Spinach_Indeed

What are your opinions on Smoking? From what I've seen on the boards, the majority seems to disagree with the idea of Tobacco.

I don't smoke, but I did at one point. Althought I don't smoke anymore, I really have no problem with those who do smoke. The only time that I might have even a small problem is when there is someone sitting next to me at a bar, smoking a huge cigar.

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Spinach in Need is Spinach Indeed

Lebell

As a civil libertarian, I think people should be allowed to destroy their lungs, but no thanks.

My worst vice there is a cigar, which is very very infrequently.

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"Of all tyrannies, a tyranny exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end, for they do so with the approval of their own conscience." – C. S. Lewis

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apetaster

If people want to kill themselves, let them. I'll buy a pack or two a year, smoke half and give the rest of the pack away. It does not bother me, but I'd never do it as a habit.

The concept of municipalities banning smoking from all establishments, including bars and clubs does piss me off though. The decision of what to allow and disallow on the provate property of the establishment should be that of the owner alone - not a mayor or group of selectmen.

frenik

I don't really smoke, other than the occasional cigar on special occasions (last one was about 4 months ago when my aunt had a baby, my uncle had cubans he was saving for that moment). Tobacco's okay in moderation, as is almost everything considered to be bad. I don't understand why people smoke cigarettes, but it's their choice.

I generally don't have a problem with secondhand smoke. The only time there's a problem is when I'm talking to someone who's smoking and they blow the smoke into my face. It doesn't take that much effort to turn your head and blow. I've only run into these people maybe 3 times in my life, but it's annoying as hell.

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I don't know what's worse, that I dreamed about putting my ex-girlfriend in a woodchipper, or that I woke up with an erection. - jim norton

bbb

Six months smoke free and I don't think I'll ever go back. The financial and health costs were just to over the top.

Emotion

people should be able to smoke to if they want to

MrFlux

I hate the smell of cigarette smoke, unfortunately most of my friends smoke. What really pisses me off is that pretty much all of them had a "nah I'll never smoke" attitude and now all of them do. Damn weak-willed bastards

Personally, I could never be a smoker, just being around smokers makes me cough and stuff, and I hate the taste/smell of the second hand smoke.

Also I notice thay my friends are spending all their money on cigarettes, they seem to always have money for cigarettes/alcohol but not to go see a movie or whatever...

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flux (n.)
Medicine. The discharge of large quantities of fluid material from the body, especially the discharge of watery feces from the intestines.

viejo gringo

Thought I was real cool at 15 when I smoked cigars, then I
went into cigaretts,,,did that for 34 years---burnt a lot of
holes in my polyester suits (60's) and car seats...not to
mention all of the scars that I put on my children from them
running into a hand that always had a cigarette in it-----

then I quit cold turkey---dii--din---didn't hardle bother me at all.
I quit because I finally realized I was addicted---and that really pissed me off.

Been clean for some 20 years ---thought I had it made---
not quite---guess it was payback time---a year ago this month
I had a triple bypass, and by the grace of God I made it---
of coarse he and I had a serious talk just before I went under..
69 and feeling fine--my advise---don't touch that shit....

WhoaitsZ

do you think you can possibly be a little ruder? as someone who has been addicted to substance i am pretty offended by your assumptions, sir.


i'm not a smoker. i tasted one cig without intending to ever smoke, i was curious of the flavor. it was disgusting.

anyhow i hate tobacco. i hate cigs, but I do not want to see it banned. i don't want any substance banned. i amm completely for free will..

smoking can kill me easy. but all of my friends who do smoke know so and i've never had one friend, ever, to smoke close to me or what not.

if you want to hurt yourself, by all means do.

TaLoN

the main reason i don't like tobacco is because A LOT of people start because it is the "cool" thing to do, then they get hooked because it is ADDICTIVE. On top of that, it smells/tastes bad and it provides very little positive effect/feelings. It isn't that cigarettes make you feel good, they just make you feel less bad because of the addiction.

when mrflux mentioned his weak willed friends, he wasn't talking about them being weak because they don't quit. he is calling them weak because they started. Anyone who starts a habit because of other peoples' influence are weak.

