Poll: Smoking-Cool or Not?

[excessum ado]

When I see a smoker, I pretty much immediately think they're cowards.

Please explain. I don't see the correlation.

I'm really not sure. I think it's because I think all smokers have started smoking because they can't be assed to deal with a problem. Like, drinking your problems away... but smoking to fool themselves that they feel alright.

But drinking is so much cooler, right?

Was that sarcasm I detected? Or Like the voices, was it just in my head?

 

[Damn Dirty Ape]

I think drinking is alot more dangerous then smoking. Smoking isn't healthy in the long term, so I intend to quit as soon as I've settled down and have a family ( I'm 21 now, hopefully around 26,27 I'll have one ). Untill then though, my study is really busy and stressfull and smoking in between helps keep down the stress. I'm sure it's one of those 'you're already used to it so you think it's like that' things, I know because I'm addicted to coffee as well.
But it gives you something to look foreward too, that first sigaret or first cup of coffee. Having something in your hand, something to do in your breaktime helps imo.

If it's cool, I dunno. For a while perhaps, it used to be cool back in the old days before you saw those giant SMOKING KILLS pictures on every package. They just implimented a smoking restriction in bars out here in the Netherlands and most people aren't too happy with it. Most people don't care really, but in clubs it does help to keep the air a bit more clean.

For me personally, I wouldn't want my kid to smoke before he was around 17/18. You're still growing and it's not healthy for your body, once a little older I wouldn't care anymore. But I know for sure I will not allow myself to be one of those really old people that has been smoking for 50 years, cause yes I do find those people sad. Having kids -> no more smoking.

 

[orifice]

I smoke. For me it's not an issue of cool or uncool, it's just an issue of personal choice.
Being percieved as 'cool' isn't something I'm interested in. That sort of thing is for conformist sheeple, desperate for the approval of their peers!

 

[Nivag the Owl]

When I see a smoker, I pretty much immediately think they're cowards.

Please explain. I don't see the correlation.

I'm really not sure. I think it's because I think all smokers have started smoking because they can't be assed to deal with a problem. Like, drinking your problems away... but smoking to fool themselves that they feel alright.

But drinking is so much cooler, right?

Drinking away your problems is equally as pathetic. I don't get drunk because I don't really like alcohol, but if I did it would be for poops and giggles. And that doesn't really work with smoking.

 

[Varchld]

I'm not going to read 6 pages on smoking ><
It's not cool, but i don't really care about it for it to be uncool either.
...
Cigars however, are super cool
Though if smoked regularly can really make someone stink so as long as it's only every now and then it's cool

 

[Random Argument Man]

You should add the option "I don't care".

Personally, It depends on the person's choice. If he wants to smoke even if he knows the risks of smoking. Let him smoke. Vice-Versa.

Note* I say the word risk, because the word danger means "likely" death. Risk is actually more accurate.

I agree. If someone wants to kill themselves I don't pass judgment.

(Sigh). This is why I putted Risk. When you smoke, you just have a bigger risk to have cancer or other problems. It does not mean that you will ABSOLUTLY get cancer. Just higher risk.

Let's take for exemple alchohol.

-It can damage your liver.
-It can increase the chance of an accident on the roads.
-People do a lot of stupid things, while drunk. (sex videos, hit someone, ruin a mariage)
-bla bla bla you get the picture.
-etc...

Yet, a lot of people are drinking during a party. I'm pretty sure that a lot of people drink during social event. When you take a sip, do you worrie about your liver? Did you signed your death contract?

Yes, I'm conscient on a hole, cigarrettes is worst than alchohol. But, think about the choice aspect.

Yeah why do you have to say risk instead of killing yourself? I don't get why specificity is nessicary in a discussion about if cigarettes are cool. Even when you change the words the meaning is the same. I was making a conscious decision not to pontificate.

I specify because people are assuming smoking= 100% chance of death.
Sure,it doesn't answer the thread. (I already did) But, I think we should be more precise in what we're saying.

There's a difference between risky death and likely death
By saying there's a chance it might happens, it's called risky.
By saying there's a chance it will probably happens. it's called likely.

That's why I'm specifying. However, read a bit on the top of this post. You said "If someone wants to kill themselves I don't pass judgment". You're saying smoking=likely death. Which undermine your own statements. Especially this one "I was making a conscious decision not to pontificate".

 

[leecho7]

6 pages is a little much to read.
I know you've heard people say this before, but it really is true.
I once dated a girl who smoked. Every time I kissed her, I had this taste of nastiness like I licked an ashtray.

 

[chronobreak]

When I see a smoker, I pretty much immediately think they're cowards.

Please explain. I don't see the correlation.

