quitting cigs, keeping cigars?

[floydpink]

Is this possible?

For the last 3 years I have resolved to kick the cigarrette habit and made it 3 months last year.

Problem is I always take a vacation and figure I will smoke cigs for the week and quit. Never works.

I am wondering if anyone has ever success with this?

My gut tells me to give up both until the cravings go away them ease back intot he cigars in a couple weeks.

I have made it all day and not missed the cigs too bad besides a couple cravings and am chewing the nic gum.

Thansk for any insight from those who have travelled this rocky road....

[MajorCaptSilly]

If you can handle it, try nasal snuff. It gives quite the nicotine kick and I find it more flavorful than smoking cigarettes. If you want something that is cigar-like try any of the Kendal Browns.

MCS

[The Professor]

I successfully gave up smoking cigarettes and kept smoking cigars and pipe over a year ago. No patch or gum ... just quit the cigarettes. I think the key is that you've really got to come to terms with quitting for good. I've found that there is no such thing as "just one." The other two things that were central to my success were:

1. Quitting with friends. It really helps to have a network of friends that can hold each other accountable and support one another in the process.

2. Start exercising. I started going to the gym daily. As the smoke cleared out of my lungs, I found the exercise more and more rewarding. This also helped counter the weight gain that often accompanies quitting smoking.

You can do this!!!!!

[The Professor]

If you can handle it, try nasal snuff. It gives quite the nicotine kick and I find it more flavorful than smoking cigarettes. If you want something that is cigar-like try any of the Kendal Browns.

MCS
And as an alternative to snuff, try snus. You don't have to sniff it and it packs a mean nic wallop. :tu

[nozero]

I wish you the best whether you quit both or just cigs. I won't tell you it's easy, but it can be done.

:tu

[floydpink]

Thanks guys, and MCS, who is this Doo Doo Brown you speak of?

[Jay Hemingway]

this is my new year resolution as well.

[68TriShield]

My wife and I quit September 30 2007.You just have to decide to do it,like the Professor said.
You can do it...period

[DMK]

It can be done. I quit cigs two yrs. ago last Aug. I'd been smoking cigs since I was 9....
I just got sick of the damn things, terrible taste and the cost constantly going up....
I didn't tell anyone I was quitting as the @$$es I work with are horrible at sabotage...

[acruce]

I smoked cigarettes for 10 years.I went to visit my wifes family one summer and didn't smoke while was there so I figured I would just quit. It has been about 15 years now that I stopped.I didn't find it to hard to stop . The first few week were hard but after that it wasn't to bad. Good luck!

[MajorCaptSilly]

You can get a free tin of snus here:

http://www.getsnus.com/index.asp

You just pay a buck for shipping. Snus is like chew except you don't have to spit.

If you want to try some nasal snuff, PM me your address and I'll send you some to try.

MCS

[cricky101]

I quite cigarettes 15 months ago after about 12 years of smoking. I had to completely get rid of all of my "triggers" for about a month, which included alcohol and coffee.

I didn't alter my cigar smoking at all because even it I had wanted them to, they don't act as a cigarette replacement. It's a very different kind of satisfaction (which I'm sure you're familiar with already).

It has gotten a lot easier but I still get cravings for a cigarette once in a while, especially when I'm on a long drive, or having a drink with other smokers.

[qwerty1500]

Also quit September 30, 2007. Unfortunately, I still haven't shook the nicotine lozenges ... still eating them like candy ... but absolutely no desire to pick up a cigarette. I have found that I enjoy the taste of cigar much more since I quit cigarettes.

[Smokin Gator]

I quit smoking cigarettes May 21 of this past year and have not had even one. I got hypnotized and it really was pretty easy. I didn't think that was possible after smoking and loving cigarettes for 25+ years. I didn't smoke any cigars either for a couple of months and I can say they taste even better now. I have no cravings for cigarettes at all.

Best of luck to you brother...

[Don Fernando]

I smoked about 30 cigarettes a day, quit cold turkey, had no problems with it at all, even though I worked as a bartender and everybody kept offering me cigarettes. it's just a state of mind, just say no, it's not that hard.

But in my case, I wasn't smoking cigars back them, so I don't know what it is to stop smoking cigarettes and keep on smoking cigars.

[floydpink]

You can get a free tin of snus here:

http://www.getsnus.com/index.asp

You just pay a buck for shipping. Snus is like chew except you don't have to spit.

If you want to try some nasal snuff, PM me your address and I'll send you some to try.

MCS

Thanks man, but that might be one more thing I have to try to kick.

