it thousands of times"), which highlights how often people relapse, not how easy or boredom-driven quitting is. In short:

Quitting is tough, not easy, and boredom doesn't make most people quit—it's more likely to make them start again.

Its not tough. Climbing Mt Everest is tough. Running 200 miles is tough. Maybe they just lack the desire. Its not rocket science. Stop buying them. Find a new hobby.

33 minutes ago, connda said:

That's the type of hyperbole that you'd hear from doctors who are paid by the tabacco lobbies to make the agrument that nicotine isn't addictive.

Using the same logic, then heroin isn't really addictive. It's just the habit of shooting up on a park bench, and then turning into a fentanyl zombie with your friends as you nod into oblivion. But heroin is really inert. It's just habit, of course.

Try an experiment. Crew 10 piece of 4mg nicotine gum for three months straight. Then quit cold turkey. Let us know how it works.

Personally I admit I was a nicotine addict. I'd never touch anything with nicotine in it again. That's tickling the dragon imho.

Nicotine leaves your body fairly quick. When people say quiting is hard I say look at David Goggins. After reading his book I realised most humans are actually pussies who say things are hard but arent.

56 minutes ago, Keeps said:

So which is it? Are you saying you 'tried' it for 2 years despite it being dumb and didn't do anything for you?

You are either a liar or incredibly dumb. Quite possibly both.

Explain yourself.

I was a light smoker for 2 years. It is a dumb habit so I gave up. You always have to make it personal cause you are a coward on a keyboard. That's obvious.

If addressing teenagers, the point could be why do they start smoking in the first place.

Obviously to look cool with their peers at the first place and suddenly at one point of course, the addiction has stepped in.

But for most here, who are not really teens anymore 😁...the question is why continue to smoke ? I would humbly think it's a mix of addiction of course, but mainly the boredom. Not to forget the very cheap price of tobacco in Thailand or a few countries in Europe like Spain. I may think that it's the boredom that is harder to get rid of then the addiction per se.

I quit after xx years of intensive addiction to tobbaco, I was so addicted at a point that when during my travels, when I felt great under the shower of the nice hotel, i would keep an ashtray out of the shower on the wash sink and have a cig lit. Just to say how bad and absurd my addiction was. I read the Alan Carr book thrice, but of course did not give a damm and it did not work at first.

One day, I went to see my doctor for a minor check. He said "you still are smoking ?" I casually said yes,. The doc then said a phrase, that ignited the process to stop. He then said "but don't you wan't to enjoy your house in Thailand for as long as you can ?"

It took 2 years for his words for my addicted mind to process. I went for a hypnose session twice. It was not bad. But could not stop. Then during COVID, when I was stuck at home, could not go out, the cigarette shop closer was shut. But the pharmacy was open. Bought a set of nicotine patches that gave similar dosage as each cigarette had (see on the pack). After 24 hours, no urge. Stopped the patch and switched to the nicorette gums. But now I am addicted to the nicorette gums but hope to stop soon. 4 years now, and have not touched a cig. Twice or thrice a year, when I get the zoomies due to the full moon, I can have an urge, but it moves on fast.

If I could quit, anybody can. Yes anybody. But with a bit of help of course.

But watch as not to loose an addiction and fall into another one like I almost did. You will also put on weight and may have to watch the amount of food and what you eat. I almost got into a coca cola addiction but stopped. Also started to eat excessive ham after lunch, but also stopped that.

But my life has changed since I quit smoking. I feel 20 years younger. My mind and breath are clear. I don't have to bother carring a box of cigarettes in my shorts pockets. My heartbeat and general health feels better then when I was 20. And it's not the ladies who I service, who will not confirm the difference "felt" since I stopped...😜

And not to mention the money you save that can be spend elsewhere.

All the best...

1 hour ago, Harrisfan said:

Its not tough. Climbing Mt Everest is tough. Running 200 miles is tough. Maybe they just lack the desire. Its not rocket science. Stop buying them. Find a new hobby.

Breaking an addictive habit that's both psychological and physical is a lot harder than doing things that are coming from drive. People climb Mt. Everest every day, from teen girls to old men.

There are many who would love to quit, as everyone knows of the negatives involved in smoking or chewing tobacco. Some people, maybe 20% or so, already have an addictive personality and for them it's extremely hard to stop a habit that is not only psychological but physical.

If you haven't been there you have no idea, as some, like myself, can quit very easily, going towards healthy habits because they're already adopted. Nothing to do with desire but a crutch some can't easily escape. Drugs are drugs, and all can be hard to quit. People will beg, borrow or steal for things they're addicted to, so not buying them doesn't come into play. And some just don't want to quit.

1 minute ago, fredwiggy said:

Breaking an addictive habit that's both psychological and physical is a lot harder than doing things that are coming from drive. People climb Mt. Everest every day, from teen girls to old men.

There are many who would love to quit, as everyone knows of the negatives involved in smoking or chewing tobacco. Some people, maybe 20% or so, already have an addictive personality and for them it's extremely hard to stop a habit that is not only psychological but physical.

