Man in anti-smoking ads still smokes

Source: AP

NEW YORK - He's the poster boy for the state's new anti-smoking campaign. But 48-year-old Skip Legault is still smoking — despite an amputated leg, two heart attacks and a stroke. The state Department of Health confirmed Friday that they chose a smoker for the ads, saying it helps underscore the risks associated with nicotine addiction.

In the ad, Legault, looking into the camera and supporting himself on crutches, recites a litany of health woes, including a first heart attack at age 28 and another at 29, then says: "Every bit of this is from smoking."

snip...

Daines said the fact that Legault hasn't been able to kick the habit "demonstrates how extreme this addiction can get."

"Smoking is still the single most reversible, avoidable cause of premature vascular disease," he said. "High blood pressure typically takes lifetime treatment. For smoking, you just have to stop smoking and the risks decline."

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080112/ap_on_he_me/anti_smoking_smoker

I don't know about other smokers and/or ex-smokers, but it's hell on wheels trying to kick the nic habit.

but when I pass a group of smokers I still feel the urge sometimes -- and it's been 22 years 6 days 1 hour and 20 minutes since I last took a free puff.

I've only been off nictoine for 4 months, 10 days and 20 hours and 49 minutes (and off Chantix for about three weeks) everytime I get the urge I tell myself I won't forgive myself if I backslide now. But, gee, I wish the Surgeon General would announce that the studies were all flawed and those lab rats already had cancer and heart disease when they started blowing cigarette smoke at them.

Whatever.

This guys health issues run a lot deeper than just his lifestyle. Bad genes....

1. Be ready to give up your crutch.

2. Start chewing Nicorettes at the beginning of a vacation out of town. DO NOT take the recommended dosage unless you already smoked two packs a day or more. Geeez, Louise.

3. Don't try to push away an urge to smoke. Embrace it. Think about how good it would feel to have one in your hand, to breathe in the smoke, to exhale. Come up with a list of adjectives to describe how great it would feel.

4. Let the mind wander onto something else on its own.

I think the guilt that accompanies the fear of backsliding may be the most crippling thing when it comes to stopping. Of course, if you aren't ready to give up the crutch, it ain't gonna help.

But I know that if I ever had to for some sort of health reason (yeah, don't dig into me here - I know it poses risks - I mean, like my doctor says you have dangerously high/low x/y and HAVE to stop smoking) it would be next to impossible. I've stopped a few times, kind of just for the hell of it, and once for a few months because I was sick (at the beginning of the few months) and smoking made me feel even worse, but every time I take it up again. I guess I just like it.... I've known people who have died from lung cancer, but I also have relatives who smoked into their 80s (or was it early 90s?) and never had a problem. I know I'm dumb - don't rub it in. I'm glad that you were able to quit when you wanted to. I would like for that to be easier for more people.

haven't smoked for about 5 years now. It was hard, but very worth it... I would add to your list: Tell lots of people you are quitting -- it helps to feel like you have to do it because you've already told everyone you are -- the pride thing. Calculate how much money you'll be saving a month & what you're going to do with it. And I also bought a bunch of gum and Jolly Ranchers, something to keep your mouth busy other than eating. And take deep breaths periodically -- you're used to breathing in deeply taking drags, so that helps with that habit.

I'd be interested in knowing how old you are and how long you actually smoked if ever and how many ppd.