Right now, I have my hands full trying to get off the cigarettes and strip club visits at lunch, which have me pretty viced up.

[karmaz00]

keep it up...

[barbourjay]

it can be done. i started smoking when i was 12. i stopped 2 years ago this month. i was anywhere from a pack to a pack and a half a day. i stopped with cigars for a little bit to break myself of the nicotine. i did it cold turkey but it was also my 10+ time of trying to quit. it was hardest when i was out drinking with friends but that slowly went away with time.

[renton20]

I quit back in may with the help of some great brothers from the board, Joel(yourchoice) was especially helpful. Quitting with another person was key for me. As was mentioned exercise was extremely helpful as well. I started chewing toothpicks for quite a while after I quit. At one point I was going through a few dozen a day. I don't know if you pray at all but that was one of the biggest helps to me in the first couple of months.

Although I didn't use gum or the patch my cigar intake increased drastically after I quit. I used them to help me taper down my nicotine habit. The longer I stayed quit the less and less I had time to smoke cigars, this was good at the time as I had no desire to become addicted to cigars.

Today I smoke a few cigars a week and have no physical addiction to nicotine anymore. I still do crave cigarettes sometimes but it is a million times better than before. I feel better, cigars taste better and I no longer wheeze walking up a flight of stairs.

Hope this helps bud, best of luck in your efforts. It's hard as hell and it sucks sometimes, but it is completely worth it.

[SilverFox]

While it was a looooong time ago. I quite cigs cold turkey after 15 years of smoking 2 packs a day. I found I had to be careful with my cigars as I was tempted to inhale just a little bit.

It can be done and it is worth it. Give it a shot, if it doesn't work try again, one thing for sure there is no harm in trying to quite.

I never had the issues with Nicotine that a lot of folks have so maybe I was fortunate.

[Starscream]

I've been cigarette free for two and 1/2 years now. It's tough to quit. Good luck to you!:tu

[ChasDen]

Do the math!

As a 20+ year cigarette smoker it came down to math not health.
When I quite I was up to almost 3 packs a day.
At the time best price around was $3.75 - $4.00 a pack. 2.75 packs a day,
365 days a year = 1004 packs a year. That’s $3,800 to $4,000 a year.
At $4000.00 that’s $330+ a month.

I need a car so instead of smoking I drive this:

http://www.premiumsedan.com/includes/images/Cadillac_Seville/2002CS.jpg

I bought it used so there was even enough left over for insurance :D

Give yourself a reason to work for it, it is work to quit.
But if the reward is worth it you will succeed.
I did it cold turkey, no patch or gum but I still smoked my pipe occasionally.
I did not take up smoking cigars on a regular basis until almost 2 full years of not smoking.

Good luck and like mentioned before if you are not truly ready it will be hard.

Chas

[MadAl]

I've done it so it is possible! Good luck!

[floydpink]

Thanks for all the great support, which I think helps.

Still, has anyone kicked the cigs while continuing to smoke cigars?

Last night, after a day of chewing gum and completely smoke free living, sitting on the porch and lighting up a great cigar seemed extra great.

This is my 10th or so attempt, but it feels different this time, like I can do it.

I think my biggest inspiration is my 4 year old daughter.

I will never forget holding my father's hand as he lay in bed suffering through his final days of cancer. Imagining my little girl going through that gives me the chills.

[Starscream]

This is my 10th or so attempt, but it feels different this time, like I can do it.

I tried to quit multiple times, but the final try that worked "felt different". That's a very good sign.

As far as quitting and smoking cigars, I'd say that's an advantage for you. You can still get nicotine from the cigars if you have withdrawals. Also try sunflower seeds. If you feel the craving for a cigarette, pop a handfull of sunflower seeds instead.

[The Professor]

Still, has anyone kicked the cigs while continuing to smoke cigars?

Like I said in the third post in this thread, yes. I kept smoking cigars and pipe while I was quitting cigarettes on September 30, 2007 (notice how that date pops up for several of us in this thread). It was probably my 10th or 12th time trying to quit; but like you're saying, it "felt different" for me this time. Run with that feeling ... it means you're ready to quit.

Just DON'T EVER TOUCH ANOTHER CIGARETTE AGAIN. There is NEVER "just one."

:gl

[jjirons69]

I will never forget holding my father's hand as he lay in bed suffering through his final days of cancer. Imagining my little girl going through that gives me the chills.

That, my friend, should run through your mind every time you think of a cigarette!!! I quit cold turkey 13 years ago after 12-14 years of smoking. Here's how I did it:

1) Don't buy cigarettes. If you don't have them, you don't smoke them. Don't bum them, either. Think of your daughter.

