Today I begin a new era in my life; today I put down the cancer sticks in hopes of breathing better and not stinking any more.  This is not the first time I’ve quit in my 16 year career as a professional smoker.  I’ve tried a few different stop smoking aids during my handful of failed attempts and even stopping for a little over 2 years, most of which I had no confidence in: hmm..maybe that’s why they didn’t work.  This time I’m going at it cold turkey, but I’ll let you in on some of the products out there that claim to help.

The “Patch”

Nicotine patches slowly transfer doses of nicotine through your skin.  In theory, you are supposed to start with a high dosage and over the course of a couple months decrease your dose until your body doesn’t need the nicotine any longer.  I tried these once and found them a waste of money.  A study by the University of Vermont claims that 7% of smokers that use the patch quit for at least 6 months.  That’s not that good of a stat to me.  In my case I experienced nausea and what seemed like a chemical burn on my skin where I put the patch.  Always check with your doctor or you can let Nicoderm convince you that it’s the solution for you.

Nicotine Gum

Basically the same system as the nicotine patch; you deliver nicotine into your blood, but through your mouth.  The one thing I think this has over the patch is that you are doing something with your mouth.  Many smokers feel the need to have something in their mouth after years of putting a cigarette in it.  The oral fixation is a huge part of the addiction for many smokers.  Home remedies include eating baby carrots, celery, chewing gum, lollipops, and pencils (chew don’t swallow).  Back when I tried the nicotine gum, it was horrible; it tasted like chewing on dirt.  I hear that there have been breakthroughs in taste but I just can’t do it, can’t forget that taste.

Hypnosis and Laser Therapy

I never tried either of these techniques but I was always curious.  Hypnosis therapy is based on making your mind tell your body it doesn’t want the cigarettes.  I’ve never been hypnotized (bark) and don’t think I can be; did I just bark like a dog?  Laser therapy also called laser acupuncture, I believe does the same thing.  Most of the addiction is in your brain, anything that can get it to stop telling you to smoke can’t hurt.  You can check out Healing Laser Clinics and Healthy Life Centers for more information.

E-cigarettes

The newest fad has come in the form of a cigarette but, it only looks like a cigarette.  E-cigarettes (E=electronic) are gadgets that look like cigarettes, but that’s where the similarity ends.  Made from a battery and nicotine  cartridge, the e-cigarette, when puffed on, vaporizes nicotine and produces a smoke-like vapor that can be inhaled similar to a fog machine.  I tried a company, Fifty-One cigarettes, and was quite impressed at first look.  Smoking one of these takes getting used to because the vapor isn’t the smoke you are accustomed to; it doesn’t burn going down.  The first time, I puffed on it really long because I didn’t think it was working, but then blew out the biggest cloud of smoke I’ve every seen.  The problem I ran into is that the battery runs out, or dies all together, then you are sitting there with a useless chew toy.  I did like these because it satisfies the physical need and the mental need but none of the stinky bad stuff.  I did end up going back to the real deal but if the batteries were better I might have stuck with it.

There are many other products out there, but before you try anything, check with your doctor.

Today I decided to try out this sport I’ve heard about called disc golf.  Rumored to have been played in some form dating back to the early 1900′s, coined “disc golf” by a couple hippies early pioneers of the sport in the 1960′s, the game has grown from a way to walk around outside and smoke your favorite herb to a full fledged sanctioned sport.

Walking the course I noticed the equipment of various golfers which typically involved a push cart, cooler, and frisbees, I mean discs.

The discs come in a variety of colors and sizes.  I had one disc and it was white with the picture of a cheetah on it.  Golfers proudly display their discs like the pieces of flair on that annoyingly perky waiter at your local Chotchkie’s.    Being the first time I had experienced the sport I had no idea the tech involved.  Each disc is designed for different flights and approaches similar to the different golf clubs found in your traditional golfers quiver.  Turns out the one I was using was a driver used for distance but it worked quite well as a fairway and putter, at least I think so.  Innova patented the first beveled edge disc in 1983.  The edges on the discs provide different flight characteristics for each part of the game.  I have a feeling that most of the players on the course today really gave much thought to the physics of the game.

I don’t think this will be the last time I venture out on the links.  It was a really good time and provided a bit of exercise, at least more than sitting in a dimly lit room typing away on my laptop.  I recommend getting out of your war room and giving it a try, don’t forget the sunscreen for those pasty white arms.