I am a smoker and I've been thinking - We have a powerful tool at our hand

[sproutster]

If somehow we (smokers) could all come together, make a statement of protest, hopefully joined by anyone who drinks and just STOP - Think of how much we can hurt the hypocritical right - the loss of the tax income would put a serious face on the taxing on the poor. They pretend to want us to stop -- yet a very small percentage of the money goes to cessation and prevention. It goes to laws and fines only bringing in more money from us. If we stop on our terms we can make a statement and show how the hypocracy works.

This is not a flame thread - This is something I think about every time the taxes go up on smokes and alcohol. I have been looking for a cessation class because I want to quit - I could not find one ongoing. I believe there is one in three months. I am weak and have quit and start and quit and start. I'm tired of the continuing draconian laws aimed at me - while they happily spend my money on anything BUT helping people like me.

I am serious about this. What think you?

[SteppingRazor]

1. Interesting, except for one major problem...

It would mean stopping smoking and drinking :evilgrin:

[sproutster]

3. hehe.. yea.. I know I was thinking of stockpiling

But that doesn't go with the spirit. No alcohol is easy for me. No cigs... *shudder* BUT if I can use it for something bigger then me -- and please believe me I know I have to quit, I can be content. If it's on my terms, and not this other crap.

[AntiCoup2K4]

12. Well, how's this for motivation......

Aside from your tax argument, the rest of that money coming from your pocket goes right to the Republican party, long supported by the tobacco industry. And while the addiction is a tough one, that should be motivation enough.

[MuseRider]

18. That is what helped me quit.

I just kept imagining some guy in a business suit with a cowboy hat on (I am not sure why they were cowboys but whatever)with his expensive boots on his desk lighting Cuban cigars bought with the money I was spending on my addiction. He was laughing, drinking a Scotch and thinking about all of us dying so he could be wealthy. Every time I wanted to smoke I made myself sit and think on that for a while. It really did help and that is what it took to get me to finally stop.

I was an ICU nurse. Watching people die horribly did not stop me. Watching and helping with autopsies did not stop me but that little visual did.

[PassingFair]

34. I watched the movie "The Insider"

The "7 Dwarves" testifying helped me to quit. Also the bullyboy lawyers and tobacco executives.

:puke:

Rent it, it'll help.

I've been off the smokes for over 3 years.

...but DON'T ask me about my WEIGHT PROBLEM!

[MuseRider]

37. LOL

40 sweet little pounds that never went away. Of course it did not help that long ago when I finally kicked the habit I was entering the lovely pre-menopausal years of weight gain. Oh well, at least I can breathe!

[PassingFair]

43. I MUST be channeling you, Muse!

I turned 46 last year...

Guess what MY resolution entails!

It is CLEAR that extreme measures must be taken.

Yes.

Exercise.
:puke:
I HATE exercise!

Waaaaaaaahhhhh!

[Warpy]

39. All the RTs at my last job smoked, rationalized it as

job security for their fellow workers.

Addiction is a funny thing. You have to be intensely motivated to break free of it. "Should" and "ought" generally don't do the trick. Thinking of the GOP weasels who are getting your money might be enough for a lot of folks, though.

The only thing that got my mother to quit was my father giving her an icy stare and saying "You can't quit, you don't have the guts." She never smoked again.

Maybe I should consider renting him out for that purpose.

[MuseRider]

40. You know,

that would have done it for me. Good thinking on the part of your father. I wish my husband would say that to me about losing weight. I would be skinny in 6 months!

I don't think I ever knew an RT who didn't smoke come to think of it but that was back when we still could smoke in the hospital.

[im10ashus]

14. LOL!

I think I just spit beer through my nose. I should have a smoke now.

[Kazak]

2. Stopped five years ago...

otherwise, I'd be right with ya.

[Vincardog]

4. Great idea If you really want to quit

Find a Hypnotherapist. It worked so well for me I became one.
(Hypnotherapist that is)

[sproutster]

6. The idea is a great number of us quit on a particular day in protest.

:)

[Vincardog]

8. Go for it God Bless

[catmother]

16. that's funny. i also became a hypnotherapist after it worked for

me but that was a long time ago -- haven't hypnotized anyone in years.

[misanthrope]

5. Never work...

...too many addicts have no desire to quit and even less have the resolve or character to do so.

