need advice desperatly - train trip advice for a smoker!

[Spanner69]

Howdy ,

My mother is travling by train due to a health issue preventing her from flying back to Perth.

My question is for anyone who knows the train trips from Townsville to Perth Via Bris and Syd.

Is there anywhere on the train or do they stop anywhere along the way for those who are in need of a smoke?

My mother is a resonable smoker ( 20+ day). She will have patches to 'help' along the way but is really stressing regarding how she will cope with the reduction/inability to have a fag.

As a rabid non smoker myself I have no ideas on the wheres and hows of this issue on the rail system and the web sites offer absolutly no information at all.

Anyone know anything PLEASE let me know before 12 noon tomorrow (1/06/2010) as we leave for the station by then.

Thanks all.

Cheers, Spanner69.

[tea lady]

You could try the Nicorette Chewing gum as well. At least they give you something to do. Knitting. (Sorry! I'm a non smoker too, so don't really take notice of such things.

[ian]

Spanner
your mum should be able to step out onto the platform for a drag everywhere the train stops.
just be aware that teh whole train may not fit in the platform -- but the guard / conductor should know which bits of the train do

In Sydney, she may have to leave the station to have a drag -- you're not supposed to smoke in the covered areas

[Gingermick]

you cant smoke in any QLD platforms either, she'll have to walk out into the car park.
If there are health reasons preventing her from flying, perhaps she should consider quitting.

[Spanner69]

yep there are health reasons but some of these reasons are the reason she can not give up smoking and it has been such a habit for nearly 50 years.

She will have patches to help with the nicotine cravings but she is really worried how she will cope. This is really stressing her out.

I agree with you all she should give up but this is not a consideration at this stage as she is going on the train today.

In QLD you are not allowed to smoke anywhere on QLD rail property ( I think).

What about in NSW and dgoing accross SA and WA? Anyone know?

thanks so far for your input but desperatly needing more.

[Christopha]

I think you will find that she probably can't smoke on South Australian platforms either.

[RufflyRustic]

The patches really do work to cut down the cravings. It's the habit that I found hard to deal with. e.g. I ALWAYS have a smoke at this time, or when I do that... If going on long journeys or flights, I just try a little self speak or do my darndest not to think about it, to distract myself. Perhaps some nibbles will help as well?


Have you had a chance to ring the company and find out if they offer any smoker's section at all?

Cheers
Wendy

Edit - I found this out the hard way, that there was nothing I could do about the situation, so made the most of it rather than getting myself upset over it.

[Spanner69]

Thanks RufflyR',

I think this may help to allay some of the anxiety.

In regards to ringing the train companys this all only came to a head last night at about 2130 and it was too late but I was sure that some of my fellow woodies would have some pearls of wisdom.

Thanks.

[RufflyRustic]

Get her a small digital camera and keep her 'occupied' with photographing whatever she can out of the window and in side the train itself.

Just another idea...

[acmegridley]

Indian Pacific has a smoking area in the lounge bar completlety separate from the other lounge area,glassed in and ventilated,used it when I used to be a smoker(now seen the light)

[Spanner69]

Indian Pacific has a smoking area in the lounge bar completlety separate from the other lounge area,glassed in and ventilated,used it when I used to be a smoker(now seen the light)

Fantastic .... I think!??!

I am sure this will make her day as she was reaqlly stressed out big time.

Man I am sooo glad I never sucumbed to that vice let me tell you ....its bad enough with my desire for tools...... actually maybe smoking might be cheeper!


Thanks again everyone for being such great forum members.

I really love being in this place!

[ian]

So, did your mum make it home OK?
did the enforced "no smoking" and nicotine patches lessen her daily intake of carcigens?