Slippery_Pete

Just quit three weeks ago. Getting my wisdom teeth removed was one of the best things that ever happened to me.

bubbaspike

I do things because I enjoy it.
I respect others enviorment,
respect mine.

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Y'all watch this.......

davidc209

I've smoked under 15 cigarettes in my lifetime. It just doesn't do anything for me. Seems kind of stupid to inhale that crap into your lungs. I get enough crap into my lungs living in a large city.

Having said how stupid smoking is, I probably take in 1 cigar each year on a special occasion. More for social reasons then anything else.

pangavan

I smoked for 24 years and quit two weeks ago, (I still reach for them at least once a day)
I quit because of the unfair taxes and price hikes,(retailers raise the price when a new tax is announced, and then again when it goes into effect). And I dont like the way these bans are being put into effect. In Cleveland they banned smoking at open air stadiums! You are in Cleveland, less than a mile away from steel mills and salt mines and close to backed up freeways and airport flight paths.
then there is the fact that you cannot just put up a sign that says "If you dont like smoking stay the hell out" in a bar or restraunt

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He is, moreover, a frequent drunkard, a glutton, and a patron of ladies who are no better than they should be.

BBtB

I don't smoke. Used to sorta smoke but even stopped that about a month back. It was a odd actully. I was half way through a black and mild then out of nowhere I couldn't smoke anymore. Then later on I started smoking another couldn't smoke it at all either... then later on did it again and same thing.. That was enough. Wont touch one again (except for the rare occasions type thing) I think people should have the choice to smoke or not. And I think restraunts should be able to choose wether they want to allow smoking or not. Were I live there is no ban on smoking but probably close to half the restraunts here have voluntarily banned smoking. I also think tobbacco companies should be free from lawsuits from people who are addicted/died. I mean it may have been their product that killed them but we have known for well over 20 years now that they kill. Despite what some lobbyist would have you believe Phillip Morris never came and knocked on my door shoved a lighted cigarette in my mouth and forced my lungs to inhale. They have warning labels on everything they touch now. Both in their ads and on the package basically say "Do not smoke" What more do people need to know not to smoke? If they still do it then its not the tobacco companys fault for giving them media for which to die.

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Meridae'n once played "death" at a game of chess that lasted for over two years. He finally beat death in a best 34 out of 67 match. At that time he could ask for any one thing and he could wish for the hope of all mankind... he looked death right in the eye and said ...

"I would like about three fiddy"

sixate

Never smoked and never will. It's about the most disgusting habit that a person can have as far as I'm concerned.

mike

Pfft smokings fine, I smoke when I drink. I chew copenhagen when I dont.

JadziaDax

Smoking is only "fine" when you keep it to yourself and don't impose on the clean air of others.

I was a smoker for over 11 years, and I quit over 9 years ago. Smoking affects more than just your lungs (although that is the most important thing). Your sense of taste is a bit diminished, your hair smells, your clothing smells...

If you want to smoke, by all means go right ahead. However, don't invade my space with your disgusting habit.

Ashton

alpha phi

I smoked cigarettes for 12 years then quit cold turkey.
after a while I realized I really liked smokeing, but disliked cigarettes.
now I smoke cigars, I enjoy them.
I don't smoke in resteraunts or in other places that allow smokeing.
I would never consider smokeing in a non smokers house or car!
when cigarette smokers come to my house I don't mind them smokeing,
Although generic cigarettes smell nasty.........marlburo, or camel smell pretty good to me. but still don't taste good
I'll never smoke a cigarette again
for the time being I enjoy cigars

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IC3

I smoke, And if I am outside and somebody stands next to me or around me and they have a problem with me smoking...They have 2 legs and can walk away...It IS legal to smoke outside.

But I will not go and stand next to somebody and light up, But if i am there first...It's there problem not mine.

MrFlux

Heh, you took it the wrong way. I'm not speaking about addiction, I'm talking about the fact that they were all against it until they let themselves be pressured into it.

Loki

smoking gives me something to do with my hands.

i know it sounds stupid, but thats probably the reason why i smoke.

Its a disgusting addictive habit. i want to go down to one or two a day or lower. im gonna start cutting back.

BoCo

Agreed!

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Activism is a way for useless people to feel important.

billege

Oh God, not this thread again.

