For you smokers, and former smokers: How long did it take you to learn to Smoke?

[wolven7]

There's this commercial for a help line, to learn to quit smoking, with this guy that can't quit, cause he's a fuckin pansy? And the announcer was like 'Well, it took you a long time to learn how to smoke, right?' And i was like... 'Uhm... No?' I learned how to smoke, by putting a cigarette to my lips. It took me about a day, at most. Quitting, the first time was supremely easy. I simply quit. The second time (this time), is infinitely more difficult. Because i have many more psychological and philosophical attachments to smoking than i did, before.

So, my question is this: Did it take you a "Long Time" to learn to smoke, or did it come naturally? And, for those who are quit, how did that work out for you?

Simply annoyedly curious.

Comments

[ex-noctem859.livejournal.com]

Umm "learning": ya light a cigarette and inhale. . .sure some coughing at first. . .it wasn't learned really. . .came naturally.

Quitting: currently on my third time of smoking again after trying to quit a few times. The first time, like you said was easier. The second time. . .so much harder, hence the reason I'm smoking again.

Bad me *slaps own hand*

Poof.

[mendori.livejournal.com]

Depends on how you define Learned.
In terms of the activity, no time at all. In terms of the behavior associated with, a few weeks, continually being around smokers.
To quit - well, I had Mother Infection's help with that. Being layed up for three weeks unable to get out of bed (and later my nest of covers on the floor) let alone get away from parents long enough to smoke was DAMNED effective as a means to quit smoking. I still crave, primarily in the company of good scotch and blues music (dont ask), but i get my fix second hand, now.

My advise on quitting: remove all smoking implements from reach, and do a negative association with smoking any time you crave it. Hacking up blood is a good one. Others find less painful methods effective as well

Re:

[wolven.livejournal.com]

You'll be ok. For me, there's a certain levl of nihilism that goes with my smoking, or, more precisely, that would be necessary for me to Start again.

I'm working on inventing, or having invented for me, nanomachine that can clean out the lungs.

Re:

[wolven.livejournal.com]

I don't really need the association, personally, as i take it as a personal challenge, and an effort of will. But yeah, such things Will help quit, if that's what you're after.

Even social behaviours, for me, wasn't that long, because i started smoking around [what i thought were] friends, and continued to do so, in the presence of those that were, more definately, friends.

what would you say?

[(Anonymous)]

A couple weeks to really start. a couple months to get to the point i am now. i've never really quit more like gone without for a couple months. it's hard not to indulge when you're in a tiny apartment with 4 other smokers and might as well with all the ambient around... atleast that way you're at least breathing the filtered stuff. anyways. Tell people what they want to hear and let them know it's o.k. if they slip every once and awhile. It'll give the pansy's something to talk about and be angsty about when they talk to the people who want them to quit. Ahh drama.

Priase Indulgance.
-Kyreshac

Re: what would you say?

[wolven.livejournal.com]

Quit if you want to, Don't if you Don't. It's really quite that simple.

[kmn-rdr-caoimhe.livejournal.com]

First try. Several of you should keep in mind that my FIRST first time doesn't count. If you actually include it, though, then it took me about 10 or 11 years. Which is about how long it was before I tried smoking again.

I remember that I quit, but I don't remember why. That's probably why I started again.

Meh.

Re:

[wolven.livejournal.com]

Well, i'm sure you'll either remember, or you won't. Either way, you'll probably be happy with the decission, so good on ya. :) heheh.

[unknownbinaries.livejournal.com]

I honestly don't remember. It was one of those things I didn't think of until I actually Noticed myself needing one. And when I quit, I didn't really think about it until three or four days had passed and I hadn't went and bought cigarettes. Lapsed once, when I went to the bar with friends, but that's always been a hard place for me to be and not want one. Still is, occasionally.

Re:

[wolven.livejournal.com]

Hm. Smoking. Yeah. Drinking and socialising does aggravate the smoking gene. Sucks. :\

So i'm thinking in vignettes, as usual:

[teididh.livejournal.com]

I see a fine upstanding member of America's youth, holding a cigarette in one hand and a lighter in another.

"Hmmm...no, that didn't work, maybe i should light it."
"No...light the end away from the filter maybe?"
"OWWW! Don't light my finger!"
"Hey, it won't light! Maybe i should put it in my mouth..."
and so on , and so forth...

how long can it possibly take to learn to smoke???

i quit instantly the first time, started again about 6 years later but only really smoked intermittently and/or socially then, and then decided to quit again for various reasons. I still want one fairly often, but have not lapsed except under extreme, self-destructive duress in over a year. All i have to do is remind myself of my decision and what i really wanted. I must admit, it seems worlds harder when you have philosophical reasons to want to smoke than when you simply like smoking. For me, philosophy even outweighs physical addiction.

Re: So i'm thinking in vignettes, as usual:

[wolven.livejournal.com]

Philosphical attachments make everything more difficult.

Or more fun.

Yes. :) Heheh.