Why I have smoked

I have been thinking exactly why I smoke.

The bottom line is I am addicted to it. I got there by occassionally smoking at weekends when I went drinking with friends and while on summer holidays when I was in my late teens and early twenties.

There are however som other reasons that I will need to find a way around.

1) Smoking helps my morning movements - if you know what I mean ;)

Yep, there's no two ways about it, smoking helps me go to the loo, as do a few pints the night before. I even met a girl once who never smoked except when she was constipated. So, I can't be the only one !

Well, I will be trying a diet of lots of salad, vegetables, fruit and liquids to try to make sure I don;t have any morning "trouble". I see this as quite a challenge because I do NOT like feeling blocked up. The last time I quit, I actually found that everything returned to normal within 48 hours so hopefully my plan will work out ok.


2) There are times when I genuinely enjoy smoking both socially and on my own.

When at work I usually smoke with a friend, unfortunately, I don't think he has any plans to quit.

Anyway, he's a good friend and I know he won't invite me for a smoke if I tell him that I've stopped so I don't anticipate any unwanted temptations as a result of our friendship.


3) Smoking while drinking is a given and can be a genuine pleasure sometimes.

The only way I have around this is to make sure I don't drink for a while to stiffen my resolve the next time I do drink. Also, I have friends and relatives who can't stand smoking so the first time I do drink will be with them so I am less tempted to join in with the smoking.


4) Habit, not nicotine addiction but real habit.

We all have some routines I guess and smoking is one of mine. While waiting for a bus for instance or when I crack open a can of lager at home in the summer, or while barbequeing. I smoke on the way to work, just before I arrive (outide the building) and on my way to lunch.

I am going to try a few new routes into work, take sandwiches and generally disrupt my usual routine to try and get around this.