Oh no I forgot to add your name to the thanks section :)

You have been a great influence. I still have dreams that I picked up smoking again, and even dreams where i only smoke when I want and don't become an addict again. It is quite scary to see how the subconscious addict brain is still trying to convince me that i could casually smoke ..Still, I came over a lot of hurdles to get to where I am, so I have no illusions, which is one reason why I have been strong! I know what would happen if I so much as take a drag.

An interesting things happened recently. Even though culturally smoking is welded into brain as something that bad boys and girls did, that my favorite musicians did, that  there is something inevitably cool about it, this has slightly changed. I recently saw a beautiful Close up B&W shot of Billy Eilish with a cigarette between her lips, and normally I would not have thought anything of it, but this time I thought, what a con. They conned us into this ridiculous act with their onslaught of social and cultural campaigns to sell us this highly addictive and dangerous drug. We were all conned. It also made me think of an interview with Lauren Bacall, when she described the suffering and death of her beloved husband Humphrey Bogart from throat cancer. Bogart was one of the actors to whom Lucky Strike sent endless packs of free cigarets, so they end up on the screen, which they did, and it lead to his tragic early demise.

You are so right.  When I watch the old movies or even old series, the amount of smoking is phenomenal.  Everybody has a cigarette in the mouth, the hand, the ashtray - it is everywhere, constantly.  It is no wonder so many people picked it up.  I notice it so much now that I can almost taste the cigarettes when I watch these programs.  I used to think smoking was something beautiful sophisticated women did and that it was a sexy turn on for the men.  I used to practice how I held the cigarette in my hand and how I held my hand, how I inhale and, most importantly, how I exhaled.  All to make the impressions I saw on the movie screens.   There were precious few programs and movies that didn't have constant smoking.  Certainly not enough. 

Speaking of dreams, I had a smoking dream just last week.  2 and half years later and I still have a smoking dream every once in awhile.  This time though, I did not panic when I woke up.  In fact, I barely noticed the smoking in the dream.  Maybe my dreams have finally caught on and are quitting smoking too.

Cheers to that.    

Its great to hear your experiences on the same subjects..and Yes it is ingrained. You can't these lines out of my physiological makeup:"

"Anybody Got A Match?" Lauren Baccal 'To have and have not'

"Time takes a cigarette, puts it in your mouth, You pull on your finger, then another finger, then your cigarette" - 'Bowie, You're not alone'

 And others...

I read that smoking was still prominent in streaming platforms as there were less restrictions than in broadcast & cable.  

Way back in the 60s, Winston sponsored The Flintstones. 

Xvaper

Huge congratulations on 10 months!  You are doing this, just keep moving forward.  You mention the dreams and yes, I have also had a lot of dreams in the last month.  Hoping they will pass soon

Thanks Lubbercat I really appreciate it!There is always the fear of relapse..

Yep it's there and so is Vaping now, In scenes that do not call for vaping. So obviously sponsored.

Hey xvaper, 

Happy belated Birthday and huge congratulations on reaching 11 months smoke free on May 29th. What a great double celebration and what a fabulous gift to give yourself! I wish you many more happy, healthy, and smoke free celebrations ahead. Yay you! 

I'm sorry this is belated. I had to be off the forum a bit recently. However, I'm still so happy for you, your birthday and your success, and I can't wait to celebrate your one year quit smoking milestone with you later this month. You truly have so much to celebrate and be proud of. Across the forum we're all proud of you too and happy to celebrate your success with you!  

I also thank you for the support you lend to others here and for continuing to reach out yourself. Whether for help, to lend help, to join in a celebration, or just talking with other quit-buddies. You are inspiring and show yourself as a wonderful example of why the members here are referred to as a forum family. Thank you. 

Soon you'll be joining the 7% Club in the one year Clubhouse and be eligible to proudly display your key, should you choose to and I'm so happy for you! We all know what it takes to get there and you have demonstrated that in full force. You held on, persevered, and faced the challenges head on and held on. You did it and it keeps better and better, so keep going and on with you to that hard won and well deserved one year celebration in just a few short weeks. WOO-HOO! YAY XVAPER! YOU ROCK! 

Have a great day.