Any advice for a pilot who wants to kick the cigs?

[Jim Case]

hi everybody! I'm 21 years old, 4 mounths ago I got my private pilots license, and I've been practicing regularly for my instrument rating since then. I only have one issue, I smoke, ciggerettes, and I hate it. I know an airline/ commercial pilot can't take his/her smokes into the cockpit and even if they could, I hate being a smoker, I hate it. I've tried a lot of different things, patches, gum, looking at pictures of lungs with emphysema... I can't free myself from it, and I know I need to. Does anybody have any ideas that might help me here, I'm down to 1 whole cig over the course of a day, a huge improvement from where i was, but not where I wanna be. Any info or tips are greatly appreciated.

 

[Cap'n Jack]

hi everybody! I'm 21 years old, 4 mounths ago I got my private pilots license, and I've been practicing regularly for my instrument rating since then. I only have one issue, I smoke, ciggerettes, and I hate it. I know an airline/ commercial pilot can't take his/her smokes into the cockpit and even if they could, I hate being a smoker, I hate it. I've tried a lot of different things, patches, gum, looking at pictures of lungs with emphysema... I can't free myself from it, and I know I need to. Does anybody have any ideas that might help me here, I'm down to 1 whole cig over the course of a day, a huge improvement from where i was, but not where I wanna be. Any info or tips are greatly appreciated.

Take it one day at a time. You're down to one per day. Finish or toss the pack, and take the last step...none per day. Don't worry about tomorrow, just get through today without a cigarette.

 

[Unit74]

Sunflower seeds for the oral fix...... Patches on the arm.

 

[mscard88]

My wife quit years ago. Cold turkey. But then she is a turkey. Cute one though (never know if she'll read this.)

 

[Ravioli]

This one is pure troll. Come on. I'm a 21 yr old addicted smoker.

So I've been smoking (legally) for 5 years and I'm hooked!

Help yourself out. Buy 20 novels and one packet of cigarettes. Each time you finish a novel you smoke 1 cigarette. You'll either read faster or smoke less.

 

[Jim Case]

This one is pure troll. Come on. I'm a 21 yr old addicted smoker.

So I've been smoking (legally) for 5 years and I'm hooked!

Help yourself out. Buy 20 novels and one packet of cigarettes. Each time you finish a novel you smoke 1 cigarette. You'll either read faster or smoke less.

What do you mean "pure troll"? You don't believe me or something? Is that supposed to upset me or something? I could care less if you do or not, the fact Is I'm a cigarette smoker ( ever used nicotine by the way? Five years is plenty of time to get hooked believe me ) and I'm training to be a professional pilot, I wanna be able to fly for as many hours as I need without feeling the urge to smoke. You can call me out as fake all you want, I could care less, I want to get healthy. As for the book idea, i like it. I read a lot and i actually will try that, reguardless of what you believe.

 

[Jim Case]

Sunflower seeds for the oral fix...... Patches on the arm.

I've heard the sunflower seed idea before, I don't like the taste of them, but I will give it a shot. Couldn't hurt.

 

[mscard88]

Jim you just have to suck it up and quit, sounds like cold turkey might be the only way it'll work for you. I never smoked so I don't know the feeling at all, other than marrying my wife when she was a heavy smoker. Happy she quit 25 years ago using Nicoderm I think it's called. But she says you have to want to have to quit too. Believe me, there are smokers at the airlines but they are in the minority. But they're not chastised by their peers at all. Some of my best friends were smokers at my airline, and most didn't run around with a hair up their arse. And they were a hoot.

 

[Jim Case]

Take it one day at a time. You're down to one per day. Finish or toss the pack, and take the last step...none per day. Don't worry about tomorrow, just get through today without a cigarette.[/QUOT

Jim you just have to suck it up and quit, sounds like cold turkey might be the only way it'll work for you. I never smoked so I don't know the feeling at all, other than marrying my wife when she was a heavy smoker. Happy she quit 25 years ago using Nicoderm I think it's called. But she says you have to want to have to quit too. Believe me, there are smokers at the airlines but they are in the minority. But they're not chastised by their peers at all. Some of my best friends were smokers at my airline, and most didn't run around with a hair up their arse. And they were a hoot.

