Not smoking in Thailand is like not drinking in Dublin
It’s been a little over two weeks since I quit smoking again. The last time I tried to quit I went about three months before calling the whole thing off. I then got back into smoking even heavier than before. The difficulty in quitting smoking in Thailand is that everywhere you look, there are people doing it. You can’t escape it.
Guys stand at the side of the road smoking, girls go out and get drunk and start smoking, most of the guys at work smoke incessantly, and it’s just a normal part of life here in Thailand. There is no taboo when it comes to smoking, despite the grotesque warning images slapped on every pack of cigarettes.
Then there’s the cost: a pack of cigarettes costs a small fraction of what I used to pay in the UK. Whereas before I had to save up for a couple of days before I could buy a pack of 10 Mayfairs, now I can buy cigarettes with the pocket change I keep in a cup beside my bed.
About two weeks ago I decided enough was enough. I’d just got back from Bangkok and I had been ill for about a week. I began making connections between feeling ill and smoking, and I thought that it was finally time to quit.
It’s not been easy. I used to smoke first thing in the morning, last thing at night, after meals, when I was bored, when I was out, when I was at home – pretty much all the time. Smoking is a habit I associate with so many situations and feelings. The bulk of the nicotine is already out of my system, but the real challenge is in my head.
I dream about smoking cigarettes and wake up feeling pissed off that I’ve failed to quit. It’s bizarre. As happened the last time I quit, I spent about a week coughing. Now that’s died down and I feel somehow more productive than when I was smoking. The thought of smoking is always there, but it’s not a physical craving any more. The smell of smoke makes me feel sick, and watching other people smoke makes me want to throw up.
A few years ago, I didn’t believe it was possible to get addicted to smoking. I stupidly thought to myself that I would like to try and get addicted just to see what it was like. Well, as it turns out, it sucks.
Whether or not I can keep this up remains to be seen, but this second spell of quitting feels more promising than the first one. If you’ve ever quit then you’ll know how I feel.
Anyone feel my pain?
September 5th, 2007 at 9:01 pm
As a person who does not smoke, I have no idea what are you going through right now. At least I salute you for trying to quit the habit.
Thinking about a smoker who has a hole in his throat as he cannot breathe like a normal person any more might discourage you from sucking more nicotine into your lungs. Going out with a non-smoker could also help you to kick the habit indirectly. Can you imagine how it feels to be snogged by a smoker if you are not one of them? I also recommend eating Thai food with lots of chilli in it whenever you have a craving for baccy; this might not help you to stop smoking but it could distract you a bit because your mouth is too burnt to suck anything!
That is merely my illogical solution. As I say, I never smoke cigarettes, but I do smoke cucumbers, especially foreign ones! So I do not know how to deal with this sort of situation. Wish you good luck anyway, Keep it up, you can do it.
September 5th, 2007 at 10:34 pm
sent you a book via your yahoo email. hope it is not filtered as spam…
September 6th, 2007 at 12:16 am
I’d tell you to suck it up (no pun intended) and just quit already because that’s what I did 5 years ago, but the truth is I’m no better when I’m in Asia. But don’t give up. Just keep trying because studies show that most quitters weren’t successful until their 7th or 8th attempt.
September 6th, 2007 at 1:52 am
I smoked on and off for 10 years so I do feel your pain trying to quit. I used to love a fag with a cup of coffee or driving my car! Ahh the freedom! I gave up 2 years ago and this time I know I won’t go back because 1. my husband doesn’t smoke 2. the smell repulses me now 3. young women look ridiculous and narkliat smoking 4. not one woman smokes in my village and surrounds (I’ve only ever seen Thai women smoking in heavily touristic areas) and 5. I visualise all the smoke particles going into my lungs and all the cells trying to function normally and I just can’t do it to myself any more. Life’s too precious to poison it.
Do the visuals, it may help your poor body! Good luck.
September 6th, 2007 at 2:34 am
Quit buying ‘cigarettes’ this time well over a year ago…though really only replaced the habbit with farmers’ rolling tobacco mixed with herbal supplements… Though I only smoke one or two of those during the evenings when settling down.
They say the only real way to fill a gap is to replace it with something else. The key is finding that something else, as you know. Excessive eating, wanking, and smoking other things aren’t the ideal things but may work.
Since you’re in Phuket, I suggest two things: Surfing (still surf season me thinks) and Wake boarding (at Kathu) Do these activities 2 - 3 times a week and you’ll have even less desire to smoke cigarettes…believe me, 10 times better than any gym, even if you’re still learning!
September 6th, 2007 at 4:29 am
My girlfriend had to quit smoking cold turkey a few years back. It was easy for her I don’t know why, but she is strong mentally.
However both her and I get headaches from being around second-hand smoke. I never smoked but I used to frequent coffee shops back home that were smogged over with the stuff. Maybe quitting those coffee shops was like withdrawl for me. Anyways, we suggest preparing for headaches when you are around smoke again if you quit.
If you are going to replace this bad habit with another one as Jao suggested, I put my vote in for excessive wanking. This habit may make for some interesting blog posts. Think about it.