I had hoped the TFP would be more interesting this time around. But it's the same conversations, the same threads, the same people saying the same things. Viva la whatever.

I'm sure smoking is bad. Now I'm off to have a cigarette because I am pissed that my NON SMOKING CLEAN LIVING buddy just got diagnosed with cancer in his lymph nodes and his tounge.

You are born and your time to die is already determined, nothing you do can affect it, so stop trying to control the uncontrollable.

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I can sum up the clash of religion in one sentence:
"My Invisible Friend is better than your Invisible Friend."

jets

I'm glad to see everyone who has decided to quit has been successful. I was a smoker for 15 years and I am only 26 years old today. It's a habit that I am happy to be free of now and at one point I wished that tobacco would be banned but then I realized that it was a foolish thing to think. No one can help you except you sometimes. I became sick and got me a 3 day head start; never looked back.

It's surpising when I think about how easy it CAN be when you set you mind to it. If someone wants to smoke, I have no qualms about it. It's their choice.

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Hey. Wasn't Me.

Cynthetiq

don't smoke anymore either... quit 7 years ago when they were US$3.25/pack in NYC.. now they are like US$8.00.

I'm glad that I don't smoke.. one for the cost, two for the smell...

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blkdmnd

I smoke. And I agree with the comments about infringing on others clean air by smoking in public places. It is a nasty, unhealthful habit and I'll quit one day if I want to. Maybe.

The thing that really frosts my nads is the government butting into our lives and telling us what to do. Free will should prevail.

If businesses want to allow smoking or make their establishment strictly non smoking, then that should be the business owners decision. That decision will be one factor in determining their success. People can decide to patronize that business or not.

Point being, the government should stay out and let people make their own decisions. If they feel the need to dictate smoking policies, then let them dictate it in areas that they are responsible for, ie. on public transportation.

Just don't tell me how to run my business!

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I blow my nose at you. Now go away before I taunt you a second time.

G_Whiz

This subject always seems to stir up the emotions. It doesn't matter whether it is here at TFP or at my work.

OK, my history... I had my first cigarette when I was 10. I started smoking full time when I was in college. I don't even remember how long I smoked, but I tried to quit 3 times before it stuck (I am only counting the times that I managed to quit for 6 months or more). It's now been over 20 years since I've had a cigarette.

In a broad sense, I can see both perspectives in the arguments about smoking. What it comes down to for me is the public health issues. It is pretty clear now that smoking doesn't just impact the smoker. It has similar and dramatic impacts on those who have to deal with the second-hand smoke. When people who haven't smoked end up with smoking-related conditions and become a burden on the medical system, something needs to be done. So I support actions that protect the general public from second-hand smoke.

My opinion about this means that I condone government intervention on the subject. One comment above was that business owners should have the right to make that choice on their own. But when that choice also means they are choosing for their employees and customers, I disagree. Customers may choose to walk away, but employees cannot always make that decision based on economics. I know too many waitresses who never smoked themselves, but got lung cancer and enphazema and attribute it to their work. Their point is always that they needed the job, so they put up with the smoke. I don't believe that you have the right to smoke in a public place unless everyone there is able to make the same choices.

So, as far as I am concerned, smoke 'em if you got 'em (or can afford them), but do it away from people who don't choose to smoke or to breath in your smoke.

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splck

Cigaette smoking is disgusting. Never smoked and never will. I dated a girls that smoked and would never do that again...bleh, no matter what she did, she still smelled and tasted like an ashtray.

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nice line eh?

Empty_One

I smoke. I like it, and I will quit when I no longer like it. However, I am a polite smoker. I smoke outside of my house, so my wife and guests are not around the smoke, and I do my best to blow smoke as far away as possible from non smokers. I do have one problem though, and that is cities and states trying to ban it in bars. Guys, It's a bar. It's where people go to drink and smoke. It's all we have left. Please don't take even that from us.

Arock

Congrats to all the quitters.
I quit after smoking for 10 years. It's hard as hell and the first few tries usually don't take.
I always thought it was rude to subject non smokers to my smoke. I share the same thoughts now that I'm the non smoker. Truthfully I don't mind the smell. I love the smell of cigars. I do hate the stale smell of it on me, on my clothes.
I never suffered the ill effects of my smoking in my health. I could always run faster farther longer than any of my non smoking friends. Sooner or later it catches up and I didn't want to be yet another statistic in my family that had a heart attack, stroke, or bypass surgery. I hope I quit in time.