It's not really a matter of the airlines accepting it, it's just that I don't want to Be a smoker anymore, I love to fly and I hate when I'm flying and all I can think about is getting on the ground and having a puff. I definitely want, need to quit. I just am having trouble with the last step of all together not smoking. Your input is good and I thank you for it, but cold turkey didn't work for me. At all.

 

[Unit74]

Flavored ones help. The pickle ones are nasty though.

 

[SkyDog58]

Just don't smoke. Simple.

 

[Zeldman]

Switch to alcohol....

Actually, JUST STOP.!!!!

I started smokeless at 10 years old. At 32 the doctor told me I needed to quit. I took him at his word, and threw it in his trash right his feet. 25+ years later and I haven't touched the stuff since.

Easy for me to say, but wanting to stop and stopping are 2 different things. I just stopped. Right then and there. Sure I had urges, but I said no, its over.

Think of a cigarette as an adult pacifier. Buy a baby pacifier and use it while looking at yourself in the mirror. That what everyone else sees.

Good luck to ya buddy.

 

[mscard88]

@#$*

Easy for me to say, but wanting to stop and stopping are 2 different things. I just stopped. Right then and there. Sure I had urges, but I said no, its over.

This is the key, and as Zeldman wrote, it's 2 different things, and until you do the second one you'll have difficulty. Good luck man, hope you get there.

 

[Jim Case]

Just don't smoke. Simple.

Yeah, sure is.

 

[Jim Case]

Switch to alcohol....

Actually, JUST STOP.!!!!

I started smokeless at 10 years old. At 32 the doctor told me I needed to quit. I took him at his word, and threw it in his trash right his feet. 25+ years later and I haven't touched the stuff since.

Easy for me to say, but wanting to stop and stopping are 2 different things. I just stopped. Right then and there. Sure I had urges, but I said no, its over.

Think of a cigarette as an adult pacifier. Buy a baby pacifier and use it while looking at yourself in the mirror. That what everyone else sees.

Good luck to ya buddy.

The aldut pacifier thing, that's what my girlfriend tells me all the time, and how stupid i was to even start. But yes, I think you are right. As are most of the other replys, I'm doing well at keeping back, but giving it the boot all together has been really hard. Thanks for the ear

 

[Jim Case]

@#$*


This is the key, and as Zeldman wrote, it's 2 different things, and until you do the second one you'll have difficulty. Good luck man, hope you get there.

Thanks, I'm almost there and I just can't give it the final push. That's what's so frustrating about it.

 

[Jim Case]

Flavored ones help. The pickle ones are nasty though.

Haha that's sounds sick! I think i might switch to them as my only source of nicotine and then I'll be over it in no time!

 

[mscard88]

Thanks, I'm almost there and I just can't give it the final push. That's what's so frustrating about it.

Put your mind to it and do it Jim. I think it's worth it for your health. And pocketbook! Geez when I stand in line at the grocery store and see those prices! Best to you man.

 

[Jim Case]

Put your mind to it and do it Jim. I think it's worth it for your health. And pocketbook! Geez when I stand in line at the grocery store and see those prices! Best to you man.

Yeah no kidding. On top of the cost of aircraft rental I'm living on ramen noodles. Thanks for the ear, I apreciate it.

 

[RyanB]

Jimmy, it's a mind game, tell yourself you're done and put the cancer sticks away. As they say "you can do anything you put your mind to."

But really dude!? 21 and you're an addict? C'mon

 

[Jim Case]

Jimmy, it's a mind game, tell yourself you're done and put the cancer sticks away.

But really dude!? 21 and you're an addict? C'mon

I don't like it either, but it was "cool" in high school and the girls liked it. But yeah, I know what I need to do, I'm just trying to get that last little step, which has been unbelievably difficult.

