TresSugar

Say What? Hypnotherapist: Quitting Smoking Like Breaking Up

TresSugar — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 15:00:00 -0700

Look, we had some great times together and a lot of fun, but now I feel we are moving in different directions and I need to end this relationship.

- Natasha Bishop to her cigarette habit of 10 years. She took the advice of a hypnotherapist who says that one way to quit smoking is to have a breakup conversation with your cigarettes. "Until you actually have that conversation," she says, "there's always that little part of you that thinks, maybe we'll get back together. Let's face it. Getting back together with an ex is like throwing milk in the garbage and three days later thinking . . . maybe it'll be better this time around." Have you ever had to quit smoking? Would you consider alternative therapies if cold turkey, the patch, or nicotine gum didn't work?

Calling All Neurotics! Another Thing to Worry About

TresSugar — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 09:00:00 -0700

As a self-described neurotic, news that my neurosis may lead me to an early grave did not surprise me in the least. Unlike many neurotics who may read this story, however, I will not be adding "fear of premature death" to my list of things I like to worry about. There are too many things there as it is!

So who, exactly, is neurotic? Anyone who is constantly worried, anxious, or prone to depression, according to these researchers. (According to Freud? Neurotics are the normal people, if by "normal" you mean average!) But it’s not anxiety or depression that will necessarily do them in - it’s that they tend to drink and smoke more than “normal” folks do - with smoking being the worst thing they can do to themselves. (25 to 40 percent of the link between being neurotic and an early death was related to smoking - not drinking.)

Participants were asked questions like "Do you usually worry a long time after a distressing incident?” and "Are you sometimes sad without any particular reason?" to determine how neurotic they were.

Neurosis, I think, gives people an interesting edge, so as long as they cut down on the boozing and the cigarettes - worry away! I'm kidding. Kind of.

Source

Flashback: John Waters Announces No Smoking in Theater

TresSugar — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 02:00:00 -0700

Of course, while he does this, he's sucking on a cigarette and marveling at how much he's enjoying it! This director of cult classics such as Pink Flamingos, Female Trouble and Polyester takes us back to a time when it was even imaginable that someone would light up at the movies. (Late '70s, early '80s?)

Does a Ban on Smoking in Home Go Too Far?

TresSugar — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 12:00:00 -0700

A Wisconsin housing complex has managed to snuff out smokers, thanks to a 15-4 vote among owners to ban residents from smoking in the homes they own. The president of the homeowners association explains that this "doesn't restrict a smoker from living here. It just means that there are restrictions on where they can smoke."

The housing development in question is made up of duplexes, so the health-conscious homeowners worry that smoke could spread to a connected home.

Do you think it's fair for neighborhood associations to ban smoking with a vote, or does prohibiting someone from lighting up in a private residence sound like the tyranny of nonsmokers?

Source: Flickr User The Very Page

Can Hollywood Make You Unhealthy?

TresSugar — Thu, 28 May 2009 14:00:00 -0700

The American Medical Association wants Hollywood to stop featuring smoking on the big screen. They say movies that depict images of smoking cause young people to start smoking.

The entertainment industry has stripped dangerous behavior of its consequences before. You could argue that Sex and the City made it seem as if there were no serious emotional or health repercussions to casual sex, when in reality, it can be unfulfilling and risky. While I would never want society to stigmatize healthy sexuality, I wonder if ignoring the dark side of promiscuity encouraged women to emulate the characters on TV without thinking about the real-life consequences.

Can watching unhealthy behavior glamorized on film or television prompt you to do something you wouldn't have done otherwise, or are we all (even the young and impressionable) completely responsible for our own behavior?

Source

Do You Have Any Self-Destructive Habits?

TresSugar — Fri, 22 May 2009 13:00:00 -0700

A US appeals court upheld a 2006 ruling today saying that cigarette makers lied about the risk of smoking and could no longer use the labels "low tar" and "light." In addition, the ruling found cigarette companies like Philip Morris guilty of racketeering and fraud.

Most of us don't need the court system to tell us that cigarettes are unhealthy and potentially deadly, but even in health-obsessed San Francisco, I see young women lighting up all the time (outside, of course).

