Discussions

I believe that everyone can agree the cigarette smoking is an addiction & like any other addiction, it begins with making the choice to try it/start. Similar to other addictions, it's EXTREMELY difficult to quit without help & yet the only help which doesn't cost money is verbal. A Dr may prescribe a drug to assist, then the smoker has to pay for the drug: patches,gum,sprays etc can be bought (& pay taxes on these too). However, for drug &/or alcohol treatments, the facilities on Victoria Avenue E is free with free parking & as a bonus (?!?) a smoking area. Doesn't make a lot of sense IMO since smokers are generally seen to be a "blight on society" in the last several years. Interested in thoughts on this. I'm not supporting smokers: just looking for more equal assistance.

Why should our tax dollars have to pay for all the bad choices people make. The “education” has been out there for years about smoking. You chose to smoke for however many years and paid the crazy high prices for cigarette. So, pay for the quitting smoking aids and quit. You will still be ahead in the long run, financially and health wise. Good luck with quitting, I have watched many people struggle with this. It is possible.

I get what your saying but I previously smoked for many years and successfully quit many times and yes started back on my own choice not because I quit quitting as they say lol now I havent had a drag of a smoke in 3 years. I will tell you this one thing I have always said all those items are bullsh*t . Why? Because all your doing is replacing a habit with a habit,your relying on say nicotine patches well now your going to want that patch all the time. The only way to quit is a) cold Turkey b) dont set a date just do it and c) if your going to use anything just normal gum or sunflower seeds are the best. You have to be able to alter your mindset whenever you think of a smoke start thinking of something else it's TRUE that as fast as withdrawals come they go. Also yes they are shorter and shorter however 3 years later yes sometimes I do still get cravings. But I will tell you this whatever you do dont try quitting with vapes it's not going to work as efficient it will only make it harder on you and it'll cost almost as much.

Milky Whey said "Why should our tax dollars have to pay for all the bad choices people make. The “education” has been out there for years about smoking. You chose to smoke for however many years and paid the crazy high prices for cigarette. So, pay for the quitting smoking aids and quit. You will still be ahead in the long run, financially and health wise. Good luck with quitting, I have watched many people struggle with this. It is possible. "

I agree but think you missed the points I was making re: addictions.

Verite said "    Milky Whey said "Why should our tax dollars have to pay for all the bad choices people make. The “education” has been out there for years about smoking. You chose to smoke for however many years and paid the crazy high prices for cigarette. So, pay for the quitting smoking aids and quit. You will still be ahead in the long run, financially and health wise. Good luck with quitting, I have watched many people struggle with this. It is possible. " I agree but think you missed the points I was making re: addictions. "

I think I see the point you are trying to make.  
Some people think the gov't needs to help with all the meth addicts out there. Just for detox it's 28 days and then they want care for much longer. Okay, but what happens when these addicts start hanging with the same old friends? They go back to doing meth.  
It takes a strong will to stop any addicting substance but you can do it but you have to want to,

Milky Whey said "Why should our tax dollars have to pay for all the bad choices people make. The “education” has been out there for years about smoking. You chose to smoke for however many years and paid the crazy high prices for cigarette. So, pay for the quitting smoking aids and quit. You will still be ahead in the long run, financially and health wise. Good luck with quitting, I have watched many people struggle with this. It is possible. "

your logic, why should "our tax dollars" pay for ANY of the bad choices that people make? The only point I was making is that some treatments & help are free while this one is not.

I got the point. You may have missed mine. We have to stop expecting someone to always step up and fix our bad choices. Our tax dollars only go so far. To fund all things the way people are asking for funding, there would be no point in even going to work anymore. We would have nothing left of our pay cheques. I know people need help, but, tax payers need to pay their bills as well. There just is not enough money.

There is way more to this than treating the addiction. That is the end result of something far deeper. I am sure if the real problems were taken care of, the addictions would not even be there.

myhandleistrain said "I don't smoke, but do realize it is an adiction. I see a lot of press for addicts dying from overdoses taking fentynal laced opiods. Rightlfully so as it highlights an epidemic of life threatening illegal drugs suppliedby people with no concern of consequences, only greed.   Yes, without a market, there wouldn't be a problem, but reality tells us some people can't cope and turn to drugs. Nicotene included. Unfortunately, nicotine is a huge revenue generator for the government. I do think the government should help people quit nicotine, same as any other addictive drug. "

is all that I was saying. I haven't thought of the tax $'s the government collects from smokers & alcohol though so Milky Whey: they already contribute,a lot. EVERYONE should get equal assistance imo.