2) If your spouse smokes, have her quit with you. Then...think of your daughter.

3) Smoking is a habit. I eat bag after bag of sunflower seeds while driving long distances or sitting around at night bored. Keep your mind, mouth, and fingers active with other things. Then think of your daughter's kids.

4) For the first few months, stay away from places you used to like to smoke...bars, strip clubs, etc. You can go back eventually, but give it a while. Go places with your daughter.

5) Remember drinking and the dissolution of memory. If drinking, make it a point to not smoke, no matter what. Do this before you start drinking and continue to tell yourself you won't. If all else fails, think of your daughter.

The first 3-6 months are the absolute worst and you have to accept that. Don't dwell on it and pick up some other hobbies, etc. to keep your mind preoccupied. It gets easier then it goes away. Also, you have to realize that you will never, ever be able to smoke cigarettes again. Ever. One smoke erases all your hard work. You have to hate cigarettes and the best way to hate them is to analyze how much they cost, how they negatively impact your health, how they rob you of time to spend on the earth. After a while, you'll hate them.

When all else fails...pull out that picture and smile at your little girl. She wants you around for a long time!!!

[Lucky_Hippo]

I wish you luck Bro.

When I gave up ciggs I gave up everything for about a year and a half to two years. I just thought it was much easier without any crutches to fall back on. Everyone is different though so find what works for you and run with it. I used to keep a new pack of cigs on top of the fridge. About a month and a half into quitting I got a craving so strong I almost broke down. Instead I opened the pack and ran them under water. You'll reach a turning point where a decision has to be made. Stand strong!


Best wishes.

P.s - I also chewed on stir straws at work and at the bar when my friends were smoking.

[PeteSB75]

I quit smoking cigarettes about 4 months ago. I've been only very occasionally smoking cigars(1-2 month) since then, just because I had tried several times before over the last couple of years and continued smoking cigars regularly, which led me back to the cigarettes. I think I might almost be ready to go back to regular cigar smoking soon. Maybe after the winter is over.

Basically what it comes down to, at least for me, is the decision to quit. It needs to be your decision, not what anyone else tells you needs to be done. Anything else and you will sabotage yourself.

Just on another note, Nicotene is fully purged from your system within 72 hours. So, 3 days after you actually quit, you are done with PHYSICAL cravings. After that, it's just breaking the old habits/associations.

[Starscream]

Just DON'T EVER TOUCH ANOTHER CIGARETTE AGAIN. There is NEVER "just one."

:gl

:tpd::tpd::tpd::tpd:

[Cigary]

It can be done. I quit cigs two yrs. ago last Aug. I'd been smoking cigs since I was 9....
I just got sick of the damn things, terrible taste and the cost constantly going up....
I didn't tell anyone I was quitting as the @$$es I work with are horrible at sabotage...

Ditto this. I quit the cigs and kept smoking cigars and don't deal with the hacking in the mornings like I did with cigarettes.

[floydpink]

well, I have made it 48 hours and the hardest part has been after lattes in the morning and the drive to work.

Another 24 hours and supposedly the physical part is past and the rest is mental.

I've been chewing the gum and think I've got it this time.

Great help from great brothers here..

[:eevis]

Just DON'T EVER TOUCH ANOTHER CIGARETTE AGAIN. There is NEVER "just one."

:gl

Learning this one again :bh Should have listen to my gut. Time to quit again, as I became a weekend smoker again!

[ashmaster]

I am happy to say I am no longer a smoker of cigarettes. After smoking them for 33 years, I quit "cold turkey" Jan 9th of last year (one year anniversary coming up) and have not looked back.

I had been planning it for about 3 months and when Jan 9th came, I quit. I knew in order to be successful I would need to quit drinking beer (ouch). I knew this was a major trigger and didn't want/need the temptation. I did have a couple of beers about 4 months ago and the urge came back, so "no mas". As far as my cigar intake it remained the same during the this period.

Overall I have to say it was easier than I thought it was going to be. Besides, food take better, cigars taste better, cloths smell better, and bottom line I feel better.

So for all of you that have quit recently.....Congratulations, keep it up. If your considering it, challenge yourself and "Just do it".

[ChasDen]

I also chewed on stir straws at work and at the bar when my friends were smoking.

:r :r :r

I never even thought about it but every time I went into a convenience store the first few months while I was quitting I would walk over and grab one of the stirs from the coffee section and pluck it in my mouth. Subconsciously I would chew and play with it for hours.

I forgot all about that :D

Chas

[SilverFox]

Thanks for all the great support, which I think helps.

Still, has anyone kicked the cigs while continuing to smoke cigars?

