Okay? They know they are bad for me. They still allow people to sell them. At the ages 15-17 I was in a government facility, and I was allowed to buy and smoke cigarettes. Hell, someone that age smoking in my town can get a $100.00 fine now. But no, when I was a kid, I was given cigarettes by state employees, bought them at a state run commissary store, all when I was a minor in a state run facility. No wonder I'm addicted to the damn things! Nicotine is a drug; I'm addicted. They give out methadone to heroin junkies; why not give me some Nicoderm patches? Huh?
(As you may be able to tell, I am presently out of smokes and having a nic-fit.)
OZONE
Psychotic and Sarcastic
[question posted by myklj999]responses and comments:
Maybe you should sue the government for allowing you to smoke at such a young age and making such a hazardous substance available to you - I think you'd have a good case! [newtondak]
I have considered this many times, but being as it occured in the mid-70's I'm sure there's a statute of limitations involved somewhere. Plus, although I am poor and the money would be nice to have, there are already too many frivolous lawsuits in the courts today. But if there was a government program to help me stop smoking, I would avail myself of that. [myklj999]
I agree. The government allowed you to be allow to become addicted to them while you were underage and in their care. Sue the heck out of them. You have a good case. I would go lawyer hunting if I were you. [lilwonders456]
Well you were a minor than, they were responsible for you, they allowed and helped you get a product that is addictive and damaging to your health. They did have a responsibility to you and they failed. They should be held accountable. Yes sueing does seem to be the American way. But unforunately it seems to be the only way the companies or the government will listen or change a bad behavior or heck even be responsible for their mistakes. [lilwonders456]
Now that you mention it, you have likely got a case against the government. If you sued as an individual, they might just settle out of court. OR.... Maybe your dirtbag lawyer can wiggle his/her way into a nice class action suit against the governemnt for contributing to your decayed health. [BCMike]
There's a whole new clientele just waiting for the right scumbag...er...I mean lawyer to come along...whistle [myklj999]
Since you are out of cigarettes and you would like the government to help, break into someone's house and steal their vcr. It is a primitive piece of equipment. No one really needs one these days, so it is like you are doing them a favor. Now take it to the local convenience store to trade it for cigarettes. Do not take no for an answer. When the police arrive explain your situation. They will take you to jail and introduce you to a new friend. No not the big guy sharing the cell with you but a lawyer. The lawyer may be able to argue your case and you get nicoderm patches. Your crime would be because of a state or federal imposed addiction. They are responsible for your crime. Therefore they are obligated to help you. Now it makes you wonder why they still sell them. You can't go into a store without seeing cigarette advertisements. [coolseeds]
The problem there is Illinois doesn't allow smoking in prisons anymore, so they may just give me 5 years in a smoke-free enviroment.doh [myklj999]
You may actually have a point, but my knee jerk reaction would be to say that the government didn't twist your arm to make you smoke. They shouldn't be held any more responsible than the corner store down the road that offered you that 2-for-1 sale on a pack of Marlboro's. If you're all out of cigarettes, why not go out and buy more? [Latrivia]
Ah - in that case I know how you feel. I just had my gallbladder removed Monday, and I had to stop smoking for several days so the anesthesia and cigarette smoke wouldn't cause me greater pain. They were the longest few days of my life. [Latrivia]
I was going to bring you some cigarettes, but the Feds said NO WAY!!! Be aware...be very aware!!! lol cry lol [LadyMarissa]
Sent via DHL as they seldom check their packages. I included crushed red pepper, crushed restaurant black pepper & crushed dried jalapeno peppers. I hope they get there in time. Nic fits are NO fun!!! lol wub w00t [LadyMarissa]
If it's a choice between cigarettes and Nicoderm patches, I'd rather my tax dollars were spent on the latter. [dawnald]
Goodness no, why would they want to make it that easy? My tax dollars need to take a trip to DC first, have about 99% skimmed off for things I don't support, and by the time it gets to you you'll have bitten the bullet and gone out and bought the ciggies! [dawnald]
