Do you use nicotine or tobacco products? What have you done to quit or tried doing to quit?

SSG Carlos Madden — Wed, 22 Jan 2025 08:53:36 -0500

I saw a stat when I was in basic that said if you make it to 18 without trying tobacco, the chances of you ever starting are pretty slim, UNLESS you're in the military. In which case your chances actually increase.

I was no exception. I started dipping at 17 and did it on and off for about 20 years. Never was a habit smoker. I've been completely tobacco-free pretty much for the past 3 or 4 years and didn't have any issues just stopping but I know others do and it's a major part of military culture. How many times have you tried to stop and what, if anything worked for you? When did you start smoking/chewing/dipping?

Response by SSgt Richard Kensinger made Jan 22 at 2025 10:42 AM

SSgt Richard Kensinger — Wed, 22 Jan 2025 10:42:31 -0500

alcohol and nicotine remain the top two drugs linked to premature morbidity and mortality
Rich

Response by SGT Philip Roncari made Jan 22 at 2025 11:18 AM

SGT Philip Roncari — Wed, 22 Jan 2025 11:18:58 -0500

Started smoking and drinking around twelve years old,the AA program back in 1977 gave me my life back,smoking took a bit longer,hypnotist finally worked for me at age 43,true the Military back in my day was much more accepting of these addictions,didn’t increase mine,I was on that addictive course well before I put on the uniform, Welcome Home Brothers.

Response by SFC Jo Ann Klawitter made Jan 22 at 2025 11:55 AM

SFC Jo Ann Klawitter — Wed, 22 Jan 2025 11:55:54 -0500

Cold turkey

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 22 at 2025 2:03 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 22 Jan 2025 14:03:31 -0500

My maternal Grandfather was a KY tobacco farmer. I was exposed early in my Life. I started smoking at 11. I use Tobacco in all it's excepted forms. I don't spit when chewing or dipping, gets rid of worms and such. Friday and Saturday nights are cigar time. I did quit for about 7 years while on active duty, after the command took away our bench clip-on ashtrays. When I was medically discharged and went back to work in an industrial environment where i was breathing gas, diesel, LP, welding and torch fumes, I started back. I do, on occasion, think about quitting. I just can't find a compelling reason.

Response by SGT Carl Blas made Jan 22 at 2025 2:59 PM

SGT Carl Blas — Wed, 22 Jan 2025 14:59:51 -0500

Got the flu one day, smoking tasted terrible for days, so I just quit smoking. Went to something else, tried hot woman, that didn't work, wasn't worth the conversation.

As to what SSG Klawittter said, "Cold Turkey", yeah, thats what she said.

Response by SSG Benton Miller made Jan 22 at 2025 3:12 PM

SSG Benton Miller — Wed, 22 Jan 2025 15:12:55 -0500

Quit Copenhagen cold turkey 9 months ago today after 37 years.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 22 at 2025 4:45 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 22 Jan 2025 16:45:01 -0500

I started smoking cigars while I was in. Not the Swisher Sweets you can buy at the gas station, either. Cohibas and Romeo y Julietas. That's an expensive habit.

I had a buddy that picked up smoking in Basic. Apparently, smokers got extra breaks when he joined. He started smoking for that.

Response by SPC Joseph Kopac made Jan 22 at 2025 5:48 PM

SPC Joseph Kopac — Wed, 22 Jan 2025 17:48:51 -0500

Fort Polk 1971. Last week of infantry training at a place they called Peason Ridge where we were taught how to raid Vietnamese villages. Most of us had orders for Nam. Now eating C rations which had those little 4 packs of stale cigarettes. Started smoking them. Then started buying them. Sent to Nam and they would send us out cartons in the bush on resupply day. The guys in the rear kept the good brands. When I got a chance to be in the rear, I would buy them at the PX. $1.60 a carton.

The wife and I quit 1 year ago this month cold turkey for health and cost reasons. Spending over $600 a month. Marlboro's were $10 a pack then. I think they're up to $12 a pack now. People who smoke stink to me now. I never smelled them when I smoked. I gained 20 pounds too. And you know what? Every once in a while I still crave one.

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Jan 22 at 2025 7:36 PM

LTC Stephen C. — Wed, 22 Jan 2025 19:36:56 -0500

I’ve never ever used any type of tobacco products, SSG Carlos Madden.

Response by SFC Jo Ann Klawitter made Jan 22 at 2025 7:48 PM

SFC Jo Ann Klawitter — Wed, 22 Jan 2025 19:48:34 -0500

I stopped when the pandemic started because they wouldn’t let me in the casino if I smoked and another thing the security guard told me I would have to get kicked out if I wouldn’t wear my mask properly

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 22 at 2025 8:00 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 22 Jan 2025 20:00:32 -0500

Started smoking and chewing at 12 years old...and quit at 42 years old....in 2008 I believe...coming up on seventeen years quit. Seeing my daughter grow up and into life...that did it for me.