If you haven't been there you have no idea, as some, like myself, can quit very easily, going towards healthy habits because they're already adopted. Nothing to do with desire but a crutch some can't easily escape. Drugs are drugs, and all can be hard to quit. People will beg, borrow or steal for things they're addicted to, so not buying them doesn't come into play.

People train for years to climb Mt Everest. If a smoker tries 2 or 3 times and fails then keeps smoking they havent tried hard at all. Normally only takes 1 to 2 months to break a habit. Not drinking and chewing gum as a replacement habit makes it fairly easy.

12 minutes ago, Harrisfan said:

People train for years to climb Mt Everest. If a smoker tries 2 or 3 times and fails then keeps smoking they havent tried hard at all. Normally only takes 1 to 2 months to break a habit. Not drinking and chewing gum as a replacement habit makes it fairly easy.

See, you haven't a clue. Rank beginners climb Mt. Everest with guides. As long as you're an active person who takes some time to adjust to altitude changes and exercise regularly. Some previous altitude climbing experience is necessary for legal issues. Also have money to burn. Seasoned pros die every year. It's just another risk that millions take. If you can walk, have good legs, and can climb, you can climb Everest. It just takes longer for some.

Like I said, some people are addictive prone, and for them it's very hard to break habits, especially if they're long standing. Guessing what might work with any individual is just that. Trying cigarettes a few times can get a person started towards addiction. They start because they think it's cool, that friends or family does it, even though everyone knows the risks. What many don't know is if they'll be the ones who get addicted, as nicotine is a very strong addictive substance. Chewing gum might work for some, but many are itching to smoke anytime they get near a lit cigarette. Nicotine gum can also work for some.

2 minutes ago, fredwiggy said:

See, you haven't a clue. Rank beginners climb Mt. Everest with guides. As long as you're an active person who takes some time to adjust to altitude changes and exercise regularly. Also have money to burn. Seasoned pros die every year. It's just another risk that millions take. If you can walk, you can climb Everest. It just takes longer for some.

Like I said, some people are addictive prone, and for them it's very hard to break habits, especially if they're long standing. Guessing what might work with any individual is just that. Trying cigarettes a few times can get a person started towards addiction. They start because they think it's cool, that friends or family does it, even though everyone knows the risks. What many don't know is if they'll be the ones who get addicted, as nicotine is a very strong addictive substance. Chewing gum might work for some, but many are itching to smoke anytime they get near a lit cigarette. Nicotine gum can also work for some.

You have never smoked and sound totally clueless. Chewing gum is a great way to quit. That is what I did. I used regular gum. The habit is similar and can be done at work or home.

Training for Mount Everest requires a dedicated, structured approach over 9 to 12 months, with some experts recommending up to 2 years for optimal preparation.

Took me a month to get over cigs.

Mt Everest is way harder.

1 minute ago, Harrisfan said:

You have never smoked and sound totally clueless. Chewing gum is a great way to quit. That is what I did. I used regular gum. The habit is similar and can be done at work or home.

I have smoked, a little when I was 16. Smoked a pack with a friend in about 2 hours , got sick, and never smoked cigarettes again. I did smoke weed for many years. Take it or leave it, as I have strong will power and not an addictive personality. Some, many, do. My dad, again seeing I mentioned this, smoked all his life, with me in the house 19 years seeing him. Many of my friends and family smoke(d). As I also said, quitting is easy for some and very hard for others, and no one knows until they get into any habit.

1 minute ago, Harrisfan said:

Training for Mount Everest requires a dedicated, structured approach over 9 to 12 months, with some experts recommending up to 2 years for optimal preparation.

Took me a month to get over cigs.

Mt Everest is way harder.

Have you ever gone on personal knowledge or just look for AI to prove a point? If you read what I just wrote, you would see what I said about climbing Mt Everest. What works for you has nothing to do with what works for anyone else.

During WWI, cigarettes were considered nearly as essential as ammunition, with General John Pershing calling them as necessary as bullets to boost morale and calm nerves.

10 minutes ago, lou norman said:

During WWI, cigarettes were considered nearly as essential as ammunition, with General John Pershing calling them as necessary as bullets to boost morale and calm nerves.

They used it to help wound healing.

12 minutes ago, fredwiggy said:

Have you ever gone on personal knowledge or just look for AI to prove a point? If you read what I just wrote, you would see what I said about climbing Mt Everest. What works for you has nothing to do with what works for anyone else.

It requires extreme fitness. That takes 6 or more months. Quiting smoking takes 1 month.

Just now, Harrisfan said:

It requires extreme fitness. That takes 6 or more months. Quiting smoking takes 1 month.

It requires an active person who has money to burn and has climbed some high places before, which many could do with a little time. Quitting smoking can take one day or years, and everything in between. It all depends on how much will power a person has, and if they're one of the addictive prone people or not.

18 minutes ago, fredwiggy said:

It requires an active person who has money to burn and has climbed some high places before, which many could do with a little time. Quitting smoking can take one day or years, and everything in between. It all depends on how much will power a person has, and if they're one of the addictive prone people or not.