It would be nice if they would spend some money to research better ways for people to quit smoking. [newtondak]
They already did. I got MY cure from a Pueblo, Colorado government pamphlet. It worked. REALLY REALLY WORKED. Haven't smoked for over 30 years, now. Maggiepie [Maggiepie]
This is for you, my friend, and for Ricky! Last week we buried our dear, lovely friend Ricky McCleskey! Ricky was the jolliest of souls you can ever imagine. His cancer started in his throat, they told him to stop smoking........he.....didn't. His cancer spread. His voice, from the damage to his throat, was his trademark. Rough and scratchy, he'd say, "hey Bubba, how you doing? I love ya Bubba!" He called my brother, his best friend, Bubba! No one else would have ever dared. Ricky was a true and loyal friend to all. He never knew a stranger, he served his country, and cared well for his family both emotionally and physically. Last year, we buried one of his son's, yet Ricky never fell. He carried on, caring for all those around him, through the chemo treatments and everything. He carried on, hardly letting us know how much he hurt. A few months back they tried something else and so removed his voicebox, we were then denied of his lovely crusty voice. A bit later, Ricky denied more chemo, he wanted to die at home with dignity and he did. This is for you Bubba! We love ya and we miss ya! Give a hug to your son and tell him we'll all see y'all soon, k? Mykie, we love you too Bubba, please please stop! [Irishfrndly65]
Good gosh NO! I love animals....with gravy, taters, sauces............. I guess I just have to continue to worry about you then, huh, thanks alot. [Irishfrndly65]
Sounds like a fair argument to me mykl! They probably have insurance coverage for things like this too. Shame it was way back though. When you consider what nicotine does to people it's amazing that they have continued to allow it's promotion and sale. I am a smoker too and I cringe when I think about how much money I must have spent on this habit over the last 20 or so years. I did a rough calculation once and reckon it would be around 40,000 dollars at least! shocked It's insane when you think about it but it IS an addiction and there you go..... [James72]
Really...I think if I had every penny I spent on smokes in my life I could comfortably retire...and if you threw in all the money I spent on all the illegals I used to do, I could probably buy Canada!lol [myklj999]
haha! does this mean that the friend who gave me my first cigarrette should have to guy mine - that would be a real help, i'll call her up and let her know!! lol i hope you get a fix soon mister and that you haven't resorted to smoking dog ends!!! xxx [Munchkin547]
aw glad i could help!!! hehe xxx [Munchkin547]
They can bail out big companies that come to California and party at over a half a million dollars, surely they can afford to either buy your Nicoderm patches or more cigarettes! What's wrong with this government, anyways? lol Glad they didn't have laws like that when I was a kid, I'd have been in deep doo-doo trying to pay them fines! lol [fwidman]
I never did like the sound of that door clanging shut lol The jail here took my cigarettes away sad [fwidman]
Whether the government should do this or not??? They are not going to. They get their foot stuck in their mouth all the time. We Americans will always do the paying especially when we are not responsible for it. [jordan04n]
I know exactly where you are coming from. Fotunately, I have quit so I don't have that problem now. I think if the state allowed you to smoke as aminor and supplied them to you, They should but you some patches. Write a letter to your congressmen, Make them buy you some patches, da*nit!!! [camomom]
I would. I quit by using Quest cigarettes. They have 3 stages, each one has less nicotine. I used 3 packs of #3, 2 packs of #2 and one pack of #1. It made it really easy to quit. They are hard to find and it takes a few to be able to deal with the taste but, they're worth a try. Good luck. [camomom]
You're crying I understand, being addicited it terrible, but time to grow up, take control and kick the thing. If you make this a priority you can do it. It's not easy but doable. Good Luck [savypat]
That's what I heard. I din't have to much trouble of course my Mom had just died of cancer, that helped. But 40 year lated I still want a smoke when stressed. Of course I can't stand the smell of them or the taste, but I stil want one. Hang in there I know you can do it. [savypat]
Yikes, I hope you can get some cigs soon. Nobody around you you could bum any from at all? [darkjedi]
lollolrolleyes [Irishfrndly65]
