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[Osorio]

Why do old people still drink? Why do women still go to tanning beds? Why do fat people still eat at McDonald's? Why does anyone do anything that is going to shorten their lifespan?

Because you're going to fucking die. You. Will. Die. It's going to happen one way or another, so why not enjoy yourself while you're here? Smoking is awesome. I'd still be smoking if it didn't give me sinus infections and make my teeth hurt because the roots of my teeth are in my sinus cavities.

So true man there's nothing like taking a long walk somewhere and smoking a cig on the way there.

 

[DarkJediKnight]

There are thousands of people who die because of alcohol, so thats one pretty strong comparison with cigarettes. I think smoking is worse, but both of them can cause some serious health issues.

Eating too much cheese will make you obese. Eating too much sugar canes will give you diabetes. Should we ban those too? It's all about moderation.

Also, drinking in moderation is actually good for your health as there are ingredients in beer, wine etc that are good for vitality.


There is absolutely no health benefits in cigarettes. I know people who needs to light up every 45min or they get antsy. WTF! How do these people live with themselves?

 

[ckohler]

I'd rather someone smoke than drink alcohol. I know everyone here will scoff at this but I seriously think booze is the worst vice ever invented by man. At least if you smoke you're only hurting yourself. Drinking will not only ruin your life, it can potentially ruin the lives of everyone you care about since it alters your personality/objectivity/etc.

<- Doesn't drink or smoke by choice.

 

[JayDubya]

Eating too much cheese will make you obese. Eating too much sugar canes will give you diabetes. Should we ban those too?

You'll invariably have people that say "sure." Pointy edges in furniture design ought to be banned too, someone could lose an eye. Think of the childrenz!11

People should be allowed to make their own choices regarding their consumption. They should go into it with eyes wide open about the consequences, but otherwise have the freedom to do as they want.

My vice is food. I do not eat healthily. I hardly ever eat dessert, and I only drink diet soda, but its also not like I only eat tofu and dry salad. A good country fried steak or lasagna or a plate of cheese enchiladas with refried beans and rice are the best things ever. Will I die sooner because I love and eat these things? Absolutely. Do I care? Not really, no, not so much.

 

[Vormund]

Seeing kids coming out of school smoking or waiting at the bus stop is the most pathetic (yet funny) thing to look at.

 

[besada]

People like to smoke. It's not that hard to figure out. People do things that are bad for them all the time. From eating that giant cheeseburger to drinking alcohol to speeding to bungie jumping. People are willing to trade future pain for current enjoyment.

And quit your whining about taxes. Smokers already pay more taxes than non-smokers, and they die earlier to boot, so while all you healthy guys are 80 and still sucking up money from the medical system, we're all going to be planted in the ground giving back to the planet.

 

[Manics]

There is absolutely no health benefits in cigarettes. I know people who needs to light up every 45min or they get antsy. WTF! How do these people live with themselves?

Really? How about stress relief? That's not a health benefit?

 

[Osorio]

Seeing kids coming out of school smoking or waiting at the bus stop is the most pathetic (yet funny) thing to look at.

That's their decision. Some people think it's all about being cool, but some people do enjoy smoking.

 

[besada]

There is absolutely no health benefits in cigarettes.

Not true. Nicotine staves off Alzheimers. And helps with a form of ulcerative colitis. And may be beneficial for Parkinson's patients to help them control their ticks. It also reduces stress in users (and stress is the real numbah 1 killa), and works as an appetite supressant in the age of obesity. And stops me from spending all my money on whores.

 

[DaCocoBrova]

Really? How about stress relief? That's not a health benefit?

Doesn't work.

 

[MickeyKnox]

Really? How about stress relief? That's not a health benefit?

:lol

 

[Manics]

I actually think that smoking cigarettes is disgusting just because of all the added chemicals and crap they put in there. Smoking cigars in their pure tobacco form -- that's the ticket!

 

[Gattsu25]

Really? How about stress relief? That's not a health benefit?

They get rid of the stress they put on? (cravings and physical stress)

 

[Vormund]

I actually think that smoking cigarettes is disgusting just because of all the added chemicals and crap they put in there. Smoking cigars in their pure tobacco form -- that's the ticket!

Basically I believe that you are right. Why the hell is there so much chemical crap in cigarettes anyway? Maybe someone should promote 'organic' cigarettes.

 

[psycho_snake]

Really? How about stress relief? That's not a health benefit?

If it is true, then cigarettes will help relieve stress, but it also increases your chances of getting cancer. There are other ways you can relieve stress that wont damage your body.

 

[Nerevar]

There is absolutely no health benefits in cigarettes. I know people who needs to light up every 45min or they get antsy. WTF! How do these people live with themselves?

Well, cigarettes depress your appetite, which can help weight loss. I mean, half the soriority girls I know smoked for this reason. Oh, and they did coke for the same reason too. I mean, health benefits, right?

