I smoked a cigarette today. What does that mean? HELP!!

[Warm & Fuzzy]

Hey guys,

I need some advice. I am 21 years old, never TOUCHED a cigarette in my life, drug-free. But just about 30 or so minutes ago, I started kicking a cigarette box I saw lying on the ground (and there are MANY of those lying around in the city). I also like to kick things every once in a while whilst walking. Unbeknownst to me, there was a new cigarette in the box. Somebody must have dropped it, or mistaken it for an empty box. So I bend down to pick it up, and suddenly got the "urge" to smoke. Just a reminder that I have never picked up a cigarette before, and have always been an anti-smoker, and detest the smell of it, too.

I run home, excited almost, a little anxious, a little upset, kind of stressed--all at once. I grab a box of matches that I've never used before, but I have in my possession in case I need to light a candle or something. I run downstairs, stepped around the corner to a foreign street that I hardly ever go on, lit a match, and just...started smoking. Just like that. And I liked it too, which is the scary part.

Now, I really don't want this to happen again, but I'm really afraid that this might run out of hand. Sure, it's just one. But isn't one, enough to get someone hooked? Especially if he/she liked it? And I'm known to be susceptible to getting hooked on things. Please help. Why did I just do that? Am I just having a hard time right now, or what?

[ponytail]

I have never smoked a day in my life so I don't know how it feels. But I know the damage that it does. I had relatives who ended up carrying a oxygen tank where ever they went. My brother is a chain smoker. There are some people I know who love to smoke and it calms them down. You can't make someone quit, they have to do it on their own. I pray to God you stop right now. Good luck!

[spunkygirl]

I think you could possibly get hooked on them, be very careful

[Max Whittaker]

Originally Posted by Warm & Fuzzy

Hey guys,

I need some advice. I am 21 years old, never TOUCHED a cigarette in my life, drug-free. But just about 30 or so minutes ago, I started kicking a cigarette box I saw lying on the ground (and there are MANY of those lying around in the city). I also like to kick things every once in a while whilst walking. Unbeknownst to me, there was a new cigarette in the box. Somebody must have dropped it, or mistaken it for an empty box. So I bend down to pick it up, and suddenly got the "urge" to smoke. Just a reminder that I have never picked up a cigarette before, and have always been an anti-smoker, and detest the smell of it, too.

I run home, excited almost, a little anxious, a little upset, kind of stressed--all at once. I grab a box of matches that I've never used before, but I have in my possession in case I need to light a candle or something. I run downstairs, stepped around the corner to a foreign street that I hardly ever go on, lit a match, and just...started smoking. Just like that. And I liked it too, which is the scary part.

Now, I really don't want this to happen again, but I'm really afraid that this might run out of hand. Sure, it's just one. But isn't one, enough to get someone hooked? Especially if he/she liked it? And I'm known to be susceptible to getting hooked on things. Please help. Why did I just do that? Am I just having a hard time right now, or what?

My situation is similar, in that I hate smoking and only tried it once. I was very drunk and someone offered me a drag... I took it and thought I'd move on.

A few days later a very sober me was offered a cigarette, and I was overcome with an incredible, powerful urge to smoke it. I took it home with me and debated with myself for a long time and finally broke the vial thing and threw it in the trash.

So that's the story in a nutshell. I only took a single drag. But I've never felt such an incredible hunger for something I knew was wrong for me, as I did that second night. I imagine it's something like a regular smoker would feel, but I was alarmed that it only took one puff to make me feel that way.

Maybe I'm unique, but unfortunately, it doesn't take much...

[Theda Bara]

I am a former smoker. My advice is to never smoke another cigarette again; it is very, very, and I mean..VERY easy to become addicted to smoking. The next time you see a pack of cigarettes, instead of walking away, run! You will thank me later. And, besides, it is not only smells, it stains your teeth, ruins your clothes and your skin, ages you, YOU STINK, it is so unappealing, it gives you cancer, it is expensive, it gives you cancer, most men I know think women that smoke is very unattractive, it gives you cancer, I mean, is there more than I can say? It is gross, expensive and a hellacious habit to break.

[ABlairican Pie]

Give it up quickly. Drug experts say that nicotine is over 100 times more addicting than heroin. The whole point is that tobacco companies put enough nicotine to make you WANT to smoke more. They don't intend to have you smoke moderately (even though some may, but why take that chance?).

It's a very expensive, destructive habit. I gave it up in 1996 and began to work out at a fitness center (which I need to do again).

[Schmoopie]

Wow, very scary. I would say that if you start having urges again maybe talk to your doctor. I doubt those stop smoking devices would work on someone who has only had one cigarette. That is precisely the reason that I have never tried smoking. It has never appealed to me, just the thought of it, but I know that if I tried it, I might "realize" why so many millions of people love it. I am not exaggerating when I say that probably 50% of my office smokes. That is really sad.

The incredibly sad part is that I have lost my aunt, my stepdad and a supervisor (very, very nice man, great sense of humor) to smoking. My aunt and the supervisor both had lung cancer and my stepdad had respiatory failure. My aunt and stepdad died within 5 days of each other in Dec 06/Jan 07. The supervisor died in Feb of 08. All three of these people were in their 50's.

