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aberdeenwriter · Jul 21, 2009, 12:37 AM

It's been 4 or 5 years since I last smoked and the cravings are long gone. But last night I dreamed I was smoking again. It felt really good. Actually, it felt great.

I'd always enjoyed smoking but I appreciate how bad it is.

In the time since I quit I have undergone two angioplasty procedures but I feel fortunate that my heart, itself, is pretty healthy.

All I'm saying is that the sensation of smoking again felt great and I wanted to share that longing with you all.

What does a pack of Marlboro's cost these days, anyway? $4.00? $5.00??

It's nuts!

But the off brands are probably only $2 and change. A pack a day habit would be about $20 a week. But that's about a third of a car payment.

YIKES!

Glad I quit but it sure felt great in my dream.

turtle777 · Jul 21, 2009, 12:45 AM

What ? You stopped smoking crack ?

Does this mean you'll behave now ?

-t

aberdeenwriter · Jul 21, 2009, 01:21 AM

Originally Posted by turtle777

What ? You stopped smoking crack ?

Does this mean you'll behave now ?

-t

Why yes. That's exactly what it means. I'm positively dull now.

Almost boring by comparison.

msuper69 · Jul 21, 2009, 01:23 AM

I quit smoking May 17, 1978.

I was a pack a day smoker, more on the weekends.

I had quit a few times before, sometimes for a few months but I would go out drinking and go right back.

I had recently been diagnosed with insulin-dependent diabetes so eventually I decided it was illogical to be injecting insulin to stay alive and at the same time smoke cigarettes which I knew to be dangerous in the long term.

Besides, the money I've saved has paid for at least one of my cars in the last 31 years.

aberdeenwriter · Jul 21, 2009, 01:26 AM

Originally Posted by msuper69

I quit smoking May 17, 1978.

I was a pack a day smoker, more on the weekends.

I had quit a few times before, sometimes for a few months but I would go out drinking and go right back.

I had recently been diagnosed with insulin-dependent diabetes so eventually I decided it was illogical to be injecting insulin to stay alive and at the same time smoke cigarettes which I knew to be dangerous in the long term.

Besides, the money I've saved has paid for at least one of my cars in the last 31 years.

Congrats!

Do you miss it at all?

msuper69 · Jul 21, 2009, 01:43 AM

Originally Posted by aberdeenwriter

Congrats!

Do you miss it at all?

Hell yes.

Seriously, I could start smoking again real easy but I'm not about to break my record!
I occasionally have dreams that I'm smoking but not too often.

So I miss it a little bit but it's not worth the trouble anymore ($5 a pack! or more! )

This is a store just north of the loop in Chicago. $7.50 a pack. And that was 2 years ago.

aberdeenwriter · Jul 21, 2009, 02:32 AM

Originally Posted by msuper69

Hell yes.

Seriously, I could start smoking again real easy but I'm not about to break my record!
I occasionally have dreams that I'm smoking but not too often.

So I miss it a little bit but it's not worth the trouble anymore ($5 a pack! or more! )

This is a store just north of the loop in Chicago. $7.50 a pack. And that was 2 years ago.

A CARTON would cost $75.00!

Smoking will become a status symbol. Only the rich can afford it.

Maflynn · Jul 21, 2009, 06:59 AM

I'm going to date myself but I remember when a pack of cigarettes cost 68¢ Quite a jump in price since the 70s wow.

mattyb · Jul 21, 2009, 07:38 AM

I haven't smoked a cigarette since the 6th of Jan this year. The other weekend I had a couple of joints and my oh my did it taste and feel good!!

Then I had a sore throat the next day.

turtle777 · Jul 21, 2009, 09:38 AM

Originally Posted by aberdeenwriter

A CARTON would cost $75.00!

Smoking will become a status symbol. Only the rich can afford it.

Ironically, you can thank Obama for that.

-t

Salty · Jul 21, 2009, 10:39 AM

I think in Manitoba it's something like 9 a pack, I've never understood how people could waste so much money on killing themselves.

OreoCookie · Jul 21, 2009, 11:46 AM

Originally Posted by turtle777

Ironically, you can thank Obama for that.

Isn't there one thing we can't thank Obama for?* Like world hunger?

* To my knowledge the states collect taxes imposed on cigarettes.

subego · Jul 21, 2009, 12:47 PM

Originally Posted by aberdeenwriter

In the time since I quit I have undergone two angioplasty procedures but I feel fortunate that my heart, itself, is pretty healthy.

Yow! That sucks. Glad everything is turning out okay!

Originally Posted by OreoCookie

* To my knowledge the states collect taxes imposed on cigarettes.

Cities and counties too. It's almost $10 a pack in Chicago, but drops as soon as you cross the border.