According to a news bite I watched yesterday, you can now drink away your nicotine fit. Europe has this nicotine drink that's supposedly a healthy alternative to cigarettes. http://thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/article1859035.ece [marianstallings]
That's pretty much what I was thinking. So instead of lung cancer, would you get stomach cancer? [marianstallings]
Bravo that man! I utterly agree, the governments are getting fat pockets on our addictions that they actively encourage by allowing them to be sold. The drug companies make a lot of money on patches etc. The medical profession gets rich on us getting sick and paying for various resulting prescriptions and treatments. ITS OUTRAGEOUS!!!! [aslanlight]
Yeah, I could buy cigarettes in my local sweet shop here in the UK at 14yrs. No wonder I am addicted too. The goverment should pay to keep me in this habit that they started by allowing them. They are hard drugs. We get free patches in the UK. But I still smoke. [hildas]
Does BIG business ring a bell?! The big cigarette company payed lots of money to get us all addicted. I am glad I never took up the habit but my loved ones have. I have watched my grandfather die of enphazema. Not a pretty thing to see. I saw the films in high school of people putting a cigarette in the whole in their throats so they could get their nic-fits. It isn't pretty. But, it's big business! I firmly believe that these big companies pay the government to keep out of their business and let them do as they please. Because they can!Money talks. Always has, always will. [celticeagle]
Dear Ozone. I used to buy nicarettes at the drug store and chew them while I was in class and then go out and smoke two cigarettes at break. They really helped me pull through the school exams. Man, I was never nervous! I am up to three packs a day now and all I can say is there isn't enough time in a day to smoke any more. I tried the patch but fealt that there wasn't enough of a buzz with them so I gave up that idea. Now I buy Vitamins to fight cancer and let me tell you this has really put a different perspective on my life. From a puff of blew. Crocket. [Crocket]
Cigarettes should not have been made available to you or any other minor at that state facility. But even at 15, you had a choice to refuse the cigarettes. It was up to you; and blaming the state doesn't help your situation now, at all. You don't sound happy; and I've had many a nicotine fit in my past, so I understand how you feel. I hope you get some help..there are lots of free programs out there, and you might want to check into one of them. I agree with you, I think nicotine is probably the most addictive substance there is. [janeives43]
There are no free programs in a southern Illinois town of 9,000 people to help you stop smoking.. Although if I cut off both my hands it would make it harder to roll them.doh [myklj999]
No no Mike, I'd be paying for your cigarettes, sorry you're having trouble with your nic fit, try slapping a liberal, it always works for me. [gitfiddleplayer]
I'm here for you buddy. [gitfiddleplayer]
Hi myklj999, Uh oh, you really are in a fixed with no cigs, but I doagree with you the goverment should pay for your cigs as it was them that got you started by giving it to you in the fist place, you should write to them, then thy might send you a packet. You ar funny when you are ranting. Tamara [tamarafireheart]
Oh..I feel your pain. I began smoking when I was 10! started out with maple leaves and then I tried one of my mom's cigs...got caught. She did the traditional ...make me smoke a pack, hope i turn green and be dissillusioned forever thing. Of course, her cigs were by far better than the maple leaves i was accustumed to so I was needless to say an addict by age 10. What did I know..I was just a little kid. Heck ...I turned in soda Bottles for a 25 cent pk of butts! No Ids were required. Blame our government? oh yes. For one thing the FDA bans all sorts of things from being on the shelves but ...hmmm...not cigarettes which are known killers. I would imagine that a lot of people would be financially hurting if every person that smokes just quit...think about the health industry & all the aids to help quit...that would leave them where? oh and lets not forget the taxes that the govt. gets on our habit. They may say they want us to quit but I guarantee that none of these people that benefit from our habit really wants us to quit. [sid556]