I have always worried that my little brother would start smoking, and several years ago my husband went to a club to see him play with his band. He called me and told me that he saw my brother holding a cigarette. When I heard that, I honestly cried for fear that I would lose him someday. I don't think any harm was done, and maybe he was really holding it for someone, but I think he had tried it.

Congrats on quitting, ABlarican Pie!

BTW, I overheard my boss and a coworker talking about those electric cigarettes. Have you guys heard about those? I saw a kiosk for these at the mall on Sunday. Totally weird...

[ABlairican Pie]

Originally Posted by Schmoopie

Congrats on quitting, ABlarican Pie!

BTW, I overheard my boss and a coworker talking about those electric cigarettes. Have you guys heard about those? I saw a kiosk for these at the mall on Sunday. Totally weird...

I was addicted off and on for years. I thought I would never break the habit, and fortunately, cigs weren't as expensive in the mid-90's as they are now. Back then it was around $2.50 a pack if you went to the right places. When I moved into a large house with other renters, I kind of got sick
of their crappy generic brands, which helped me to want to drop the ones I smoked, either Camel or Marbora, completely cold turkey. It is hard, but it can be done. The sooner you do it, the easier it is.

Oh yeah, my supervisors have gotten on that "electric" cigarettes kick. I thought it was completely ironic, that for signs posted around the office saying NO SMOKING and SMOKING IS PROHIBITED, they would get the message, but this electric cig thing is where they aren't exhaling smoke fumes, but vapor--and I'm still thinking, is this right for them to do, is it just a way for them to "get away with it"? And is it really healthy and "safe" as it looks. Doubtful. I'm against smoking, I have had no interest, and I wish people would abide by the rules at work and at the office. I guess we both know the rules around Seattle, no smoking within 25 feet of building entrances--but do people go by that? NOOOOOOOOO. I hate it when these idiots do it around the Metro bus shelters. WE
NONSMOKERS have to put up with it.

[Vito]

I hope you've overcome your urge to smoke, W&F. Cigarette smoking will increase your risk factors for cancer, heart disease, and other yucky stuff. Also, it can aggravate health problems (allergies, asthma, bronchitis, and other respiratory ailments) for the non-smokers who are unfortunate enough to inhale your secondhand smoke.

Also, I'm concerned that you smoked a cigarette that you FOUND ON THE SIDEWALK. Okay, it was still in the box, and it appeared to be "new", but...didn't yo' momma teach you not to eat things that you picked up off the ground?

[spunkygirl]

I honestly don't know how people afford cigarettes, I know I couldn't even if I did smoke. The cost alone would make me want to quit

[Vito]

Originally Posted by ZKS

I honestly don't know how people afford cigarettes, I know I couldn't even if I did smoke. The cost alone would make me want to quit

I agree.

My across-the-street neighbors have four smokers in the house -- father, mother, and two adult children. The dad, the mom, and the son each smoke two packs a day, and the daughter smokes one pack. So between the four of 'em, they smoke seven packs a day, which I guess would total...what, close to $1,000 a month on cigarettes?

The dad always complains to me about how he can't afford an air conditioner, which is a must-have here in Southern California. If they all stopped smoking, they could easily afford one.

Definitely not the smartest family in the neighborhood, that's for sure!

[Schmoopie]

Originally Posted by ABlairican Pie

:t I guess we both know the rules around Seattle, no smoking within 25 feet of building entrances--but do people go by that? NOOOOOOOOO. I hate it when these idiots do it around the Metro bus shelters. WE NONSMOKERS have to put up with it.

OMG, I HATE that! When I am standing there waiting for the bus and some moron comes over with a cigarette! I move as FAR away as possible. I feel like they are invading my clean air. How sad that smokers are taking away others' clean air. My grandmother smoked for years and the smoke never bothered me but since this smoking ban (and everyone who was smoking before indoors has been forced outside now), cigarette smoke truly makes me ill. I can smell it from a mile away. Seriously.

My husband and I used to go to this restaurant in Lynnwood (WA) and they would allow people to smoke right outside the front door under the awning! I always found that insane! I was going to complain because the employees were allowed to smoke out there as well. That means that anyone coming in or out of that restaurant is going to have to walk through all that gross cigarette smoke before entering or leaving the building!

Ablerican, I had totally forgotten that you live in my part of the world! What city are you in?

Andrea

[Vito]

Originally Posted by Schmoopie

Cigarette smoke truly makes me ill. I can smell it from a mile away. Seriously.

You're not the only one, Schmoop. Cigarette smoke makes me feel seriously ill, and I can detect it from long distances away. My older sister has the same problem, so maybe it sort of runs in the family.

California, Washington, and Oregon actually have a very low percentage of smokers compared to the other U.S. states (I'm pretty sure West Virginia and Kentucky have the highest), so I guess you and I are lucky. But any amount of secondhand cigarette smoke is too much for me.

[Lodee]

Originally Posted by Vito

Also, I'm concerned that you smoked a cigarette that you FOUND ON THE SIDEWALK. Okay, it was still in the box, and it appeared to be "new", but...didn't yo' momma teach you not to eat things that you picked up off the ground?

Yeah, I think I'd be a little more concerned about the finding it on the ground thing too.

[Schmoopie]

Originally Posted by Lodee

Yeah, I think I'd be a little more concerned about the finding it on the ground thing too.

Yuch!!! I'm sorry but that's sickening to me.