prosequence

Smoking ------->It's bad for you, not just you but those around you.
It causes death, erodes healthcare and generally looks ridiculous (last ones my personal opinion).

So why do so many do it, what do you think are the causes? What would change it?

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And now here I stand because of you, Mister Anderson, because of you I'm no longer an agent of the system, because of you I've changed...

CSflim

Because it makes you look really fucking cool!

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sipsake

Because it's a drug and it's addictive.

Up until 10-15 years ago there was no real stigma against smoking. It was a perfectly acceptable habit. You could smoke in the office, on the airplane, in most public buildings.

And there was the image thing. Hell, the DUKE smoked, so did Betty Davis, James Dean...it became part of the culture.

It's already changed a great deal. The smoking industry in America has been in decline for years. I don't think it will ever die out completely. Just look at the use of alcohol in our society.

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When life hands you a lemon, say "Oh yeah, I like lemons. What else you got?"

Henry Rollins

Sledge

Because it feels good. In these days, people know what they're getting into when they drink, smoke, or get high. They know the effects and the consequences, and they make their choice accordingly. And I think that's fine.

spived2

That's pretty much how it starts. After that the addiction kicks in and it feels like you can't live without cigs. I've been off the devil stick for 5 months now and I still want one every now and then, especially when I'm hangin with friends that smoke or doing something I had associated with smoking.

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"This visage, no mere veneer of vanity, is it vestige of the vox populi, now vacant, vanished, as the once vital voice of the verisimilitude now venerates what they once vilified. However, this valorous visitation of a by-gone vexation, stands vivified, and has vowed to vanquish these venal and virulent vermin vanguarding vice and vouchsafing the violently vicious and voracious violation of volition. The only verdict is vengeance; a vendetta, held as a votive, not in vain, for the value and veracity of such shall one day vindicate the vigilant and the virtuous. Verily, this vichyssoise of verbiage veers most verbose vis-à-vis an introduction, and so it is my very good honor to meet you and you may call me V." - V

prosequence

Do people really think it looks cool? Why?

__________________
And now here I stand because of you, Mister Anderson, because of you I'm no longer an agent of the system, because of you I've changed...

Telethon

Because it makes you look dangerous and you're not just standing there...Thats my guess...I think the reason people pick up smoking is because the nicotene makes you feel relaxed and good

Sleepyjack

Same thing could be said to people who don't diet properly and such. Ie constantly eating fast food and other nasty shit such that they slowly kill themselves.

Also same with a lot of other drugs that are dangerous to your health, if taken excessively.

As to why? i don't really know myself. It's a lifestyle choice, as sledge pointed out, they should know the consequences of the choice and so be it!

XenuHubbard

In most countries, the taxes on cigarettes actually help the health care system when all is added up.

I smoke because I'm addicted. Quitting isn't that easy on the surroundings either. I started when I was poor as hell, and found that cigarettes suppress your hunger. Getting cigarettes is easy. Getting food is much more difficult.

Is it bad for you? Hell yeah. Is it suicide? Nah. Not more than eating at McDonald's. Both are bad for you, but you don't do it to kill yourself.

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The above was written by a true prophet. Trust me.

"What doesn't kill you, makes you bitter and paranoid". - SB2000

anti fishstick

if you think about it, everything you do or don't do pretty much makes you die faster. your diet, your sleep, your excercise are especially important factors in living longer. a lot of people abuse this alone.

add smoking into the mix and people just don't really care.

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And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.
~Anais Nin

prosequence

If a person wlaks into a room and his mortal enemy is in there as well, and one of them lites up a smoke.... could he be charged with attempted murder? We know second hand smoke kills... ??

__________________
And now here I stand because of you, Mister Anderson, because of you I'm no longer an agent of the system, because of you I've changed...

Eldaire

The self destruction is as addictive as the pleasure.

taliendo

i think that every one missed a great big point.

I grew up with smoking parents and can remember going away for a three day weekend and craving a cigarette -- when I was twelve. Of course, at the time I didn't realize why I was being a little bitch, or why I wanted to crawl up in a corner and suck my thumb.

Point of the story is this, I was a regular smoker by the time I was 15. Haven't found the will to quit yet.

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-LIFE IS ABSURD-

taliendo

plus, by now, I really enjoy it.

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-LIFE IS ABSURD-

meembo

I am a heavy drinker, probably headed for the same life expectancy. I don't get drunk -- I hate that feeling -- but a good drink is delicious, relaxing, and a part of my routine. I'd rather live that much less that go without this much enjoyment

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less I say, smarter I am

denton

My addiction is very odd. I only want to smoke at work, after lunch or on a break. If I try smoking at home (which I don't anymore) it tastes horrible. So it takes me over a week to finish a pack, but I never quit altogether.

skinbag

I smoke about 1 pack per week also, although in my self-destructive prime peaked out at a pack a day. I began to smoke cigarettes as a scent cover for marijuana use. I still stop smoking when I run out of pot. For me nicotine is a secondary addiction. Even though it gives a relatively unpleasant sensation I continue smoking.
Two main reasons for smoking stand out: control over my subjective experience and mental stimulation. I am willing to incur physical damage, stink, and lurk about looking ridiculous as long as I get a jump out of it. A big part of the "jump" is getting away from work, family, "doing the right thing", etc. for a few minutes of "me" time. The time I take out to smoke is deliberately unproductive to the point that it has "negative" effects on my so-called-life. So be it.
My off-line acquaintances would tell you, I may be useful and productive in general terms, but I really don't give a fuck about my "life". I really can mess things up just to watch the wreckage and start all over again. I'm not sure but I think to some extent I use smoking cigarettes, pot, tea, you name it to manage my self destructive tendencies away from war and consumerism towards simple handicapping of self. I guess I'm clumsily saying that I feel out of place and ill-fitted in my life and that smoking is part of the system I use to control my experience until I grow into my life or learn to live daily with that old dysfunctional feeling.

Amarth

For me, a need for a self-destructive tendency. I'd say its the same reason people cut themselves and stuff, y'know?

itchy93

Yeah, my parents smoked, and I smoked a couple times when I was twelve, then I cut that shit out. But when I was sixteen, one of my friends got me started back up, and I've been smoking since.
I honestly can't say why I do it. I know it smells terrible (even though I don't have a sense of smell). I have a terrible oral fixation, so I guess that contributes. Also, it gives me 5-10 minutes outside just clearing my mind. Plus, after two years, I'm pretty addicted (I only smoke a pack a week, though).


Itchy93

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That's just my opinion; I could be wrong.

Kostya

I'd like to be able to disapprove of smoking, but considering the fact that I calculated that in a 48 hour period I consumed over three litres of Coke and drank 6 cups of coffee I'm pretty sure I'm chipping away at my own life expectancy just as badly.

Sledge

Ha! Word.