Do you smoke?

[TMA]

And I am sorry, but the logic that smoking helps with stress is fine, but the logic that smoking to fix that is easier than going to a doctor's isn't fine.

I meant smoking is more effective at relieving anxiety/depression than many other treatments given by doctors/phychiarists. This is from personal experience, so yes your milage will vary. For me personally, i'd rather live another 5 years and die from cancer than live another 50 in misery.

i smoke on occasion

and why the hell are a lot of people being so hostile.

People have strong views on the matter. <half tongue in cheek> I always notice that it's the non-smokers that tend to be more aggressive and bigoted.

 

[nightdweller25]

Never have and never will, and that's a vow.

 

[kretzy]

Can't people keep their moralizing to themselves?

I don't care if people smoke, but just as they have the right to choose whether to smoke or not, others should have the right to not have to inhale smoke when someone near them is smoking.

 

[TMA]

Others should have the right to not have to inhale smoke when someone near them is smoking.

I don't think you'll find anyone that disagrees with you.

 

[alexstein]

I smoked on and off for years, on Sept. 2004 I quit cold turkey and I'm still going strong.

I miss it on occasion and I have dreams about it as well. Even though it doesn't seem that way but cigarettes are a very powerful (..and highly engineered) drug.

 

[Les Kern]

These days, only stupid people smoke.

Sorry

Do you drink? Only IDIOTS drink... these days. Sorry.

 

[Les Kern]

Can't people keep their moralizing to themselves?

No, they CAN'T.

 

[miniConvert]

That said, the time I force myself to take out and have a cigarette, functions as almost a meditation - as I focus on little else than my five minutes with just me and a cigarette. Smoking also often functions as a social buffer, as an activity to engage in when you can't think of something else to do when you are in company and slightly nervous. In both cases, this can serve as a pretty big crutch and I would imagine this is one of the factors that makes quitting so difficult.

This is an interesting thread, and the section quoted above struck a particular chord with me.

It's that combination of having something to hold, something to put to your mouth, something to breathe in and breathe out, something to pause for that makes smoking such a socially engaging activity. You don't need to talk to someone to sit and smoke with them, but if you didn't have a cigarette in your hand then you'd just be sitting there not saying anything... which for the most part is a little odd.

I guess I don't have anything against anyone who wants to smoke responsibly, but enjoy it while you can - you may well regret your decision in your old age.

 

[Les Kern]

It's the most dangerous, mind-numbingly stupid thing you can do to your body. It smells, it gives you bad breath, it cost a HUGE amount of money... it's even detrimental to the health of your car seats... which I JUST witnessed, er, DID, just yesterday... as I smoke.
What a buffoon, huh? Sure, I say things like "Grandma smoked 4 packs a day for 75 YEARS". It's true, but even I fool myself with statements like that, or rather, my BRAIN does.

For those of you who have never smoked, GREAT. And those of you who think less of smokers, calling them "weak", know this: Unless you have smoked you can't POSSIBLY know what it's like to quit, and if you call me "weak" to my face I will break most of the bones you have in yours.
They say quitting smokes is WAY worse than quitting heroin, and I believe it. Get off your high horse for one second and think of ways to HELP them instead of calling them stoopid.
Also, I believe, even as a smoker, cities should BAN it everywhere, and it should be taxed out of existence if possible.
Now ppardon me. A Marlboro Medium 100's is waiting for my stoopid ass out in the garage.

 

[FocusAndEarnIt]

No.
I don't to be smelly, have yellow teeth, and waste money.

...But I am 13, I will never do it.

 

[calebjohnston]

I should have made this thread 18+ only. I'm expecting that a majority of the "OMGBBQ THOSE ARE CANCER STICKS YOU'RE GROSS AND FAT" posts are from 12 and 13 year olds.

 

[miniConvert]

I should have made this thread 18+ only. I'm expecting that a majority of the "OMGBBQ THOSE ARE CANCER STICKS YOU'RE GROSS AND FAT" posts are from 12 and 13 year olds.

If it were, that's excellent. Perhaps we have finally perfected getting the message to our children that smoking is bad for your health.

 

[Prelude2Tragedy]

I smoke cigarettes very occasionally when Im out at the bar and such. Although I cant wait to purchase a Hookah. The flavors of maassel are incredible.

 

[calebjohnston]

No, I do agree with you in that respect. If you can't legally buy cigarettes, you shouldn't be smoking. However, I wanted real opinions from older people - not kids.

Good point though.

 

[mad jew]

I don't smoke. Even if I didn't think it was lame, my coach wouldn't let me.

My girlfriend smokes but I'm gonna make her quit.

 

[pknz]

Of course not, never have, ever.