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The trouble with the rat race is that even if you win you're still a rat

annie1

I dont smoke, think its gross, but i did smoke in HS and early in college too but now it makes me sick to be around

Spanky Johnson

Without exaggerating at all, breathing second hand smoke makes me physically ill. If people want to kill themselves with cigarettes, that's OK by me, as long as I don't have to breathe it.

I don't really go to clubs and bars, so I guess I don't have as much of a problem with people smoking there (although people smoking there is part of the reason I don't go). Restaurants are a different story - if I get seated anywhere near the smoking section, I have to move or risk getting nauseous.

The strange thing is...my Dad smoked the whole time I was growing up, and it didn't seem to bother me much back then. It was only after I moved out and was away from it for many years that it started making me sick to breathe secondhand smoke.

bundy

i really hate smoking.
i think that if i started smoking, my asthma would get dangerously bad.
i hate it when my close friends smoke as well, but i won't say anything. its their choice.

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Ohayo!!!

greytone

I tend to have liberterian political beliefs. The problem with smoking is that it degrades the quality of life of those who have to smell the smoke. There should be places smokers can go and enjoy their smoke and kill themselves. But I should be able to eat a nice meal out, or have a drink and enjoy live music without having to breath the stuff. Kids whose parents smoke at home miss more school because of respiratory illness. That takes it out of the civil liberties arena in my book.

I get upset when patients tell me they smoke but act indignant when I ask if they drink. There is no safe amount to smoke. Moderate alcohol intake is associated with lower mortality than is seen in nondrinkers. Half of all smokers die prematurely. Yes, I know you knew someone who smoked until they died by jealous husband at 96. The fact that half of all smokers live their natural life span is not an arguement that it is safe. A 50% mortality rate is not what I consider good odds.

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I was there to see beautiful naked women. So was everybody else. It's a common failing.
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crewsor

As long as tobacco is legal people can do as they please.
The thing is, I don't think they should be allowed to sell it. I know its not happening, too much political and economical influence by the tobacco companys, but I would like nothing better than for tobacco to be outlawed.
Kids, including mine start smoking because at the time, the farthest thing from their mind is the damage they are doing to themselves. They see the popular kids doing it and think, why not.
Trouble is, nicotine is about the most addictive substance there is, and once you're hooked its next to impossible to quit. The tobacco companys prey on youth, targetting them with ads and freebies knowing they are killing innocent people. What kind of humans are these.
Why do we allow the sale of such a powerfully addictive drug, with absolutely no redeeming value. Any other substance proven to be as harmfull as tobacco would be outlawed immediately. I know of no one who has smoked for an extended period who doesn't wish they never started.
Even the argument one should be allowed to do with their body as they please doesn't really apply because their secondhand smoke damages others, and even barring that their sickness and ultimately slow painfull death from cancer or any other terrible sicknesses related to smoking causes pain for their loved ones. How many of us have lost loved ones to the scourge of smoking?
And for what? For the pleasure of sucking on a burning stick that fouls every thing close to it. Sorry to all the smokers, but I have nothing against them. I know most would love to quit. The tobacco companys, now thats a different story.

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vermin

I'm smoking a cigarette as I type this. I was surprised to see that its 8 dollars per pack in ny. Here you can get Camels for 2 bucks a pack.

Sweet, sweet nicotine. And yummy, chewy tar.

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If puns were sausages, this would be the wurst.

pseudopsycho

been smoking for the past 2 years and I am up to a pack a day but I have fun with it and don't plan on quitting anytime soon

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phoenix1002

I agree with crewsor. Smoking hurts more than just the smoker. It seems like such a waste to me... the bad side effects seem to outweigh the enjoyment that smoking can provide. Besides, its a costly habit, and its also an addiction. Its gross, it costs a lot, and it can kill you. 3 strikes and you're out, in my book.

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I'd rather be climbing...

I approach college much like a recovering alcoholic--one day at a time...