a question for smokers...

[ZZoMBiE13]

You know I smoked for years. 25 years to be exact. Started in high school.

I'm not the type of person who regrets things. I make mistakes like all humans, but I feel that if I'm introspective and recognize my mistake, if I take the time and initiative to learn from my mistakes and try my best not to keep making them, then regret as a concept is a waste of precious time.

But yeah, I pretty much regret starting smoking. It was extremely difficult to quit. It's not even the addiction that is difficult to give up, it's the habit. The act of smoking becomes far more addictive than the nicotine. Nicotine addiction can be broken in half a week. But coming to terms with having nothing for your hands to do when they used to do a thing often. And when that thing brought you some pleasure (yes, smoking is pleasurable), it's a hard habit to leave.

However modern technology provided me a way to quit smoking cigarettes without quitting the habit; E-cigs. I switched a few months ago and I'm liking the new paradigm. Nicotine on it's own isn't that harmful, and the E-cigs don't have the carbon monoxide or carcinogens or tar. It's a good transition tool if nothing else. Plus it tastes better and smells better and is easier on my friends who don't smoke. Plus it's about a fourth of the cost of a cigarette habit.

 

[Shadowstar38]

Are we talking exclusively about tobacco here? Because fuck that stuff.

If "other" is included, because it makes me happy. And when I'm happy, society benefits.

 

[The Inquisitive Mug]

Because I'm 25 and both my parents have smoked since before I was born?

I've seen what withdrawal does, and I've seen how antsy people get when they don't get their fix.

I don't doubt that smoking relieves stress, to a point, but past that point, it's just feeding an addiction, one that causes more ill than it benefits.

That's fair. I don't think anyone could argue that smoking's effects aren't god awful. There's also some truth to your statement that after time, the effects of nicotine wane. When I first dipped it felt like I had taken 2-3 shots of vodka directly to the brain. Now, it's barely worth the hassle. It's still important to remember that people still react differently to cigarettes and smoke in different amounts. Perhaps it's because I take bi-monthly breaks from smoking that I'm not bothered too much by the withdrawls. Perhaps it's because I only smoke 2-3 a day, and not even every day. I can only imagine what a pack to two pack a day smoker must feel when they don't get their fix. Every now and then, someone on our boat either sells too many packs or smoke up their supply with a week left and they turn into DICKS. I'm just glad that I don't have that problem.

In short: Yes, smoking is terribly, terribly bad for you. But for some, like myself, it's still very enjoyable beyond simply satisfying the urge.

 

[GundamSentinel]

Personally I have a principle about not putting stuff in my mouth that's still on fire, but hey, whatever floats your boat. I'll not judge a smoker. All I ask is that they don't do it when I'm around.

 

[Kennetic]

People have all kinds of reasons to justify an addiction. Sometimes those reasons are even valid ones, never remotely good enough to cover up the downsides in my opinion, but still. I for one have mostly given up on understanding it and just avoid being around people who are smoking when I can.

What really mystifies me these days on this subject is the extreme lack of popularity of E-cigs. An alternative to traditional cigarettes that are much safer, healthier, and cheaper, can be tailored to the exact nicotine content and flavor the user wants, and yet I have seen exactly two in use since they came out.

I see e-cigs all the time but they just aren't the same. Kinda like tofu I guess.

OT: I enjoy smoking but once I'm out of the military I will quit entirely or if I meet a girl who just won't put up with it. Yes, I will change for a girl!

 

[Faelix]

Because you turn 30 or 40 and somewhere in between you realise you are going to die, and you are going to die pretty soon.

From there it's an uphill battle, where something like stop smoking, can seem as an act of denial to you. You are like the winds blow.

Edit: I need some music now. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3PHDLMAacY

 

[GonvilleBromhead]

I started when living in Egypt, working in a role in which "when in Rome" was very important. If you have ever been to Egypt, you'll know that smoking is the national sport, in which participation is seemingly mandatory for everyone over the age of 12 to participate in.

