Smoking
I have COPD but I continue to smoke. Sounds crazy, but I chose to smoke.
Hi CM905, and thanks for sharing this with the community.
May I ask, why you choose to smoke? Are you aware of all the dramatic effects of smoking on one's body systems?
Is there anything you can share with the community at this time?
Leon (site moderator COPD.net)I choose to smoke even though I know all of the dangers. I believe nicotine is the greatest addiction on earth. Cigarettes give me such relief from stress and everyday life. That is my excuse.... Hi again, CM905, and thanks for your response and further explanation. We appreciate your candor here with the community. If there is anything we can do to assist you, please let me or any other moderator / team member know. Wishing you well, Leon (site moderator COPD.net)
I still smoke, but am not proud of if. I realize that is the one thing that would help me the most, but have not successfully quit. Seems like every time I get close something drastic happens, and I pick them right back up and start again.
I hear how difficult it is to quit smoking! If you are interested here are a few resources we have on quitting if and when you are ready to try again: https://copd.net/pulmonary-rehab/lifestyle/quitting-smoking, https://copd.net/living/quitting-tips, https://copd.net/living/quitting-smoking. All the best, Sam S. (COPD.net, team member). 
Try not to be too hard on yourself -- it's an extremely tough thing to do, especially when your body and brain have learned to seek it out over the years. Don't give up hope! Even if you manage to cut down on the amount you smoke each day or days you're smoking, it's progress. I give you credit for continuing to try -- we are here to support you! -Melissa, copd.net team
Hi, I am new to the forum but also wanted to say that I am a smoker. I have smoked since high school. There are days that I cut back and find things to do to distract me from smoking. I try not to smoke in my car and we do not smoke in the house. But like you, I have days where I just need to have a smoke. I know it doesn't help, but i think if I can cut back its a good thing? Thanks....
Hi sunnyme (great screen name!), and welcome! You've certainly come to the right place as we are all about COPD and all things related to COPD. It's good to hear you are cutting back. Anything you can do to reduce the smoking in your life is a good thing! I'm sure if you keep trying, and the desire to quit is there, you will reach that all important goal!
If there is anything we can do to assist you, please let me or any other moderator / team member know. You are always welcome here!
All the best,
Leon (site moderator COPD.net)
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I smoked almost a pack a day for almost 40 years. I tried to quit numerous times. Then one day a little over 12 years ago, I decided to go to vaping and quit buying cigarettes. Just that transition was hard. Vaping was not nearly as satisfying as cigarettes. But I told myself it was either vaping or nothing, so I got used to vaping. I vaped for about 6-7 years. During this time, I slowly weaned the nicotine strength down. From there, I decided it was time to stop vaping and give my lungs a break. I went to non-tobacco nicotine pouches for replacement nicotine and stopped vaping entirely. A year ago, I stopped nicotine consumption entirely. It only took almost a dozen years to clear myself of nicotine dependence. To this day, I still get the urge to smoke or ingest some form of nicotine. The best advice I can give anyone is don't start. I wish I had listened when I was younger. Now I am paying for it with COPD complications. If I could do it over, I would never have started smoking in the first place.
Hi again, Dminor - it seems I find myself posting similar 'thank yous' to you for several of your comments and remarks! Once again, I will extend a big 'thank you' for lending your own personal support and encouragement here with the community. The road (for you), was complex, graduated, and took some time but, you made it successfully. Congratulations are in order! This is a significant achievement in the management of this disease - one you can genuinely be proud of. Keep up the good work!
Leon (site moderator COPD.net)