I'm really not sure. I think it's because I think all smokers have started smoking because they can't be assed to deal with a problem. Like, drinking your problems away... but smoking to fool themselves that they feel alright.

Please. Do you really know anyone who smokes cigarettes to escape from problems? It does provide temporary relief, but your observation makes it seem like lighting a butt will whisk you away to the land of irresponsibility, where your life will collapse around you because you can't be bothered to deal, so you sit in a dark, lonely room and puff, puff away. That's not cigs mate, that's pot. You got those two mixed up.

You can't smoke or drink your problems away, but wanting a minute to yourself, for yourself, is not cowardice. Everybody needs some sort of release, right? Also, you assume smokers are so stupid that they can actually fool themselves into thinking something. This would be the same as saying all red-heads are stupid, or all three-eyed circus freaks are easily fooled. It doesn't make sense.

Fine, you don't like smoking, but for God's sake, have a better reason instead of insulting the morality and intelligence of smokers. There's plenty of better reasons out there.

 

[SnowCold]

I think its cool, but not worth the cancer.

 

[muffincakes]

People on the internet are so mature.

Cigarettes are like beer. A lot of people don't think they taste good, but other people do it and they seem fine so you end up convincing yourself that you like the taste and then you're hooked.

Also, people don't smoke cigarettes because they think that they are "Cool," but because the chemicals help you "feel better." They are like any other drug: Marijuana gets you high, Acids sends you to the 70s, Cigarettes make you feel less stressed. I don't know anyone who smokes for any reason other than to feel better because they don't want to fix their personal problems(ie. peer pressure pussies)

Im fully aware that they make you feel better. The nicotine injected into your bloodstream creates a temporary mild high. I think most of us know this. This thread is for the discussion of whether or not its cool.

I've only seen about ten people saying whether it's cool or not, and the rest talking about their feelings of disgust towards smokers or whatever else. If you are going to point that this about "coolness," then you'd better get started on your replies because you've got a lot more to go. I was merely pointing out, as you can see by reading the other posts, that most people don't factor "coolness" into smoking at all. Instead, they measure it by health, taste and smell.

Now, I will let you continue and tell everyone who has not used the word "cool" in their post that they are off-topic.

 

[CIA]

Yeah why do you have to say risk instead of killing yourself? I don't get why specificity is nessicary in a discussion about if cigarettes are cool. Even when you change the words the meaning is the same. I was making a conscious decision not to pontificate.

I specify because people are assuming smoking= 100% chance of death.
Sure,it doesn't answer the thread. (I already did) But, I think we should be more precise in what we're saying.

There's a difference between risky death and likely death
By saying there's a chance it might happens, it's called risky.
By saying there's a chance it will probably happens. it's called likely.

That's why I'm specifying. However, read a bit on the top of this post. You said "If someone wants to kill themselves I don't pass judgment". You're saying smoking=likely death. Which undermine your own statements. Especially this one "I was making a conscious decision not to pontificate".

Smoking= Certain death. Kinda like everything else. By typing this post I am slowly killing myself.

 

[excessum ado]

People on the internet are so mature.

Cigarettes are like beer. A lot of people don't think they taste good, but other people do it and they seem fine so you end up convincing yourself that you like the taste and then you're hooked.

Also, people don't smoke cigarettes because they think that they are "Cool," but because the chemicals help you "feel better." They are like any other drug: Marijuana gets you high, Acids sends you to the 70s, Cigarettes make you feel less stressed. I don't know anyone who smokes for any reason other than to feel better because they don't want to fix their personal problems(ie. peer pressure pussies)

Im fully aware that they make you feel better. The nicotine injected into your bloodstream creates a temporary mild high. I think most of us know this. This thread is for the discussion of whether or not its cool.

I've only seen about ten people saying whether it's cool or not, and the rest talking about their feelings of disgust towards smokers or whatever else. If you are going to point that this about "coolness," then you'd better get started on your replies because you've got a lot more to go. I was merely pointing out, as you can see by reading the other posts, that most people don't factor "coolness" into smoking at all. Instead, they measure it by health, taste and smell.

Now, I will let you continue and tell everyone who has not used the word "cool" in their post that they are off-topic.

Only ten? Ive seen quite a few more then ten use the word 'cool' or at least make some mention of the image factor involved in smoking. Sure alot of people are making mention about their disgust for smoking, but many of them are at least mentioning the affect it has on ones character.

 

[Crowghast]

Drinking is badass. Just ask me. Smoking, I never tried it because it was addictive, and I hate admitting that I have a weakness. (i.e. "No, I DON'T have to stop smoking! But I could if I wanted.") Though I always thought it would be awesome if I could JUST once talk out the side of my mouth while smoke came out my nose... while I wore sunglasses and the light cast a shadow over my face so you could only see the reflection cast from my cigar on the sunglasses I would wear... and if I had a huge leather jacket with cut sleeves and strips of cloth to keep it stitched together...