 

[Manics]

If it is true, then cigarettes will help relieve stress, but it also increases your chances of getting cancer. There are other ways you can relieve stress that wont damage your body.

He said there were absolutely NO health benefits to smoking, I wasn't comparing the benefit vs. the risk, I was just pointing out that there can be benefits from smoking.

The problem here is I don't know of any "moderate" cigarette smokers. The old saying "everything in moderation" can apply here. I'm sure if someone smoked 1-2 cigarettes a day their risks for all types of diseases wouldn't be statistically much higher than a non smoker. The problem is so many cigarette smokers are smoking a pack or more a day which is excessive. People make the comparison to alcohol consumption but it's not a fair comparison unless you compare an alcoholic to a chain smoking cigarette smoker. People that drink in moderation don't suffer the same problems as those who drink in excess -- as I said, "moderate" cigarette smokers are probably VERY rare.

I smoke cigars. I don't even average 1 cigar per week. The rate that I smoke I'm statistically regarded as a non-smoker because I do it in moderation. Cigar smokers also don't inhale the smoke which is a big factor as to why cigarette smoking is so dangerous.

 

[Replicant]

I never understand the appeal of smoking. Even when my friends light up, I'd just be repelled by it. I think the things that many kids fail to understand is that a real friend won't force you to do things that you don't want to do. If they really like you for who you are, then after the initial teasing (which you can ignore easily) they'd shut up and stop bothering you about it.

 

[Dagless M.D.]

My brother was just like that before he became a Professional MMAer.

Your brother is a professional mixed martial artist? What's his name?

 

[WickedAngel]

Really? How about stress relief? That's not a health benefit?

You'd have more of an argument if that "stress" wasn't being compounded by withdrawal symptoms...

I don't really care if my friends smoke or not but there are ways to go about it. Don't light up in a non-smokers car and act offended when they ask you to put it out, for example. It's little things like that that piss a lot of people off.

 

[Squirrel Killer]

These days it's pretty much for natural selection purposes.

Doesn't work. Too slow.

 

[Cauliflower of Love]

I know tons of people who got hooked on Newports because it brought back your high after you smoke weed.

Was that actually true? I smoked a newport after coming down off my high, but I smoked it like I was toking weed. Almost threw up from that shit. Although now whenever I smell newports burning it's smells good as fuck.

 

[Manics]

I don't really care if my friends smoke or not but there are ways to go about it. Don't light up in a non-smokers car and act offended when they ask you to put it out, for example. It's little things like that that piss a lot of people off.

I agree with you here, but the inverse is also true. Smoking in the great outdoors or in the privacy of your own home shouldn't be "banned" by the government. It's a personal choice and if you're not in a closed environment it's fine. The way they're trying to legislate it now by going after smokers everywhere is ridiculous.

 

[jehuty]

I dont mind if people smoke. I just wished they banned smoking in all public places. The smell of it is just awful and i dont think others should have to smell the awful stuff.

 

[Manics]

I dont mind if people smoke. I just wished they banned smoking in all public places. The smell of it is just awful and i dont think others should have to smell the awful stuff.

You can't ban smells. If you did then you could ban people for bad body odor or women who wear excessive perfume.

 

[Osorio]

Was that actually true? I smoked a newport after coming down off my high, but I smoked it like I was toking weed. Almost threw up from that shit. Although now whenever I smell newports burning it's smells good as fuck.

It works when I do it. Newports are horrible for you because there's fiberglass in em but I buy some looseys every once in a while because of it. Best cigarettes when you're high.

 

[JayDubya]

I dont mind if people smoke. I just wished they banned smoking in all public places. The smell of it is just awful and i dont think others should have to smell the awful stuff.

If you mean city hall and the public park and the public library, then okay.

If not, by what right do you and politicians you support advocate prohibiting how a business owner uses their property? It's a very simple matter to isolate smokers from non-smokers and employ a ventilation system. It's also a very simple matter for you to take your business elsewhere. Such legislation is wholly unwarranted intrusion on private property.

Fill out a comment card to the manager and vote with your dollars (or equivalent currency).

 

[perryfarrell]

People still smoke because they can deceive themselves into thinking it isn't that bad. They have a 90-year old grandmother who smoked all her life, or they see people around them smoking and being relatively healthy.... It's all about cognitive self-deception

 

[borghe]

To be fair, cigarettes don't really do shit about stress. Most of the "stress" they relieve is directly related to withdrawal symptoms of their chemical addiction. The minor amount of stress relieved due to the buzz caused by nicotine could be better relieved by just the adrenaline from running for say 5-10 minutes or doing 20+ pushups.

 

[Stoney Mason]

People still smoke because they can deceive themselves into thinking it isn't that bad. They have a 90-year old grandmother who smoked all her life, or they see people around them smoking and being relatively healthy.... It's all about cognitive self-deception

I just ate Ice Cream for breakfast. I don't think it was cognitive self-deception...

