I am planning to start smoking

[cacheborn]

Originally Posted by Karen TDQ

You want someone to kiss your mouth after you have been smoking!?! Are you kidding me? That is like licking an ashtray!

What happens when two smokers kiss?

[ButterflyWoman]

Originally Posted by cacheborn

What happens when two smokers kiss?

Generally, you can't smell or taste it on the other person because your sense of smell is already wrecked and also because you smell and taste the same.

Occasionally, though, if you've got enough tar between the two of you, you get stuck together. It's not as fun as it sounds.

[nick666]

I'm tempted to be sarcastic and say go for it but I sincerely hope you don't-I'm sure you are aware of the health,financial, social etc implications- I smoke and know a lot of other smokers-every single one without a word of a lie regrets starting-just ask 10 smokers and see what they say.|If I had never smoked I probably would have another $500,000 I am 44 years old

[gene2009]

Originally Posted by opaque

What are the advantages and disadvantages of smoking??? I am 25, male

Sorry, I think you're a kid if you ask the same question
Go ahead, and within 10-15 years, you'll be asking how to stop smoking.

[innoweb]

if you want to have a clean and healthy body, longer life, then you should not smoke..try to check on the internet about the harmful effects of smoking.

[elucidate]

Whoever heard of someone 'planning' to take up smoking?

I mean, you either go out today and buy a packet and light one up, or you don't. You don't draw up a plan and mark the day down on your calendar to start...that's just silly.

"That's it, I've decided on the 25 of November at 3:17pm I'm going to take up smoking!"

Don't mind me...just taking the piss, which is aussie slang for teasing.

[FelineNostalgia]

I can think of several thousand other things I'd rather spend my money on, on the plus side it looks really 80s.

[kenya]

for me. I won't find any reasons to give permission to my smoking. As many people here pointed out-smoking can relax you. But there are many ways to be relax. Smoking is definitely harmful to you and your family. please take further consideration.

[cacheborn]

Time for a Seinfeld quote.

GUY :[indicating a cigarette] Mind?

JERRY: No--go ahead--I second-hand smoke two packs a day.

[ButterflyWoman]

I saw this on the blog of an acquaintance and thought of this thread.

[Andras]

..are you talking about tobacco or weed? If you want to use marijuana occasionally it is your biz. Tobacco is worse then grass but both have health ramifications. Tobacco - no matter what form you take it, pipe it, smoke it, chew it (cado) - all forms contains nicotine, which is more addictive than heroine.
You will LIKELY develop, with age, cancer or perhaps circulatory problems, high blood pressure and yes, eventually your penis will not get enough blood to satisfy your GF. or you just drop dead with a heart attack or worse a stroke (which won't kill you right away but render you a vegetable with brain damage.) all the while you are PAYING for this and the multinational tobacco companies a snickering and getting rich.
Either way, good luck.....

Originally Posted by opaque

What are the advantages and disadvantages of smoking??? I am 25, male

[Somnium Dico]

Originally Posted by ButterflyWoman

I saw this on the blog of an acquaintance and thought of this thread.

See, honestly, it's stuff like this that kind of bothers me. Who benefits from pictures like this? What smoker-or person considering smoking-is going to see ads and pictures like that and think, "Oh man, I never saw it like that before! I better quit/not start!"

To me, it just feels like these kind of images are only for the benefit of people who already don't like smoking, so they can start a smug conversation of how wrong smoking is and how under-educated and foolish smokers are compared to them.

Don't you think that would cause the more rebellious of people to start smoking anyways, just because they know it's a big deal if they do to people? If it wasn't made into such a huge issue, I'm actually convinced young smokers would be cut in half.

[elucidate]

Originally Posted by Somnium Dico

See, honestly, it's stuff like this that kind of bothers me. Who benefits from pictures like this? What smoker-or person considering smoking-is going to see ads and pictures like that and think, "Oh man, I never saw it like that before! I better quit/not start!"

To me, it just feels like these kind of images are only for the benefit of people who already don't like smoking, so they can start a smug conversation of how wrong smoking is and how under-educated and foolish smokers are compared to them.

Don't you think that would cause the more rebellious of people to start smoking anyways, just because they know it's a big deal if they do to people? If it wasn't made into such a huge issue, I'm actually convinced young smokers would be cut in half.

Sure it would.

Especially young guys into heavy metal. They might see it as an added boost to their image carrying a pack like this around. It's like an instant "cool" points thing in their world I'd venture.

Look, I agree with you. These images only provoke the rebel in young people to come out and say F you.

[ellie]

I'm not sure if this is implemented in Australia yet (I know they have similar pictures) but the brands logo is still on it. It was passed from what I understand in the senate, that it will be plain packaging, with these images.



I think these images are more effective. I would definitely think twice about something, based on these images.

[ButterflyWoman]

First a note about that picture I posted. I don't have an opinion one way or the other, either for or against. I just posted it because it reminded me of this thread, and it's interesting to see what sort of discussion will ensue.