In a recent Dr. Phil episode on drunk driving, a young woman admitted to drinking every night and some mornings, and yet denied she had a drinking problem. She even told the audience that she had everything under control because she bought an air mattress to put in the back of her car for those girls' nights out involving heavy drinking - so she could sleep it off in the back seat! You know you have a drinking problem when . . .

Do you have any self-destructive habits - daily pot smoking, or drinking and/or smoking too much - and are you doing anything to take care of yourself?

Source

Take note! Anonymous comments are open on this post! Just sign out of your TeamSugar account to leave an anonymous comment.

Group Therapy: Can I Ask My Guy to Quit Smoking?

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 04:00:00 -0700

I've been seeing a guy for a little more than a month and we're pretty crazy about each other. Everything is going great, but he smokes every once in a while and he thinks I don't know about it. Even though he tries to hide it, I can smell it and I can't stand it. He came over last night and I could hardly stand to kiss him and my room stunk when he left.

I don't want to pass up this relationship because of the smoking, but I also can't carry on this way. What's the nicest way to ask him to quit?

[EDITOR'S NOTE: To read more GROUP THERAPY, click here or submit your own question here.]

Source

US Tries to Smoke Out Tobacco With Largest Tax Increase Ever

CitizenSugar — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 06:00:23 -0700

Yesterday anyone who bought a pack of smokes found their wallet a little lighter. The federal tax on cigarettes jumped 62 cents, the largest tobacco tax increase in history.

Smoking is proving to be a pricey habit, especially in places like New York City. You can't get your hands on a pack for less than $10.50. Some people spend hundreds a month on cigarettes. That's enough to cut back!

The new tax revenue will be used to expand children's health care. Some poorer smokers argue that the tax hike hits them disproportionately. When it comes to taxing cigarettes, do you think fairness should matter?

Source

You Asked: I'm Dating a Smoker

DearSugar — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 12:00:00 -0700

Dear Sugar,

I started dating this guy a few months ago, and everything has been going great. He's funny, sweet, and just an all-around good guy - I think I may even be falling in love with him! The only problem I see so far is that he smokes. I was always the girl who said, "I could never date a smoker," but after getting to know him, I can't just stop these feelings I have for him. I'd rather him not smoke, of course, and I'm doing my best to help him quit, but it's my family and friends who seem to have a real problem with this.

My uncle died of lung cancer five years ago, so everybody around me is sickened by the thought of me being with a guy that smokes, and my best friend even told me that she has lost respect for me! I feel so guilty, but I really do like this guy! He wants to quit, but at the same time, I know it won't happen overnight. I don't want to lose the relationships I have with the people I love, but I just can't help but think that they are being unreasonable. Where do I go from here? - Stuck in the Middle Melinda

To see DearSugar's answer, read more.

I'm so excited for you that you've found a guy you really like, but I'm also sorry to hear that your loved ones are not accepting him. Yes, being a smoker is not ideal, but if he wants to quit, I think it's only fair that everyone gives him the benefit of the doubt - he didn't know your uncle passed away from lung cancer!

While I'm sure this feels like a very complicated situation, it's actually really simple. If you have honest feelings for this guy, and it sounds like you do, simply tell your friends and family that this is your relationship, not theirs, and that you'd really appreciate them getting to know him for who he is instead of writing him off because he's a smoker.

You're right, things won't change overnight, but hopefully in time, everything will work itself out. Good luck!

Source

Group Therapy: My New Boyfriend Is a Smoker With Bad Oral Hygiene - Help!

Tue, 03 Mar 2009 04:00:00 -0800

I may not be the tidiest person in the world (although I try), but I am fastidious when it comes to personal hygiene and grooming. I brush my teeth at least twice every day and shower at least once daily. My problem is that the guy I just started dating is not the same way. He is a smoker (which I hate) and he does not regularly brush his teeth. To make matters worse, he hasn't been to the dentist in years because he doesn't have dental coverage.

Overall, I am completely and totally turned off by his lack of oral hygiene and I don't know what to do anymore. I have told him several times that I don't like kissing him because of his bad/smoky breath, but it doesn't change anything. And even after he does brush his teeth, his breath still stinks! I don't know how to get through to him. Do you guys have any advice?

[EDITOR'S NOTE: To read more GROUP THERAPY, click here or submit your own question here.]

Source