Is Starting Smoking Worth the Potential Health Risks?

[SpaceTiger]

Should I Start Smoking?

If you have to ask, then Darwin would say yes.

 

[Danger]

And once again the Tiger pounces from his hiding spot in the weeds.

 

[marlon]

Maybe if I started smoking

YES YES YES. I can speak from personal experience : IT IS JUST GREAT !

The trade-off is that I would reduce my life expectancy

Is that REALLY such a bad thing ?

marlon

 

[Danger]

YES YES YES. I can speak from personal experience : IT IS JUST GREAT !



Is that REALLY such a bad thing ?

marlon

Sometimes I just got to sit back and shake my head...

 

[honestrosewater]

I think marlon might have an oral fixation.

 

[Huckleberry]

I can easily quit both drinking and smoking cold turkey. The point is, I don't want to.

I'm a bit skeptical of this. I've heard many people make similar statements and then fail in their attempt to quit. Have you never in your life attempted to quit, or is there something different now that would make quitting easier and simultaneously less desirable to you? I suppose what I mean to ask is, why do you not want to quit, and what makes you certain that you could if you desired to?

Surrealist, smoking is something that can dominate a person's life just like any addictive drug. The typical smoker plans their day around their cigarette breaks. I've even caught myself thinking of having a cigarette while I'm having a cigarette, as if the one I'm smoking at the moment was so insufficeint that I forgot I was even smoking. As I reached for the pack to get a cigarette I realized that I had one already in my hand.

Eventually you come to a point where you make a decision about continuing the habit or quitting. That's usually when you start to notice some of the nastier effects, the calloused thumb, the smoker's cough, the discolered fingers and teeth. Then there's heart conditions and emphesyma, cancer, strokes and all that other deadly stuff. You make a decision to either at least try to quit, or accept the inevitable, perhaps many years sooner than it has to be. If that is acceptable to you then by all means, light one up. But don't expect it to ease your anxiety in any way. A gun would be much faster and less painful.

 

[Pythagorean]

I'm a bit skeptical of this. I've heard many people make similar statements and then fail in their attempt to quit. Have you never in your life attempted to quit, or is there something different now that would make quitting easier and simultaneously less desirable to you? I suppose what I mean to ask is, why do you not want to quit, and what makes you certain that you could if you desired to?

That's the point.

This is the difference between true addicts and habit. Addicts are aware of the dangers, but are willing to sacrifice for it. I'm a nicotine addict myself. I have to trick myself and force myself to not smoke. It's intolerable, it's miserable; it's much better smoking.

I was going out with this girl once, who didn't smoke, and I quit smoking for her, and I wanted to because I was (foolishly) in love. After I broke up with her, there was no reason not to smoke anymore (remember, we addicts don't take our mortality that seriously unless there's an immediate threat).

I enjoy smoking, it's 'worth it' to me. I'm sure with a hole in my throat, a voice box, or lung cancer, I'd have a different point of view because the threat would suddenly appear immediate to me.

I must also say, that what you like and what you don't like isn't necessarily a choice, either (or at least, it's up for debate). So the sentence "I can quit anytime" really means "I can quit when it's worth it to me" as was the example with the girl I was (foolishly) in love with. Our own lives being shortened and hampered by smoking isn't a threat enough to us.

 

[Danger]

I'm a bit skeptical of this. I've heard many people make similar statements and then fail in their attempt to quit. Have you never in your life attempted to quit, or is there something different now that would make quitting easier and simultaneously less desirable to you? I suppose what I mean to ask is, why do you not want to quit, and what makes you certain that you could if you desired to?

Hi, Huck. Fair questions.
I have, in fact, quit drinking several times. Once I've gone a day or so without a beer, I have no desire for one. I was on a no-alcohol court order for a year as a consequence of a firearms offense, which didn't cause any hardship at all. If left to my own devices, there's no problem. Unfortunately, my social circle is all pretty much alcohol-oriented. That ranges from in-laws and neighbours (and the in-laws are my neighbours as well) to the other friends who are all pool or dart players or otherwise bar-room acquaintances. Believe it or not, the only people around here that I can hold a PF-type conversation with (ie: not inane) are ones that I met and became friends with when I was working in the bar. That's still the only place that I get to see them. In an environment where everyone else is drinking, I just can't feel comfortable unless I am too. My social life is very important to me, and drinking happens to be a part of it.
As for the smoking, I was (per previous post) down to 2 or 3 smokes a day. For the most part, I take a couple of drags and then put it out for later use. Most of that is due to the Wellbutrin that I'm on every day for life. You might know it better a Xyban, which is marketed primarily as a stop-smoking aid. In addition, I have an aerosol nicotine inhaler that more than satisfies what little physical addiction I still have if I choose to use it (Nicorette brand). Unfortunately, it doesn't provide the taste or heat or other physical sensations that I really enjoy about smoking.
And thank you for approaching this as a genuine question rather than an attack. There's still lots of room for discussion.

edit: That was a really nice post that you sneaked in there, Pythagorean. Right to the point.

