SMOKING

[johnfowles]

To all ex smokers (and any one still addicted), do read an article in yesterday's UK Daily Telegraph
I specified UK becasuse there is a similarly entitled publication down under I found
The article at:-
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main...C-new_01062007

is boldly headed
"£80 fine for dropping a cigarette butt"
and advises that
"Smokers will be liable for an £80 on-the-spot fine for stubbing out cigarettes in the street when the smoking ban comes into force across England on July 1"
and
"The litter fines of up to £80 come on top of the possible £50 fines that smokers will be hit with if they are caught smoking inside public places."
"When the ban comes into force smokers will no longer be able to light up in pubs, bars and restaurants, although there is much confusion about the exact details."
But fear not there are ways to get around this ban that on the face of it is a bit beyond the no smoking in public places ban
now in effect in New York and New Jersey (except in the latter's case the casinos of Atlantic City) the article does admit that
"Apart from prison cells, oil rigs and submarines there will be few places indoors where smokers can enjoy cigarettes in peace."
So any UK fans who still smoke had better become a convict an oil driller or a submariner!!"
thre article opines:-
"Sales of personal ashtrays that can be slipped into a pocket are expected to take off following the ban."
As one who was forced to give up whilst in hospital in 2000 (after an enjoyable and frustrating 40 year career as a medium to heavy smoker) I joined the legions of ex-smokers who have a smug "holier than thou" attitude and am just very thankful and applaud these measures to stamp out this silly addiction
Be well warned I am aboot 120% certain that excessive inhAlation of CarboN Monoxide caused my stroke in 2000



You get the message(s)??

[Kathy in Michigan]

I also am a reformed smoker (almost 15 years after smoking for 25). But I try not to go there if you know what I mean. How much is the fine in US dollars for those of us who are not world travelers?

[Bard'sFan]

My Husband and I live in Austria, and just spent an extended (4-day) weekend in Northern Italy. In Austria, they just recently added the ruling that restaurants need to have a NO Smoking section. But most of the time this isn't very effective as the smoke travels, and in Austria no one pays much attention (yet) to this new ruling. In Italy, the law exists that there is NO smoking in ANY building, anywhere. Fines are also very hefty for those who do not heed. It was great! Meals were much more enjoyable & I never had to flee from a smoke-filled room!

[charlene]

NO SMOKING is the law here in Ontario..unless you are in an open park or outside somewhere.
I love it.

But I do love the folks who follow those laws but then light up in the car with their kids who are strapped into their carseats and have no escape..
good grief...

I just wish Gord would give it up. I think it would help put a little meat on his bones and strengthen his lungs. I was a smoker for 15 years, and I think it's been about 15 years since I gave it up. It took me three times, but remember what the tobacco companies say, "It's not addictive." Still, about four times a year, I'll get an absolutely overpowering hunger for a cigarette. It passes after about two minutes.

You have to give it up for you - but if Gord can't give it up for himself, I wish he'd give it up for his kids. My mom died begging for a cigarette. It shortened her life. I hope his kids don't have to go through that!

[RM]

Since I'm burdened with dial-up internet speed, I don't have the patience to track down the exact info. A while back a study from a university came out stating that from the years 1998 to 2002 the amount of nicotine in cigarettes increased 10%. The tobacco companies blamed it on the tobacco crops they were using.

[Bard'sFan]

==============================================
Since I'm burdened with dial-up internet speed, I don't have the patience to track down the exact info. A while back a study from a university came out stating that from the years 1998 to 2002 the amount of nicotine in cigarettes increased 10%. The tobacco companies blamed it on the tobacco crops they were using.
==============================================

I found the article on "The Official Website of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts":

http://www.mass.gov/Eeohhs2/docs/dph..._factsheet.pdf

.... and it has been used / picked up by a ton of other agencies and organizations including the Washington Post...

[louisemnnpls]

Originally posted by skpade012977:
I just wish Gord would give it up. I think it would help put a little meat on his bones and strengthen his lungs. I was a smoker for 15 years, and I think it's been about 15 years since I gave it up. It took me three times, but remember what the tobacco companies say, "It's not addictive." Still, about four times a year, I'll get an absolutely overpowering hunger for a cigarette. It passes after about two minutes.