Response by AN Ron Wright made Jan 22 at 2025 9:48 PM

AN Ron Wright — Wed, 22 Jan 2025 21:48:02 -0500

I went cold turkey. Never looked back

Response by MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P made Jan 22 at 2025 9:51 PM

MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P — Wed, 22 Jan 2025 21:51:11 -0500

I started smoking at my first duty station because the rest of my crew either smoked or dipped. We all know that feeling of being the new guy that 'just wants to fit in'....

I smoked for almost three years before I quit cold turkey. Got no lies to tell, that was the hardest thing I've ever done in my life. Even today, I still get an urge to light up during a particularly stressful time.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 24 at 2025 11:25 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 24 Jan 2025 23:25:01 -0500

I started doing Skoal in my teens. Back then it was kinda expected to have that ring in your back pocket. Especially when you wore cowboy boots and a cowboy hat and went to rodeos all over. I eventually switched to Skoal Bandits to make my wife happy. I quit cold turkey 18 August 1987 just didn’t feel the need for it anymore plus it made my wife much happier so big score there. Still today if one of my buddies open a can of Copenhagen etc brings back some memories. But I’m glad I don’t have anything to do with any tobacco products anymore.

Response by SMSgt Lawrence McCarter made Jan 25 at 2025 4:49 AM

SMSgt Lawrence McCarter — Sat, 25 Jan 2025 04:49:12 -0500

What I did to quit was just stop smoking and as a teenager was short of the price until later in the day when I had some money after getting paid. I was felling sick until I got a Cigarette them felt ok. I had bought a pack of Lucky Strike cigarettes (35 cents from a machine) that didn't even have a filter. I came to the conclusion it was an addiction and I needed them to avoid feeling sick. I stopped smoking and the first few days was not feeling well but got to feeling better and after two weeks never smoked again.

Response by SFC Jo Ann Klawitter made Jan 25 at 2025 7:32 AM

SFC Jo Ann Klawitter — Sat, 25 Jan 2025 07:32:50 -0500

When I join the army

Response by SSgt Dick Foster made Jan 27 at 2025 7:37 PM

SSgt Dick Foster — Mon, 27 Jan 2025 19:37:06 -0500

I was a confirmed nonsmoker when I entered the military but it seemed as if they did their utmost to promote smoking and drinking. When i checked into my barracks in basic there were free cigarettes from the red cross on my bunk. I gave them away. Then we'd stand around in formation and they'd say smoke em if ya got em. And you'd have to stand there in a cloud of tobacco smoke. It was the same thing in tech school. By the second half of tech school, I was a cigarette smoker. All the cheap booze made alcohol all the more attractive too along with the cheap cigarettes. $1.50 a carton at the commissary on Clark AFB. Booze was something like 25¢ for a hiball in the airman and NCO clubs on Clark and every other base in SEA as I recall. Wasn't much more at the NCO club on FE Warren. I went in in 1967 and got out in 74.
I quit smoking several years ago while in the hospital from a stroke but at that time I was already down to one or two cigarettes a day down from two packs a day. That was about 5 or 6 years ago.

Response by CWO4 Tim Hecht made Jan 30 at 2025 8:44 PM

CWO4 Tim Hecht — Thu, 30 Jan 2025 20:44:28 -0500

A year after I quit drinking I quit smoking. Quitting drinking was far easier the quitting smoking. As others have said the best way to quit cold turkey. On the 3rd or 4th day I would have choked someone for a cigarette but it passed.

I’m convinced that quitting smoking saved my life!

I’ve save approximately $105K by not buying cigarettes!

Response by Deborah Gregson made Feb 3 at 2025 1:31 AM

Deborah Gregson — Mon, 03 Feb 2025 01:31:04 -0500

I only tried smoking once when I was 16. My mom smelled it and bought me a pack then made me inhale and "swallow" the smoke. Nasty. Never smoked again.

My husband smoked and chewed when I met him 37ish years ago. He decided to quit smoking on his own. That wasn't too difficult for him. But then he decided to quit chewing. That was really hard. For about a year he substituted See's caramel suckers (I offered to give up all chocolate during the same time, which he appreciated ;) The hardest part, he said, was that he found chewing had helped him concentrate while he worked (he does lettering on emergency services vehicles and at the time everything was hand lettered). Now he says he doesn't crave any of it.

Response by PO3 Robert Harke made Feb 3 at 2025 10:11 PM

PO3 Robert Harke — Mon, 03 Feb 2025 22:11:08 -0500

quitting is the smartest thing you can do about tobacco of any sort. i smoked for about 6 years during very stressful period of life and i used the free nicotine lozenges and have never looked back. you have to want to quit and doing the math about the cost daily ,monthly yearly help decide when in the end its your desire to diminish inner demons and live a long healthier life for yourself and those around you.

Response by SSG Eric Blue made Mar 16 at 2025 5:43 PM

SSG Eric Blue — Sun, 16 Mar 2025 17:43:06 -0400

I did use them. Quit cold turkey and didn't go back. I'm happy about that, too. Most of my battles have breathing problems more severe than mine now.