September 6th, 2007 at 5:21 am
Cucumbers? Excessive wanking? These are some interesting suggestions. I had considered getting hooked on Pepsi Max, but I have an open mind. Thanks for the book Grasshopper.
September 6th, 2007 at 10:39 am
Well done for trying. I am trying to ween myself off Chang. I don’t smoke, though. My wife is opposite - she smokes and does not touch alcohol. A fine team we make.
September 6th, 2007 at 11:58 am
“A few years ago, I didn’t believe it was possible to get addicted to smoking. I stupidly thought to myself that I would like to try and get addicted just to see what it was like.”
I’ve read some daft things on the Internet but I think that this is probably the best one so far. Fantastic. Made my day. I’ve just had to explain to my wife why I was laughing so helplessly and now she’s lost it too.
Are there any other things along these lines that you would like to share with us, e.g. the time when you nailed one of your hands to a fence because you didn’t believe that crucifixion was painful?
Good luck with quitting. I never got hooked, not because of any great mental strength, I just didn’t like the taste. From watching friends over the years, cold turkey is the best way (or the least bad anyway), nicotine patches and gum help some people (although one friend had a terrible time giving up the gum after she’d given up smoking) and, MOST IMPORTANT, never, ever, think that you’ve got it under control and you’ll just have one to see what it’s like - I’ve seen people who’d given up for seven years do this and be back on 20 a day almost straight away.
September 6th, 2007 at 12:28 pm
I don’t feel you pain (yet) because I never tried to quit. QUIT SMOKING? — yeah, die anyway. :-)
September 6th, 2007 at 1:37 pm
I’ve been there Matt. The first couple of weeks are tough especially when your body throws out all the junk and you get colds, etc. The next couple of months are easier but there will be times when that demon urge tries to creep back in. It will slowly but surely get easier until the day you come home from the bar and say “Wow! I didn’t think about smoking all night!”
It’s been three years for me now. I used to smoke ten a day, 20+ on a night out. Now I hate the smell and the idea of smoking makes me sick.
September 6th, 2007 at 2:16 pm
@ Log Poacher: Yes, with hindsight, it wasn’t the brightest brainwave I’ve had in recent years.
September 6th, 2007 at 3:27 pm
hello there. I am Irish and I find your headline quite offensive. Are you suggesting that all Dubliners are alcoholics?
September 6th, 2007 at 3:41 pm
It was kind of a joke.
September 6th, 2007 at 4:00 pm
hello there. I am Irish and I find Patrick’s comment quite offensive. Is he suggesting that all Dubliners are not alcoholics?
September 6th, 2007 at 4:08 pm
Hahahaha. That’s too funny.
September 6th, 2007 at 4:14 pm
Gerry, I’m glad that you and the owner of this blog find alcoholism a laughing matter. I’ll have you know that my four year old neice, bless her little heart, was tragically run over and killed last year by a drunk lepricorn riding a three-wheeled unicycle.
September 6th, 2007 at 4:23 pm
Do they have tuk tuks in Ireland?
September 6th, 2007 at 4:32 pm
to be sure, i’m not really sure but the tragic event i refer to is true. after police questioning the culprit was revealed to be Kenny O’Brian, a 19 year old student at Dublin University. Dressed as a lepricorn and riding a unicycle equipped with stabilisers, he went on a reckless rampage around the city, carelessly ignoring the 30 mph speed limit and assaulting pedestrians with a traffic cone.
September 6th, 2007 at 5:29 pm
patrick, i’m very sorry to hear about your loss. I understand where you’re coming from for I too have suffered my own family tragedy which I’d like to share with you here. Last summer the Chinese State Circus came to Dublin and naturally my wife and two children were desperate to go. I bought the tickets in advance and we keenly awaited the big night for seven months. The show didn’t disappoint and was fantastic until the last act when they ask a member of the audience to join them on stage. Amazingly, out of four people in the audience they chose my wife. As she made her way to the front we gave her a big clap, but just as she was about to reach the stage a circus elephant broke free from its holding and rushed towards her, fully erect. Now I enjoy a big breakfast but my wife certainly wasn’t used to having this weight thrust upon her and she was no match for the beast. To add insult to injury (and death), the horrid creature then proceeded to ejaculate all over the stage. As one news reporter covering the event put it, in times like these you can never be sure when an innocent night out at the circus will end in tears, trauma and elephant love juice.
September 6th, 2007 at 7:58 pm
Don’t smoke and am not a heavy drinker. Have no idea how tough quitting is, but it seems rather difficult.
People also always complain about gaining weight after quitting smoking. I wonder.. if I start smoking, would I get rid of some of the extra kilo’s?
But good luck with your attempt.
September 6th, 2007 at 11:55 pm
yeap..i am a non smoker and have no idea how painful it is to kick the habit or shall i say the addiction..anyway..good luck and salute for the attempt !!
September 7th, 2007 at 12:50 pm
Here In Australia, I quit smoking mainly because of the price and they ban smoking everywhere in NSW even in pubs and clubs. Now that you mention, I wonder if I’d smoke again when I am back for a month in Thailand later in the year.
May 9th, 2008 at 1:46 pm
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