That's how it's been for decades, nay centuries, up until the last few years. During all that time, how many non-smoking establishments -- bars, restaurants and clubs -- were there to choose from? In every city I've lived in probably less than one tenth of one percent. While most of the population wanted smoke-free establishments, the proprietors feared they'd lose business. Now as each state and municipality bans smoking, life goes on. The bars and restaurants do just fine, and the smokers huddle outside (like the animals they are).

In fact, based just anecdotally on my experience and that of my friends, I think many bars are doing better. I know I'm much more likely to go to bars now than I used to be because I don't have to wear a special "coat I don't mind getting all smoky" or wash my hair before bed or air out my clothes for 3 days in a separate room so they don't stink up the hamper or the bedroom or the closet.

Viva smoke free! Next, we've gotta work on banning it in public outdoor spaces, including the sidewalks!

And keep in mind, I haven't smoked for over 10 years now. But I am a Libertarian, and I willingly take on all that comes with that.

And yes, in the interest of full disclosure, since my PS info provides access to my LinkedIn profile, I used to work for a tobacco company. But I don't smoke anymore and I don't particularly like smoke in my space. Believe it or not, that's not a conflict of interest.

A couple months ago, we went out and I was like, "you know, I might smoke one or two tonight" and then we hit the bar, I ended up sitting next to a smoker, and that "uh, this smoke makes me want to puke" feeling hit.

I've had the displeasure of sitting next to smokers on a plane and in a class. They weren't smoking at the time, but they reeked of the smoke. Trying to be discreet about not smelling a neighbor is fun. I'm not exactly gonna tell a stranger, "I'm not going to look or breathe in your general direction because I took meds that make you kick on my gag reflex."

I don't know if thats a normal reaction to the drug, but that's what I got. And it's a REALLY effective way to stay smoke free.

but seriously, congrats on quitting. i was never a heavy smoker, but very much a social smoker. especially when i was drinking. i quit many times in my life, for years at a time, only to start up again. if only i didn't look so cool when i smoked!

i never had nic fits, even when i was smoking regularly i could stop for a few days without really missing it, until i started drinking and/or hanging out with my smoking buddies.

then i started bartending and could smoke on the job. i got up to almost a pack a day and decided it was time to quit again. did it cold turkey with the mentality that i would quit for a month, then if i wanted to go back to the occasional smoke it would be ok. thing is, i got pregnant the month after i quit. ff a few years and i did smoke the occasional cigarette while out drinking, but i would have the worst hangovers. however if i went drinking with no cigarettes - no hangover. i haven't smoked in years... well, tobaccy anyway

so to tie it all back into the original post, i have the same gag reflex these days and i never took chantix. i think it's just a natural part of being a former smoker.

When I was intially asking about drugs to quit smoking, he also mentioned Wellbutrin. It's more for the "habit" of smoking, it helps kind of the obsessive compulsive side of smoking, i.e. pour coffee, light a cigarette, pour a beer light a cigarette. It doesn't do anything for the nicotine itself, like Chantix does, but if you were down to two a day, you were over the nicotine, right?

My apologies for getting all up in your health business. I tried to quit on the patch for about a year (on and off) and I know how frustrating failed attempts at quitting are.

I've never tried Chantix, but I'd quit successfully before using nicotine patches and gum, stayed off the cigs for years but only replaced that addiction with a new nicotine-delivery addiction. And then, in one particularly stressful moment, I succumbed, and just like you found myself right back at a pack-a-day as if I'd never quit.

I finally decided I'd had enough and kicked the habit on September 9 of last year for what I truly believe is the last time. This site really helped me, and outside of the three days of absolute misery while you're waiting for the nicotine reserves to leave your body, it was so much easier than it had ever been before. I think not having chemicals swimming around in your bloodstream for months after you give up smoking is the trick. I would also read this page every day, so I knew exactly what was happening to my body as each smoke-free day followed another, and it served as terrific motivation and still does.

It's also nice to have extra money swimming around in your wallet that doesn't go to prescription medications, patches or cigarettes. Seeing the dollars add up just as I started to feel so much better really kept me going. Now, the thought of dropping $6 bucks on a pack of cigarettes every single day for the rest of my life makes me sick. It's effective in the way aversion therapy is. I'd rather have extra money than a puff, it's just that simple.

If you take a few days to really read around that site, I think you'll be able to do it.