Do you smoke cigarettes?

[MichaelCorfman]

I've been thinking about cigarette smoking this past month because we just built a web application showing the prevalence of smokefree casinos in the United States for the American Nonsmokers' Rights Foundation.

You can see the application here: www.gamingdirectory.com/smokefree/.

In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic there has been a surge in the number of gaming facilities in the U.S. that are now smokefree, usually by government regulation. At the moment is stands at about 36%.

For this week's poll I ask if you are a current or past cigarette (or tobacco) smoker, and how much you smoke. Besides voting in the poll, I invite you to share your thoughts.

Personally, I've never smoked. At this point in time I think I owe my life to that fact since I have had some heart issues, and don't believe I would still be around if I were a smoker.

Michael

[universal4]

I think one of the best decisions I ever made was to quit smoking cigarettes July 3rd 1993.

But having a few lung issues as a child and surviving a fire in the early 80's I had already damaged my lungs bad enough I had not needed to smoke for over 20 years, and I imagine my lungs are not strong enough to withstand a fight with Covid.

Rick
Universal4

[casinoportal]

I smoked from the age of 13 up until I was 26/27, the amount I smoked a day was becoming increasingly more, especially on weekends while out in the clubs. It took me 3 attempts to finally quit, but it's one of the best decisions I have also made. It's not easy and even after 12 years I still get the odd cravings, usually while drinking or after food.

[Integrity]

Personally, I've never smoked....l

You mean you've never smoked a cigarette, right?

Don't forget I have been with you in Amsterdam, Cheech...

[Anthony]

I remember Amsterdam...

[Integrity]

I remember Amsterdam...

Your Honor! The evidence speaks for itself!

Mr. Corfman, do you always wear three pairs of sunglasses???!!!

[Sherlock]

I voted for No, and never smoked.

But I smoke on average 1 cigarette per decade. It was always on LSD and always felt really great. I remember it even now after years. I am generally trying to restrict those socially acceptable hard drugs (alcohol, tobacco, THC) to bare minimum. But the cig feeling was so good and archetypical, I felt all the wagons of cigs that my father and grandfather (and all other smokers) smoked in one flashy moment [they both deceased at 56 yrs for lung cancer]. The fire gave me concentration of yoga master and it was cool af. So it was clearly a devil itself and something one has to stay away from like from gambling.

During last years I started to smoke hookah. Roughly twice a year. I hope the devil does not have me yet.

[MichaelCorfman]

Your Honor! The evidence speaks for itself!

Mr. Corfman, do you always wear three pairs of sunglasses???!!!

Your honor, to the best of my knowledge I have only worn three pairs of sunglasses once in my life. It was at a conference, where I did not smoke anything, but where I admittedly had enough to drink that my senses might be interpreted by others as being impaired. In that context the the person jokingly claiming "Integrity" as a pseudonym placed second and third pairs of sunglass on my head. I decided not to notice even though I was well aware there were shenanigans afoot. Personally, I think it would be sensible to change a certain forum member's name from Integrity to Shenanigans as fair warning to others.

Michael

[Integrity]

...I had enough to drink that my senses might be interpreted by others as being impaired....

Firstly... the careful wording of your post makes methinks you are hiding something. Second... the length of your explanation makes methinks thou doth protest too much. Then there is this:

..."Integrity" ... placed second and third pairs of sunglass on my head. I decided not to notice even though I was well aware there were shenanigans afoot.

Oh, I gotta cry bullsh-t on that one. I could have stapled and hot glued the sunglasses to your head and you would have felt no pain. Plus, we had to stop you from scheduling an Uber pickup to take you to Brussels so you could (and I quote) "Buy some sweet freekin' chocolates and crap".

And let us not forget that after we (me and my witness) carried you to the hotel and put you in your room, you emerged 4 hours later still wearing two pairs of the sunglasses, sir!

Shall I call the witnesses??? LOLOLOL!

