Hi Joel and all,
A lot of stories sound familiar here. I started smoking Marlboro "Reds" at the age of 14 because that was what was offered to me. All the kids were smoking that brand at that time too, some of the girls smoked Marlboro Lights, but not me, I had to be extra cool and smoke the Reds. At the ripe old age of 20 I switched to Marlboro Lights and stayed there until I first tried to quit at the age of 30. I was waking up with pain in my chest and lungs, at 20. Switching actually helped for oh, about six months, then came back and I accepted that feeling as my smoking destiny. I tried Winston Lights once, simply because I was given a free pack, but nothing tasted quite like a Marlboro.
When I was 30 I tried to quit using the patch. The directions recommended trying other brands before you quit, so I tried Capris, Misty's, Virginia Slims and Benson and Hedges. I actually ended up liking them. After the patch failed, I started smoking some of these brands until I realized they didn't cost any less than Marloboros, so I went back, only this time I was smoking the Ultra-Light and adding 100's to get my money's worth.
I could never smoke a menthol cigarette though. Both of my parents smoked menthols and I never stole one or bummed one from them ever because menthol made me sick. I am happy to say my mother does not smoke any more, she has been quit for years. Unfortunately, I believe they will be the death of my father. They smoked Kools, Salems and Newports, although Dad now smokes Marlboro Lights.
OH, and in all those years, I never once saved the Marboro miles!!! Can you believe it? I told myself if I didn't save the miles then I wouldn't get hooked. Ha!
Jen
Six months and counting.