Smoking in Moderation

[Alleged_Alec]

(Smoker here)

Can I ask how old you are?
The problem is that most start out as social smokers and slowly get a more relaxed attitude to smoking. So it starts out a pack a month, then two, then three... you see where I'm going.

I've been smoking for about 9 years now. I'll finish a pack in a month, if I'm lucky, and then usually go a few months before buying another pack. When does this addiction thing start?

Personally, and this may light some fires, but I see addiction as a convenient excuse for the weak willed. From my experience, it's just a control issue, like anything else. Most people would look at someone who, for instance, eats an abnormal amount of cookies in a day has a problem, but they wouldn't call it an addiction because it sounds ridiculous. Yet smoking has the largest backing of quackery 'stop smoking' aids of any consumer product. It's not that people can't stop, its that they don't even try.

Right.... So articles like this one: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2928221/?tool=pmcentrez
What are they about? Are these scientist just fucking about because they smoke themselves and want to give themselves a reason not to stop?

 

[CarlMin]

I wouldn't have any problems with smokers if it wasn't for the environment issue. The way I see it it's just another way to kill yourself, and we all have the right to destroy our health in whatever way we prefer whether it be fast food, alcohol or whatever. Smoking is just the same thing.

However, passive smoking might be hazardous for others and the production of cigarettes together with the pollution they release when used might affect the environment. So there's my issue.

 

[BENZOOKA]

I started out as a social smoker when I was 14. Not really smoking on other times than when I was drinking & partying.

At 16 I moved to a dorm and began to have a few cigarettes on random social occassions, and then I soon grew custom to smoke a cigarette after each school day, which then escalated to smoking a few in a day; after meals, before & after school and so on. Some time after that, I was smoking a pack of 20 in two-to-four days. I was definitely hooked by then, but I managed to not smoke during most weekends from 16-19 years, because I didn't want to give bad influence to my then-girlfriend's younger siblings.

I'm 23 at the moment, so I've smoked a bit over seven years (that's a bit depressing statistic), and I've been smoking about a pack a day for the most part of that time. On one summer I had the dullest job with averaging 15h work days, where I smoked two packs a day. Also, when I'm drinking (or completely bored or driving for long) I do tend to smoke a lot more than just a pack a day.

My parents were smokers, so I guess that has had an influence. As well as a somewhat addiction-oriented personality. About a year ago I realized the full effects of my smoking. The (actually not all that major) physical effects being more or less evident, the mental and other effects have been quite vast.

I had a few half-assed attempts to quit smoking, not long after I was hooked, and it goes without saying that nothing came out of those. At best, I quit for a week, went on to run a few kilometres, coughed my lungs out during it and got back to smoking after that run. The last time I tried, I went cold turkey and couldn't continue after three days. I went through such massive amounts of anxiety, followed by awful restlessness and depression that I couldn't handle it. That's when I decided to not try the next time, but to go through it only more time, and quit.

I know a relative couple who only smoke the 0-5 cigarettes a day, and have done that for years, or for a bit short of two decades, and they've got no problems with it. Whereas that's only been my addiction's constant bargaining while trying, or just planning to, quit.

So, OT: some odd people can do it, but definitely not everyone. My attempts for moderation have not worked in the slightest in practice, even though it's a rather simple idea.

I have a quite unorthodox job, which I'll stop to have some free time prior to going back to school in a few weeks, and I've already decided early this year, to quit smoking, as soon as this work thing and living in hotels is over. No I've only got to stick to it, find heaps of more motivation and to try every trick in the book.

Smoking is bad mmmkay. I sure as hell wouldn't have been doing it for the last couple of years unless quitting weren't so fucking difficult.

 

[Mr Thin]

And for the record, neither fat people nor smokers are doing anything wrong. If they are not hurting others then there is nothing for them to feel guilty over and anyone who disagrees is a just a complete and utter **** who more than likely just gets off on mocking others to cover their own inadequacies.

With regards to smokers, when smoking has absolutely zero benefit and a host of negative side-effects, it is inarguably a bad thing. As in, the opposite of good.

With regards to fat people, I can't imagine where you got the idea that they aren't hurting others.

For example, when a police officer fails to chase down a suspect because they're too overweight to put up a chase [http://www.fox40.com/news/headlines/ktxl-news-goodcopfatcop,0,5546852.story]... they're doing something wrong.

Or when a different officer sues his department for firing him because he got too fat to perform his duties [http://www.livevideo.com/video/ACA26C424E0E42539EB79F322576D56B/fat-cop-sues-for-firing.aspx]... they're doing something wrong.

Or when people claim government money [http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/fat-people-addicts-paid-by-government-to-stay-at-home/story-e6freuy9-1226055955717] and get paid to stay home because they're so fat, they can't work... they're doing something wrong.

But what do I know, I'm just a complete and utter **** who more than likely just gets off on mocking others to cover my own inadequacies.