[AussieDave]

Was born in the early 60's, and smoking was everywhere. I had Asthma, though, thankfully, grew out of it at around age 7. However, that didn't stop me smoking my first cigarette at 12. By the time I'd hit 18, I'd smoke a pkt of 20's a day. Aside from a couple of bad-flu's over the years, (where I couldn't touch a cig), I continued to smoke up to this year, when, after more than 4 decades, decided to give smoking the boot.

I've been cigarette free for about 8 months.

Kicked the habit using vape. Started on the juice with 16mg nicotine, and weened myself down to 1mg nicotine, where I'm at now. Put it this way...When I started, a 60mil bottle of vape-juice would last me a couple of days. Now... a 60mil bottle lasts 3+ weeks.

I do intend to kick the vape too. But right now, I'm still feeling a tad fragile. I'd rather continue to vape, than risk a slip up back to cigs.

Had a chest X-ray not too long ago, surprisingly, got a clean bill of health on that score card.

[casinohub]

NO, I don't)

[DaftDog]

I eventually succeeded in giving up smoking about ten years ago. I tried various methods like patches, chewing gum and others that weren't successful. Eventually I just went cold-turkey, I stayed away from social gatherings for a few months and reduced the amount of coffee I drank to keep the urges at bay. I also joined a gym to help motivate myself.

Best decision of my life.

[drifter8]

I stopped smoking 10 years ago.

I was very addicted to this habbit - 3 packs per day and terrible coughing all the day and night.

One of the best decisions in my life.

[GPWA Maria]

Does passive smoking counts as a being a smoker? my husband has been a heavy smokers since young. I can not tell you all the times I had to argued and beg him to stop. 29 years if this ;-(

It is such a horrible addiction ;-(

[Juan Roman]

I've never smoked, and I'm so glad that most persons very close to me do not smoke either. But, hats off to anyone who managed to quit smoking, I know it takes a great deal of character and restraint.

[Strider1973]

I've stopped smoking 8 years ago, right after BAC 2012 on Oct 15.
It took me many tries to finally succeed.
And I was still dependent on nicotine for about 6 years (chewing gums, nicotine candy and then I got used to snus for many years). I've finally stopped with snus at the end of last year, so I've been nictorine-free this year.

I think it really depends on what kind of "addictive" person you are. I'm not the person who can consume "just a little bit" of nicotine (or of other things). I just have to quit completely, or otherwise I go back to the old habits very soon.

[Topboss]

Am I the only smoker left here???

I have quit a few times, and once even lasted for 9 months and out of the blue one day just lit up a cigarette as though i had never stopped!!

Very silly thing to do!!

[PromoteCasino]

I have never smoked ciggies, as just being around the smoke makes me choke then and today still.

But I did try to smoke a twig when I was 13. It came from a tree/shrub that had on the inner part with what looked like a filter.

The things you do when you are young and dumb.

[Cash Bonus]

I used to smoke in my early twenties, but I couldn't keep it up as I started to suffer from nausea and almost constantly feeling light-headed and just generally unwell.

It's not worth it.

Too many people are falling victim to cancer and dying.

My uncle died in 1993 from lung cancer because he was a heavy smoker and he was in so much pain and suffering. It's very sad.

[AussieDave]

Am I the only smoker left here???

I have quit a few times, and once even lasted for 9 months and out of the blue one day just lit up a cigarette as though i had never stopped!!

Very silly thing to do!!

I thought I'd never kick the cigs. Like others, tried everything. My habit was so bad, I'd basically resolved myself to thinking I'd always smoke. Dave.S (webzcas) suggest I try vaping. Like myself he was a heavy smoker. But vape saved him. I gave it go, and, it worked. If you desire to stop but just need that extra help in doing so, then I can highly recommend give vape a go

Most vape stores will add nicotine for you. It's not legal to do so here in AU, but they do it on the sly.

If you can't purchase juice with the nicotine already added in NZ, then that's an option for you. You can also purchase pharmaceutical nicotine from the USA (don't buy from China)... and mix it up yourself. Though, I'd rather pay the bit extra to get the vape store to do it.

This is merely just a suggestion... If your happy smoking, then continue