Actually, Sid, I have a suspicion that the government's behind the ads that want us to QUIT smoking, because they're always saying, "WE know how hard it is, but you can/must quit, & here's how..." & then they proceed to give out methods that DON'T WORK, PLUS, they made an error some decades back & printed out instructions that REALY work, & IT WAS SOOOOOO EASY!!!!! I know because that's the method _I_ used. What I'm saying is that they plant the idea in smokers' heads that it's REALLY just TOO hard, & then PROVE it by giving out methods that don't (or RARELY) work! The REAL method would have people off cigarettes in less than a week, as it did with me, & I was hooked beyond words!! I've never smoked since I stopped--over 30 years ago! Maggiepie [Maggiepie]
Even though the facility was giving the ciggs. out, did every kids smoke them? Was every one forced to take them? Look I am sorry but I hate when people blame everyone but themselves for their mistakes. I was in a area that all the kids smoked and did drugs. I did not have but maybe two out of fifty friends that did not have some kind of addiction. But, that is your choice to start and take them. You was not held down. you just gave in to the pier pressure. So, you can only blame yourself. Just stop smoking. I know it is hard but people quit cold turkey every day. It's just something you should want to do for yourself. And, if the government was to pay for your ciggs. that would mean my taxes. And, I don't feel I should pay for your ciggs. when I choose not to smoke myself. *Just beleive in yourself!* [Carpathian]
Carpathian, (& why THAT nickname, hmm? Just curious) Look, see what he answered? I WAS a smoker, & I TOTALLY agree with you. Remember, Mkl is a joker. He may or may NOT even BE a smoker. He likes to get people's dander up, so take ALL he says with a grai--make that a bag of salt..../o) Maggiepie [Maggiepie]
I can't relate since I never had that addiction..sorry you are out and if i had one..if i smoked, I'd help. Have you heard about those legal gold herbs that are legal to smoke and hit you like the real stuff? [Rosekitty]
depending on what state you live in they do give out free patches. I live in Ny and got them from NYquits.com and I have seen some other sites from various states, your local health department may have some helpfull info for you. I was also in a state run facility and was able to buy cigarettes and smoke them. I was addicted for at least 2 years before I was actually in any facilities though so for me it was all peer pressure. Good luck. [ladybug565]
i think you can try to sue the government if you want to given that they give you to gain access to cigarretes at such a young age and get hooked with it... i'm not sure whether you will win the case or not because everything eventually come back to you... people can offer or give you cigarettes but you have the choice to refuse them as well... it is your life and nobody can force you to do anything if you didn't want to no matter how they tempted you... we are responsible for our own life and that's why i never let other people to influence me to do something against my will... if you decide to smoke the cigarettes, it is your choice and you are responsible for it... can't blame other people for your addictions... this is what i thought... take care and have a nice day... [lingli_78]
Are you OK yet? I hate that feeling myself..I know that I am one bear of a b1tch without my morning smokes...What is even worse is when you have to go out pre-dawn and scrape the ice off of your car to go buy a pack. Are you trying to quit? I have tried Chantix, Wellbutrin, hypnosis...nothing helps me. What really pissed me off this month was that I ordered my cigs from my usual place, it costs me $43 for 3 cartons..right...I ordered them on the 1st of the month & they didn't arrive until the 23rd...OMG..I was one pissed off individual..I wound up spending $5.00 a day while I waited for them. Hope you are doing better! [mibngold]
They give out methadone to heroin junkies; why not give me some Nicoderm patches Ya know..thats actually a very logical and great idea...especially now that the gov is SO big on this whole "anti smoking" thing... [Ravenladyj]
I disagree. The government should not be paying for cigarettes, they should be banning them. Than that will help everyone who wants to quit. And the people who don't want to quit, well, thats their own fault. [angemac23]
Everybody will be running to the drug dealer's house to score a pack of cigarettes...w00t [myklj999]
They do give out Patches in Florida at Florida quit.gov. I would think you could get help either online or at your doctors. Even some employers help their employees quit for free. The problem is, none of the things they have out there to help you quit, don't really work. I have tried them all and I really want and need to quit. I feel like sueing the cigarette company for advertising cigarettes, and not saying they are addicting. I started smoking when I was 14. I am now 42. That's a long time, and it's too late now to tell me they are addictive, I KNOW NOW!!!!! And I will probably die from it and can't do anything about it. [freefogging]