 

[funguy2121]

What's everyones thoughts on smoking (tobacco) without an addiction? Is it possible? Can it be safe if you have the willpower to control yourself? What do you think the chances of medical issues are later in life if you only smoke one a day for example?

Personally I consider myself a social smoker, in the same way people can be social drinkers (which I also am, btw). Which means I am not addicted or dependant on cigarettes, but I enjoy them with other people that are also smoking, (not peer pressure, its just great to have a smoke and chat with someone in a way non-smokers might not understand) and occasionally light up on my own if I am feeling stressed out or upset (it calms me down, relaxes me, and gives me a temporary high for a minute or two). I have no cravings at all, and I can literally go as long as I want without smoking. I've gone over a month before without a smoke since starting, and often I go a week or two without one. Generally though I go through a pack of 25 in about a month, sometimes in 2 months.

I keep being told that I should quit, but why? Assuming I continue doing this, I will probably smoke about as much im my lifetime that the average smoker would have in a year or two (or less). How is this dangerous to my health? In moderation there are much worse things that can be much more damaging. Why should I be scolded for having a smoke every other day, when there are people who shove Big Macs down their throat every other day and will die at 50 from a heart attack caused by obesity?

You would ask an Escapist in lieu of a doctor?

There are no smokers who aren't addicted. It's a huge risk to health problems. You sound like someone in denial. Smoking is very bad for you. Also, why do you call a person expressing concern for your health a "scolding?" That's a bit melodramatic.

 

[kouriichi]

My grandfather is a "recreational" smoker.
He'll have the occasional cigar, but he is in no way an addict like so many people.

its all about will power. All humans have it. Most wont use it. I enjoy a glass of wine with my meal every now and then. But i dont need to have it every time i eat to enjoy my meal. I love videogames, but i dont HAVE to play them. Id rather spend time with my wife, watching a movie, or enjoying each other. ((I dont mean in the sexual way, but thats nice also))

Theres nothing wrong with people smoking in moderation. And anyone can do it. Just learn to control your urges, and live a better life because of it.

 

[SonOfVoorhees]

Smoking is addicting, like anything a person enjoys doing. Whether gaming, drinking, drug taking, chocolate - whatever your choice of poison is. Its just whether you have control of it or not. Thing is, who wouldnt do something they enjoy again and again? I guess anything will kill you if you do it to much. But in this day and age people know smoking is dangerous, as is drinking and over eating. Its all common information. So its down to each persons choice at the end of the day how much they smoke or not.

EDIT: Forgot. Moderation is good, but its negative moods like depression that can make you go to those things you enjoy and really screw up your health. Increased smoking or drinking or eating can happen, and moderation goes straight out the window when you do something for comfort.

 

[winter2]

I have been known to enjoy a good cigar after a good steak every now and then. Recommend trying a Partagas. Ahh... that is living.

 

[AndyFromMonday]

"How" you smoke is irrelevant. The health effects are listed pretty much everywhere and in the end it all comes down to personal choice. Still, the smoking bans are starting to get on my nerves. Apparently the government feels the need to tell private enterprises what to do and hell, if they want to ban smoking in public then they should at the very least create public areas where smokers can congregate. Also, the taxes are bullshit. The government doesn't have the right to tell me what I can and cannot do by raising taxes on something.

 

[Pearwood]

i've never met a crackhead who got dependent on purpose, just as I never met a first time smoker who was excited to embark on a lifetime of tobacco use.

Cocaine is addictive to the point where people die quitting it, cigarettes just aren't that bad in comparison.

 

[Ham_authority95]

What's everyones thoughts on smoking (tobacco) without an addiction? Is it possible? Can it be safe if you have the willpower to control yourself? What do you think the chances of medical issues are later in life if you only smoke one a day for example?

Cigarettes are harder to not stay addicted to because of the way you consume them. Having a shitload of 900 degree smoke going into your lungs is a lot more bearable when you feel like you need it. That being said, addiction happens differently with different people.

If you're an example, it's possible. My dad has several friends who smoke cigars at birthdays and such, but hardly smoke anymore. Just be totally aware that one day you might have one more cigarette than usual, then want another a couple hours after than, then another, etc etc.

I have a chip off my shoulder for smoking, mostly because of the trashy teenage social scene that does it where I live. But hey, if you can limit your smoking to 1-2 times a month at a party, lets give you a hand.

 

[Dusty Fred]

I'm 24 and I smoke a pipe once or twice a week on average. I've had a few cigarettes in my time and although the feeling is pleasent, especially if you're under a cloud about something, I could never smoke them regularly after seeing one of those before/after pictures of a long-term smoker.

It's entirely your choice bud, but there's some wise advice been posted here so I'd at least consider it carefully.

 

[Doom-Slayer]

How can you smoke "casually" the difference between it and say alcohol is there is no gradient here. With alcohol you can have a few beers or drinks and it passes out your system entirely within several hours based on how much you drank. Smoking doesn't work that way. Theres a reason anti-smoking ads say "Every smoke does you damage" because quite simply it does, its a cumulative affect that builds up and doesn't go away without surgery.

