The look into smoking

[Eggsnham]

I don't really get it either.

The only credible reason I've heard to smoke is that it calms you down, but thats only because when you get addicted to it, you get jittery.

Just a waste of time and money really, I'm going to stick with nothing.

This.

Weed has been proven in several different manners (my favorite being the movie parody/documentary Super High Me) to be completely harmless. The tests the U.S. government conducted on the rhesus monkeys in the seventies(?) Have been proven to be purposely conducted to cause damage to the brain and lungs of the monkeys. Basically they strapped a mask to their faces and forced them to breath in marijuana smoke with minimal oxygen. They did this everyday for fifteen minutes for a year, it's no wonder many of the monkeys suffered mental and lung defects, they were being forced to basically not breath for an entire year. As for 'addiction' and 'overdose' it is widely known fact that cannabis cannot be lethal in large quantities OR addictive. It can be applied to illnesses such as depression, anxiety, circulation issues, cancer, AIDS, glaucoma, epilepsy, eating disorders and many more. It's also widely believed that the claims that one joint= 10 cigarettes are exaggerated and not true, on the contrary, recent studies have shown that marijuana smoke can help prevent cancer (especially lung cancer) and asthma. There have been 0 recorded deaths from marijuana usage and no reports of people having cancer of any kind due to marijuana smoke. Basically, it's harmless and even beneficial, and if you're still paranoid that the smoke will get to you, then A.) Vaporize it. B.) Make it into tea. C.) Bake it into foods or pastries, like 'special brownies'.

 

[BonsaiK]

Why would anyone start smoking besides "peer pressure"?

* They think it's cool due to glamorisation in movies etc
* Some people like the smell of tobacco
* Relieves boredom somewhat (one reason why so many homeless people get addicted to it)
* As a "grown up" activity it's a way of making a statement that you're no longer a kid
* It annoys preachy straight-edgers, and who doesn't love annoying those self-righteous people
* Some women believe that it helps them lose weight (a myth - quitting sometimes does make you gain a little weight but taking up smoking doesn't make you lose any)

Having said all that I don't smoke and never have.

 

[anthony87]

I only smoke when I'm drinking.

And even at that I only smoke cigars.

Yeah....I'm a man *thumps chest*

 

[McHanhan]

The other day I just started thinking... why the hell do people start smoking? With alcohol, you get drunk... and that's appealing to have a good time at parties or whatever. I don't drink, but I guess I understand the appeal. People smoke weed or do other drugs at least partly because of the effects. When it comes to tobacco though.. I just don't understand it. The only reason I could come up with (and it sounds cheesy since they drilled this peer pressure thing into us when we are in school) is that they want to fit in... or they like how people look with them, and they want to look like that. Do people really start smoking for those stupid reasons? Now that we are more educated on the terrible effects tobacco can have on a person, why would they start smoking? I don't understand how people can sacrifice years of their life to start something that their friends do and they will be addicted to the rest of their lives. I guess a lot of people just don't think like that or don't care.

Maybe I'm just looking at this the wrong way and need a wider view. Why would anyone start smoking besides "peer pressure"?

As a smoker I think my opinion is valid here.

(1) Marijuana - I had tried cigarettes before but only properly started smoking due to smoking weed literally ten times a day. The tobacco in the splifftar got me addicted.

(2) Nicotine "buzz" - Sometimes when I wake up and have a smoke, I still get a nicotine buzz. They can be quite awesome.

(3) Peer pressue and stress - Some start due to peer pressure, in order to fit in with the quota. Some start because of stress, which is ironic because nicotine in the long run, makes you more inclined to get stressed.

(4) Or the idea of smoking can be appealing

(5) Nicotine may actually help with memory :
http://www.scienceagogo.com/news/20031012195753data_trunc_sys.shtml

I have to say I do see the points you make but at the same time it seems so vague of an addiction still. Maybe it's because I am not part of that culture or that my friends are not smokers either that I cant see how it grasps a persons life so tightly. Also I have to admit that that picture is strangely calming.

 

[SmartIdiot]

In all honesty and a moment of sheer disregard for my health I just bought a pouch of tobacco to see what all the fuss was about. But I'm only a social smoker these days, there's no need to smoke all day, I don't know how some people can. Just the odd one here and there.

 

[JohnnySex]

Well for me it was kind of relaxing but I stopped cuz it doesn't really do that much for you.

 

[YoUnG205]

Research shows that smoking temporarily increases people I.Q. plus some people like the taste.

 

[JanatUrlich]

I started smoking because I was offered a cig and it tasted nice

wutwut

 

[Cargin]

people usually start via friends, not necessarily peer pressure, but often so. when i was 15, one of the "cool" people at school offered me a cigarette, mainly i think, because he wanted me to embarrass myself coughing. i told him to piss off. 2 months later my best mates scored a pack of bensons and we decided to try out this smoking lark. ive been smoking ever since. im 22 now.
As for why people keep smoking, more than any other reason (apart perhaps from the nicotine), it becomes part of ur daily routine. Currently im on day 2 of trying to go cold turkey, and i almost cant eat because i always have a smoke after food. when u try to quit, u crave a smoke, but u crave it specifically at the times u usually have one. thats the real killer i find.

 

[ribonuge]

The other day I just started thinking... why the hell do people start smoking? With alcohol, you get drunk... and that's appealing to have a good time at parties or whatever. I don't drink, but I guess I understand the appeal. People smoke weed or do other drugs at least partly because of the effects. When it comes to tobacco though.. I just don't understand it. The only reason I could come up with (and it sounds cheesy since they drilled this peer pressure thing into us when we are in school) is that they want to fit in... or they like how people look with them, and they want to look like that. Do people really start smoking for those stupid reasons? Now that we are more educated on the terrible effects tobacco can have on a person, why would they start smoking? I don't understand how people can sacrifice years of their life to start something that their friends do and they will be addicted to the rest of their lives. I guess a lot of people just don't think like that or don't care.

