Thread: To smoke or not?

Ahh, guys, where to start? From the beginning, I guess. Secure can probably verify.

I used to be a tobacco fiend. Both parents were heavy smokers. Most adults in my family were. I smoked my first cigarette at age ten and was a sneak smoker throughout school. I came out of the "smoker's closet" in college. For most of my adult life thereafter I was a 1-1.5 pack per day cigarette smoker.

I loved tobacco. I also would occasionally dip and chew, and I acquired an impressive cigar collection. Through travel and Gerard Pare, my collection was at one point close to 5,000 cigars, about half of them Cuban. I had Cuban cigarettes, Cambodian cheroots, Indian bidis, proper British snuff. I think you all get the picture.

About six years ago, I recognized the damage I was doing to myself and gave up all tobacco. I threw out the cigarettes, gave away the cigars and have been craving-free.

However, there's a part of me that feels like, "Hey, you've beat the addiction. You could go back and smoke an occasional cigar." and another part of me that really fears doing so. I guess I kind of know the answer to my question. Actually, being a doctor, I'm sure I do.

That said, have any of you come back to cigars after having been very heavy smokers and not had issues with wanting to get fully back into the habit? Anyone have any good stories in this regard?

From having family that smokes, quit, and has smoked on and off, I don't think isn't a good idea for you to have the occasional cigar. With a love of and previous wiring of tobacco addiction, you will find yourself having more and more cigars with shorter and shorter intervals.

I like to think of it as heroin with a dope fiend as they have similar addiction strength. Think about it, if the junky kicks the stuff and is healthy for a long time, but says to himself, I will have just the occasional fix. . . that's not how it works, and that person will become a junkie again

These are just my thoughts on the matter, you can do whatever you like

I think for 99+% of people, probably including myself, you're absolutely right, jib.

I think once you kick the habit you should never look back! Be delighted that you have moved on.

Don't go back. Transfer your addiction to something positive. Working out, reading, ect.

Sounds like you had one hell of an impressive cigar collection though! Props to that. Any pics?

I smoke and want to quit soo bad..Please dont do it!