RallyPoint Survey: Tobacco Use

1SG (Join to see) , I've never had a cigarette in my mouth, or dipped or chewed or whatever else you can call the various uses of tobacco.

Smoke free for 14 years.

The number one cause of smoking related cancers is lung, the second is bladder according to what I've read.

My parents were both smokers, not even that heavy of smokers.

Lung cancer took my mom at 47, she collapsed 30 minutes after I graduated high school.

Bladder/prostate took my dad at 79.

Thats why I don't smoke.

1SG (Join to see) - My dad one day reflected on his smoking and felt sad that he was subjecting his children to his habit and quit right there.

I quit cigarettes over 3 years ago. I first tried prescription but got too nauseous, then tried eCigs, but didn't help. Then found something more desirable, and moved to WV mountains, and back to a healthier lifestyle. Packed up everything and moved here, but left the cigarettes behind. Cold turkey works when you have a desire to really change your life for the better. I have smoked regularly since I was 14.

I started out using dip and chewing tobaco and when I found I was going through a can/pouch a day I decided to switch to smokes since I could get them for $1 a carton in the commissary. After 20 years of smoking and waking up in the middle of the night unable to breath I decided it MIGHT be time to quite. I tried patches and gum but they never worked so my doctor prescribed wellbutrin which is packaged as a mild anti depressant. He did that so insurance would cover is since it usually does not cover smoking cessation, it has the same active ingredient. Long story short, I have been smoke free for around 13 years and am glad I quit. I would like to try a QUALITY cigar, but I'm afraid I'd get hooked on smoking again so I don't open that door.

Back in the day, I would smoke a cigar or two when we had a SQUADEX, PLTEX, CO/BN Eval (ARTEP for us older guys) out in the field, I used to chew Red Man, if I didn't have a stogie handy. On a special occasion in garrison, I might have one or during the holidays. Other than that, I never been a true tobacco user.

I quit about 8 months ago after I developed a swollen salivary gland that was excised and found to be benign. Now did you hear about baseball hall of famer Tony Gwynn's death due to mouth cancer? He specifically had cancer of the salivary glands in his mouth!

TOBACCO AS MEDICINE:

For thousands of years, tobacco [occasionally mixed with hallucinogens and/or herbs] has played a curative and religious role in Caribbean, Aztec, Mayan, Incan and other indigenous American populations.

North, South, and Central American Indians used tobacco for:

· Religious and ceremonial purposes (smoke was believed to help communicate with the gods).

· Healing open wounds with tobacco leaves.

· Chewing to relieve toothaches and application to the brow for headaches.

· Europeans discovered that tobacco reduced hunger and increased mental alertness and physical stamina.


Modern science tells us that nicotine is an alkaloid which produces certain physiological effects in humans and animals. Nicotine (more info) is found in tobacco plants, and to a lesser degree in tomatoes, green peppers, potatoes, and eggplant. The general effects of nicotine are biphasic: initially it is mentally invigorating, and then it leads to a relaxing effect. In small doses, nicotine increases alertness, concentration, and enhances mental performance. Today we know that nicotine protects against Alzheimer's and Parkinson’s, and can help treat Tourette’s syndrome, ADHD, schizophrenia, epilepsy, and possibly rheumatoid arthritis and colorectal cancer. New discoveries are being made every year about the beneficial effects of nicotine, but these benefits are usually overshadowed in the public domain by Smokerism and anti-smoke hysteria. Fortunately, we know that "stress kills", and the greatest benefit from luxury tobacco comes from its relaxing effects!

I was a pack to a pack and a half a day smoker for a long time. I tried quitting a few times while active duty but always ended up relapsing between one and three months. What it all came down to was situational circumstances. I havent smoked since October and i don't really have a desire or need to. If you are planning on quitting you have to change a lot of other habits too. It means giving up those quick breaks during the day, and giving up some of that social interaction. (as a green side corpsman in garrison sometimes the smoke pit was the only time i got to interact with some of my marines) You need to  find out what makes you want to smoke and find new things to occupy your time. Hanging out with other non smokers makes thing a lot easier and for me avoiding alcohol was absolutely essential until i was over the brunt of my withdrawals.

Good luck to any of you thinking about quitting!