Shaddim · Jul 21, 2009, 02:10 PM

I smoke occasionally, I'll buy a pack whenever the mood strikes me, and it is relaxing. I suppose you could say I was hooked at one point, for 15 years I was smoking 10-20 cigs /day, but I don't do that anymore. It takes some discipline, but if you try you can enjoy then experience without falling into the habit.

Shaddim · Jul 21, 2009, 02:14 PM

Originally Posted by subego

Cities and counties too. It's almost $10 a pack in Chicago, but drops as soon as you cross the border.

Around here they went from $3 to $5 overnight. I was getting gas the morning of the price increases and I thought there was going to be a riot at the local BP.

aberdeenwriter · Jul 21, 2009, 02:14 PM

Originally Posted by subego

Yow! That sucks. Glad everything is turning out okay!

Thanks. Mee too!

It occurred to me that if I'd kicked the bucket you guys would have had no indication.

aberdeenwriter · Jul 21, 2009, 02:15 PM

Originally Posted by Maflynn

I'm going to date myself but I remember when a pack of cigarettes cost 68¢ Quite a jump in price since the 70s wow.

Ditto here re: dating myself. 29¢

aberdeenwriter · Jul 21, 2009, 02:18 PM

Originally Posted by Shaddim

I smoke occasionally, I'll buy a pack whenever the mood strikes me, and it is relaxing. I suppose you could say I was hooked at one point, for 15 years I was smoking 10-20 cigs /day, but I don't do that anymore. It takes some discipline, but if you try you can enjoy then experience without falling into the habit.

Hmmmmm. That is just what I don't need to strive for.

aberdeenwriter · Jul 21, 2009, 02:20 PM

Originally Posted by OreoCookie

Isn't there one thing we can't thank Obama for?* Like world hunger?

* To my knowledge the states collect taxes imposed on cigarettes.

And they use the money to fund anti-smoking education efforts.

aberdeenwriter · Jul 21, 2009, 02:22 PM

Originally Posted by turtle777

Ironically, you can thank Obama for that.

-t

Thank you, Obama.

aberdeenwriter · Jul 21, 2009, 02:23 PM

Originally Posted by mattyb

I haven't smoked a cigarette since the 6th of Jan this year. The other weekend I had a couple of joints and my oh my did it taste and feel good!!

Then I had a sore throat the next day.

Congratulations on quitting!

Shaddim · Jul 21, 2009, 02:30 PM

Originally Posted by aberdeenwriter

Hmmmmm. That is just what I don't need to strive for.

It's not that bad, really. Every couple months I'll buy a pack and smoke several out of it over a few days, and then throw the rest in the trash.

aberdeenwriter · Jul 21, 2009, 02:50 PM

Originally Posted by Shaddim

It's not that bad, really. Every couple months I'll buy a pack and smoke several out of it over a few days, and then throw the rest in the trash.

I'd get hooked again, I know it.

nonhuman · Jul 21, 2009, 03:01 PM

Originally Posted by Salty

I think in Manitoba it's something like 9 a pack, I've never understood how people could waste so much money on killing themselves.

Gonna die anyway, might as well spend your money on things that are enjoyable.

OreoCookie · Jul 21, 2009, 03:07 PM

Originally Posted by nonhuman

Gonna die anyway, might as well spend your money on things that are enjoyable.

Ever kissed someone who has just smoked a cigarette? Yak!

nonhuman · Jul 21, 2009, 03:16 PM

Originally Posted by OreoCookie

Ever kissed someone who has just smoked a cigarette? Yak!

Yes, and don't intend to do that ever again. Smoking's not my thing, but I don't begrudge the people who choose to do it. It's your life, do with it as you please and only for as long as you please.

mattyb · Jul 22, 2009, 05:19 AM

When I was still a smoker, I ran across the ex-smokers and always thought that they were real horses-arzes.

Now I've become one.

Anyone can smoke, as long as they are 100m away from me or if they're smoking some nice gear, then FFS offer me a toke.

Apparently the contribution (in Europe at least) via cigarette taxes to the running of a country is quite sizeable. There was also the study that smokers die quick deaths that are relatively cheap to treat, whereas non-smokers die slowly and the maladies cost most. Think that it was in the Telegraph or the Times that I read it, I'll try and find the link.

OreoCookie · Jul 22, 2009, 05:39 AM

There are other diseases that aren't necessarily deadly. My mom was a smoker for 40 years and she stopped just before last Christmas. Because she had a (mild) stroke at age 55! She was damn lucky. Two days ago, I found out, she needs heart surgery as well (they need to place a stent in one of the heart's blood vessels).* Nothing serious, but we're glad that (1) we have a good medical system here in Germany and (2) she works in a hospital (so she can hand-pick doctors).

* To be fair, it's quite likely that her former dentist (whose German license has since been revoked) is partly responsible for this.