 

[Huckleberry]

I can understand that. I wouldn't be terribly upset if I were to die tomorrow. Why should I be upset if I die 30 years from now. What would upset me is if something happened because of smoking that limited some other aspect of my life that I enjoy. Your girlfriend is a good example in a positive (hopefully) direction. A stoma would be something in a negative direction. If something of that nature happened then I would consider the struggle of quitting.

Just before I moved to Portland, about the same time that HRW quit smoking, my aunt died from smoking related cancer. My mother spent the last month with her. I still smoke. My mother does also. I usually consider myself a sensitive person. I have no idea why this doesn't phase me. Death in general has little meaning. I guess that's why I am not even trying to quit smoking right now.

[I try not to attack anyone, but especially not my friends for doing the same things I do myself. No worries there. I was just curious.]

 

[Danger]

[I try not to attack anyone, but especially not my friends for doing the same things I do myself. No worries there. I was just curious.]

I know that, pal. My comment about that was just my way of whapping Jason across the snout with a rolled-up newspaper.
I well remember you sharing your personal hardhips with us, and felt honoured that you trusted us with your pain. I only hope that, among us all, we can manage to help Surrealist through his.

 

[Huckleberry]

I'd be pleased if Surrealist didn't smoke. At the same time I recognize that it is his decision to make, and not our responsibility to talk him into or out of any decision he is considering. I hope he makes the best decision for himself.

 

[Danger]

Agreed. It is probably one of the most personal decisions that one can make. The reason that I mentioned the potentially terminal emphysema was to impress upon him just how dangerous it can be to get started.
W's first husband has had it for years. He lives with her daughter, is on oxygen full-time, was just diagnosed with a tumor on his lung last week, and is still smoking.
On the other hand, her second husband died of lung cancer and never smoked in his life until after he got it. He did, however, have the misfortune of doing construction work in buildings with asbestos insulation. My father died of cancer as well, and neither smoked nor drank. Unfortunately, he got this prostate infection...

 

[honestrosewater]

My motivation was a bit like Pythagorean's. When a guy that I liked mentioned that he had asthma, I felt like an @$$ for smoking. I had "wanted" (read: had lots of good reasons) to quit before that and had quit a few times for short periods, but that's what did it. I don't like him anymore, but I wouldn't start smoking again.

I think it is your decision, so I can only say that I wish you guys would reconsider. Do you remember what it feels like to be smoke-free? Maybe you would enjoy it more. If you tried it and didn't like it as much, you could always go back to smoking again. Are you worried that you might miss it? You can always go back.

 

[marlon]

Sometimes I just got to sit back and shake my head...

I understand why you would say that. However i just want to make sure the OP gets to know "all opinions out there". Not everybody is against smoking. Some of us, like me, really reaaaallllyyy like it.

Just a few insights for the OP when he/she is making the actual decision :

1) Smoke all you want, but keep doing sports as well. I regularly play tennis and squash to keep my physical condition onto a "certain acceptable level". I assure you that i would outplay many non smoking "look at me i am so healthy" anti tabacco people.

2) Smoke in style, not like some marginal retard. The way you position the cigarette with respect to your hand is ESSENTIAL. If you are really good, you can even develop your own style of smoking, but just make sure you look authentic.

3) Only smoke to enjoy it. Cigarettes are a product of luxury ! Don't forget that.

4) Never smoke in the presence of young children and pregnant women.

5) Always offer a fellow smoker a cigarette when asked to, unless you cannot stand the guy/girl.

6) You will always be able to socialize with the smoking community and you will be surprised of how many intelligent/creative people make up this group. As a matter of fact, most really creative people have a natural tendency for addiction. Them moral knights of the physical health are just plain old boring people that do not know how to pass their time (unless they do some boring sport which kills any kind of creative stimulus, like jogging).