Its not will power. Its habit forming. Replace one habit with another. If a smoker can't quit it's because he doesn't want to. Some smokers enjoy the habit. It gives them an excuse to take a break from the world.

26 minutes ago, Harrisfan said:

They used it to help wound healing.

During World War II, British tobacco played a critical role in financing the war effort by generating massive tax revenues for the British government, essentially turning cigarette consumption into a patriotic act that funded military expenditures.

3 minutes ago, Harrisfan said:

Its not will power. Its habit forming. Replace one habit with another. If a smoker can't quit it's because he doesn't want to. Some smokers enjoy the habit. It gives them an excuse to take a break from the world.

Will power is what has people not starting a bad habit, or stopping it quickly. No matter the choice of addictive thing. Millions try chewing gum and it never works for them unless it's using nicotine gum, which gives you the addiction without the smoking effects. You don't have to choose another habit to replace the bad one, although a healthy habit can help, as it makes you think about the damage smoking does. but just rid yourself of the bad habit.

If a smoker can't quit, it's mainly because the addiction is hard to break. Smokers know it's harmful. Some don't care, and smoke because they don't want to quit. People who want to quit either do or have to fight that addiction, which is very hard for some and easier for others.

11 minutes ago, fredwiggy said:

Will power is what has people not starting a bad habit, or stopping it quickly. No matter the choice of addictive thing. Millions try chewing gum and it never works for them unless it's using nicotine gum, which gives you the addiction without the smoking effects. You don't have to choose another habit to replace the bad one, although a healthy habit can help, as it makes you think about the damage smoking does. but just rid yourself of the bad habit.

If a smoker can't quit, it's mainly because the addiction is hard to break. Smokers know it's harmful. Some don't care, and smoke because they don't want to quit. People who want to quit either do or have to fight that addiction, which is very hard for some and easier for others.

Life is daily and weekly habits. A heavy smoker is doing it 300 times a week. Breaking a habit makes you feel uncomfortable. If they stopped cold turkey that is 300 times of 5 minute breaks that dont exist anymore. They won't feel normal. So they need a new habit. Chewing normal gum or eating apples is a great way to replace it. They mimic the timeframe and action.

2 minutes ago, Harrisfan said:

Life is daily and weekly habits. A heavy smoker is doing it 300 times a week. Breaking a habit makes you feel uncomfortable. If they stopped cold turkey that is 300 times of 5 minute breaks that dont exist anymore. They won't feel normal. So they need a new habit. Chewing normal gum or eating apples is a great way to replace it. They mimic the timeframe and action.

You weren't addicted so have no idea how hard it is to quit. Some, like myself, tried an addictive substance quite a few times but never followed up, because I don't have that type of personality and also have the will power to not put things in my body I know aren't good. The more a person that has little will power and an addictive tendency does an addictive substance, the harder it is to quit. Many try replacing habits with others but just adopt new habits and keep the old ones. You know what worked for you, not what works for others.

Nicotine itself leaves the bloodstream within 1 to 3 days after the last use, with an average elimination half-life of about two hours. However, its primary metabolite, cotinine, remains detectable much longer.

• Blood: Cotinine can be detected for up to 10 days.

So the first 10 days of quiting is tough. Addiction there. After that it is more habits and how you spend those 5 minute breaks. So gum, apples, walking, nuts, grapes can be used to fill the void.

A smoker should leave those products in car, work and home

2 minutes ago, fredwiggy said:

You weren't addicted so have no idea how hard it is to quit. Some, like myself, tried an addictive substance quite a few times but never followed up, because I don't have that type of personality and also have the will power to not put things in my body I know aren't good. The more a person that has little will power and an addictive tendency does an addictive substance, the harder it is to quit. Many try replacing habits with others but just adopt new habits and keep the old ones. You know what worked for you, not what works for others.

I smoked for 2 years so I was addicted. I used gum for months. Also apples.

7 minutes ago, Harrisfan said:

I smoked for 2 years so I was addicted. I used gum for months. Also apples.

So you were addicted somewhat and stopped. This doesn't mean it's easy for anyone else, which is my point.

12 minutes ago, fredwiggy said:

So you were addicted somewhat and stopped. This doesn't mean it's easy for anyone else, which is my point.

It is easy if you form new habits that you enjoy to fill the time space. Thats the key. You can't stop cold turkey. A smoker should pick 2 or 3 new habits they enjoy to fill the gap.

1 minute ago, Harrisfan said:

It is easy if you form new habits that you enjoy to fill the time space. Thats the key. You can't stop cold turkey. A smoker should pick 2 or 3 new habits they enjoy to fill the gap.

Like the saying goes. easier said than done, as there are millions addicted to cigarettes alone, let alone other things, and most would like to quit. Some cans top cold turkey and some need professional help. Some can adopt new healthy habits, and some can't stop because it's taken them over.

Just now, fredwiggy said:

Like the saying goes. easier said than done, as there are millions addicted to cigarettes alone, let alone other things, and most would like to quit. Some cans top cold turkey and some need professional help. Some can adopt new healthy habits, and some can't stop because it's taken them over.

I talk to a smoker 3 times a week. He doesnt want to quit.