[sproutster]

7. No flame bait please - there are lots of "me's" out there.

[SteppingRazor]

15. Are you saying that...

habitual smokers and drinkers are, as a rule, people of low character?

[rucky]

50. so, why do they call you "misanthrope"? n/t

[misanthrope]

52. Take a wild guess**nm

*

[Ian David]

9. All progressive Democrats should quit smoking

And give free cigarettes to Republicans.

[Raine]

49. Yeah really

that would be one way of shortening their lives.

[ingac70]

10. I used patches...

After 16 years of smoking two packs a day of cowboy killers (aka Marlboro Reds), I have been smoke free since May 28, 2004.

I won't say it was easy, but the patches took the edge off. Also, try hypnosis and/or a subliminal CD for quitting.

I got sick of the taxes raised supposedly to offset healthcare costs. Like sick smokers would ever get a dimes worth of help!

[dddem]

31. The patch worked for me as well,

In addition, I used Zyban (wellbutrin). I haven't smoked in 6 years. I LOVED to smoke. But I began to hate the idea of being dependant. It bothered me that it was no longer a choice. I believe that was my real motivation, and once you start thinking of yourself as an addict, then you can deal with it. You can use all the smoking cessation aids you can get your hands on (as I did), or you can go cold turkey (though I have no idea why anyone would put themselves through that), but until you are mentally motivated, you probably won't succeed. But try anyway!
And congratulations ingac70!

[catmother]

11. well how about a compromise? what if we just did the smoking?

that would probably make a pretty good statement and at the same time put extra cash in your pocket.

i stopped 22 years ago. i did it with hypnosis. probably the hardest thing i ever did in my life. my husband stopped 10 years ago -- kept trying and trying and figured sooner or later it would work and it did.

on edit: i don't drink so that part wouldn't work for me either.

[Wickerman]

13. I love the idea

:applause: Easy for me to say, though, haven't drank in 7 years and smoked in 5.5. Good luck on the idea - it would have quite an impact.

[proud patriot]

17. It's almost been a year since I quit smoking

When i read about how much money the Tobacco
companies gave to republicans and looked at
how much money I was spending on smokes , I quit.

It was very hard but I did it .

[Little Star]

19. This is not meant in a negative way but,

Does anyone have a link to how much tobacco companies gave to republicans as opposed to democrats? I have seen this mentioned in two places on this thread and would really just like to see a link. Thanks

[proud patriot]

21. sure link to Contributions here

:hi:

tobacco

http://www.opensecrets.org/industries/indus.asp?Ind=A02

industry search page

http://www.opensecrets.org/industries/index.asp

[Little Star]

33. Thanks PP n/t

[Little Star]

35. Also YIKES!

Guess I'll have to give it up. Those contributions are enough to put the fight into me!

[nuxvomica]

20. I think you might be onto something

At first I thought: nice idea -- not gonna work. But then I thought, what about all the folks on DU and beyond that are smokers and are royally frustrated by what's going on in this country and how the media and much of the public just doesn't seem to take notice. What if we all decided to stop smoking after the SOTU and pledged our usual tobacco fundage to candidates running against Republicans? Wouldn't the media take notice? I'm pretty sure Olberman would.
The message would be: I'm not as bound to my addiction as I am bound to saving my country. I'm not just putting my money on the line, I'm sacrificing my personal comfort too. We could wear buttons saying "I quit smoking to save my country."

[sproutster]

42. Awesome - I think that will be my message and quit date :)

[Rhiannon12866]

45. An inspired idea. Keith would definitely take notice.

This is easier said than done, LOL, but your idea would sure create a profound impact and would send a message that would be too powerful to ignore.:thumbsup:

[stillcool]

22. I gave up 'Dunkin Donuts'...

since the Carlyle Group scooped them up...there is one very close to my house, but every time I think of going I picture James Baker III...working good so far!!

[dddem]

28. the dilema with dunkin donuts

for me is that as a franchise, the owner of 3 shops in my town is one of the most charitable individuals I have ever met. Every time my kids' school asks for a donation, he gives coupons plus free donuts plus coffee, and anything else we need. We just got a Starbucks in town, so I have options, but I hate to take money out of this guy's pocket. What's a democrat to do?

