My best friend, smoking and Casinos - Smoking Cessation Message Board

Deda · 02-12-2004, 01:51 PM

Hey my wonderful non-smoking co-horts--

Could you please give me your thoughts and any suggestions you might have regarding this upcoming event, which I'm already starting to worry about, (a little)!!...

Hubby and I are going on trip up to L. Tahoe next weekend, (the 21st) for 3 days. We invited some very close friends of ours. She's a good friend of mine, altho we don't see each other very often. (She owns her own business and works another job too). Anyway this is the way they smoke...I can't really say they are full time smokers, cause they're not, but they smoke (when at home) only 1 cig a day. When she is with friends that smoke, she smokes a little more, (bums em). But normally just 1 cig a day. But I just found out that when she goes to the casinos, she buys a pack and smokes throughout time spent in casino. (My dad does the same thing). We'll be going out to eat together while we're there, but I don't really want to sit (yet) in the smoking section. I know I won't be spending every moment w/ her in the casino as we play different games, BUT, we will be spending some time together. I'm just a little worried I guess, worried how much this is going to get to me or not. I know I have 4.5 months smoke-free, but I don't feel I'm THAT strong yet. I still sometimes want to smoke. Now, I went to the casinos 2 weeks after I quit, and stayed for 4 days, and even sat by my dad for a while while he smoked, and I was strong and did okay. Sometimes I think I did alright because it had only been 2 weeks and I didn't miss them that much yet. I still miss them, I'm not gonna lie.

What do you all think???? Any suggestions???

DEDA
ps--I reserved them smoking rooms cuz I knew they smoked some, but she asked me to please switch that reservation to non-smoking rms, because she said she can't sleep in a room w/ cig smoke cuz it feels like she's sleeping in a big ashtray!!!

Invincible · 02-14-2004, 12:47 AM

Hey Deda ... everytime your friend picks up a cigarette .. imagine the smoke turning her lungs black .. imagine how her gums are rotting and how her face is wrinkling ... mind over matter!

Start a mental mantra ... "Eventhough I miss cigarrettes, I've chosen to be healthy, free and strong" (or something like that) ... make it something powerful to you.

Deda · 02-14-2004, 11:13 AM

I'll try that Invincible....thank you. Just hope we don't have to sit in that smoking section when we go out to eat!!!!

Happy Valentines Day Invince!!!!

Love,
DEDA

Leanea · 02-15-2004, 12:38 PM

You have the right (and the responsibility) to refuse to sit in the smoking section.....even if it means sitting all by yourself. When I used to smoke I would never smoke at the same table as a non-smoker and certainly not a new ex-smoker! ....if you wanted to smoke you would, you don't need second-hand smoke instead! The casinos are full of smokers though, I guess gambling, smoking, and alcholol are all one lifestyle... anything addictive etc......esp. if you don't have a choice it sounds like? It should be fun to go to a casino, but I guess it just depends on who you're with. Aren't there non-smoking tables? There should be.....Anyway, in the end you can only control your willpower. Some people won't stand for second hand smoke, you may decide to become that kind of person! Nothing wrong with that! You have been so strong for four and a half months, that's important, and that's what you need to keep up.....good luck and have fun!

LL29 · 02-15-2004, 08:36 PM

Hi ladies and Deda I think the same - DO NOT SIT IN THE SMOKING SECTION.

It's just not worth it if you're feeling that weak and you don't need any crutches or excuses (not saying an excuse but you know what I mean - don't want you having any relapses when you knew what was coming up). I would explain to your friends that since they smoke VERY little - would they terribly mind if you ate in the nonsmoking section because you quit 4 1/2 months ago but yet are feeling a little weak and need all the support you can get.

If they refuse, then I guess you and hubby will choose to eat alone in the nonsmoking section. If they're "friends" - then they'll appease you. It's not like they're full time smokers anyway so it really shouldn't be a big deal.

DO NOT forget why it is that you quit Deda -= you've come WAY too far to turn back now. Remember - we don't know which one will do us in and it's not worth it to play russian roulette just to stink and smell like an ashtray.

BE STRONG Deda and if it came down to it and I felt that weak - guess what - suddenly I would become VERY ILL and couldn't go. LOL You do WHATEVER it takes but don't you dare smoke.

Stay strong and say your prayers Deda - he's brought you this far so don't stop now.

Love ya chic

Laurie