Just wanted to know if there were any slot fanatics that have recently quit smoking. I quit smoking 3 weeks ago. I have been to the casino once since I quit and I must say it was pretty hard to be there. I chewed over a pack and a half of gum in the 4 hours I was there. Got numerous drinks from the self serve machine just to keep my other hand busy lol! As with all things related with smoking, the casino is pretty tough. I found myself searching for my smokes during the start of almost EVERY bonus. There's nothing like sitting back and lighting a smoke just before your bonus starts. Cigarette in one hand, fingers crossed with the other. What is your experience with quitting smoking and continuing to go to the casino? Any tips on how to handle it? Thanks!

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Whack-a-pooper!

JPParty-man,

I'm a smoker myself, don't plan to quit just yet, still enjoy it.

Good luck to you and keep it up, I know it hard.

Good for you! I wish you lots of luck with that! I completely understand what you mean about lighting up when you get a bonus round! I totally do that almost every time! Keep up the good work!

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Deb's YouTube gambling channel:

www.youtube.com/bonusqueenDeb

I'm a bonus-smoker too! And of course the ritual of lighting up when you first finish "readying" your machine for play. (Volume is everything)

Congrats to you, JPParty-Man! Many kudos to you, not for just quitting, but for your rock-solid willpower.

Have you thought of bringing a few munchies with you as another distraction? I smoke like a chimney in the casino (one of the few places it's allowed anymore), and to slow myself down I take a snack ziplock of almonds with me. They're healthy, and not too filling (for when you want to take a break at the buffet).

I am actually smoking again because of the casino. Due to surgery in sept 08, and being in the hospital for the next 3 weeks, without a ciggy, when I was released, I could not take the smell of that or anything until about december. Bacon was a killer too. As I recovered, by spring 09, we ventured into the casinos, and after being there a few times and inhaling all the second hand smoke, I made the decision to buy a pack of my own. Thats all it took to get me back into the habit again.

The most difficult thing for me was shooting pool. When I played pool it was pretty much automatic... beer, smoke, shoot.

I substituted a Lifesaver in situations when I automatically lit up. Getting in the car was another smoking situation. So, I got in the car, stuck a Lifesaver in my mouth, and off I went. I quit when I was 27...30 years ago. Before that I smoked a pack a day for probably 10 years.

My brother, who was 64 when he quit, used hard candy as well. That was 2 years ago.

I think if the world was going to end tomorrow we would both likely sit down with a cold one and light up. But until then, we're gonna tough it out. You can do it JPParty-man. You'll feel better, both physically and mentally. You just have to convince yourself that you're in control and go from there.

I think it is funny when someone who has never smoked asks you why you started smoking again. My father quit for 30 years and picked them right back up like he never skipped a beat. As an ex smoker I will know the satisfaction of lighting up for the rest of my life!

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Whack-a-pooper!

I would like to applaud you on quitting. It takes alot to do so and not many people can do it. Wish I had some advice for ya, but you'll get thru it. Just hang in there.

I feel your pain...but I chew instead of smoke. Gross I know...before a bonus there's nothin better than puttin a chew in and hoping for a big one! It's so hard to quit. I started because everyone I play baseball with chews. I wish I would have never started. When I buy a can, I say, "this is my last can" but it never is. Ahhhhhhh.

(1) Have a heart attack. That's what happened to me 30 years ago. I decided in the hospital not to smoke ever again and I haven't.

(2) Notice those folks dragging their oxygen tanks around the casino. That could eventually be you.

(3) Listen to all those coughing and hacking smokers and try to guess which ones are just a few more packs away from lung cancer.

On the lighter side, try some of the new lozenge type aids. I know people who have had good results. (chewing tobacco is a terrible option). Carry around a cup of ice chips when at the casino.