[politicat]

56. I'd talk to him and find out how much of his profit goes to the corp.

Some franchises (especially older ones) were sold with a determined number of years (i.e. the franchisee had to pay for 35 years, but then the license was his); others have a diminishing return.

And he might consider going into the business independently - he has the clientele, after all....

[yellowdogmi]

23. I think that this is the real death tax

the GOP has been trying to label the inheiratance tax a death tax to get support from people that are so poor that it doesn't affect them. This is the real death tax. By the time we get organized enough to protest it we will be on our way to treatment at the cancer centers of america. I agree that it is a filthy habit and wish I could quit also but I don't want the government to tax my addiction. That is just unethical. Sorry I may ruffle a few feathers but that is the way I feel. I understand the arguement that the taxes are needed to pay medical expenses of uninsured smokers but it still irritates me. On your points I don't think it would help that much. The addicts need their fix. They won't quit. And even if they did I think it would be just a drop in the bucket. They recieve so much money from pharmaceutical and oil lobbyist to fund their fascist plans that our "taxpayer revolt" would not dent the coffers. If the idea helps you quit then run with it and good luck!

[shamrock]

25. I know quite a few

people who have just quit cold-turkey. My son was a heavy smoker, he quit and hasn't smoked in about 10-yrs. My husband was pack a week smoker and he quit about 15 yrs. ago. I know several others who have quit. So, yes, people can do quit smoking all the time. It's kind of like going on a diet. It takes determination and will-power and it can be done.

[Lindacooks]

24. BTW, you are NOT 'weak'. Nicotine is a very powerful drug

and not at all easy to kick. Don't be so hard on yourself. Just keep trying.

[Sadie5]

26. How do you find a reputable hypnotist

I would like to quit, but you are right, it is a powerful drug.

[Lindacooks]

27. Take a look here:

http://quitsmoking.about.com/

and especially here:

http://quitsmoking.about.com/od/hypnosis/

[China_cat]

29. Jesse Helms' biggest dilemma

what to do with a gay tobacco farmer.

[ecstatic]

30. The govt would save way more than it lost as far as medical bills

and legal bills (from prosecuting DUIers etc.). If anything the hospitals would begin hurting because they'd have fewer customers.

[Berry Cool]

36. This is such a GREAT idea!

People need a strong motivation to break an addiction as strong as nicotine addiction is. What better reason to do it than because you refuse to put another dollar in the pockets of politicians whose policies you believe are putting your country in the toilet?

Now, to get started...here's someone to help you...Keith Olbermann!

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8889786/

Keith's been running an "I Quit!" campaign ever since he himself quit last August...after having a benign tumor removed from his mouth, right in the spot where the end of the pipe or the cigar sat for 27 years.

Read this page and view the videos for suggestions and ideas. Then get out there and tell politically like-minded smokers of your acquaintance that you're quitting..and why. Not just for your own health, but for the health of your country.

You just might find that where other motivations for quitting failed, this one works. And you might find that the "poker method" he describes is a good way to support each other. Only instead of someone winning money if someone else falls off the wagon, have a check for the sum of the kitty made out to a Republican organization...in a sealed envelope...addressed and with stamp on. If none of you falls off the wagon for at least a year, you all get to tear up the check and write out another one to the Dems or some progressive group you support and send that in. But if one of you falls off the wagon...that person has to PUT THE CHECK FOR THE REPUBLICANS IN THE MAIL!

Or, on your own, just put whatever money you save on smokes into a big jar, then take it out at the end of a year and mail a check for it to a group you support. Tell them it's money you saved by ceasing to allow your tobacco habit to support people whose principles you disagree with.

Whichever method you choose, good luck with quitting. Keith puts it, it's a lot easier to quit before you get cancer than to have to quit afterwards.

[DemBones DemBones]

32. If you really want to quit, figure out

how much money you're allowing to go up in smoke every month and think about what better use you could make of that money. Unless you're incredibly rich, there must be something you need or want but can't afford right now.

My husband and I quit a few months after our wedding because we needed a new car and we could only afford one if we gave up cigarettes. (Or food, which wasn't an option.)

We had "tried to quit" before, switched to low-tar no-taste cigarettes, etc. We knew smoking was bad for our health and kept saying "we'll quit soon." But in the end, it was the money that did it for us and this was back when smokes were cheap.

Something I've figured out since: if you say you're going to try to quit, you give yourself permission to fail. Say you're going to quit and then make it happen. (This obviously applies to anything, not just to quitting smoking.)

