For you smokers out there.

[Krandall]

I just got this from our Health and Wellness Department... Hopefully it's a little encouragement to kick the habit.

Smoking Cessation - It's not too late!
"But I've been smoking for 20 years."

"The damage has already been done. It doesn't matter"

The truth is, it does matter. People who quit smoking tend to enjoy better health and quality of life than those who continue to smoke. Smoking cessation has immediate as well as long-term benefits.  According to the American Lung Association, individuals who stop smoking can expect the following benefits.

In one day
blood circulation increases
carbon monoxide levels in the blood decrease
heart rate and blood pressure decrease
risk of heart attack decreases

In several days to several weeks
circulation improves
energy level increases
lung function increases
coughing, sinus congestion, shortness of breath decreases

In 1 year
excess risk of coronary heart disease is decreased to half that of a smoker

Long-term benefits
stroke risk is reduced to that of a nonsmoker
risk of lung cancer drops to as little as half that of continuing smokers
risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, bladder, kidney and pancreas decrease
risk of death returns to nearly the level of a nonsmoker

[Lady4Fiddy]

I still enjoy smoking.

[kdanderson5]

I have been trying to quit just because it is so damn expensive in Iowa anymore. Almost 7 bucks a pack is a kick to the balls! It is hard to quit something you enjoy so much though!

I started using the patch crap like a week ago and have been pretty much smoke free since then (have had a few here and there) and I do notice all the benefits of not smoking (a HUGE one is realizing how bad it really smells, and makes you smell )

But I am still going with the patches. I am 26 and have been smoking for about 7 years and it is only going to get harder to quit the longer I smoke so I said it is about that time

Also anyone looking to quit and thinking about the patches, they do work pretty good. Really takes away the nic fits so you can work on stopping the habit first. I went to Wal Mart and got the equate patches (half the price of nicodermCQ and seem to work fine for me)

[Hefe]

yep.. I quit about 2 months ago..

Patches.. (Equate from Wal-Mart too)

its a bitch!

[kdanderson5]

I am struggling with the habit part of it for the most part. I drive a lot for my job, and I ALWAYS would smoke when I drove. But it is getting easier the longer I do it haha. I probably chew a pack of gum a day now instead of a pack of smokes 

[Peelz]

Take some anti-depressants, and change your Schedule a bit.

Zyban.

Take one pill a day, smoke a few a day, gradually decreasing smoking. Then go to 2 pills a day. Quitting altogether 2 weeks later. 

been about 6 years for me.

[dabigbratj]

keep it up

[Peelz]

I still enjoy smoking crack.

We know Nikki, but this is the quit smoking cigarettes thread. 

[Hefe]

I still enjoy smoking Krandall's POLE.

DAMN!!!
DUDE!!!

not the place!

[Peelz]

I still enjoy smoking Krandall's POLE.

Me First Sugar, Randy is mine!

I digress. He is all yours. 

Okay last one in this thread. I started it, I apologize. I like the intent of this thread, keep it going.

[Hefe]

good.. I am glad you see it my way!..

you can have sloppy seconds!

[Peelz]

good.. I am glad you see it my way!..

you can have sloppy seconds!

[dragonz]

Cancer cures smoking.............
or so I thought till I saw a guy the other day with a tracheotomy, smoking

[Krandall]

Grats to you peeps who quit!!!

Aaron... This would be a good thing for you too.  

freakin lil' chimney

[Lady4Fiddy]

Grats to you peeps who quit!!!

Aaron... This would be a good thing for you too.  

freakin lil' chimney

Correction... he is a "Power Smoker"