Actually, if you want to know how _I_ stopped, just ask. It was simple, quick, & over 30 years ago. I got it from a government pamphlet, published in Pueblo, Colorado. They won't reprint it...see my earlier post as to why that might be.... Maggiepie [Maggiepie]
wow, as I read some responses and your answers, I realized this occurred way back in the 70's. Why are you still whining about it? Either bring suit against the Government (which state?) or quit the filthy habit, or both. Two years of smoking is no reason to keep killing yourself every day now...30something years later. You were a kid then, but now you are not...grow up and take responsibility for your actions and do something about it! [mikedotcom]
No, it's one of the bad things about myLot. You can only see the original response when you are commenting, which can be a real pain. [myklj999]
If you enjoy smoking then light one up. I bet if you really wanted the patch you could probably them through a state run health department. Good luck whatever you choose. [muscles4me]
The idea of smoking between then and now are a lot different. I do think that the government should help people quit and the military is good about that. I need to quit too but I also need to lose weight. [shortbunny1980]
Dear Psychotic and Sarcastic, I hope you have dug up some cigs (or patches) by now! It is quite a contrast between "then and now"!! Hang in there tho, cause before you know it big bro will be the sole provider of all things.. and that will last a millisecond before the whole system crashes.. then we will all be "Psychotic and Sarcastic"... or more so than we are nowlol! [flowerchilde]
you are so right my friend. i think there should be free clinics to go to in order to "dry out" from them. just like drugs of other sorts/. instead they are making it impossible for you to smoke places like in restaraunts, clubs, and all kinds of places of business and punishing us for the addiction. i've tried to quit and actually became ill from it. my hubby said cigs were actually put in the supply packets for the armed services men during war in viet nam and korea, etc. [bunnybon7]
No only the goverment but the media too for advertising the ciggies like they would make you feel cool, take you to flavor country and other things like that. [ShellyB]
I do not remember watching the commercials with the drs saying how healthy it is to smoke. I however have heard that miners that chew tobacco were better than those who did not as they were spitting a lot more than non chewers tobacos miners. [ShellyB]
I've been on the patch for years. I'm addicted. I can't quit. It sucks.angry They didn't tell us that nicotine is highly addictive when I was young. cry [TheCatLady]
I'm ok as long as I continue my nicotine replacement therapy. I know of quite a few people who have been on the patch or the gum for years. One's even a doctor. I figure it's only one bad chemical instead of the hundred in a cigarette. [TheCatLady]
Sounds like a case for Denny Crane, to me. But...you can't get a job & pay for your own coffin nails...why? I stopped. My method worked, & I was hooked solid. If you really NEED & WANT to stop, you can. Maggiepie [Maggiepie]
Sid, I remember being a bit daunted by trying to come up with 50 reasons, myself, but I finally decided the whole point of that exercise was to make it clear in my mind the NECESSITY of quitting, not that an exact number had to be achieved. However, once I began LISTING them, I was surprised to find out I had at LEAST 50! The cost, the burning of furniture, the danger of falling asleep with one & burning the HOUSE down, the burning of FRIENDS, the burning of clothing, of pets, of ME.... The stink, the fact that I'd lost my senses of taste & smell to a large degree, the fact that when you quit, they begin to renew (Mine are back in SPADES now!).... The fact that it was getting increasingly expensive. The fact that others were quitting & it was getting more difficult to find a place to smoke freely since it IS so unpopular (which wouldn't by itself have stopped ME, but with all the =other= reasons....), the standing in the cold or rain or heat trying to get in a puff before going back in.... My religion insists my body is God's temple, so I had no RIGHT to abuse it that way, thus the guilt I felt every time I lit up because of that, my lack of pride in my inability to exercise willpower.... The damage it did to my lungs, the inability to breathe as easily as I once did, the knowledge of nicotine not being the ONLY thing hurting me (the cool feeling my menthols gave me in my chest was, I discovered, the