Last night, after a day of chewing gum and completely smoke free living, sitting on the porch and lighting up a great cigar seemed extra great.

This is my 10th or so attempt, but it feels different this time, like I can do it.

I think my biggest inspiration is my 4 year old daughter.

I will never forget holding my father's hand as he lay in bed suffering through his final days of cancer. Imagining my little girl going through that gives me the chills.

Yup as I said I quite 2 packs of cigs a day and still smoked cigars. I actually didn't find that the cigars caused me any desire for cigs

[Starscream]

Do any of you ex-smokers now find cigarettes to be vile and disgusting? I still get the urge to smoke once in a while, but I can no longer stand the smell and a dirty cigarette ashtray just seems to disgust me now. It seems wierd as I used to love cigarettes (two packs a day).

[Lucky_Hippo]

Do any of you ex-smokers now find cigarettes to be vile and disgusting? I still get the urge to smoke once in a while, but I can no longer stand the smell and a dirty cigarette ashtray just seems to disgust me now. It seems wierd as I used to love cigarettes (two packs a day).

After 3 years of giving up ciggs the smell is very off putting to me now. I can pick up on it as soon as someone lights up from across the room. Everytime I smell it i'm glad I gave them up.

As far as the urge, I can remember a buddies mother who quit for 25 years and every once in a great while still has the urge to pick it up again.

Wicked stuff!

[Lucky_Hippo]

:r :r :r

I never even thought about it but every time I went into a convenience store the first few months while I was quitting I would walk over and grab one of the stirs from the coffee section and pluck it in my mouth. Subconsciously I would chew and play with it for hours.

I forgot all about that :D

Chas

At the end of a night at the bar my friends would have an ashtray full of butts and I'd have a cocktail napkin filled with mutilated straws. :D

[MNSmoker]

I successfully gave up smoking cigarettes and kept smoking cigars and pipe over a year ago. No patch or gum ... just quit the cigarettes. I think the key is that you've really got to come to terms with quitting for good. I've found that there is no such thing as "just one."

The Professor makes some great points. First, you have to come to terms with wanting to quit smoking cigarettes. You're not going to quit unless you are 100% committed to quitting. Second, once you do quit cigarettes, you can't sneak a smoke in occasionally or you'll relapse back into a smoker.

I quit smoking cigarettes on October 10 cold turkey. I continued to smoke cigars throughout that time, but I was only smoking a couple of cigars a week. I don't associate cigars with nicotine, and I don't see them as an addiction. I'm not going to give you any advice on calming your cravings, because you've already gone through this multiple times in the past. Stay strong, think of your daughter, and turn to your brothers on this site if you need any help or encouragement. You can do it, and you'll feel much better about yourself once you do. Stay strong brother!!

[qwerty1500]

Do any of you ex-smokers now find cigarettes to be vile and disgusting? I still get the urge to smoke once in a while, but I can no longer stand the smell and a dirty cigarette ashtray just seems to disgust me now. It seems wierd as I used to love cigarettes (two packs a day).

I know that a lot of ex-smokers seem to develop this reaction. I came to dislike the smell of cigarettes and that is one of the reasons I quit. My attitude changed a few months after I quit. Now, they really don't seem to smell all that bad to me and I sort of like to stand downwind from a cigarette smoker. Strange huh?

[The Professor]

I know that a lot of ex-smokers seem to develop this reaction. I came to dislike the smell of cigarettes and that is one of the reasons I quit. My attitude changed a few months after I quit. Now, they really don't seem to smell all that bad to me and I sort of like to stand downwind from a cigarette smoker. Strange huh?
not too strange. it doesn't bother me that much, either. and I still get cravings every now and then.

[Vitis]

Thank you all for this great an inspirational post. Quiting cigarettes is my resolution for 09 as well and its awesome to realize that you're are not alone in this. I have been stressed about quiting and continuing to smoke cigars but am inspired by some of the posts here. Thanks for the topic and good luck to all.

[floydpink]

4 days strong for me...... not a cig and boy do those cigars seem better.:cb

Not getting over confident yet, but this time feels different than the other dozen attempts.

[Smokin Gator]

You can do this brother... I have had you in my thoughts and prayers. I'm telling you... I loved smoking cigarettes like you would not believe. Once I finally made up my mind I was done it really wasn't that bad. It has only been 7 months, but I can honestly say I don't have any cravings for cigarettes.

[ashmaster]

Thank you all for this great an inspirational post. Quiting cigarettes is my resolution for 09 as well and its awesome to realize that you're are not alone in this. I have been stressed about quiting and continuing to smoke cigars but am inspired by some of the posts here. Thanks for the topic and good luck to all.