I'm not actually a militant ex-smoker, by the way. I generally don't get in people's faces or anything, and I don't campaign against or for smoking regulations, etc. If someone ASKS if I think smoking is a good idea, well, that's one thing, but I don't have any kind of need to evangelize to friends or strangers.

Anyway...

Originally Posted by ellie

I'm not sure if this is implemented in Australia yet

It is. I know because we had our car repaired and when we got it back, someone had left an empty pack of cigarettes in the car (probably fell out of a pocket or something). It had the eyeball one one it. My kids were simultaneously fascinated and horrified.

[True Believer]

Can I just ask why you are planning to start smoking? It just seems to be a weird thing, to plan and do something like this.

I had my first cigarette when I was 9 and then started smoking properly at 11. I then stopped at 23 and have just started smoking again. Smoking can relax me, is great when drinking and after I've eaten food, it's also a social thing to do.

The bad sides (which definitely outweigh the good), it can kill, it is expensive, it makes you stink, it can make me feel ill and it is getting harder to smoke places these days.

If you're on about smoking weed then I can understand you planning for that, I personally don't like it - it does nothing for me, it makes me withdrawn and sometimes paranoid so I have not smoked it for years. If you do smoke it make sure you don't have too much.

[hervens]

To tell you the truth man, I really think people exaggerate how bad smoking really is. What most people don't realize is that over 75% of people who died of lung cancer had all of the following characteristics:
1. over 65 years old
2. At least a 30 pack year smoking history (meaning smoking 20-25 cigarettes a day for 30 years)
3. Were in bad physical shape, or physically unactive.

I for instance, have been smoking around 3 - 5 cigarettes a day for the past 4 years (I'm currently 20), I work out 3 times a week, and when it comes to athletic performance, I would consider myself in the top of the ladder.

I also did stop smoking completely 2 times, for around 2 months each (wasen't hard at all) but I went back to smoking simply because I enjoy it, and I didn't necesarely feel a tad lot healthier or different after I stopped.

So in my opinion, if you're physically active, overall healthy and can limit yourself to 5 cigarettes day (and really count them!) than there really isn't any harm.

So, to break things down for ya, here you go:
Advantages:
1. Great excuse to go outside
2. You tend to breathe deeper from your belly, and exhale slower while smoking which may provide a feeling of relaxation
3. No matter how bad of a day you're having, your're always guaranteed a 5 minute of temporary relief with that next cigarette.
4. You tend to focus a lot more on the NOW while smoking which reduces worry and may explain step 3.
5. It does not get you high, physically or mentally whatsoever, so attention demanding tasks such as driving, won't be affected.
6. Smoking while drunk is soo fun!
7. You tend to feel "cooler" while smoking... Perhaps because most people see it as dangerous? But as you might find out, there's just something special about taking this next puff
8. I once read that if you take a 3 hour break in between each cigarette, your lungs have time to fully repair from the damage that the last cigarette might have caused.

Disadvantages:
1. Can become very deadly, and extremely addictive if you don't follow the guidelines I mentioned above ( Max 5 cigs a day, stay physically active)
2. Your athletic performance will always be slightly less as a smoker, than if you didn't smoke at all.
3. People will label you as a "smoker", and give you dirty looks.
4. An average pack of cigarettes is around 6 - $10, so it might put a hole in your budget depending on your salary range.

And also, never ever smoke inside your room or house as it's a great way to start smoking even more than you planned on.

Keep your smoking schedule very fix and tight and follow it. For instance, I smoke As I drive to school, after lunch, as I'm driving home from school and before bed which totals 4 a day.

Ocasionally, perhaps 1-2/week give yourself no smoke days (where you don't smoke at all for 1 day)

And btw, you might feel really sick and even a bit high with your first cigarettes, but that'll be because your body isn't used to the nicotine yet. After a while you don't get those sick/high feelings anymore.

Good luck

[ButterflyWoman]

Originally Posted by hervens

over 75% of people who died of lung cancer had all of the following characteristics

Do you seriously think the only risk from smoking is lung cancer?

You also need to consider that smoking increases the risk of many other kinds of cancer (throat, mouth, bladder, stomach, cervical, pancreatic, and others). There's also an increased risk of heart disease, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, and other chronic lung problems.

I don't really care if people want to smoke (so long as they don't smoke where I am), but they really ought to know the risks before they decide to take up an expensive, addictive habit like that. There are risks, and they're not trivial, and they're not limited to cancer.

[irfan]

Originally Posted by hervens

To tell you the truth man, I really think people exaggerate how bad smoking really is.

It's always good to introduce a little bit of science into the argument.You can read the full paper by following the link. Of course, Hervens, you may for some reason doubt the legitimacy of a study conducted over more than 25 years and involving more than 45,000 people, in which case I'd like you to present any form of real evidence that you have for your position. Here's the abstract:

Abstract

Objectives: To determine the risk in men and women smoking 1–4 cigarettes per day of dying from specified smoking related diseases and from any cause.

Design: Prospective study.

Setting: Oslo city and three counties in Norway.

