a topic on smoking

[blurredvision]

I wanted to start this thread to see if other people agreed with the way I view smoking. By the way, got this idea from this thread.

Me, my brother, and a good friend of 5 years were watching tv a while ago, and one of those "TheTRUTH" commercials came on. To give a little background, my brother is a smoker of a couple of years now, and my friend 'smokes' every now and then, but doesn't inhale, and says he does it because it tastes good, and only smokes when he wants too. He'll start smoking, then quit for 3 months, then out of the blue start smoking again, and quit after a couple of weeks. You just have to know him. Anyways, that commercial came on, and my friend starting bitching about how he hated those commercials, and that they shouldn't be allowed to tell people not to smoke.

We proceeded to get into an arguement about what the commercials stood for, and what the whole idea of them was about. I argued that they didn't tell anyone not to smoke, that they just provided the facts to those who smoke and don't smoke alike so they could be aware of the long term effects of smoking. He argued back saying they were basicly telling everyone NOT to smoke, and that was infringing on our basic rights to whatever we wanted to do. This of course, started a big uproar, when my brother agreed with him.

Now I beleive that smoking has got to be THE MOST pointless thing do in this world. This was the basis of my arguement. I beleive that to do anything in life, you have to do it for some reason, and I cannot find one thing good about smoking. A few things come to mind when I think of doing bad things, and why it shouldn't be done. I can understand drinking, because of the feeling it gives you, and for the record, I drink occasionally. Marijuana, which I DON'T do, gives you a sort of feeling to, but understand why some people do it because it gives them a feeling. I can't really explain because I've never experienced it. But smoking, it makes no sense. You pay your money, inhale toxic fumes into your lungs, and then go on with your life, probaly to smoke another in a few minutes.

I don't accept excuses of liking the taste, or it gives you something to do. Why do you people smoke, and does anybody agree with me???

Please, no flame wars, this is mearly my opinion.

 

[Total Refected Power]

I have never smoked so my answer won't mean a whole lot. However, my parents use to smoke and my brother is trying to quit.

It seems for the older folks it was a cultural thing. Everyone smoked!! Once hooked difficult to break. It seems that people do enjoy it. However, its hard to distinguish the filling of a craving with pure enjoyment. Real smokers are addicted and it is more about the act and need than enjoyment.

 

[Optimus]

I can't really give you much personal reasons for smoking as I have never bothered. Too much money, stinks, bad for you, too much money, inconvenient... and too much money! Geez! Don't they realize how much computer upgrade $$$ that is?

Actually, although I don't smoke, I say let people who smoke do so in peace. I don't think they should be able to smoke where non-smokers wouldn't be able to avoid inhaling it 2nd hand, but other than that, I'm pretty Darwinian about smoking.

If someone wants to, and it won't harm others... I don't mind if they do.

BUT - when they blow smoke directly at my wife and baby, I want to extinguish thier cigs with a %$#&@ing fire hose!!! :| :disgust:

(And I have no telerance for companies marketing cigarettes to kids.)

 

[Cable God]

I have never smoked......uuuummmmm... cigarettes

 

[Spoooon]

I don't smoke either, and I agree that it's pointless. But lots of things are pointless. If a smoker chooses to smoke, and doesn't hurt anybody by doing so, there's nothing wrong with that. Most places are smoke free nowadays, so your exposure to 2nd hand smoke is limited. So, if you wanna smoke, go for it! I hate those theTruth commercials too.

 

[stonerdave]

woodchuck, i totally agree with you. My roommates both smoke menthol cigarettes, which basically smell like moth balls in case you're curious. I'll smoke an occasional cig, maybe like once a month, if that.

But living with smokers really sucks. Our place smells awful, and I'm there until late July. I knew one of my roommates smoked a little, but since school started he goes through a pack a day! The others goes through at least 2. I usually don't mind others smoking at bars and restraunts, except when the smoke seems to head in my direction.

Anyway, it's a shame b/c it seems like some of these brands are pushed right at 12-15 yr. olds. I mean, it's not as obvious as Tom's Hard Lemonade or even Pucker Schapps, but come on!

 

[blurredvision]

I just wanted to let you guys know that I'm not saying that smoking is bad, but just the fact that I don't see any point in it whatsoever. I am a firm beleiver that people can do whatever they want to, and smoking is one of them, I'm just curious if there is even a reason to smoke, besides saying it because of an addiction, or because it's cool.

So people who smoke, smoke away. I'll keep getting drunk every other weekend, and there isn't really much anybody will say to make me quit that!

 

[WetSprocket]

I've use to smoke when I went out for drinks and stuff. But I dont smoke normaly and I havent smoked in the last year or so. I think people take this way to overboard. What do you think about this? Advertisements are fine as long as they dont market to kids. (I dont think Joe Camel is "marketing to kids&quot I think people who smoke should be put on a different health insurance plan. (I dont want my money going to people who are damaging themselves) I think public places should be non smoking or have smoking rooms that are ventilated separate from the rest. Only taxes that come from smoking should be allowed to go toward smoking plans example the only money that smokers should get from the government to help in their health bills should come from the tax on cigarettes.