There are many reasons for me to quit smoking, but the Palestinian cause is a strong addition. I cannot support Palestine effectively if I am dead. To continue smoking as such is to hurry along the end of that condition. So I will not lite up 20 times a day anymore.

Also, smoking a pack a day had become part of my identity. In the same way, many of those who were pushed to support the US backed governing body of the land between the Jordon river and the Mediterranean sea, have let ethno-nationalism become part of their identity. Many of them are letting that part of their identity go. I will let the pack smoker in me go in solidarity with everyone who used to support oppression but now knows how wrong that was. Pack a day smokers are a class of people. I have decided to exit that class.

My support for Palestine gives me strength. Standing with Falestine means trying to survive. That means trying to be healthy. Falestine has given me a boost to quitting smoking. I’d have some trouble supporting if I am not alive.

  • Camarada ForteMA
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    5 months ago

    Also, smoking a pack a day had become part of my identity

    Not many people realize this, but this is a part why many smokers have trouble quitting. Close friends of them smoke, or everyone associates them with smoking, so they also smoke to claim their own identity, or that of their group.

    To stop smoking for your own sake, and for your own health is already a noble enough cause. You’re more useful to the revolution if you’re alive

  • loathesome dongeaterA
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    5 months ago

    I didn’t smoke as much as you (three to five thin cigarettes a day) but I have also quit smoking for about two weeks now. Have also dropped drinking for about one week and hoping to keep that up.

  • idkmybffjoeysteel [he/him]@hexbear.net
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    5 months ago

    Man I do not know how people smoke for so long. I was a chain smoker in my teens, and then one day it just made me feel shit, so literally quit over night. I still get a cough straight away for a week or more if I ever have one. A 20 pack a day is mad.

  • voight [he/him, any]@hexbear.net
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    5 months ago

    Also fyi caffeine accelerates cravings they share a related enzyme that’s why coffee plus cigs is like quadruple tweaked up but too quick

    • drndramrndra
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      5 months ago

      Coffee was never too bad for me, beer on the other hand is pure hell.

      • WideningGyro [any]@hexbear.net
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        5 months ago

        IIRC, alcohol makes you piss out nicotine faster, so the connection between alcohol and smoking is not just social, but literal.

        • drndramrndra
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          5 months ago

          That would explain why beer was always so much worse than liquor.

          I think there might also a connection between alcohol dilating blood vessels and nicotine constricting them.

        • KiG V2
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          5 months ago

          YO i hardly smoke anymore and when i do its literally 1 cigarette but if I was drunk in a social situation i could smoke half a dang ol pack in one sitting

      • voight [he/him, any]@hexbear.net
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        5 months ago

        Caffeine is super good for you if you anticipate being more metabolic and having tension that needs to leave your body. If it’s all you have it can make you a huge jerk 😱

  • voight [he/him, any]@hexbear.net
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    5 months ago

    You’ll feel a lot better soon enough just remember you’ll just have to quit again later if you get the urge to stop. Eat rly well and get hella vitamins so you feel good

  • DankZedong A
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    5 months ago

    I quit smoking at 23 when I realized I had trouble getting up stairs because it took the air out of me. It was even harder to do than quitting drinking and cocaine at the time. But it was so worth it. It sucks and it will be hard but I have seen multiple people close to me battling lung cancer and such and that is even harder, so 🤷

    • KiG V2
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      5 months ago

      Didn’t know you were suffering with this, I am happy it is lower now. I hope life becomes enjoyable for you and these urges become easier to fight off, soon.

  • relay
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    5 months ago

    Good luck dealing with that addiction.

  • KiG V2
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    5 months ago

    Best wishes on your quitting journey comrade 🫡

  • Highriselowlife
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    5 months ago

    Need to quit myself. It’s my last real vice and it’s hard to give up.

  • Omega_Haxors@lemmy.ml
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    5 months ago

    My old man got over his smoking addiction by drinking honey tea every time they got the craving. Smart move, sugar in large quantities has a strong addictive effect which will override anything else that might be going on at the time. I would know; I had nothing but the stuff for a science experiment once and that shit really rewires your brain.