How long were you smoking cigarettes before it impacted your health ?

**MAJOR METAL** · #1 10-05-2011, 02:34 PM

To the Cigarette smokers, how long had you been smoking before you started to feel the affects of it on your health ?

**VincentSalizeri** · #2 10-05-2011, 02:39 PM

Major impacts or just a noticeable change? I've been smoking for about 3 years now, and there have been no major changes, but about a year ago I noticed I lost my breath faster.

MatticusMania · #3 10-05-2011, 03:35 PM

Ive yet to notice any negative effects to my health. Im also not a "regular smoker" and have recently ceased smoking altogether. Well, cigarettes, anyway...

tsverrir · #4 10-05-2011, 03:56 PM

Been smoking for 20+ years. Haven't noticed any affect on my health. I don't smoke that much (5 - 20 a week) and I do a fair bit of running. Probably won't notice anything until I catch cancer.

Skitch it! · #5 10-05-2011, 04:04 PM

Hard to say, but it's a crafty one that sneaks up on you sooner or later.

EBodious · #6 10-05-2011, 05:12 PM

i started smoking cigarettes at 14. i smoked a pack a day from 15 to 20. i did not notice anything happening to my health.

however, when i was 19, i walked into a buddy's dorm room. he said he knew i was coming before i got there. i asked how he could have known. he told me he knows my cough when he hears it. i said, 'what cough?'

i soon realized that i did in fact have a persistent cough (how could i not have noticed?). i also had small lung capacity and managed to keep that a secret from myself as well. i was done with cigarettes within about 6 months.

nowadays, i still cough when i smell cigarette smoke. it bugs me cause lots of people smoke and i don't like being bothered by it. it serves as a good reminder tho.

MatticusMania · #7 10-05-2011, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EBodious

nowadays, i still cough when i smell cigarette smoke. it bugs me cause lots of people smoke and i don't like being bothered by it. it serves as a good reminder tho.

The only time Im bothered by the smell of cigarette smoke is when I walk by this guys office down at the end of the corridor. Why is it that his, and only his, office reeks of smoke, when there are plenty of other smokers here whose offices dont? I dont understand it, but dude, you smell!!!

Stinsok · #8 10-05-2011, 05:22 PM

I know you look cool doing it, but my dad is paying the price for his smoking. Although he quit years ago the damage has been done. He can't walk from the car to the house without wheezing and sitting down immediately. He's on oxygen at night to help him sleep. He can't enjoy being retired because he simply cannot do anything. I defend your right to smoke but you need to look at what it can do to you in the long run.

Baer · #9 10-05-2011, 06:02 PM

We buried my Dad who died of lung cancer at 56 after his smoking for nearly 40 years. Just so you know, it's a horrible death.

carlos840 · #10 10-05-2011, 06:06 PM

Smoked from 12 to 25, when i quit i was a heavy smoker, around 25 filter less cigs a day...
Never felt that it impacted my health, i actually did a lot of sports and performed better than some non smokers!

What made me quit was the fact that i was so badly addicted to it, hayed the fact that i couldnt live without it, taking a plane was a torture and i would literally feel shaky if i couldnt smoke for more than an hour!

redmagictones · #11 10-05-2011, 06:07 PM

I have been smoking for 7 years and after about the first year I could feel it in my lungs. Especially if I did anything active like jogging. What I hate though is waking up in the morning and dealing with the phlegm.

reedo35 · #12 10-05-2011, 06:28 PM

10 Years- Diminished Lung capacity
15 Years- Trouble breathing when running
20 years- Excruciating chest pain while running
Coughing and Hacking brown Phlegm. Refused to admit smoking was the problem, until,
25 years- Switched to Electronic Cigarette- Much Less hacking
and diminished craving. Still working on it.

Valiant Bandit · #13 10-05-2011, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reedo35

10 Years- Diminished Lung capacity
15 Years- Trouble breathing when running
20 years- Excruciating chest pain while running
Coughing and Hacking brown Phlegm. Refused to admit smoking was the problem, until,
25 years- Switched to Electronic Cigarette- Much Less hacking
and diminished craving. Still working on it.

At least you're working on it man. Kudos for trying to kick the habit!

Smoking cigarettes is my last addictive substance. I'm down from 5 substances (4 years ago.) to 1 now. (Just cigarettes.)

I'm going to quit smoking once my wife and I have a child. This way every time I have a craving, I can look at her/him and realize I want to stay around for them as long as possible.

I hate the fact my father smokes. He's 61 and in incredible shape. He stopped smoking the day I was born and didn't start smoking again until he divorced my mom which was 2002. It pisses me off and upsets me to know that smoking is probably going to be the reason why I outlive him.