 

[Abstract]

I don't smoke, and I think it's stupid for health reasons, but I also know that the reasoning for disliking smoking is dumb if you have another vice.

These days, only stupid people smoke.

Sorry

You can say the same thing about people who go to the pub and drink.

That said, the time I force myself to take out and have a cigarette, functions as almost a meditation - as I focus on little else than my five minutes with just me and a cigarette. Smoking also often functions as a social buffer, as an activity to engage in when you can't think of something else to do when you are in company and slightly nervous. In both cases, this can serve as a pretty big crutch and I would imagine this is one of the factors that makes quitting so difficult.

Same with going out and drinking at a pub. You don't want to sit there with a cup of Fanta, do you?

These days, it is pretty hard to ignore the health and financial costs of this habit. At my rate of smoking, I spend about $1000 a year to actively damage my health.

A lot of people drink more than $1000 away, I'd think. For examples, most Uni students. I have probably drank around $300 this year already. Some people spend hundreds of $$$ on candy, chocolates, sweets in general, and we can agree that these things aren't good for us.

So, why do I still smoke? Well, because I like smoking. It is as simple as that. It is a chosen vice. And I try to take responsibility for it's effects.

Exactly, and yet you don't see people talking about having country-wide alcohol free pubs. Same with candy-free across the country.

What about people who drink 3-5 cups of coffee per day because they need it to keep them going? What happens when you take it away? Ah yes, another type of addiction we're not talking about.

Even running is bad for the knees, especially people who run uphill (like myself for 5-7 minutes during every run). I run every 2-3 days.

It is alot like drinking for me, another vice. I like to drink, but I don't get so drunk as to make a fool of myself, or impinge on someone else's good time.

Yes it is.

Can't people keep their moralizing to themselves?

Apparently not. You're such an outstanding citizen if you don't smoke, and if you do, you're stupid and horrible and have no sense. Oh, and if you also recycle, you should be allowed into sainthood when you die.

 

[jakochampolska]

I dont smoke (because I'm 15) but my parents are full on smokers (though they NEVER smoke around me). For my mom its an axnitiey (sp?) thing too. And for my dad its kind of like a habbit.
i never plan on smoking, but I dont have anything against it.

 

[devilot]

I tried taking a drag of a cigarette once. Er. Yeah, you can't smoke that the same way you would um... other substances. I was coughing for a good five minutes at least.

I've never really felt inclined to smoke because I've grown up smelling/inhaling and hearing my father's smoke and smoker's cough. It's not a pleasant sound to wake up to.

I haven't smoked anything though in about four years.

 

[OutThere]

These threads show up often, and all that comes of them is a flame-fest. Pun intended.

There are usually these opinions expressed over-and-over-and-over.

1) "I smoke, that's what I want to do, and you're not going to stop me. Quit preaching!"
2) "I smoke, I realize it's bad, but it's my choice."
3) "I don't smoke, but I don't have a problem with it on occasion, whatever, I don't really care."
4) "You shouldn't smoke, don't you realize it's bad for you and gives you cancer and you could DIE?!?!"
5) "OMG SMOKING IS BAD I HATE SMOKERS."

If you don't smoke and don't like smoking, fine. That's your opinion.

If you do smoke and are tired of preachers, just recognize that they only want to help.

 

[2nyRiggz]

what type of smoking Light it!!!


Bless

 

[iSaint]

i smoke on occasion

and why the hell are a lot of people being so hostile.

Because when you quit you realize how bad it smells on other people and how gross it was on yourself.

I smoked a little for 15 years. I mean a little, because I never was a pack a day, just usually 3-5 cigarettes a day. I finally figured out it wasn't worth that little bit. Also, I got three colds within a year and my chest was killing me. I feel much better after quitting 8 years ago.

 

[~Shard~]

Do I have zero respect for my own health and well-being, and enjoy abusing my body? Do I want to give myself cancer? Am I stupid enough to not only want to kill myself, but pay someone (i.e. a cigarette company) to kill me slowly? Guess it's no surprise the answer for me is no.

 

[TMA]

If you don't smoke and don't like smoking, fine. That's your opinion.

If you do smoke and are tired of preachers, just recognize that they only want to help.

I agree, but can't something be done about all the posts that call smokers stupid?

The OP was asking a question and presumably hoped for discussion on that matter (i.e smoking helping with anxiety). Would it be possible to remove all off topic posts (including some of mine) and moderate this discussion so that it stays on that topic?

 

[mad jew]

Has anyone else noticed the inundation of cigarette lighter advertising since the abolishment of tobacco advertising? I'm not sure which countries this applies to, but I thought it was pretty underhand.