Maybe I'm just looking at this the wrong way and need a wider view. Why would anyone start smoking besides "peer pressure"?

As a smoker I think my opinion is valid here.

(1) Marijuana - I had tried cigarettes before but only properly started smoking due to smoking weed literally ten times a day. The tobacco in the splifftar got me addicted.

(2) Nicotine "buzz" - Sometimes when I wake up and have a smoke, I still get a nicotine buzz. They can be quite awesome.

(3) Peer pressue and stress - Some start due to peer pressure, in order to fit in with the quota. Some start because of stress, which is ironic because nicotine in the long run, makes you more inclined to get stressed.

(4) Or the idea of smoking can be appealing

(5) Nicotine may actually help with memory :
http://www.scienceagogo.com/news/20031012195753data_trunc_sys.shtml

I have to say I do see the points you make but at the same time it seems so vague of an addiction still. Maybe it's because I am not part of that culture or that my friends are not smokers either that I cant see how it grasps a persons life so tightly. Also I have to admit that that picture is strangely calming.

Well I suppose the only way to truly know is to try it. I didn't voluntarily(at least I didn't expect it) get addicted (I did by smoking weed) but it's one of those things you just can't explain. I smoked for about 2 years and gave up for a month to prove I could do it and went back on them. I know I can give up at any time so it doesn't bother me too much. It is very hard to give up but as long as you aren't surrounded by it, it's alot easier. Routine makes it difficult aswell. You would have a smoke every morning for example or after dinner. When that stops you're brain go's haywire and you get a craving. It's hard but not impossible to give up.

 

[-Orgasmatron-]

Well, there was no weed left one day, so I smoked a cigarette instead and it was good. That's how I started, And yea, I don't really care about the health effects, I mean I'll probaly die some other way before I get cancer.

 

[tricky_tree]

Well I've just quit so I think I'm quilified to comment.
Smoking was the one thing I said I'd never do, but during drunken nights my friends smoked and I joined in, then when the smoking ban hit the UK it became a lot easier to meet people in the smoking area of clubs/bars than inside.

I've gone 2 months without one now, for me I realise what kept me addicted wasn't the nicotine, but the hand movements and certain triggers (during a night on the ale and after meals mainly), thats what I found hardest to get over.

It's not much but it's my first post

 

[tricky_tree]

Also, the risk of getting cancer is greatly exaggerated, some people will smoke for 90 years and won't be bothered by it, others could develop cancer after a single pack. It's mostly genetics.

 

[Xan Krieger]

Smoking for me has always been about stress relief. It's a harmless habit since standing outside in this day and age if you live in even a small town is equal to starting your car (leaving it in park though) then going behind it, wrapping your lips around the exhaust pipe, and inhaling as deeply as you can. So given the dangers of just outside air which provides no stress relief I figure smoking is a good idea.

 

[mattman106]

The other day I just started thinking... why the hell do people start smoking? With alcohol, you get drunk... and that's appealing to have a good time at parties or whatever. I don't drink, but I guess I understand the appeal. People smoke weed or do other drugs at least partly because of the effects. When it comes to tobacco though.. I just don't understand it. The only reason I could come up with (and it sounds cheesy since they drilled this peer pressure thing into us when we are in school) is that they want to fit in... or they like how people look with them, and they want to look like that. Do people really start smoking for those stupid reasons? Now that we are more educated on the terrible effects tobacco can have on a person, why would they start smoking? I don't understand how people can sacrifice years of their life to start something that their friends do and they will be addicted to the rest of their lives. I guess a lot of people just don't think like that or don't care.

Maybe I'm just looking at this the wrong way and need a wider view. Why would anyone start smoking besides "peer pressure"?

I basically asked a mate this the other day as he'd started smoking at Uni and he basically said that it started because he used to smoke socially, ended socially smoking a lot then bought his own baccy and rolling papers and found that he was smoking more than socially... simples.

 

[Xojins]

I don't smoke too many straight cigarettes, but when I do they always calm me down a little bit. I smoke a lot of spliffs though... they're nice.

 

[WhiteFangofWhoa]

Number one reason will always be peer pressure, but I have friends who smoke who tell me it's good for calming the nerves. As we all work at extremely stressful jobs that allow smoke breaks, I can understand the attraction there.

I'll never do it, but I have overcome my prejudice towards folks who do (that being said, you can smoke privately during your downtime, or deliberately blow smoke in people's faces. I dislike people who do the latter to me.)

 

[flaming_squirrel]

Get mildly drunk, have a few cigarettes, the first few times are great.

I'm not a proper smoker, just the very occasional ciggy / cigar while drinking.

 

[Jasper Jeffs]

I had friends that told me they were considering smoking to "fit in". I don't know if they did or not, but I wouldn't be surprised if they did because they're all fucking twats!

 

[benylor]

I've smoked a total of three joints and one cigarette - may smoke again socially, but that's all. The joints explain themselves pretty much; I was at a party and 'round here bongs are not the done thing (I'm about the only person who uses one, and it never leaves the flat). And I smoked a cigarette on New Year's just to be social. Could have replaced it with a dart board or something, really it was only something to pace the conversation out a bit.

Still can't see the point in tobacco after having tried it. I'll stick to my lovely, safe, great-feeling weed, thank you very much.