 

[mscard88]

But really dude!? 21 and you're an addict? C'mon

My wife was when she was 21. I believe what Jim says.

 

[Jim Case]

My wife was when she was 21. I believe what Jim says.

I don't think Ryanb has ever used nicotine. And that's good for him, but yeah, I started at 17 and I'm still hating that choice.

 

[RyanB]

My wife was when she was 21. I believe what Jim says.

I'm not doubting it, I meant it as being so young to be tied up with it.

I don't like it either, but it was "cool" in high school and the girls liked it. But yeah, I know what I need to do, I'm just trying to get that last little step, which has been unbelievably difficult.

Best of luck to you bud.

 

[mscard88]

I don't think Ryanb has ever used nicotine. And that's good for him, but yeah, I started at 17 and I'm still hating that choice.

My cousin got me to try it in 7th grade. I was walking down a country road from my grandparents home to a grass airport to watch planes, lit up, inhaled, coughed like crazy, and threw an almost full pack away in the weeds. Unfiltered Marlboros I think. Thank God. Later in junior high and HS I played sports in and always felt smoking would hinder my performance so I was never tempted ever again. So a lot of it is a mind game, you have to convince yourself.

 

[RyanB]

I don't think Ryanb has ever used nicotine. And that's good for him, but yeah, I started at 17 and I'm still hating that choice.

Never have, nor tempted in the slightest.

 

[Ravioli]

Let us add some reality. I was in 7th grade in 1978.
mscard was before me (I think)

I might have become a smoker if my 5 older brothers didn't smack that idea out of my head (mentally and physically). I still thank them.

 

[Mason]

It took me 3 tries, but I did it cold turkey.
Every day I put a big red X on my calendar. After 3 weeks I noticed I hadn't been to the calendar for awhile. That was when I knew I had it licked. Just do it. You will not regret it. And you will save a ton of money.

It helps to not drink booze while you are quitting, somehow they seem to go together.

 

[FastEddieB]

Yeah, sure is.

He actually has a point.

To say something is simple does not imply that it's easy.

Something just has to click where you decide to quit. If you phrase it as trying to quit, you're doomed to fail. If you've convinced yourself it's going to be difficult, it will be difficult.

That said, find a replacement. Maybe buy one of these:

Or your candy/sucker of choice.

Feel like a cigarette? Pop a candy instead.

Just decide to quit, and quit. It IS simple.

 

[Mason]

There is no try. There is only do, or do not.

 

[Jim Case]

He actually has a point.

To say something is simple does not imply that it's easy.

Something just has to click where you decide to quit. If you phrase is as trying to quit, you're doomed to fail. If you've convinced yourself it's going to be difficult, it will be difficult.

That said, find a replacement. Maybe buy one of these:

Or your candy/sucker of choice.

Feel like a cigarette? Pop a candy instead.

Just decide to quit, and quit. It IS simple.

Yeah, I admit I've never thought of it like that, i will try the candy idea, it seems solid.

 

[Jim Case]

It took me 3 tries, but I did it cold turkey.
Every day I put a big red X on my calendar. After 3 weeks I noticed I hadn't been to the calendar for awhile. That was when I knew I had it licked. Just do it. You will not regret it. And you will save a ton of money.

It helps to not drink booze while you are quitting, somehow they seem to go together.

Yeah, I don't drink, I've never liked it. I don't like smoking either though.

 

[Justin Moose]

Hey Jim, I recently quit after 16 years. In my job, I could smoke all day, and I did. Was up to over 2 packs a day. Started feeling real bad (coughing, couldn't breath, ect) and looked at how much $$$ I was spending and decided to quit. Traded for a vape pen and slowly reduced nicotine level. May be something to look at, it worked for me. Good luck!

 

[Joey4420]

My bother is 52 and has been smoking since he was 14, he keeps saying he plans to quit and slows down but doesn't quit. He has tried vaping, I told him the other day you have to want to quit, it is just like wanting to fly. You don't just half way want to fly and half way read the books and listen to your CFI. You have to want it and do it. Make up your mind and do it.

 

[Terry L in KY]

Good luck, and stick to it. I'd give anything to have never started. Trust me, it's not going to get any easier than RIGHT NOW. I'm now 52,and still trying to quit. Mark Twain said it best, "Quittin's easy, I've done it hundreds of times......."

 

[3393RP]

Jim, the mistake you are making is characterizing it as one little step because you have reduced your intake. It's not. Quitting tobacco is a huge obstacle, a mountain, and it takes iron willpower and planning to kill it dead.

You gotta think that way or you'll never succeed.

I smoked for ten years then switched to tobacco pouches. That was stupid. They have twice as much nicotine as a cigarette. After four years of that I decided to quit.

I didn't tell anyone, not even my wife. I told myself I had to do it.

I knew it would be hard, but I was determined to succeed. In July I decided I would quit on New Years Day. Yeah, six months. Every day I thought about how nasty and disgusting tobacco was. I thought about throat cancer and talking through a buzz box.

When January 1st came, I was ready. I had gone to the store and bought ten rolls of sugar free Breath Savers. That was a huge help. The necessity of having something in my mouth was overwhelming.

I used them nonstop for two years. It took that long to get rid of the cravings. I was told I acted like a crabby ***hole to everyone for six months. But it worked. This was 18 years ago.

So get serious. It's not one cigarette a day you're fighting, it's a life long addiction that will kill you. Oh, and something else. You stink. Your clothes smell. Some really nice girls are gonna look at you and shake their heads in disgust. They would have gone out with you, but you smoke.

All this sounds stupid to someone that has never used tobacco. But it's all true.

Quit smoking, Jim. Or you're gonna die.

 

[Sam D]

Jim - here's a challenge - choose to quit and post on this thread each day you successfully go without. We'll be watching! See if you can make it 21 days.

 

[Jim Case]

Jim, the mistake you are making is characterizing this as one little step. It's not. Quitting tobacco is a huge obstacle, a mountain, and it takes iron willpower and planning to kill it dead.

You gotta think that way or you'll never succeed.

I smoked for ten years then switched to tobacco pouches. That was stupid. They have twice as much nicotine as a cigarette. After four years of that I decided to quit.

I didn't tell anyone, not even my wife. I told myself I had to do it.

I knew it would be hard, but I was determined to succeed. In July I decided I would quit on New Years Day. Yeah, six months. Every day I thought about how nasty and disgusting tobacco was. I thought about throat cancer and talking through a buzz box.

When January 1st came, I was ready. I had gone to the store and bought ten rolls of sugar free Breath Savers. That's what made it work. The necessity of having something in my mouth was overwhelming.

I used them nonstop for two years. It took that long to get rid of the cravings. I was told I acted like a crabby an ***hole to everyone for six months. But it worked. This was 18 years ago.

So get serious. It's not one cigarette a day you're fighting, it's a life long addiction that will kill you. Oh, and something else. You stink. Your clothes smell. Some really nice girls are gonna look at you and shake their heads in disgust. They would have gone out with you, but you smoke.

All this sounds stupid to someone that has never used tobacco. But it's all true.

Quit smoking, Jim. Or you're gonna die.

Yeah I hear you, and I agree. Also,Yes, that damn smell is so disgusting.Luckily my girlfriend has been doing her best to help me, she is in med school. I'm very fortunate that she hasn't dumped my ass, literally just because of the cigarettes. Hell I wouldn't bum around with some stinky Hooligan if I were her! I've
Been using a marker, for my mouth, it looks absurd

 

[Jim Case]

Jim - here's a challenge - choose to quit and post on this thread each day you successfully go without. We'll be watching! See if you can make it 21 days.

I will do that, today being day 1! Not a single toke! I feel like shiitake Mushrooms, however.

 

[paflyer]

I don't like it either, but it was "cool" in high school and the girls liked it.

Really? In the 21st Century? Compared to my day, I thought smoking was very frowned-upon and greatly reduced % of kids getting into the habit.

Have you looked into hypnosis?