Do you think it's possible to be an occasional smoker ? I used to smoke but gave up 13 years ago.For the past 18 months or so I have had the occasional cigarette,sometimes weeks apart and sometimes 2 or 3 in one day,my friend gets very annoyed with me and says that I will start smoking fulltime again which I certainly don't want to do.Mostly i feel I can maintain this level,but other times I worry my friend is right.
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07-06-02, 05:14 PM
anguilla
My mother quit for 3 years, then started again. She only stopped for good when my father's heart trouble began.

I believe it depends on whether you have an "addictive personality/tendency" -- some people CAN be casual smokers and not get trapped, just like most people can deal with alcohol and have no problems.

Of course, if you're concerned about your health and the health of those exposed to your second-hand smoke...

07-06-02, 07:48 PM
codezgal
Yes, I am a social smoker too. I only smoked 2 cigarettes a day in my h.s. boarding school cuz we were only allowed 2. I have never smoked more than that (cept when intoxicated) and I haven't had a cigarette for a week w/no cravings...

07-07-02, 04:40 PM
Ewood27
I think you're playing with fire, Viv. Nicotine is very addictive and you have been addicted in the past. You are running the very real risk of smoking full time again, and for what? Best to quit totally and be safe.

07-08-02, 05:09 AM
VivienneHa
I think you may be right anguilla and Ewood (was the playing with fire pun intended!),i'm a bit of an 'all or nothing' gal,like with this site,at first it was just the odd few minutes here and there,now it's hours at a time! I think the test will be to see how hard it is to stop now,if i don't smoke at all for a couple of weeks and i find i'm craving,i guess i should quit altogether.
Thanks. Viv.

07-12-02, 06:37 AM
pink fluff
i think that it is possible to be a part time smoker. I can go days, weeks with out a cigarette and then go out and smoke a whole pack (which is usually after a couple of bottles of wine!) or might have one one day and not the next. I enjoy smoking when i am around other smokers and i don't particually like doing it on my own. I call myself a social smoker!

07-12-02, 09:03 AM
twinhearts
I think it depends on the person. I had quit for more than a year with no problem. Then I went to Mexico for vacation and thought a couple wouldn't hurt me and I would stop when I got home. Nope, I was hooked again. I have since then stopped, but I know that if I smoke even one or two I will be hooked again. Now my aunt can smoke one day and then not smoke for a week or more and then go back to smoking for a day or two then quit again. I really think it is a personal thing.

07-12-02, 09:33 AM
clarebear
I'm a part time smoker. I quit about every hour. wink

07-12-02, 10:17 PM
ohio_angell
I need to quit! I smoke about a pack every other day sometimes a little more. I had a stroke two years ago and it scared me so bad I quit for 9 months then started again...isn't it awful what we do to our health! And I am a health care worker..I sure know better.

07-15-02, 10:02 PM
coldfuse
Viv, I quit for seven and a half years, then followed the pattern you describe, now I'm back as a full timer. I think you're either addicted or you're not...and most people who smoke are addicted!

I am able to quit every day when I go to sleep, but generally pick the habit back up again with my morning paper.

07-15-02, 10:38 PM
mozart56
I beleive that the only people that can be part-time smokers are the NON-SMOKING people.They smoke one cigarette (cigar) every 3 months when having a good cognac and off, they are, right after that .I have a friend like that.

Otherwise , just forget about it.!

07-16-02, 06:55 AM
aminator2002
Why bother? It seems like you are just asking for trouble. I would love to quit, but ideas like "I can have just one" keep me from being successful.

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