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When are you a Non-Smoker

Question asked by Iamkfaz on Jun 10, 2017
Latest reply on Jun 11, 2017 by Giulia

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I was reading the post by MichelleDiane about counting days and it brought up a question I have. In reading her post, while I never actually considered not counting days, I really like that idea. Start enjoying today instead of counting to something in the future.

My questions is when are you a non-smoker? When I started running this same question came up. The feeling being that just because I started doesn't actually make me a runner. To become a runner, you need to work at it for awhile, maybe run a race. I don't know if I ever reached the point where I felt I was a "runner". This same feeling came upon me when I started painting pictures, I don't see myself as an artist but someone who just paints.

When are you a "non-smoker"?

Thanks, Karyn

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Youngatheart.7.4.12 Jun 10, 2017 4:31 PM
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I personally don't think you are EVER a non-smoker. You are an ex-smoker as soon as you quit, I think!
But - that's just me. I will be interested to see what others chime in!
Nancy
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- BonnieBee.quit.2.8.15 @ Youngatheart.7.4.12 on Jun 11, 2017 7:28 PM
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  I agree with you Nancy I never call myself a non-smoker..... I am an ex-smoker. I think non-smokers are the ones who never smoked at all or the rare ones who may have tried it once or twice but knew it was not for them and did not get addicted to smoking .
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gregp136 Jun 10, 2017 4:49 PM
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You are an Artist when you believe you are an Artist. Or as Duchamp said, "it is Art because I say it is art."
You are an adult when you believe you are an adult.
And you are a nonsmoker, when you believe you are a non smoker.

Some people are forever ex smokers. That is great for them. Others, are non smokers right away. That is right for them. As for me, I am not sure yet. Time will tell.

Greg
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Thomas3.20.2010 Jun 10, 2017 5:02 PM
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That's another topic that could be answered in many different ways.
Some might say when you put out your last Sickerette then you are a Nonsmoker!
You could feel like you become a nonsmoker once you've experienced your first whole day without a Nicotine thought (around Day 75.)
Or you could relabel yourself after 4 Months when you get on the other side of No Man's Land.
You could consider the drawing line at one Year (of which only 6% accomplish) or 2 Years when relapse rates drop to 2%.
Or maybe as Nancy said - never!
I tend to agree with her simply because this opinion keeps me vigilant from relapse.
But we're all different and I respect your right to label yourself "Nonsmoker" when you believe you are!
Just stay that way!!!!
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maryfreecig Jun 10, 2017 5:19 PM
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I feel that I am rid of the active addiction more and more, one day at a time. Not smoking is the first, middle and last line of defense in treating the addiction. The smokes were the vehicle for administering nicotine. Although I thought I was after the smokes, I was really after the nicotine dose every twenty minutes to an hour. When I lit up a cigarette, I did not say to myself, "hey, it's time for my dose of nicotine." When I was a smoker, I thought that I had a severe psychological attachment to cigarettes--that that was the addiction. I did not really understand how addictive nicotine is. Though I was heard the facts of it well before I quit.
Now as time has passed, I've come to my senses enough to know how addicted I was. I'm a nonsmoker now, and will remain so for as long as I am eternally vigilant.
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elvan Jun 10, 2017 6:49 PM
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Iamkfaz This is funny...one of my friends asked me that recently...do you consider yourself a nonsmoker now. I told her that I consider myself to be a recovering smoker, an EX smoker. It is an addiction, I have never heard an addict or an alcoholic say that they are a NON addict or a NON alcoholic. I have heard them say they are in recovery and that's what I choose. I think once you have smoked and been addicted, you are never a NON smoker...NON smokers never smoked. It is whatever works for you, whatever works for me, just don't smoke. Bottom line..."keep them away from your face."
Ellen
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elvan Jun 10, 2017 6:51 PM
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Iamkfaz Oh, I think you are a runner if you run and you are an artist if you paint. I am glad you are here, Karyn...making me THINK.
Ellen
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Marilyn.H.July.14.14. Jun 10, 2017 6:59 PM
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I also say Ex Smoker after smoking for 40 yrs I'm definitely an Exer and a happy one too.
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jimmie-a-littrell Jun 10, 2017 7:51 PM
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Yeah, I will probably go with ex-smoker for me. And Damned proud of it!!!!
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MichelleDiane Jun 10, 2017 8:21 PM
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Great question Karyn. I like the comments made by all of the above (hello all). I quit on June 1st. I don't know what I am. I would love to get smoker's amnesia and forget that I ever smoked, but that's not going to happen. So, having said that I look at these past 9 days as I haven't smoked. That's what is important to me. Doing everything and anything I can to not smoke. As you referred to in a previous post I feel triggered when I count days. It makes me think more about smoking just like the negative thoughts that say "you will never have a cigarette again!". Definitely don't want my mind to go there. One day at a time. If I don't smoke for that day than I, as Ellen and Nancy have told me before, I've Won the day. Best of luck. I find this community so incredibly helpful.
-Michelle
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dwwms Jun 11, 2017 1:12 PM
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I think everyone is probably different - sometimes now I feel like a non-smoker, other times I feel like a smoker who hasn't had one in a while. When it really comes down to it, I guess I'll never be a non-smoker, just an ex-smoker. My reasoning is that I know if I have one, I'm a smoker again (it's happened numerous times).
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Iamkfaz Jun 11, 2017 2:09 PM
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Thank you all for your comments, they are all truly helpful. This is a wonderful site with wonderful people.
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JACKIE1-25-15 Jun 11, 2017 7:36 PM
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From reading the different comments there are different perspectives which I am not surprised. In my opinion, I think one can only speak for oneself. When I first quit I would use self talk and tell myself that I am a "nonsmoker". Eventually,I i had an Ah ha moment and believed it. So my answer would be when you start to believe that you are and you no longer smoke.
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BonnieBee.quit.2.8.15 Jun 11, 2017 7:31 PM
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Ex-smoker because I was addicted as elvan Ellen said above, non'smokers in my book never got addicted or never smoked at all .
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Giulia Jun 11, 2017 7:57 PM
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I think you're a non smoker the day you decide you are. For real. No questions, no doubts, no excuses, no turning back. When you say "I don't do that any more," and mean it. (Edited: I hadn't read the comments above me prior to my reply. I agree, we are ex smokers, if you want to split those hairs. But "non" or "ex" both don't smoke.)
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