7) Make sure your partner smokes as well or has an open mind about it. Nobody likes a closed minded racist !

8) Don't worry too much about reducing life expectancy, being dead is not so bad ! I mean, don't we all like to sleep long hours ? YES we do, except those boring sports people that like to get up at 0600 am to do some boring uncreative "jogging".

9) ENJOY ENJOY ENJOY SMOKING !

http://img524.imageshack.us/img524/7145/hahahawf0.th.jpg
greets
marlon

 

[Danger]

Marlon, your approach to life never ceases to astound and impress me.
As far as the athletics thing goes, I have to agree with you. Back when I was playing ball, our rag-tag team was the joke of the league. We were the scrawniest, least athletic, heaviest drinking and most smoking bunch of losers in the league... and we consistently beat the living **** out of the 'super-jocks'.

 

[Kurdt]

Marlon should be French if he's not already. The two sports the have are cycling and extreme smoking.

 

[moose]

And yet the biggest dilemma I've had all day has been whether or not I should eat a cookies n creme drumstick. It has 350 calories. I'm not overweight at all. Why do I have this dilemma then? I burned 400 calories doing cardio today. Knowing how much it takes to burn 350 calories makes me think twice about eating this drumstick... BUT IT'S SO GOOD! OMG!

 

[marlon]

Marlon should be French if he's not already.

I would love to be French, living in the south. They got a great president now. But i am Belgian, which is NOT the same !

The two sports the have are cycling and extreme smoking.

and soccer, having sex etc etc

marlon

 

[SpaceTiger]

8) Don't worry too much about reducing life expectancy, being dead is not so bad ! I mean, don't we all like to sleep long hours ?

I respect a person's right to choose to smoke, but this is awfully deceptive. I'll disregard the absurd comparison between sleep and death, but there are other things to consider. For one thing, this isn't just about when you die, it's also about pain. Smoking often adds to the slew of health problems you develop with age -- one should consider the increased likelihood of aging into a breath-starved, hoarse-voiced invalid. Even when you're young, smoking will usually decrease your overall health. That marlon can beat a non-smoker at tennis is hardly evidence against that.

Note that, regardless of the demographics of smokers, smoking will not make someone more creative. That Lou Reed lit up from time to time should have no bearing on your own decisions about smoking. Also keep in mind that, despite marlon's penchant for stereotype, you won't find that morals are a big factor in most people's decision to smoke. In fact, many people just find it disgusting and may be inclined to spend less time with you if you're constantly lighting up. You'll find that many smokers are insecure about this fact and will try to rationalize it by telling themselves that they're cooler, more open-minded, or less judgemental.

All that said, I do think people should have the right to smoke if they want. As long as they understand the risks and sacrifices, then they should do what makes them happy. I suggest talking to some older smokers who have been through the many trials and tribulations of smoking. They might have some more valuable insights.

 

[mathwonk]

it is much easier to start than to stop, so i suggest, no, don't start. It took me 35 years to stop after first starting. And tonight at my friend's house, his cigar still smelled tempting to me, 15 years after quitting.

 

[JasonRox]

Thank you for that, Circles. You nailed it. I don't need sympathy, I don't want it, and I certainly don't deserve it. I was merely pointing out the sort of traps that are out there when one starts messing about with nasty substances.
Jason, despite whatever admiration you hold for your relatives, you obviously have no concept of what addiction is. I can easily quit both drinking and smoking cold turkey. The point is, I don't want to. That is the serious side of being addicted; I enjoy both so much that I'm willing to face the physical and financial hardships attendant thereto.
My habits have no detrimental effect upon my work or home life, and I hope none toward my admittedly meager contributions to the Physics and Engineering forums. Should they start to do so, I'll change.

I know you don't want to. That's a reason for being harsh.

I'm sorry, but that's just the way it is.

Note: I never thought you were looking for sympathy.

 

[Lisa!]

Well I find it quite ironic that you want to strat smoking to get rid of stress, but are already stressed out about it!

If you have to ask, then Darwin would say yes.

I understand why you would say that. However i just want to make sure the OP gets to know "all opinions out there". Not everybody is against smoking. Some of us, like me, really reaaaallllyyy like it.

I think you L0VE it, 'like' couldn't be a good word here to express your feelings towards smoking!
Good advice, BTW!

