A Vegas First!

Get ready to roll your eyes, gang, 'cause this thread is nothing more than an excuse to toot my own horn. The Vegas first I'm celebrating is...

This will be my first Vegas trip (of 41) where I will be staying in a non-smoking room! Yep, after 23+ years of worshiping at the alter of Phillip Morris, I am now nearly six weeks removed from lighting up.

I'm not off nicotine yet. I still chew one or two pieces of nicotine gum each day and puff on an e-cig occasionally. But dammit, I'm proud of myself - this is the longest I've gone without a cig in...well, probably 23+ years (despite dozens of attempts).

I'm fairly confident that I'll be okay during my Vegas trip in two weeks. I'm sure I'll be tempted plenty. But I think I can handle it (knock on wood). I've managed to deal with some stressful situations as well as some nights of heavy drinking without breaking down so far. But I know Vegas will be quite a challenge. Where else is smoking so prevalent in public? Not to mention all the booze, food and gambling-induced anxiety.

Anyway, this thread really isn't ALL about braggadocio. I'm actually hoping that by telling you all this, I'll be able to add "shame" to my lists of reasons I don't want to relapse! And I'm also sure that there are plenty of you guys who've been in this situation before...

Any suggestions, tips, hints, etc for dealing with Vegas as a newly minted non-smoker?

 

Congrats. I smoked for 17 years and know it's the hardest thing I ever had to quit. Quitting drinking was piece of cake compared to trying to quit smoking. The first week is a real bitch, especially during those times where you ALWAYS lit up.

I chewed the gum the first time I quit and was smoke free for 6 months. Then I had 'just one' cig with a bunch of friends one night. Don't fall for that. Within 2 weeks after 'one cig' I went out and bought a carton.

The 2nd and final time I quit I used the patch. That worked very well. Been smoke free for 15 years now. After I was fairly certain that I kicked it, I quit drinking.

BTW, you know that you kicked the smoking habit, or at least very well on your way when you can have a drink and not want a smoke.

Congrats again.

 

Congrats,

Just remember you are STRONGER then those sticks.
My last cig was at Mccarran in September 1999.

3 hours, 3 days, 3 weeks, now just get to 3 months.

Well done.

 

That is SO fantastic! Good for you! That's hard work. Nice that you're going to Vegas already a winner. Woo hoo!

 

Congrats

Saving your self from lung and heart disease is priceless

Fk

 

Stay strong!!! Try to play in non-smoking areas, etc. Use the gum if you need to. Way better than a regular cigarette. I quit tobacco before 21, fortunately.

 

Hopefully when your around all that smoke in the casinos you'll realize how much it stinks. When I quit smoking in 2003, my first trip to a casino was 3 months after I quit and when I was in the casino I realized for the first time ever that cigarettes smell horrible. If you get that same reaction you should be fine. Now when I'm around someone who's smoking I can't stand the smell, and my eyes sometimes water up.

Good luck.

 

Congrats! Especially on making the choice to quit before going to Vegas instead of when you get back. I'm not a smoker but have loved ones who are, so the fact you quit now shows me you are serious. As Happily said - you are already a winner. I hope you have a great trip.

 

Congrats, it takes a will of men to stop smoking, ive done it numerous times lol! Once about 3 or 4 years ago I had not had a cig in almost 2 months, then went to Vegas! I was ok for the first night then something happened on the second night and I got really blitzed, next thing I know I had bought a pack and it was half gone! Im an odd sort of smoker though. I can put them down for a week or two at a time and pick right back up where I left off. I even quit about a year ago for 8 months and just used an ecig. I commend you on your effort and hope you do ok while out there! Im shooting for stopping after I get back next week, one last smoking party in Vegas for me!

 

Nice job!

I quit in 2009, and it is great not having those nicotine hooks in me. I feel better physically and about myself.

Concentrate on viewing yourself as a non-smoker. All those people lighting up just haven't gotten it yet. YOU are stronger than any addiction or craving.

 

I can't congratulate you enough, carve. I quit drinking 20 years ago (and still went to Vegas) and that was a snap compared to stopping the smoking.

And this comes from a dumbass that has COPD and I still smoke about 6-8 cigarettes a day. I've tried to quit numerous times. Best I did was 6 months so I know first hand how hard it is to stop.

Wishing you nothing but the best of luck.

 

Congrats, well done. Keep up the hard work!

Vegas has plenty of temptation - not just the smoke... the ladies, throwing away too much $, the booze, the ladies It's just one more thing to smile and laugh about now.

 

Congratulations! I loved to smoke more than anything and quit about ten years ago after having the horrible habit for thirty plus years.

I knew from past experience that you can never ever have just one steamer! My first trip to Vegas as a non smoker I was a little concerned. I went with my two smoking sisters and we shared a smoking room. Between the smell of the room and seeing how much work it was for them to smoke in what has become a non smoking society, I never had the urge to bum one steamer from them.

P.s. As an added benefit, look at all the extra Vegas money you now have.

 

Nice going Carve!

I quit a few decades ago after smoking for 25+ years. The first year I always wanted to sit next to a smoker. Now, I can't stand the smell and want to be as far away as possible. Very tough in Vegas.

As mentioned, I know if I ever lit up one again, I'd be buying my own packs and I do mean plural, the next day. Don't ever think about having one again!

 

Good for you!!!!
That is a great accomplishment! Stay strong!

I am one of the lucky ones. I smoked one cigarette when I was 18, coughed up a lung, and thought "Why is this fun again?" Never touched another one.

 

I just want to add my congratulations! I lost my Mom to stage for lung cancer. She smoked her entire adult life (through pregnancy with 8 kids) and tried many times to quit. I wish you nothing but the best.. hopefully you will be rewarded with a BIG WIN in Vegas for your BIG WIN in life!

 

WONDERFUL!! So happy for you Carve. I too quit about 10 months ago and next month will be my 1st trip without tobacco BUT I will be taking my e-cig vapor. I am working on reducing my nicotine levels but still depend on it as much for the habit as the "fix". I know it won't be a problem since I go to our local boat regularly and have people smoking around me a lot. If you keep that e-cig handy....just in case....I bet you will be fine! Have a really great trip!!!

 

My last cig..was on the last day of my last trip to Vegas, January 8, 2014....I have not had anything quit cold turkey. I however know when I return to Vegas I will be tempted. So I'm going to do the E-cig if I have a craving..my craving usually happens when I'm at the table playing BJ while drinking. Try and E-cig.

 

Congrats on your progress & I applaud your courage to walk into the mouth of the lion - Las Vegas.
I've 'quit' so many times, I've lost count.
My #1 "trigger" to return to my precious Camel Lights is Las Vegas.

So, I've surrendered when it comes to Vegas - so much so that even when I'm in 'non-smoker' status, I just go ahead and buy a carton a day or two before my flight out there...I know I'll smoke when I get out there, so why try to kid myself?
And, after this upcoming trip, I'll "quit" again.
Rinse.
Repeat.

PS - I love the feeling of being like Robin Hood on my last day in Vegas - giving away packs to other players who ask if they can bum a smoke from me! I toss them the pack and say 'keep 'em!'

 

Big congrats man and good luck going forward. If you can resist in such a smoke-filled place like Vegas that's saying a lot. Since you're getting healthier you can use it as an excuse to totally trash your body with drugs and alcohol for the weekend.