FREEZING of little lung sacs which turn to powder & NEVER replace!). The sense of shame I felt at being stupid enough to get hooked in the FIRST place after people had--all my LIFE--told me how deadly they are; they didn't call them "coffin nails" even in the 20's for NOTHING...the shame I felt at having to BUM them, off friends, even strangers.... The danger of hitching to places that sold them at 3 am, the sick feeling of knowing I was WILLING to roll up OTHER people's butts to smoke when I didn't have the money to afford my own, the friends I had who couldn't be around me, as even the residual smoke made their asthma act up.... And on & on. Promises I'd broken to my hooked parents that I'd never START smoking...I KNOW you have your OWN reasons. These were just MINE. And seeing them all written down like that, it DOES something to your mind. If you really don't WANT to quit after seeing all that, then don't try it, I guess, but remember, it's EASY to quit for TWO MINUTES!!!!! As for the HICCUPS, no, I'd heard of that silly "backward drinking" thing. How scientific is THAT? LOL! No, the process of hiccupping is a side effect of the lungs' efforts at self protection, actually. The pamphlet explained that the hiccup is really a dual spasm in the epiglottis, the little flap of skin that flips over the windpipe, which is there to prevent objects from going down it. For whatever reason, sometimes it begins to spasm & the spasm activates the bit of tissue covering the pipe, making it flip over the entrance, which makes the "hic" sound, then it automatically flops BACK, making the "cup" sound. The spasm is curable in a couple of ways. Basically, both involve a chemical "shock" to short-circuit it. The booklet recommended a spoonful of table sugar, or a swallow of vinegar. Well, neither appealed to ME. I thought about it, & hit on an idea. I LOOOOVE a good, spicy kosher dill pickle--even the juice. I always have some in the fridge. And guess what it has IN it? Sugar AND vinegar! One or two sips of that tasty juice, &--voila! Hiccups are GONE! Once again, Pueblo, Colorado pamphlet to the rescue! Use it in good health! Maggiepie [Maggiepie]
they keep on saying SMOKING IS DANGEROUS TO YOUR HEALTH, but they keep on making new pocket of cegarettes, even the people who manufacture this kind of drug they dont know what is meaning of dangerous for the health, maybe they just think is a joke of thier bussiness. [Ohara_1983]
Nice reasoning mate but I don't think that you will gain any sympathy from other tax payers. I don't think it makes sens for the government to support your habit and than has to spend more money on your cure. Get out of the habit now. Once a smoker you are always a smoker. I have quit the habit 8 years ago. Its really tough! © ronaldinu 2008 [ronaldinu]
hmm.. Never thought of it like that before. I am a smoker as well. I have tried to quite several times, and plan to someday... but that someday gets further and further as I smoke generics, (got on that brand after last failed attempt.. never switched.. saved some money atleast...) and buying patches or whatever is actually more expensive than just smoking. One time, I used the state programme to quit smoking, they gave me a script for an anti-depressant telling me that it was a pill to quit smoking, after taking it for a little while and having some horrible reactions, I learned that it was not the nicotine containing pills, or maybe even an anti-anxiety pill they had made it out to be at all. (I didnt have internet and had no real way to research it and was very poor at the time, for some reason, I thought they were telling me the truth..) So now, stuck as the descriminated against smoker. And I thought those teachers who bought me packs when I was a teen were so cool. [UtopianIdealist]
Nic-fits do suck but I have to say that I am really not ready to quick. I am 22 yrd old and have been smoking for almost ten years. I think that it's horrible how we as smokers and pushed out of all facilities. Yea kids that smoke should get in trouble but it's one of my rights as an american citizen to smoke if I want to. I don't understand how non-smokers think they have more rights then smokers do. It's my decision to smoke I know what it's doing to my health just like all smokers do and we still do it because we want to. I hate how peple are trying to change things to block out what they dont approve of its not fair. It's almost like me saying that you don't have the right to like the color purple and since you do I am going to make you stand out in the freezing cold. lol thats not a great example but the only one that came to mind. It's still early here and I am not awake fully until my first CIGARETTE!!!! [Lexus656]