 

[reaper_2k9]

Heres my opinion on it, I am a smoker I didnt start it because I thought it was cool but my dad, mom and grandparents smoke or smoked so I just picked up on it. I dont know why but I did. So I think its not just a peer pressure thing but something that you pick up on doing, just my opinion flame me if you want I'm in the mood for smores, very cold here need something warm.

 

[Not Good]

I would think that it all depends on the smoker. The smoker could be a fat, unattractive man and you won't think any better of smoking than you already do. On the other hand you see, say, Brad Pitt smoking and people might think he's cool smoking and think that they will be cool if they smoke.

 

[Harvey77]

To all those people saying to just quit, nicotine is one of the most addictive drugs out there more so then heroine or meth. I have been a heavy smoker since i was 13 and when i stopped for a few days i was so dizzy i could barely stand up. My point is it doesnt make you a coward to smoke and non-smokers have no idea.

Oh and go watch that south park episode, it makes you nazis look like douchebags

 

[TriGGeR_HaPPy]

Frankly, I really don't care.
I try not to preach my beliefs to people, and think (hope) that they act the same.
If people want to smoke, that's their choice... Working at a supermarket (hey, i'm only 17, gimme a break ), and occasionally working in the smoke-shop, it just means more business for me, and hence more money...

However...
I did vote "uncool" because I've had a girlfriend who was a smoker... And it wasn't very nice, to say the least...
That could be just my personal opinion, but hey, that's what I'm supposed to be voting ay?

 

[edinflames]

/////NEWSFLASH/////NEWSFLASH/////NEWSFLASH//////
this just in: NON SMOKERS DIE EVERY DAY

There seems to me to be four types of people when it comes to smoking:

1) those who smoke because they genuinely enjoy it (wont last forever, i'll tell u from my own experience) and get addicted

2) those who smoke because it makes them friends at school (back wen under-18s cud get cigs in uk) and get addicted

3) those who don't care if people smoke or not, because they are mature and enlightened enough to recognise it at personal choice, even if it is bad for health

4) the 'non-smoker'. these people seem to take personal offense that anyone might smoke, and endlessly remind us smokers that we are disgusting, immoral, suicidal, baby-killers. These are the kind of people who wen they spot you smoking (outdoors, where the ratio of air:smoke is very favorable, in the UK since its banned inside) walk up to you going 'ahem', you ignore them, they make more pathetic fake cough noises 'ah ah ah ahem ahem AHEM'. I take a leaf out of Bill Hick's book and respond thus: "shit, your lucky you don't smoke, I smoke ten a day for 7 years and I don't cough like that". Sadistic f@ckers, u go up to people in wheelchairs and say "come on ironside, i'll race ya!"???

IMO type 4 can F@CK RIGHT OFF (and mind their own business)

BTW, smoking as cool is something that runs throughout popular culture, probably explains why people still take it up wen young.

Oh, forgot to mention: the girls that smoke, in my personal experience, are usually dirtier in bed. Just an observation.

 

[TriGGeR_HaPPy]

Oooh honey, come give it to m... *cough* *hack* *COUGH* *sniffle* ...oh... hold on a second I just need to spit out this piece of tar-colored phlegm somewhere
/S

Yea this is what i meant about my ex-girlfriend :S

 

[Uncompetative]

Here's a couple of fun little statistics. Smoking kills more people in Australia than the total number killed by drink, drugs, murder, suicide, road crashes, rail crashes, air crashes, poisoning, drowning, fires, falls, lightning, electrocution, snakes, spiders and sharks. It kills 50 people a day in Australia and 1200 in the USA. Thats half a million a year in the USA alone.
I could go on and on about the effects of smoking. But thats not what I want to discuss. We all know they are bad for you. We all know that. Closed case. The question I want to raise here is: Is smoking cool? You see someone smoking and what do you think? I wont even try to define 'cool' because that varies from person to person but Im asking the escapist community-If you see someone smoking do you consider them more stylish? More masculine or powerful? Or do you you just see a poor soul who doesnt care about their health?

EDIT: I just realised i posted this in the wrong section. Sorry guys.

Pre-1952: Cool.
Post: Uncool.

If you look at early James Bond or 1940s Humphrey Bogart films you can't deny the aura of mystery and cool.
Nowadays, people just look like drug-addicts.

In fact, I'd go as far to say that "cool" is now uncool and was only cool back when Lauren Bacall made this look attractive: