Smoking Cesession

[AJE]

Cigarette Tax Skyrockets January 1st
Dec 31, 2007
WBAY NEWS


If your New Year's resolution is to quit smoking, you'll get an extra push at 12:01 A.M. That's when the cost of cigarettes goes up a full dollar a pack thanks to a tax increase written into the 2008 state budget.

The tax on a pack of cigarettes is going from 77 cents to a dollar and 77 cents. That's expected to pump an extra $378.5 million into the hands of the state government over the next two years.

According to Governor Jim Doyle's plan, it will also go towards health-related costs including expanding programs to help people quit or prevent them from getting hooked on cigarettes in the first place. The Wisconsin Tobacco Prevention and Control program will receive a $15 million chunk of the 2008 budget.

WBAY-TV Green Bay-Fox Cities-Northeast Wisconsin News: Cigarette Tax Skyrockets January 1st

[MrKhay]

I think this is the second or third thread concerning smoking cessation on theBubbler.

[MrKhay]

...anyhow, I think Doyle is cutting his throat on this one, as he is taxing the one thing that pays for his health care plan. If folks don't buy the product, he won't be able to collect taxes on it. If he can't collect taxes on it, he won't have the revenue to pay for his health care plan. There are all sorts of people that don't smoke, and still need state funded health care.

Was Doyle thinking the only people that need health care assistance are smokers...or is it something else?

[MrKhay]

Well, today is day 31 for me on the smoking cessation trail. Second time around. I did the first 2 or 3 weeks using the gum...2 mg. Now, when an urge comes on, I just poke myself in the ear with a semi-sharp stick.

I'm not doing it because I worship Doyle, or his policies. I'm doing it for my health and the money in the pocket. I've saved $180 so far.

[Kris10]

Originally Posted by MrKhay

Well, today is day 31 for me on the smoking cessation trail.

Way to go MrKhay!!!!!!

The first few months are the worst. I've been smoke free for, gosh, I think it's almost three years now. Haven't seen an improvement in my wallet though... coffee is my new vice.

[Kelly68]

I don't know myself how hard it is to quit smoking but I am married to one who has been smoke free for over a week now. It is tough. So anyone that can do it, I applaud them. Way to go MrMkay!

[j10asen]

Originally Posted by MrKhay

Well, today is day 31 for me on the smoking cessation trail. Second time around. I did the first 2 or 3 weeks using the gum...2 mg. Now, when an urge comes on, I just poke myself in the ear with a semi-sharp stick.

I'm not doing it because I worship Doyle, or his policies. I'm doing it for my health and the money in the pocket. I've saved $180 so far.

Way to go MrKhay
I am sure by now , you realize that urge to smoke does not get any stronger, it is just there abd each day you do not smoke makes the next one easier.

I had my last cigarette October 15th,1989 at 11:50 am just before I went to the hospital with a heart attack. I knew it was the last one I would smoke and it tasted awful.


After six months I can recall smelling a smoker and thinking OMG I used to smell like that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!

There was a time I thought I would die for one now I think HOW STUPID IT ALL WAS!!!!!

oh yea I tried many time to quite and even chewed the gum and smoked at the same time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!

I am a slow learner but that is all in my past. Every now and then I get the urge but that only lasts about 5 seconds. I HATE SMOKEY PLACE NOW.

[MrKhay]

My Quit Date is: 1/7/2008 11:59:59 PM
Time Smoke-Free: 53 days, 9 hours, 4 minutes and 40 seconds

Cigarettes NOT smoked: 1601 Lifetime Saved: 12 days, 5 hours Money Saved: $354.78

Really, I'm just getting started. I'll be hitting the theBubbler link to the Amazon Store soon. I have air conditioner on my mind. Lotsa cool kitchen gadgets too. A counter top convection oven/ toaster oven is also on the list.

I have to tell you, smoking really takes a toll on the body. You can really damage yourself by smoking. They say healing form the damage done will take a great amount of time, and won't be painless.

My advice to someone thinking about starting smoking: DON'T DO IT!

[MrKhay]

Originally Posted by j10asen

Way to go MrKhay
I am sure by now , you realize that urge to smoke does not get any stronger, it is just there abd each day you do not smoke makes the next one easier.

I had my last cigarette October 15th,1989 at 11:50 am just before I went to the hospital with a heart attack. I knew it was the last one I would smoke and it tasted awful.


After six months I can recall smelling a smoker and thinking OMG I used to smell like that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!

There was a time I thought I would die for one now I think HOW STUPID IT ALL WAS!!!!!

oh yea I tried many time to quite and even chewed the gum and smoked at the same time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!

I am a slow learner but that is all in my past. Every now and then I get the urge but that only lasts about 5 seconds. I HATE SMOKEY PLACE NOW.

That's an inspirational story, Stoney.

I agree with your assertion that urges don't get any stronger. If you can quell the first urge, the next will be again as easy to quell. Pretty soon you'll be writing jokes about it.

I know that I'm the only person I can stop smoking for, and I don't have to worry about smoking tomorrow...as tomorrow never comes. I just have to beat the urge that happens now. Now is where I am.

[ONEZ48]

I used a product called Smoke Away which I purchased from Wal-Mart. This product is inexpensive and works very well! I have been smoke free for 1year now, the second time around. I don't have cravings but wished the smokers around me would take it elsewhere!