Morning Rant: Why do young people still smoke?
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Kai Dracon
Writing a dinosaur space opera symphony
Several friends of my smoke, including a couple of close ones. In the case of everyone I know personally, they started for the stress relief/buzz factor due to stress in life and their jobs. They all realize the things aren't good for you, and they all know one of the biggest downsides is they make you smell like crap with horrible breath unless you're an /extremely/ light smoker. They all never smoke inside their houses, or cars, and even brush their teeth more to compensate.
Sadly, even in their cases, the addictive factor is too high. Generally most of them can't go more than 40 minutes without really "wanting" another, and everyone has to have one within an hour and a half. Most end up going through about a pack a day. And unfortunately, some of them are unlucky enough that their natural sweat levels are high enough to make them stinky from it.
As a comparison, some of the same friends drink regularly, and none of them have any issues at all on the drinking front. Self-control is no problem, as is moderation. The main thing coaxing them to keep smoking is their stress levels and a desperate need for relaxation during breaks at work - to be honest, I do have some concern for them, especially as they get older. My mother died from some serious lung cancer, and it kicked in to deadly levels over a decade /after/ she had quit smoking.
I don't want to come across as preaching to my friends, but... (spoilered for gross, I'm not kidding)
Sadly, even in their cases, the addictive factor is too high. Generally most of them can't go more than 40 minutes without really "wanting" another, and everyone has to have one within an hour and a half. Most end up going through about a pack a day. And unfortunately, some of them are unlucky enough that their natural sweat levels are high enough to make them stinky from it.
As a comparison, some of the same friends drink regularly, and none of them have any issues at all on the drinking front. Self-control is no problem, as is moderation. The main thing coaxing them to keep smoking is their stress levels and a desperate need for relaxation during breaks at work - to be honest, I do have some concern for them, especially as they get older. My mother died from some serious lung cancer, and it kicked in to deadly levels over a decade /after/ she had quit smoking.
I don't want to come across as preaching to my friends, but... (spoilered for gross, I'm not kidding)
sometimes I want to explain to them in graphic detail just how much my mother suffered and the way in which, by the end, her chest was for all practical intents a large gooey mass of cancer, plus related organ failure. You could see it from the outside, and smell it.
I tried once, with a couple of buddies. Didn't do anything for me at all, so i decided to not waste money on it.
But i guess people do it because it's "Cool", you know, that shit about you don't have anything to do or say so you grab a smoke and suddenly you look cool. It's freaking hard to date a chick that doesn't smoke nowadays.
But i guess people do it because it's "Cool", you know, that shit about you don't have anything to do or say so you grab a smoke and suddenly you look cool. It's freaking hard to date a chick that doesn't smoke nowadays.
Systems_id
Banned
I've never understood the fascination with smoking and how people can so easily succumb to the peer pressure of it. I've never tried the stuff and honestly have no desire to do so.
You should try it. It's relaxing, great after a meal, and you get to take a hell of alot more breaks at work.Systems_id said:
Only downside is the cost. Health issues are up to each individual person.
Cigars though, oh yeah. If I could afford it, I would quit cigs, and go directly to those.
Bauza
Just a fine, fine cigar. Do yourself a favor. Stop by a smoke shop, enjoy the wonderfull smells while your there, grab a bauza (Cost ya' about 8$ depending on where your at) go get yourself a nice drink(I perfer a Corona, or a port) and enjoy yourself.
You really dont know what your missing.
moku said:
No, you didn't freak me out, it just doesn't make sense. If you wanna chill out and not die, smoke weed instead. Sure nothing too bad will happen to you in the short term from cigs, but seeing the havoc of cigarette smoking on relatives is more than enough for me, that and all the other negative things associated with them.
moku said:
It's the suffering that's the worst part (walking around with oxygen amongst other things) and they don't even get you high, make your teeth yellow, they smell and make your clothes smell, etc. But it's your choice (albeit a poor one), so feel free to make it, though I suggest offing yourself when things get real bad. It's better than suffering.
Doesnt have to get me high for it to be a nice relaxing activity.Barnolde said:
Do you watch TV to get high? Such a strange statement.
Just as I dont drink to get drunk, ya know? I enjoy a beer, or two, with a cig, or perferably a cigar.
I think its a poor choice on your part not to smoke.
moku said:
Yeah, but it could be more relaxing.
No, but I used to watch TV high.
