About smoking: Smoking is not only more concentrated among people lower on the class pyramid, but poor smokers have a higher risk of dying than rich smokers who smoke the same number of cigarettes.
“I started smoking when I was a teenager. That's how they hook you.
I've tried quitting a few times, but it's been tough to give up.
My health insurance offers classes to help you quit smoking, so I've been going to those. I also have regular monthly check-ups with my doctor, and she suggested nicotine gum to help with cravings.
Lately I've been using food as a substitute, which I don't like, but I'm trying to keep an eye on that so it doesn't get out of control.
Mostly I just try to stay active, keep exercising, and distract myself. All those things seem to help. I reward myself sometimes by buying something special. Just little tricks to keep me on the right track, you know?” |
 Quit smoking
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“I've smoked on and off for 20 years. It's not easy to quit, especially all by yourself.
I hear nicotine gum helps but that stuff's not cheap. The community center had meetings before it closed, but now I got no support.
I kinda reckon this is the one luxury I’m gonna allow myself. Cause you know it's just too much sometimes - the job, money, dealing with so many things I can’t control - it wears you down.
Everybody I know smokes. At least it's better than being strung out on drugs and alcohol, right?
Anyway, I can't think about lung cancer in 20 years when I got so many things to worry about now. My mom and dad both died young, so maybe it's just my lot in life." |
