Garage Rockers who DON'T smoke

[johnny goodbye]

Been awhile since I've been on here so, hello!

Anyway, tomorrow is my "quit day" after about 10 years smoking and I was wondering if anyone knew for a fact a rocker who didn't smoke.

I know it's lame to do something just because someone else does (I'm determined to do it either way) but it would be cool to have a postive role model and most of the celebs that have quit are destinctively uninspirational.

Ones that quit when they are middle-aged don't count haha! cause loads of people give up by then anyway!

[kopper]

Good luck with it! Quitting is easy. I've done it a million times. ;)

Seriously, I did attempt to quit several times, and finally succeeded in officially kicking the habit on New Year's Eve, 1999. So I've been smoke-free for 12+ years now. It can be done. The first, and most important thing in my mind, is you really have to convince yourself that you are going to quit. Set a target date, and don't quit cold turkey... that never worked for me. Ween yourself off cigarettes by reducing the number you smoke per day/week. I did that over the course of about three months, starting around October '99, and by the time New Year's Eve rolled around, I was down to just one or two smokes per day and was ready to just stop altogether. So it really wasn't that tough. Also, one thing that really helped me quit was I started eating David sunflower seeds (the ones in the shell). I'd buy a couple bags of those things to chew on while I drank beer or just watched TV at home, especially whenever I had cravings for a cigarette. I think chewing those sunflower seeds really helped because it keeps your mouth busy, shelling them and moving the seeds from your cheek to your teeth and all that. So give that a try.

Also, don't worry about who else is quitting or doing anything because someone else does or whatever. Just do it for yourself and your long-term health. Your body will thank you.

[THEE Reverend © Angu$ Payo£a ™]

I am not only a garage rocker who does not smoke anymore, but I am now a long distance runner. I do not care what others think about this because I quit smoking and started running for myself.  I learned a long time ago not to worry what others think of me.

I never really had any problems quit smoking, but think how much money you save, which is a whole lot considering the increasing price of cigarettes plus paying for medical bills. In fact, I now absolutely hate the smell of cigarette smoke. 

You will feel like a better man by not smoking anymore.

[johnny goodbye]

Thanks guys for the words of encouragement. I've already cut down from 10+ to about 2-3 a day over the past week. And I've never seriously tried or thought about quitting before.

I think I'm ready to take the next step tomorrow and I have to say thinking about the money I could be saving is a helluva motivation! Soo many cool records and guitar stuff I could have bought haha!

[John Battles]

What Kopper and THEE Reverend are saying is so true . But , as a lifelong nonsmoker (It was fashionable for centuries to smoke , but that does'nt put me above anyone who still does , or make me in ANY way trendy. I just never got into it.) who comes from a long line of smokers , the big truth is , quitting is easier for some than for others.

But the miracle man , himself , Roky Erickson (Who resurrected his musical career when all bets were off , has toured the US and the world , whereas he'd previously only played Texas and California and maybe a handful of Southwestern gigs , got his first drivers license in decades , and is back with his ex-wife, Dana , after 30 years.) , is now an ex - smoker , and  , he smoked A LOT, for many , many years . I could think of others......

I've seen enough friends and family members try to kick , many with success ,to know I would'nt advise going cold turkey , even tho' it may not sound like much coming from someone who never really smoked. Just be focused  , and , as Kopper said , set a goal date , and kick smoking's ass , one step at a time.

[MikeL]

All I'm going to say is "Please stick with it."  My Dad died from lung cancer after smoking almost two packs a day for God knows how long.  The pain and suffering caused by cancer is bad enough, not to mention all the personal indignity involved in the care and treatment.  I wouldn't wish that on anyone.

[melissa scott]

Amen MikeL. Lung cancer sucks! Mouth and throat cancers? Nightmares. I'm a confirmed EX-smoker. I loved smoking, loved cigarettes, the whole deal. But after trying to decide which I'd choose -- not being able to breathe in or breathe out (emphysema choices), I decided it was me or the cigarettes.

To get me through each day, I say -- I am a non-smoking smoker. It's a choice, like a lot of other things one chooses to give up for good reasons. In my perfect world chocolate cake and cigarettes would be healthy for ya. As IF.

I consoled myself with an account of the $$$ I saved -- and treated myself with that $$ when I was sure I was finally off the cancer sticks.

There's nothing cool or rock 'n roll about a smoking. NOTHING.

[The Mighties]

Why I don't smoke but I still have no money to buy a lot of records or other similar stuff? 

Maybe I can start and then quit if it works :-)

[kopper]

It's not just cancer or emphysema, but smoking (along with high blood pressure, stress, etc.) can also lead to stroke, which is the leading cause of death in the U.S. This just happened to a guy I knew here in St. Louis (former singer of a punk band and radio show host at KDHX, Tim Mize). He had a sudden, massive stroke and died a couple weeks ago at the age of 45. He smoked, too. Way too young to go. Quit while you can, people!

[juicylungs]

I've finally joined a quit smoking program.   I'm trying hard.  I have a quit date in less then three weeks.   My biggest issue with quitting and I have posted this on the programs site is...How to quit smoking when I love drinking so much.   It's a trigger, it has triggered me to start smoking on two different occasions after I had quit.   But the thought of not being able to get shit faced from time to time(or weekly depending on the season), simply terrifies me.

Any help?  I cant think of many rockers.  oh, I believe Billy Childish is a nonsmoker.  And his past bands fucking rock.   

[John Carlucci]

I'm 55. Never smoked & never will. I lost to many family members because of their smoking habits. My Dad passed away from a heart attack when he was only 57. My Mom passed away last month from Lung cancer. It was hard to watch her suffer. When I was in the 8th grade, my uncle came to live with us after his bout with throat cancer. He had his larynx removed & had to breathe through a small hole in his neck. That scared the crap out of me.

[MikeL]

I know how you feel.  My Dad lived to the age of 67, but he always scared the shit out of me with his coughing fits, which he had his whole life.  That's why I never had any desire to take up smoking.

John Carlucci said:

I'm 55. Never smoked & never will. I lost to many family members because of their smoking habits. My Dad passed away from a heart attack when he was only 57. My Mom passed away last month from Lung cancer. It was hard to watch her suffer. When I was in the 8th grade, my uncle came to live with us after his bout with throat cancer. He had his larynx removed & had to breathe through a small hole in his neck. That scared the crap out of me.

[triggahiccups]

I only smoked for a couple of years but man when they cranked up the tobacco taxes in new york I just couldn't afford it anymore. It made quitting a lot easier.