 

[Great Rumbler]

The big thing around where I live is chewing tobacco. Yeah, good luck with mouth cancer there, guys.

Also, spit is disgusting to begin with, making it brown and chunky is...absolutely horrifying.

 

[Deleted member 12837]

I just ate Ice Cream for breakfast. I don't think it was cognitive self-deception...

Terrible analogy. Eating ice cream for breakfast is no different than eating it for dessert after dinner or any other time of the day. Eating dessert once every day isn't bad for you.

 

[Manics]

To be fair, cigarettes don't really do shit about stress. Most of the "stress" they relieve is directly related to withdrawal symptoms of their chemical addiction. The minor amount of stress relieved due to the buzz caused by nicotine could be better relieved by just the adrenaline from running for say 5-10 minutes or doing 20+ pushups.

Damn you borghe, who's side are you on anyway?

 

[Stoney Mason]

Terrible analogy. Eating ice cream for breakfast is no different than eating it for dessert after dinner or any other time of the day. Eating dessert once every day isn't bad for you.

People are willing to trade future pain for current enjoyment.

Eating ice cream for breakfast on a regular basis will certainly have health effects especially If I add on the other treats during the day. It might even make me feel crappy for the rest of the day and give me the runs. But I don't care or at least I was willing to take the comfort for the chance of deferred pain. People smoke despite knowing all the health risks.

Wasn't going for a perfect SAT analogy in the earlier post. Just making a small point.

 

[Mr. Mister]

Less and less young people are smoking, so all the things you mentioned have been working to prevent smoking.

do you have evidence of this? just curious.

 

[tedtropy]

I just don't understand why weed is illegal and alcohol is. Alcohol in moderation is awesome but put people who are stoned in a room with people who are drunk and you'll see what I mean.

Because they'd have a hard time taxing it, so why not just make it illegal? Perfectly legal alcohol has helped idiots to kill far more people than weed ever will. It's one of those glaring hypocrisies that I think everyone just quietly accepts.

 

[Deleted member 12837]

Eating ice cream for breakfast on a regular basis will certainly have health effects especially If I add on the other treats during the day. It might even make me feel crappy for the rest of the day and give me the runs. But I don't care or at least I was willing to take the comfort for the chance of deferred pain. People smoke despite knowing all the health risks.

Wasn't going for a perfect SAT analogy in the earlier post. Just making a small point.

edit: eh...nvm, I realize what you're trying to say and I don't really feel like arguing/nitpicking about it.

 

[borghe]

weed was originally made illegal to stave off detriment to the cotton growers who were facing hemp as a cheaper easier to grow alternative.

weed remained illegal as the then new war on drugs at the same time that cocaine, LSD, etc was made illegal and the controlled substances act was enacted.

weed has remained illegal through now because the government has no effective way to regulate and tax it. plus despite all of the research released on it, much of the country still views it as an "evil drug" and thus it could very well lose an election for someone bold enough to take a stance on its legalization.

 

[levious]

Pointy edges in furniture design ought to be banned too

my shins thank you!

 

[HolyStar]

I believe they smoke because they are bored.

 

[Dilbert]

Kids do stuff just BECAUSE you tell them that it's bad/dangerous/stupid/pointless/whatever. In this case, however, the thing they are experimenting with happens to be incredibly physically addictive...so they keep doing it, and doing it, and doing it...

 

[Amir0x]

in the environment i work in, i pretty much need something to settle my nerves... I'm a naturally nervous person, so it takes the edge off.

I used to be of the mind "if you don't get high from the smoke, might as well not destroy your lungs over it" but that changed as I started working 50~60 hour weeks.

 

[ConfusingJazz]

women who wear excessive perfume.

You can do that, mostly because I actually get massive headaches from this shit, and I can't do crap for a half hour until the advil kicks in.

Why do you think department stores stopped randomly blasting people with perfume in the mid 90s?

 

[SnakeswithLasers]

Because it looks cool? Duh...

Also - to the poster who asked about organic cigarettes:

Additive free, yo!

Spoiler

But not necessarily safer or less addictive.

 

[clav]

I'd rather someone smoke than drink alcohol. I know everyone here will scoff at this but I seriously think booze is the worst vice ever invented by man. At least if you smoke you're only hurting yourself. Drinking will not only ruin your life, it can potentially ruin the lives of everyone you care about since it alters your personality/objectivity/etc.

<- Doesn't drink or smoke by choice.

Second hand smoke says hi.

 

[Jon_Danger]

not when promo cig packs are 2 for 1 right now.

plus, smoking can be relaxing.

 

[C4Lukins]

Second hand smoke says hi.

Second hand smoke can kiss my ass.

 

[Xzior]

Answer: people are stupid.

 

[Ghengis Cohen]

Cool people smoke.

 

[Jon_Danger]

Second hand smoke says hi.

Second hand smoke doesnt cause shit