Plus, it's a damned site safer than breathing in the air in Alexandria. You need a fag to cover the awful pong from the sewage strewn Med and the chemical filled Lake Maryut

 

[Robert Marrs]

Starting smoking because I was curious why people smoke if its so bad for you. Sure its addictive but surely they must be getting some pleasure from it or they try it once and just quit. This is the nicotine buzz. Its exciting if you have never felt anything like it before and pretty damn intense at first. Now I just smoke because I'm addicted. Tried quitting a few times none of which have been succesful.

 

[The Inquisitive Mug]

People have all kinds of reasons to justify an addiction. Sometimes those reasons are even valid ones, never remotely good enough to cover up the downsides in my opinion, but still. I for one have mostly given up on understanding it and just avoid being around people who are smoking when I can.

What really mystifies me these days on this subject is the extreme lack of popularity of E-cigs. An alternative to traditional cigarettes that are much safer, healthier, and cheaper, can be tailored to the exact nicotine content and flavor the user wants, and yet I have seen exactly two in use since they came out.

I see e-cigs all the time but they just aren't the same. Kinda like tofu I guess.

OT: I enjoy smoking but once I'm out of the military I will quit entirely or if I meet a girl who just won't put up with it. Yes, I will change for a girl!

I like that comparison. I always likened it to diet coke. No matter how much I drink it, I'll always take a regular coke when available. That being said, the biggest problem I seem to have with e-cigs are that I never know quite when I'm done. Still, I love 'em.

 

[Zeul Sexului]

Because it's the only drug that's both easily accessible and doesn't alter my mental state that much.

Booze is ok, but if I'd drink at the same rate I'd smoke I'd die a lot sooner, maybe I'd take some unlucky sod with me, if I was driving or whatever.

Coffee is also good but again, don't want to spend the rest of my day feeling like the Energizer Bunny. If I did, I'd do coke.

Weed is out, although good I can't be arsed to go and buy it. Plus it's illegal where I live.

To sum it up, I like it. I didn't like it at first, the body's natural response is to reject all harmful substances, but I wanted to have something to at least dampen whatever negative situation I was experiencing at the time.

And before someone gives another PC speech about health and whatnot, my lungs are my business. Presumably I'm a level headed individual who's aware of the fatal consequences. But from my perspective, I'm going to die anyway, why not enjoy myself in the mean time ?

PS: For the people who complain about second hand smoke, how about we solve bigger issues like green house gases, the ones that come from the exhaust pipe or your car instead of boring me to death with a lecture about the 20 fags I have in my pocket.

 

[ZZoMBiE13]

People have all kinds of reasons to justify an addiction. Sometimes those reasons are even valid ones, never remotely good enough to cover up the downsides in my opinion, but still. I for one have mostly given up on understanding it and just avoid being around people who are smoking when I can.

What really mystifies me these days on this subject is the extreme lack of popularity of E-cigs. An alternative to traditional cigarettes that are much safer, healthier, and cheaper, can be tailored to the exact nicotine content and flavor the user wants, and yet I have seen exactly two in use since they came out.

I see e-cigs all the time but they just aren't the same. Kinda like tofu I guess.

OT: I enjoy smoking but once I'm out of the military I will quit entirely or if I meet a girl who just won't put up with it. Yes, I will change for a girl!

Here where I live they are in wide use. They may not make it into many television shows because you can't use them to dramatically punch up a conversation like you can with a cigarette, but I see them all the time. Of course I also use one so maybe I just notice them more as a result.

I was the same at first. Felt like they were a silly half way point between not really wanting to quit but recognizing that continuing to smoke cigarettes was a problem.

It took me 3 different versions before I found one that I liked and a flavor of vapor that did the trick. But once I got there, I stopped wanting actual cigarettes. It's been 6 months since I had a real cigarette and the last time I had one, it made me gag.

I used to have a tradition where I'd smoke a Camel after a steak. I mean I always smoked after a meal, but a steak is kinda special to me and Camel (Wides; full flavor) were my favorite smokes. I'd stopped smoking Camels though because they were too harsh after a while. I'd smoke Marlboro lights most of the time, and only have that Camel after a steak or when I just wanted the extra flavor.