Eh, drinking to get drunk (not necessarily plastered) is pretty much my only reason for drinking alcohol. Otherwise, if I'm thirsty, I'll just drink water.
I can't even be around cigarette smoke without getting physically irritated by it (allergies). It's disgusting, smelly, dirty and not something that interests me in any way. I think it's a smart choice on my part not to smoke cigs. I have a couple friends that do it and I hate being around it.
Walter Matthau
Member
I smoked for a very brief period (< 1 yr) in my life. It really is a stress reliever, but like many people I quit before it became a real lifelong habit. I'm not exactly sure what the initial appeal of it was. Maybe it was peer pressure or maybe it's something else, but I actually noticed an improvement in my life during the period I was smoking. I would go out more, talk with more random people, and I was able to concentrate on projects. I can see why people get hooked.
Walter Matthau
Member
Desperado said:
... see you were just mean! you must not be a smoker!Ketchup Boy
Junior Member
one of my idiot friends think its relaxing
brandonh83
Banned
I started around 6 months ago or something, and I quit today. It was kind of relaxing but it causes a lot of annoying shit, like when I would smoke and then drink something, I'd feel like I was going to throw it back up, some kind of indigestion problem. I would have to go without eating or drinking anything for an hour or two if I wanted to smoke so I wouldn't feel that weird sensation in your throat prior to throwing up. I never threw up but I felt like I was going to a couple of times. It didn't happen that much either but when it did it sucked.
Just wasn't worth it. Plus I've noticed that my blood pressure has slightly increased since... I guess I just easily noticed my health going downhill fast so I put an end to it.
Just wasn't worth it. Plus I've noticed that my blood pressure has slightly increased since... I guess I just easily noticed my health going downhill fast so I put an end to it.
ElectricBlue187
Member
because they are young and stupid. even if smoking didn't end up killing you, it's still a poor investment
Phobophile
A scientist and gentleman in the manner of Batman.
I've tried cigarettes a few times and they're fucking horrible.
I do, however, enjoy the occasional cigar and pipe. I probably smoke cigars/pipes like once a week at the most.
I do, however, enjoy the occasional cigar and pipe. I probably smoke cigars/pipes like once a week at the most.
courage201
Member
BEcause COPD and Cancer is the new black. Hawt.
Christopher
Member
smoking is 100% disgusting.
At least smoking in the US in most circles has a negative stigma to it. Some art people might smoke but other than that it's pretty much emo high school kids or fat chicks trying to smoke their way thin. And EVERYONE thinks it's disgusting.
It's a plague in Japan. Some resturants half ass having a non-smoking section. ALL of my coworkers smell like cigarette smoke. It sucks.
It has gotten better though. Over the 3 years I have been here, more and more new people that come into the department don't smoke, even the men (even the middle-aged men). At one point whenever we went out, we had to spend like 10 minutes deciding where the ventilation in the resturant was and how to position the smokers (about half of 20 people) so we wouldn't have to have contemporary calfornia cuisine served in our lungs (get teh reference please). Now that number has dropped to about 7 people or so to the point where the non-smokers form the lionshare of the department. We can just push the smokers into a little corner and leave them to their own devices. Yeay >_>
It's a plague in Japan. Some resturants half ass having a non-smoking section. ALL of my coworkers smell like cigarette smoke. It sucks.
It has gotten better though. Over the 3 years I have been here, more and more new people that come into the department don't smoke, even the men (even the middle-aged men). At one point whenever we went out, we had to spend like 10 minutes deciding where the ventilation in the resturant was and how to position the smokers (about half of 20 people) so we wouldn't have to have contemporary calfornia cuisine served in our lungs (get teh reference please). Now that number has dropped to about 7 people or so to the point where the non-smokers form the lionshare of the department. We can just push the smokers into a little corner and leave them to their own devices. Yeay >_>
Blues are additive free, organics come in the maroon box. Important distinction!SnakeswithLasers said:Because it looks cool? Duh...
Also - to the poster who asked about organic cigarettes:
Additive free, yo!
But not necessarily safer or less addictive.
OT: I'm a 1-2 cigarette a day smoker. Mostly for nerves and staying awake. (Though the latter need has been curbed somewhat with a prescription medicine.)
Who am I kidding, it's to make me look cool.
Stapler Gonzales
Banned
It's a cycle. Bunch of guidos pick it up since they believe they're cool, peer pressure persuades others to start.
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