Trying to stop smoking.

[Jimmy the Celt]

Thank you all for your responses. I know I can do it, though it is tough. I use Skoal Original Wintergreen and Levi Garret Chewing Tobacco sometimes as well . . . . been struggling with that since I was 15, but I have been able to quit for a few years.

The expense is not worth it, nor the potential health issues. But I agree with Starbkjrus--you have to make your own choice--mine is to quit as soon as possible. If you want to use tobacco, by all means do so . . . but know that the warnings are real, and that it is very difficult to quit.

[wsk]

I smoked from age twelve or fifteen 'til I was twenty-five. A buddy who was a Quartermaster on the boat and I were sitting at the bar at the Dunkin' Donuts in Groton having a coffee and a smoke. Don't remember how we came to it but that day, we bet each other that we could quit. After our coffee we tossed our smokes in the rubbish bin.

I did ok for a day or so but it was a struggle. Midway through that second day I went down to the vending machine in the lobby (I was living in the barracks on base at the time). Put in my fifty cents and took the smokes back to my room.

I sat down at the table in my room. Put the pack on the table. Put my lighter on top of the pack and just stared at it.

Put the lighter on the table, picked up the pack and opened it. Put the pack on the table. Put the lighter on top of the pack and just stared at it.

Put the lighter on the table, picked up the pack and pulled out a smoke. Put the pack on the table. Put the lighter on top of the pack and fondled the cigarette.

Picked up the lighter lit the smoke. Took one hit. Put it out. Tossed the rest of the pack in the trash. That was the last cigarette twenty-seven years ago now.

This is my story which is all I can offer you.

I won the bet.