Date sent: Sat, 18 Dec 1999 05:18:05 EST
Subject: Quitting Smoking
To: vocalist
Send reply to: VOCALIST <vocalist>

Dear All,

I hate to say this, but i'm addicted to cigarettes. I smoke maybe 5
cigarettes a day, which is considered relatively mild, but I know I
definitely need to quit. I've attempted to quit approximately 4 times now,
but with no positive results. I don't think it's so much the nicotine
addiction, but everytime I try to quit, I develop a serious cold. My throat
and nasal passages will feel extremely weak and phlegmy. Returning back to
cigarettes seems to help it.

The reason I even began smoking was out of depression from having lost my
voice. Yeah, I know it's stupid, but I tried one cigarette and it seemed
like my voice was cleared up. I've been smoking ever since.

When I don't smoke, I develop vocal problems. When I do smoke, they seem to
go away when I know for a fact that they really aren't. Has anyone had any
experience with this? Maybe the cigarettes are numbing my throat? Thanks in
advance for any responses.

Andrew Lin, an admitted smoking addict