2008 Woodie Awards
Blowing steam
One smoker's view on quiting
By: Eva Allen
Issue date: 11/20/03 Section: Features
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People who have never smoked are clueless about the challenges a smoker faces when trying to kick the habit.
It's easy for non-smokers to criticize and to tell smokers about the hazards of smoking and how they should quit-as though we haven't tried.
It's very similar to telling an overweight person to stop eating or to cut back; but, unless they've experienced it themselves, they will not understand the difficulties of trying and failing.
After vowing not to smoke for one day, I can honestly say it is very difficult and is a challenge that is more than likely doomed for failure.
In a 1995 study, Philip Morris International reported that nearly two-thirds of smokers have their first cigarette within half an hour of waking up.
Personally, from the time I opened my eyes and peered at the alarm clock alongside my bed, I could think of nothing except my cigarette and how I was going to get through the day without having at least one.
Since my mornings are often jumpstarted with a cup of instant Folgers and a cigarette, I would be forced to face another challenge-whether I should have the coffee because the two went hand in hand for me.
Just the thought of not smoking began to make my head hurt and I became anxious watching the time pass and thinking about how long it would be before I would actually have a cigarette.
Well, that didn't last too long. Before I knew it, I had made my coffee with French vanilla creamer. After taking a few sips, I figured if I had just one cigarette that would be enough to stimulate my system so that I could battle the rest of my day.
For the next 20 minutes, I found myself prancing the floor searching for things to do just to occupy my time. I thought of eating but was almost afraid because that would definitely trigger the desire to smoke since it's routine to have a cigarette afterward.
By now, three hours had gone by and I was happy to have made it that far. However, within minutes of receiving what I label a juicy telephone call, I found the justification I needed to reach into the kitchen drawer and light up my long awaited Salem Light-again.
It's easy for non-smokers to criticize and to tell smokers about the hazards of smoking and how they should quit-as though we haven't tried.
It's very similar to telling an overweight person to stop eating or to cut back; but, unless they've experienced it themselves, they will not understand the difficulties of trying and failing.
After vowing not to smoke for one day, I can honestly say it is very difficult and is a challenge that is more than likely doomed for failure.
In a 1995 study, Philip Morris International reported that nearly two-thirds of smokers have their first cigarette within half an hour of waking up.
Personally, from the time I opened my eyes and peered at the alarm clock alongside my bed, I could think of nothing except my cigarette and how I was going to get through the day without having at least one.
Since my mornings are often jumpstarted with a cup of instant Folgers and a cigarette, I would be forced to face another challenge-whether I should have the coffee because the two went hand in hand for me.
Just the thought of not smoking began to make my head hurt and I became anxious watching the time pass and thinking about how long it would be before I would actually have a cigarette.
Well, that didn't last too long. Before I knew it, I had made my coffee with French vanilla creamer. After taking a few sips, I figured if I had just one cigarette that would be enough to stimulate my system so that I could battle the rest of my day.
For the next 20 minutes, I found myself prancing the floor searching for things to do just to occupy my time. I thought of eating but was almost afraid because that would definitely trigger the desire to smoke since it's routine to have a cigarette afterward.
By now, three hours had gone by and I was happy to have made it that far. However, within minutes of receiving what I label a juicy telephone call, I found the justification I needed to reach into the kitchen drawer and light up my long awaited Salem Light-again.