In addition to the addictions already mentioned, there are lots of others too...food, porn, shopping, hoarding and the list goes on...I am a former smoker, and it took a long time (years) to finally quit..I knew it would be painful (and it was) but eventually the cravings do go away..No quick solution to this addiction...Good luck to you...You can do it...Just percevere day by day..

Yes, everyone should be treated equal. We both know equality is light years away.

The tax dollars that smokers contribute is almost 8.4 billion dollars a year. One person I know smoked over 5 grand a year. Taxes on that would be huge. Are you saying the government couldn't afford to use some of that tax money and offer say free prescriptions to help quit or stop smoking aids? It actually wouldn't cost the taxpayers anything other than if smokers decided to all stop we the tax payers would be on the hook for the 8.4 billion shortfall.

I totally agree. Smoking is just as bad for you as drinking or drugs, the cessation aids should be free or low cost with no tax. I quit seven years ago with an e-cigarette & Champix and it was quite pricey. It sure would’ve been nice to get the help I needed and maybe some aftercare. It would have been so helpful to be able to talk with other ex-smokers and got their advice on what works, how it works, what activities to implement when you get a craving and to be careful when replacing cigarettes with food!!

The $$$$ you spend on cigarettes if you stopped smoking would easily. I mean easily pay for any aids you need.  
 
Any counseling for whatever is available free out there just ask your dr.  
 
Personally I have never seen how people avoid to buy cigarettes especially the 2-3 packs a day. So expensive. If you had saved that money imagine what a nice vacation or other item you could have.  
 
Cold turkey is the best way. If you fail and have a cigarette just say ok then I start again.  
 
I would make the same money for mecfamily as someone else similar size of family and could never figure out money wasted on smokes. We were living s pay cheque to pay cheque just doing the basic life needs.  
 
Smokers make that decision to smoke. That is onntgem. It is like any addiction the person is responsible for those first decisions.  
 
I am tired of people blaming their addictions on everything except themselves.

Pawprints said "    Exhausted said "The $$$$ you spend on cigarettes if you stopped smoking would easily. I mean easily pay for any aids you need.     Any counseling for whatever is available free out there just ask your dr.     Personally I have never seen how people avoid to buy cigarettes especially the 2-3 packs a day. So expensive. If you had saved that money imagine what a nice vacation or other item you could have.     Cold turkey is the best way. If you fail and have a cigarette just say ok then I start again.     I would make the same money for mecfamily as someone else similar size of family and could never figure out money wasted on smokes. We were living s pay cheque to pay cheque just doing the basic life needs.     Smokers make that decision to smoke. That is onntgem. It is like any addiction the person is responsible for those first decisions.     I am tired of people blaming their addictions on everything except themselves. " Ever smoked? Have you ever had an addiction? If you have, then don't slam the people trying to quit their addiction. You should understand the struggle!!   If you haven't had an addiction to smoking or any other addiction, I would suggest stopping right now on your high horse.   It's so easy for "non" addicts to give their opinions but until you live the life, have compassion and GIVE support!   "Exhausted" I pray none of your family has to ever deal with an addiction. It's not fun "

are perfect!

Oh please!!! Have you ever had an addiction in your life? If so, you’d know it’s NOT that easy. And cold turkey NEVER worked for me. I should know, I tried it many times without much success. Thanks for being perfect, though! Haha

Exhausted said "The $$$$ you spend on cigarettes if you stopped smoking would easily. I mean easily pay for any aids you need.     Any counseling for whatever is available free out there just ask your dr.     Personally I have never seen how people avoid to buy cigarettes especially the 2-3 packs a day. So expensive. If you had saved that money imagine what a nice vacation or other item you could have.     Cold turkey is the best way. If you fail and have a cigarette just say ok then I start again.     I would make the same money for mecfamily as someone else similar size of family and could never figure out money wasted on smokes. We were living s pay cheque to pay cheque just doing the basic life needs.     Smokers make that decision to smoke. That is onntgem. It is like any addiction the person is responsible for those first decisions.     I am tired of people blaming their addictions on everything except themselves. "

is kind of a "well duh" because if they stopped smoking & saved all that $$$ for the aids, they wouldn't need the aids, would they ?!?! And nowhere did I see Vérité blaming anyone for the smoking addiction, simply wondering why not parity to treat it.