I was fairly stressed and admittedly scared when it came to quitting, I didn't want to fail. This was especially true the last couple days leading up to my target date. When I quit, I used this to my advantage and to make myself stronger. I kept challenging myself not to let this thing beat me. I really wanted to quit. The worst part for me was the second day and the first weekend away from work (as I don't have a significant other half). I changed a couple of things in my daily lifestyle to help. Bottom line, I WON!!!!

People act/react differently when doing a lifestyle change of this magnitude. When I look back, overall it was rather easy to quit. It will be one year on the 9th. I have no cravings and feel great. Food tastes better and the cigars taste better.

When your ready to quit, one thing is for sure, you have a lot of brothers that are here to help you anyway we can!!!

[Starscream]

4 days strong for me...... not a cig and boy do those cigars seem better.:cb

Not getting over confident yet, but this time feels different than the other dozen attempts.

:tu:tu

[doctorcue]

Stay at it my man! You'll be better off for it. As with all goals; keep the long term in mind but work one day at a time.

[jjirons69]

Happy 6th day!! :tu

[floydpink]

Happy 6th day!! :tu

Thanks, One week today.

I had a good sign yesterday. I was walking though the Magic Kingdom in Disney with my daughter and behind the castle is a smoking area that I normally ducked into a few times a day.

Walking by it the smell of all the cigarrettes made me gag a little.:pu

It's far from over and the nicotine gum has gotten me through some tough moments, but I keep convincing myself I am an ex cigarrete smoker.

Hope the others with the same resolution are doing as well.

[Smokin Gator]

Great job brother!!!! It also helped me to say out loud "I am not smoking because I chose not to smoke" when I got the craving.

[Starscream]

Walking by it the smell of all the cigarrettes made me gag a little.:pu
This is a very very good sign that you are on the right track.
Congrats on the one week anniversary! Keep it up! :tu

[floydpink]

Great job brother!!!! It also helped me to say out loud "I am not smoking because I chose not to smoke" when I got the craving.

Just don't slip back tommorow if the game gets close!:ss

go Gators!!!

[barbourjay]

Thanks, One week today.

I had a good sign yesterday. I was walking though the Magic Kingdom in Disney with my daughter and behind the castle is a smoking area that I normally ducked into a few times a day.

Walking by it the smell of all the cigarrettes made me gag a little.:pu

It's far from over and the nicotine gum has gotten me through some tough moments, but I keep convincing myself I am an ex cigarrete smoker.

Hope the others with the same resolution are doing as well.

you can stretch that week into years if you keep on the mental game as you have. proud of you bro, i went through the same stuff and now i'm almost completely disgusted by cigs. just kinda grosses me out and makes me almost gag.

[Starscream]

How's the quitting cigarettes coming? Still going strong?

[floydpink]

Just passed the 2 week mark and have had some strong cravings after stressfull moments at work, but have resisted and never really faltered.

Next week I go on vacation, and that has always been the time I have "just one", as my schedule totally changes. In other words, vacations are always when my quit smoking campaigns fail.

We always have a balcony villa and there's many times when time doesn't permit a cigar, but a quick cigarrette before dinner looking out at the sea seems like the thing to do and I always promise that I will quit again when I get home. Not this time though....

I told my wife to help by not even bringing them this trip.

I'm treating myself by filling up my herfador with some really nice cigars for my week on the beach.

Thanks for checking up on me.

[ashmaster]

:tu Congratulations on hitting the 2 week mark, way to go!!!!!! :tu

[floydpink]

1 month down, saw a concert without smoking anything but a Partagas mini outside, and barely crave a cigarrete anymore.

Too soon to get cocky, but confident nonetheless.:ss

Last night was a rare night on the town with lots of smokers and it was a test I had hoped to pass and did so with relative ease.

Thanks for all the support guys.:ze

[68TriShield]

1 month down, saw a concert without smoking anything but a Partagas mini outside, and barely crave a cigarrete anymore.

Too soon to get cocky, but confident nonetheless.:ss

Last night was a rare night on the town with lots of smokers and it was a test I had hoped to pass and did so with relative ease.

Thanks for all the support guys.:ze

confidence is high :salute:

[bobarian]

Go brother Go! Keep it up! :ze

[ahc4353]

How you doin on this Pete?

[GKitty]

I want to know how you're doin on this too, Pete?

I quit cigs 3 weeks ago and am having some rough days. I'm still smoking cigars about once a week. Weaned myself down on the cigs and then just quit.

Please tell me it gets easier.