E-cigs have taken their place for me though. Not saying it's for everyone of course. And if "cool" factor is a big draw of smoking then they will never replace that. Sucking on a battery powered metal stick is just never going to look cool on a movie poster.

 

[nat_401]

Because I enjoy it and I always have an excuse to wander off by myself and clear my head. I don't even notice health warnings anymore, seen them all, not fussed.

 

[Namehere]

I smoke because Hitler hated it. NOT A GOODWIN. Seriously, he used to pressure diplomats from foreign powers by telling them they had to decide on his treaty before they could have another cigarette or consider the treaty null. Screw Hitler!

 

[Kanova]

Do you drink soda? Eat fatty food? Not exercise? Drink alcohol? If you do, do you like it when people come up to you and tell you that they know what's best for you, therefore you should change your habits? You don't? Wow, what a concept...neither do smokers.

Hahaha! I don't do any of those things! I only have iced tea, eat healthy, exercise almost everyday and have never had a drink! So I can tell you to stahp smoking then right?

As far as I can tell, smoking isn't 'cool' anymore, and everyone still doing it is just addicted or something like that. We have a buddy that does it, and he is kind of outcasted whenever he goes out for a smoke.
Sucks to be a smoker.

 

[DanielBrown]

Snuff can most definitely cause cancer. Several kinds. Sorry, I don't mean to bum you out.

http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Tobacco/smokeless

Anyway, I don't smoke, nor do I begrudge people who do. It's their life, I just don't wanna be around it. Wanted to bring this up, though.

Well, it's thought to increase risks of a few mouth related cancers, but it's yet to be proven. A study from 2005 says it does and a study from 2011 says they were wrong. The references in your link is from 2009 at latest.
Anyway, they couldn't find any connection between smokeless tobacco and cancer at all. There is a substance in snuff, with cancerous effects(the nitrosamines mentioned in your link), but they are well below the limit to be a cause. You get the same type of substances in your everyday food. Which is why the warning labels says it could be dangerous, rather than that it is.

My reference is in Swedish, so I doubt it's of any use to you.
http://www.dagensmedicin.se/debatt/snus-bor-inte-klassas-som-cancerrisk/

I do believe it has some effect on the heart though, which I forgot to mention. I'm not the fittest guy, but sometimes just turning over in my bed can cause my pulse to go extreme.

 

[sateryn]

another chime in for 'because i enjoy it' - and i've only ever smoked clove cigarettes, which have no added nicotine and i seem to be naturally biologically resistant to that drug anyways, so i've never experienced what i've heard described as a nicotine craving.
i simply enjoy the act, the taste, the feel of it, something to do with my hands, and the way that it compliments other tastes and activities.
(dunno why, but a Totino's Party Pizza + can of mountain dew + cigarette = the most insanely amazing taste experience)

 

[lacktheknack]

Probably for the same reason people continue eating fattty foods and drinking soda: Because they're racist.

inb4 "Black people eat fried chicken and drink purp-"

Probably for the same reason people continue eating fattty foods and drinking soda: Because they're racist.

That'd be a lot more funny if not for the "Black guys like KFC " thing.
So yea, fail joke on your part....

Oh for God's sake, I wasn't supposed to be ninja'd by someone non-ironically.

 

[LeeArac]

Because it annoys self-righteous people.

And - as alluded to above - possibly because I have a death wish, and it's a nice cowardly way to go about it.

 

[DaViller]

I smoke from time to time with friends or colleagus on partys. It gives a small high if you dont develop a habit and I honestly enjoy smoking (especially when not just tobacco is involved).
There was a time when I was developing a habit but i dropped that pretty shortly after and went back to my normal behavior.
Treat tobacco in the same way as say alcohol and it's cool.

 

[TheRightToArmBears]

I don't smoke tobacco myself (except for when I'm drunk, but then, who doesn't?), but a few of my friends do. They seem to like the flavour, the act of smoking and to little times out. People do all kids of random shit that's harmful to themselves, it's up to them and I don't see why they shouldn't be allowed to do it if they want to. Hell, if I wasn't poor for the majority of my teens and I enjoyed the taste of tobacco, I'd be a smoker too.