 

[ultimateownage]

I'm sure it's possible for some to smoke without an addiction, but that's very rare. You're smoking habits will slowly ramp up, and you're addicted before you know it. It's also still very damaging to your body.
If you have no addiction, you have no reason to not be smoking those packs. Go ahead, throw them away and say no every time you want another. Either you'll feel better for it, or you'll feel worse because you were addicted.

 

[Dusty Fred]

How can you smoke "casually" the difference between it and say alcohol is there is no gradient here. With alcohol you can have a few beers or drinks and it passes out your system entirely within several hours based on how much you drank. Smoking doesn't work that way. Theres a reason anti-smoking ads say "Every smoke does you damage" because quite simply it does, its a cumulative affect that builds up and doesn't go away without surgery.

Depends on what is being smoked; although 'smoking' is a blanket term it differs similar to how beers, wines, spirits etc affect you in different ways. On occasional cigar or pipe bowlful will do little cumulative damage, much like on occasional beer or glass of vino.

I don't know if there is no gradient at all as the frequency/amount you smoke will still affect the toll it takes on your body. But I take your point that a cigarette is not neutral if consumed scarcely, it's bad for you however many you have, unlike alcohol which will do no harm if taken in moderation (I believe wine is even beneficial in sensible amounts)

Casual smoking refers to where you have an occasional smoke out of temporary inclination, rather than a regular fix because you need it. The trouble is the former state often leads to the latter; that is the danger.

 

[RagTagBand]

Smoked a fair amount for 2-3 years when I was at university, Had to give up when I moved home with my parents, and...I did so without a fuss or without any problem. Smoked a final cigarette on the 8th, quit on the 9th, haven't smoked since.

When I move out i'll probably take up smoking again because I liked it, it tastes good, it feels good.

Lots of misinformed people on this board, lots of self-righteous know-nothing know-it-alls too, so like with every thread on this forum, OP, i'd take everything said with a fair bit of salt.

Personally, I'd say you need to be aware that everyone is affected differently by Chemically addictive products. Some people can do it casually, Some people can barely smell cigarette smoke without getting cold sweats and the shakes, same goes with alcohol.

But, OP, you know the risks, you're not in a ball of ignorance, Make an informed decision and do what you want. It's your life, your call.

If it makes you happy, Do it.

 

[Mr Thin]

Smokers are only harming themselves so, if they are okay with that then your opinion is completely invalid, so they are doing nothing wrong.

When I say bad I mean bad in the most general sense, not in the morally bankrupt sense. I suspect we're mostly arguing over semantics on this particular point, and it's not important enough to push.

The cop was not harming anyone by being fat, he was physically unable to do his job but only a idiot would declare he was harming anyone by it.

Let me be as unequivocal as possible on this point; when your duty is to protect the innocent and uphold the law, and you are so bloated you are literally, physically incapable of performing this duty, you are harming people. Perhaps not directly, but if (theoretically) a police officer fails to apprehend a suspect because of his or her weight, and that suspect goes onto kill half a dozen people, are you honestly going to claim the officer is in no way responsible for that? Bullshit, bullshit and nonsense.

I guess if a cop got injured and was no longer able to chase down perps that he would be "harming" others too right? How dare he.
Or a cop who was just not fast enough even if fit, or has a bad knee, or tripped, all of them are harming others too huh?

Obesity is not an injury, it's a choice of lifestyle. The two aren't comparable.

If a healthy officer failed to apprehend a suspect, for arguments sake let's say it was through no fault of their own, well, mistakes happen. At least the officer made sure they were as capable of handling the situation as could be expected of them.

You're nothing but a bigot, one trying to justify a truly disgusting attitude because you lack the courage to hate targets society has declared protected. 50 years ago you would have been looking for excuses to justify hating black folks, 20 years ago it would have been homosexuals. You would be pulling up a case where A black person attacked someone or A homosexual spread HIV to justify hating them all.

Being black is not a choice. Being homosexual is not a choice. Being obese is a choice. You don't just wake up one day, look in the mirror, and go "Oh shit! Where did those chins come from!?".

That you would even compare being judged for something you have no control over to what is essentially the result of laziness + greed + apathy, is ridiculous.

That you would compare being black, something which has no impact on whether or not you can do a job properly, to being obese, which does, is offensive.

So we are done. If there is one thing I hate more than bigots is cowards.

I just hope you one day you are in a position where you are the odd one out and have others tell you how they are better than you for arbitrary reason X.

Being 19 years old and weighing 45kg has ensured I am the odd one out pretty much wherever I go, and I have quite frequently been reminded, by others and by myself, why other people are better than me. Often justifiably so. I have accepted responsibility for my own failures, and I do not try to excuse them by claiming "at least I'm not fat!".