Regards

 

[dontdisturbmycircles]

Marlon should be French if he's not already. The two sports the have are cycling and extreme smoking.

Extra text

 

[sas3]

I am a very mellow person by nature, but when I do get upset or anxious a good smoke does help a lot.
I don’t know if it is the cig or just having something to take my mind off things but it does help.

As for the health risks, yah I know it is bad for me but what the hell.
I have been smoking for about 20 years and I seem to be still able to do everything I always did.
But remember different people react differently, however my lungs are unusually large (That is just a thing in my family though)

 

[marlon]

I respect a person's right to choose to smoke, but this is awfully deceptive.

NOT your decision to make. Remember that you are not the moral judge of PF.

I suggest talking to some older smokers who have been through the many trials and tribulations of smoking. They might have some more valuable insights.

I think that is quite stupid advice. The age of the smoker should not be the primary factor here but the length of period he/she has been smoking. I would value the advice more of a guy in his 40ties who has been smoking for 25 years instead of some 60year old that just started to smoke 10 years ago.


marlon

 

[Weave]

Yah I got this bad habit after an exam of having a couple cigerattes and drinks, and I don't smoke!

 

[marlon]

Note that, regardless of the demographics of smokers, smoking will not make someone more creative.

Did anyone ever say that ?

Also keep in mind that, despite marlon's penchant for stereotype,

Awww that's so sad man. Really, if you ain't got nothing to say, just don't speak. Get a smoke and relax !

You'll find that many smokers are insecure about this fact and will try to rationalize it by telling themselves that they're cooler, more open-minded, or less judgemental.

I AM VERY JUDGEMENTAL ! What you say here is rubbish. Besides, how on Earth do you know this ? If you have never been a smoker you have absolutely no idea what you are talking about. I AM a smoker and I HAVE been a non-smoker. So, i know both sides. Now, my dear moral knight, do YOU ?


marlon

 

[Averagesupernova]

I would value the advice more of a guy in his 40ties who has been smoking for 25 years instead of some 60year old that just started to smoke 10 years ago.

marlon

LOL. Yeah how many people do you know who started smoking at age 50?

 

[Cyrus]

Some of us, like me, really reaaaallllyyy like it.

ENJOY ENJOY ENJOY SMOKING !

http://img524.imageshack.us/img524/7145/hahahawf0.th.jpg
greets
marlon

This is why I love this guy, so un-PC.

 

[SpaceTiger]

NOT your decision to make. Remember that you are not the moral judge of PF.

This is not a moral issue and there are no moral judgements being made. I said that your statements about the consequences of smoking were deceptive. That means that I'm challenging your facts, not your ethics.

I think that is quite stupid advice. The age of the smoker should not be the primary factor here but the length of period he/she has been smoking. I would value the advice more of a guy in his 40ties who has been smoking for 25 years instead of some 60year old that just started to smoke 10 years ago.

The health problems caused by smoking are much more likely to develop in old age, but you're right that it wouldn't make sense to ask a 60-year-old who just started smoking. I figured it was obvious enough in what i wrote that the person they ask should be a veteran smoker, not just an old person, but if that's all you've got to work with...

 

[SpaceTiger]

Awww that's so sad man. Really, if you ain't got nothing to say, just don't speak. Get a smoke and relax !I AM VERY JUDGEMENTAL ! What you say here is rubbish. Besides, how on Earth do you know this ? If you have never been a smoker you have absolutely no idea what you are talking about.

You don't have to jump off a cliff to know that it's a bad idea. If you think that you do, however, I think Darwin would say that you should.

By the way, for someone who claims to be so chill, you're awfully worked up. I have no moral problem with smoking, but is it possible that you do?

 

[Moonbear]

Egads! I've just seen this thread and CANNOT believe people are recommending ANYONE should START smoking! It's simple...don't start. If you never start, you never have to deal with trying to quit or all the other horrid health effects of smoking. It's just plain STUPID to ever start smoking. Once someone has made that mistake, it's incredibly hard to stop...just look at all the rationalizing the smokers are making to excuse their habit here. If you want to do something terribly stupid and start yourself on a bad habit that's hard to stop and has about a 50/50 odds of killing you with a disease that will include a lot of suffering for you and your loved ones, you certainly are free to do so, but I can't believe anyone would in good conscience encourage such a thing, or that this thread has gone on so long allowing such encouragement. I'm not going to let a thread continue that encourages self-destructive behavior.