You have to give it up for you - but if Gord can't give it up for himself, I wish he'd give it up for his kids. My mom died begging for a cigarette. It shortened her life. I hope his kids don't have to go through that!

[louisemnnpls]

OOPS! Just added a repley with no body to it.(Above)
My apologizies. Just a bit of feedback. My husband has smoked for 48 years now, and has tried absolutely everything to give up smoking.
He has tried everyting the doctors have recommened, and whatever he could find on his own. He quit in the hospital, with the patch, but as soon as he got out the door, (literally, we were right at the front door), he light up and had two cigarettes. He only stopped because he
"Flatlined", right in front of the hospital doors. Good timing, if one wanted to go on living. Eh??! But, alas, he is still smoking!!
Didn't know that Gord was still smoking. too.

Can't imagine how hard it is to get off of it......probably harder than alcohol.

What terrible things we do to our bodies.

[johnfowles]

Originally posted by louisemnnpls:
OOPS! Just added a repley with no body to it.(Above)
My . My husband has smoked for 48 years now, and has tried absolutely everything to give up smoking.
He has tried everyting the doctors have recommened, ! But, alas, he is still smoking!!

Louise believe me I am full of sympathy for your husband.
I tried several million times to quit over a 40 year smoking habit. I finally involuntarily gave up after a few
all-night working sessions back in January 2000 when I recall feverishly chain smoking until I reckon the resulting
dangerous level of either carbon monoxide and/or nicotine caused my apparently inherited clot-liable blood to block
one of my neck arteries thereby killing a largish area of my brain's right side.
Unfortunately that side controls ones left body side and I was left handed hence my left side became partially
paralysed, and I am now reduced to trying to read my right hand's poor ability to write legibly. Plus use just my
right index finger to type.The good news was however that an enforced 3 months in hospital learning how to walk again
etc kept me off the cigarettes, I had however by then evaluated the
Nicorette inhaler system

"The nicotine inhaler allows you to mimic the hand-to-mouth motions of smoking"
A small picture of the kit as found on:-
http://www.ohiohealth.com/strokecent...etail&ref=1510
And I must say that I found that by using it I was able to reliably get a very realistic nicotine "buzz" that stopped the craving.
I think the fact that it gives you something to hold and suck on completes the illusion in ones mind.I am not sure if these may be obtained in the States though that Ohio Health article does say:-
"The inhaler is available by prescription under the brand name Nicotrol."
If not it is readily available in the UK and googling for it produces some sources in Australia.
Whatever I can thoroughly recommend it, but I must repeat what my UK hospital's stroke unit doctor told me when I
admitted to using it, which was a strong warning to the effect that the actual absorption of the nicotine feed in my
case could lead to further blood clotting trouble.Suitably scared at that point I was able to make the final break.
and am delighted to say that 7 years later I never get an urge to smoke again.
As for Gord it has been suggested that it may well be that in his case stopping this crutch might cause more harm than good.
This has been a public service health advisory posting from
John Fowles Bt
In the hope it might help others to save money and their life

I smoked for 15 years and it took me a good three times to quit. It's now been 15 plus years since I quit. I can't BELIEVE how expensive that habit is! Anyway, everybody's got to find their own way to do it: the point is, just don't give up! I went on a saddleback trip and started hiking so I wouldn't be tempted. You're lucky, John, that you don't have any cravings. I get an overwhelming urge for a cigarette about three or four times a year, but it passes after about a minute or so. Luckily, when I have a drink, I don't get a craving like so many people do. As John says, I hope my experience helps somebody! My mom and dad both died from complications due to cigarette smoking, and one person with whom I work smokes - when she's not coughing, she's smoking outside. My next door neighbor of over 30 years also constantly coughs due to her habit. It's so sad to see people you are close to continuing to smoke and being in denial, saying the cough is due to allergies, or asthma, or whatever! Best of luck to any of those who are trying. :D