Posted by RedsSmoker
on 7/31/2009, 4:22 pm
71.8.82.38
So here's my story...
I'm nearly 30, and I smoked occasionally during college but not as a habit. After a particularly stressful day at work three years ago, I bought a pack to help me unwind.
For about a week, I hid my smoking until my wife, an ex-smoker, caught me. A week after that, I told her that I was smoking more and didn't really intend to stop.
I went out back to smoke, and to my surprise, she came outside and said, "Well, if you're smoking again, I guess I'm smoking again."
We've both been closet smoking since then... about half a pack on work days... more on weekends and vacation. We only smoke at home when we're in town. It's wonderful when we're on vacation, and we can both smoke openly.
My problem with 'coming out' is, of course, the guilt from others who know me as a non-smoker. My parents and other family are VERY anti-smoking, and they live in the same town we live in. Most people have some connection to each other here, and if I even smoked in my car, I know word would get back to others.
But this is the main issue: My parents are deeply religious (as am I). They seem to connect smoking to faith, and I can't imagine their response if they know I smoke.
We've gone to a church where they have a smoking area outside, and it's nice to not have the pressure on me there. But I don't know about acceptance beyond there.
Any thoughts? Anyone ever dealt with this particular side of the issue?
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