Participants: 23 521 men and 19 201 women, aged 35–49 years, screened for cardiovascular disease risk factors in the mid 1970s and followed throughout 2002.

Outcomes: Absolute mortality and relative risks adjusted for confounding variables, of dying from ischaemic heart disease, all cancer, lung cancer, and from all causes.

Results: Adjusted relative risk (95% confidence interval) in smokers of 1–4 cigarettes per day, with never smokers as reference, of dying from ischaemic heart disease was 2.74 (2.07 to 3.61) in men and 2.94 (1.75 to 4.95) in women. The corresponding figures for all cancer were 1.08 (0.78 to 1.49) and 1.14 (0.84 to 1.55), for lung cancer 2.79 (0.94 to 8.28) and 5.03 (1.81 to 13.98), and for any cause 1.57 (1.33 to 1.85) and 1.47 (1.19 to 1.82).

Conclusions: In both sexes, smoking 1–4 cigarettes per day was associated with a significantly higher risk of dying from ischaemic heart disease and from all causes, and from lung cancer in women. Smoking control policymakers and health educators should emphasise more strongly that light smokers also endanger their health.

[CroMagna]

Originally Posted by ellie

I'm not sure if this is implemented in Australia yet (I know they have similar pictures) but the brands logo is still on it. It was passed from what I understand in the senate, that it will be plain packaging, with these images.



I think these images are more effective. I would definitely think twice about something, based on these images.

This is gonna be on every pack of cigarettes in the US?? And smoking causes blindness??

[irfan]

Originally Posted by CroMagna

This is gonna be on every pack of cigarettes in the US?? And smoking causes blindness??

Isn't google a wonderful thing?! when you don't know about something, you just put a few words in the little box, press enter, and all these answers come up. Amazing!

Smoking can blind you, say doctors

[jasmineY]

Since no one knows me here then I can easily admit that I love everything about smoking. I kinda feel drunk when I take in all that smoke!

But I have never ever smoked myself! Actually I bought a couple of cigarettes but they somehow disappeared!

Maybe the universe knows that if I put my hands on them, I'll become an addict in no time!

[guthrio]

Advantage ? You immediately learn firsthand why the unpleasantness of that first inhalation of burnt tobacco into a heretofore healthy set of lungs is like touching a hot stove with your hands.

Disadvantage ? You learn to ignore the inexorable pain of leaving your hands on that hot stove...by convincing yourself that the inevitable damage you choose to inflict upon yourself with each cigarrette....is worth the unavoidable result of leaving your hands on that hot stove....

"Look Ma, no hands!" Cool...

[alambrose]

I find it hard to believe anybody would have taken the OP seriously, seems like an obvious joke to me.

In any event, I too would like to take up smoking. But my reasons are medically related - my doctor says I am not getting enough tar.

[ButterflyWoman]

Originally Posted by alambrose

I find it hard to believe anybody would have taken the OP seriously, seems like an obvious joke to me.

I thought so, too, but it appears not. Go figure.

[opaque]

Originally Posted by ButterflyWoman

I thought so, too, but it appears not. Go figure.

Hello all, I tried smoking for a couple of weeks. May be 2 or 3 cigs a day and did not like them and I quit. I am quitting just because I did not like it and not because of your comments above. I am in a process of trying out everything in life and I'm gonna move on to the next one. Thanks for all your time.

[elucidate]

Originally Posted by opaque

Hello all, I tried smoking for a couple of weeks. May be 2 or 3 cigs a day and did not like them and I quit. I am quitting just because I did not like it and not because of your comments above. I am in a process of trying out everything in life and I'm gonna move on to the next one. Thanks for all your time.

I'm sorry, but why then did you bother to start this thread?

Did you just want to tell us all that you were going to try smoking?

It's good that you did stop for your own reasons and not from what other people said though.

[ButterflyWoman]

Originally Posted by opaque

I am quitting just because I did not like it and not because of your comments above.

Why did you start the thread if you weren't going to listen to anyone's comments? I'm just curious what the point of that might be. I'm glad to hear you're quitting, though. It's a nasty habit, in more ways than one. And I don't care at all that your reasons for quitting have nothing to do with this multiple page thread you started. The important thing is that you figured out that smoking isn't particularly nice, as habits go.

[ButterflyWoman]

Originally Posted by elucidate

I'm sorry, but why then did you bother to start this thread?

Did you just want to tell us all that you were going to try smoking?

It's good that you did stop for your own reasons and not from what other people said though.

Okay, that's just spooky. It's what I just said, in slightly different words. I didn't read your post before I posted mine. People are mistaking us for each other on this forum and.... I'm starting to see why.... Yikes. One of us should be really concerned (or maybe both of us? )

[opaque]

Originally Posted by ButterflyWoman

Okay, that's just spooky. It's what I just said, in slightly different words. I didn't read your post before I posted mine. People are mistaking us for each other on this forum and.... I'm starting to see why.... Yikes. One of us should be really concerned (or maybe both of us? )

I just asked you guys about the advantages and disadvantages of smoking. I did not ask you should I start smoking or not.