spotting smokers

[nsd_user663_5123]

Hi, this is my first post here, although I have been reading advice on here for ages, I'm not much of a talker, but do want to say how I have been helped by reading this forum.

I am taking Champix and had my last cigarette on 19th November, I have had good and bad days, but mostly manageable. Some slight nausea with the morning tablet but not too bad at all really.

What I want to ask may seem a silly thing but when I was smoking I always felt in the minority, since I stopped there are smokers everywhere !

I even notice them in their cars as they drive past, does anyone else find thay are always on lookout for a smoker or is it me ?

I do hope that one day I can pass a smoker in the street and not take any notice, perhaps it's a bit of an obsession ?

Anyone else feel this way?

[nsd_user663_4990]

I quite like passing smokers in the street, i was out christmas shopping this last few days and spotted tons of smokers in the city centre ranging from shoppers getting courage to brave yet another shop .. would you believe they had a smoke because of the big queue in HMV? big queue.. must have smoke.. might not get another for 10-15 mins lol !!!

Then you get the shop staff on their breaks, cab drivers reading the paper by their cabs and many more..

You've quit though, you will notice them at first with a little bit of desire for a smoke but it quickly passes... but later on in the quit, you look at those smokers and think.. hah! i'm done with all that!!! Better yet, you really notice the trail of stale smoke that they drag around them like a bit streamer.. if you cross that trail it stinks.. and you can usually predict who it is that is dragging that stale smoke trail too.

Weird.. but true

Enjoy being smoke free.. it gets easier.. i promise!

[nsd_user663_5123]

thanks

thanks for taking the time to reply, I feel better and hope that soon I will be able to pass smokers without taking any notice.

It's not that it makes me want to join them in a ciggie, I just seem to notice that there are lots around, yet when I was smoking I always felt not many others smoked!!

Today I have struggled a bit but have again found reading the forum very helpful.

[nsd_user663_3728]

Hi Marjrie

Well done with your quit so far you're doing great

It's normal to notice smokers at first but it will pass I seldom really notice them anymore unless they stand right next to me at the bus stop for instance

Below is my standard welcome and advice post which I try and give all new members

Welcome to the forum and well done on the decision to quit possibly one of the most important you will ever make and you will be losing nothing but you will regain control of your life and that has to be good

You will find all the help and support you need on here as we all help each other just like a family we are here for you every step of the way cheering the good days and sympathising with the bad but the good far outweigh the bad

Read the posts on here you will find a lot of tips and advice and in the signatures of a lot you will find links to other sites just click on them Here are 2 I find very good to start you off whyquit.com and woofmang.com Read, read and then read some more as the more you read and learn about why you smoked and about your addiction the easier your quit will be

This link is good for the psychological part of quittingwhyquit.com/whyquit/A_Sympt...

Post often to let us know how you're doing, to rant, rave have a moan whatever you like pretty much anything goes on here

Love

Marg

[nsd_user663_6570]

hi marjrie

i stopped on24th nov and like you seem to notice smokers, its natural.. i came out of the supermaket the other day and walked past somone smoking,,,,, it smelt rank awful ur doing great why dont you come on here more often.... i have found this forum to be my new "fix" lol

[nsd_user663_4990]

I think you keep on spotting the smokers, its just they affect you much less as time goes by.. you really do get beyond the 'desire' and into the 'happy to be free of smoking' quite quickly.

You will always see folk smoking when your out.. you just learn to deal with that.. and over time you even slightly pity them for having to spend so much money to feed an addiction and stand outside in the freezing cold.

[nsd_user663_6734]

Hi Marjrie

Well done for getting this far. I noticed how many smokers are about. They seem to be everywhere!!

Glad you discovered this web site. It helps to know that there are people who is going through the same feelings as yourself, and also you get brilliant support from all the people out there.

Keep up the good work and hope to hear from you soon.

Julie

[nsd_user663_5123]

Thanks for all the replies, I know this is a great forum as I have been reading but not posting for quite a while.

It's good to know that it's normal to notice smokers more than I did when I was one.

I would post more but so far have found the answers to most of my questions are already answered on here somewhere.

I really want to say thanks for all the advice on here and congratulations to all who have stopped smoking.

[nsd_user663_6570]

hey margrie

just post anything on here..... i do:):)

[nsd_user663_4964]

Yup, I can't believe i smelt like that??? How did i not know?

[nsd_user663_4990]

^^ nice advertising and i don't like spam!

Smokers were always there, when you used to smoke, the only attention you paid was subliminal.. the nicotine demon within would see them and immediately start tapping his foot for a smoke.. and the more folk you see smoking.. the more he tapped his foot.. until you gave in.

Now you've quit, those same smokers are all still out there.. only this time the nicotine demon tapping his foot is still there, but due to you not feeding that addiction any more, you are more noticing the smokers and it leaves you feeling a little bit uneasy.

I noticed lots of smokers at first, and not only that, on TV in films I noticed when there was alot of unnecessary 'smoking' going on and yeah i commented on it too

After a bit you do start to ignore it and the smokers you notice only serve to remind you of a near miss you had with a life threatening addiction of which you are now free and intend to remain free from.