A slightly different approach: my mother quit several years after we did and it helped her to sit down and calculate how much money she'd spent on cigarettes in 27 years. It was a shock to her and made her mad enough to quit.

Do your own math and good luck!

[RagingInMiami]

38. And if you get enough people to do it

That might make people irritable enough to storm the streets and demand shrub's removal. Then we'll throw a party complete with cigarettes and alcohol.

[Historic NY]

41. I'm going to try that new laser acupuncture technique.......

been smoking a long time and its time to stop....then again Pataki wanted to raise the tax by another 1.50 in NY. making it like 3.63 per pack.

I called my health care provider and asked if the laser acupuncture would be covered and they said no. I explained how it started in hospitals in England and then branched out. Nope, they only pay for drug or patches. Thats stupid replacing one delivery system with another that delivers the same drug nicotine.

My friends wife & I are trying it this coming week.....its still in trials but has a higher success rate that the other methods. Hey if it works for the price they are charging I will be ahead of the game later by saving money for smokes.


http://stopsmokingnow.com/

[Little Star]

53. Hey Historic NY,

What is the going price on such treatment?

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

44. I hope you quit and think this is well intentioned, but if the thoughts of

dying young and leaving my family, getting lung cancer, being out of shape, having bad breath, getting headaches, standing out in the cold and the multitude of other pains of smoking aren't enough to give me the strength to quit I doubt the notion of screwing them on taxes would be.

I know you meant well though...

[Historic NY]

48. The laser method is available in N.J..........

see link on my above post.

[ohio_liberal]

46. I don't know about where you are...

The name brands of cigarettes here are almost $5.00 a pack. That should be enough to make anyone quit. I quit quite a while ago, almost a year. I feel like a whole new person.

[Berry Cool]

47. Maybe some people who can't seem to quit smoking yet just haven't found

the one thing that would be the straw that broke the camel's back.

Keep trying. Maybe it'll just happen to you one day. You'll ask yourself why you are doing this when it's so inconvenient, unpleasant, expensive and deadly, and supports people whose politics you hate.

And then it will suddenly hit you.

Because you're a slave to a drug, that's why. A chemical took you over and has charge of you, a human being.

And you won't want to be a slave to a drug.

And you'll do what it takes to quit.

[sandnsea]

51. It's a nicotine addiction

It really is. Buy a box of lozenges. When you get an urge, put one in your mouth. Shortly, you will think logically again. You don't really want a cigarette because breathing in smoke is as stupid as putting your head down a chimney. Nobody wants to breathe in smoke. *cough* *hack* What you want is the nicotine. Now, you may well have conditioned yourself to use cigarettes in certain social situations, like when you're angry or nervous or tired or shy. But those are behaviors you can work through, one at a time. Once you get those two ideas firmly in your head, you can quit the cigarettes. Quitting the nicotine replacement, I don't know about because I haven't gotten there yet! But at least I'm not smoking, and haven't in almost a year. It's GREAT!! I'm picking up gum tomorrow because I think my mouth is just bored. (Don't you go there... :spank:)

[Vanje]

54. Quitting tobacco is a good thing to do for any reason

Quitting smoking and chewing tobacco was the best thing I've ever done.

Not using tobacco makes me a happier,nore contented person every day.

Godd for the confidence too.If I did THAT, I can fucking do ANYTHING!

[Cats Against Frist]

55. Uh -- it's the so-called "progressives" who want us to stop

Social engineering and totalitarianism get play on both the left and right side of the aisle.

[Apollo11]

57. Nicotine gum worked for me

Stops the cravings and then you can slowly reduce your daily gum dosage ...

The main thing is that you will have to stop hanging with smokers.

Find other hobbies like jogging that will help clear-out your sticky lungs!

I quit 7 years ago. Feelin' great! Breathin' deep! :)

[BiggJawn]

58. Taxes are why I quit smoking.

Oh, there was that story going around about smoking exacrebating impotence in diabetics, too, but really, I just got sick-up and fed with my House of Bubbas raising the taxes on smokes every year.

Especially after one told me "Why not raise taxes on you smokers? you flop around, scream and cuss and threaten to quit, but after 2 days you pay the tax and keep on puffing..."

Fuk Dat.

2 years, 10 months smoke-free.