I am planning to start smoking

[opaque]

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

[CroMagna]

Smoking relaxes you and is fun to do while drinking with friends or talking on the phone. But it's not worth getting addicted to it. It's 10 times more addictive than heroin I think. And it causes lung cancer and emphysema. By the way cigars are addictive too.

You can smoke weed. That's not addictive. I don't like it because it's illegal and a lot of times it makes me feel paranoid.

I would just stick to drinking.

Why do you want to start smoking anyway?

[opaque]

Originally Posted by CroMagna

Smoking relaxes you and is fun to do while drinking with friends or talking on the phone. But it's not worth getting addicted to it. It's 10 times more addictive than heroin I think. And it causes lung cancer and emphysema. By the way cigars are addictive too.

You can smoke weed. That's not addictive. I don't like it because it's illegal and a lot of times it makes me feel paranoid.

I would just stick to drinking.

Why do you want to start smoking anyway?

Just because I want to feel high sometimes.

Does it reduce the sex drive?

[CroMagna]

No it doesn't reduce the sex drive. In movies, people smoke after having sex.

Are you talking about smoking weed, because cigs don't really make you high.

[opaque]

Originally Posted by CroMagna

No it doesn't reduce the sex drive. In movies, people smoke after having sex.

Are you talking about smoking weed, because cigs don't really make you high.

Nope, not talking about weed. Just cigs. How about cigars??? Haven't tried them yet

[Agota]

Please forgive me for being blunt, but dude, what's wrong with you???

Smoking is an extremely stupid thing: you would be spending a lot of money on something that will really mess up your health over years and can result in terminal illness such as lung cancer. Do you consider paying money for slowly, but surely killing yourself to be a wise thing to do?

Also, many spiritual teachers have a very clear take on smoking: don't do that. Smoking clogs up your energy channels which leads to all sorts of troubles. In Buddhism it is also considered that the result of clogging up your channels with smoking results in your consciousness leaving your body through places which lead to rebirth in lower spheres. I'm not sure if that makes any sense to you, but smoking really has very negative effects, some of them you might not even know.

You'll probably want to quit after few years if you start smoking now, but nicotine is very addictive. It's easier not to start than to quit.

P.S. Oh, about sex.. I don't know about sex drive, but male smokers often develop problems in bedroom department. Assuming you want to be able to get it up after ten or twenty years, you should really reconsider your smoking ideas.

..and oh, smokers are terrible kissers, because they smell like cigarettes and have yellow teeth.. that's not hot at all and stupidity isn't hot either, so really, God gave you brains, use them: don't start smoking!

P.P.S. Apologies for such an intolerant response, but seriously people, smoking?

[ssandra]

Originally Posted by opaque

Nope, not talking about weed. Just cigs. How about cigars??? Haven't tried them yet

Those don't get you high.

The relaxing effect of cigarettes only comes from first feeling anxious because you feel the withdraw. The cigarette themselves don't help you relax. It just seems relaxing because you are giving in to a craving.

[Philemon]

Originally Posted by opaque

Just because I want to feel high sometimes.

Does it reduce the sex drive?

I'm a smoker. Cigarettes don't get you high. When you start, they make you a little dizzy for about 15-20 seconds, but not high. Once you're addicted, they provide a sort of relief (satisfying the addiction) but it's still not a high.

Drugs get you high, and low, but they can be dangerous in a lot of ways: legally, physically, mentally.

If you want to get a little high now and again, weed probably wouldn't be a bad choice, if you know how to get it safely.

I will say, as a regular smoker of cigarettes and the mary jane, and frankly a regular drinker as well, the most consistent, satisfying, long-lasting high I get is still from completely cleansing myself of toxic things like that and meditating. I do this regularly, and the highs far exceed the substance-based highs - although it does take more effort.

[firenexx]

Smoking regularly is very bad for you, and so is drinking regularly.

Weed is not physically addictive but it can be extremely emotionally addictive.

But, that's probably not what you wanted to hear.

Just because I want to feel high sometimes.

I hope you understand the concept of physical tolerance. It will make you feel high for a little while. Then your body will begin to tolerate the substance, and you will need it just to feel normal. Normal will be like your current high. As tolerance increases, you will need more and more just to feel OK, and the negative effects will increase.

[Acting Like Godot]

Originally Posted by opaque

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

*gasp*

My LOA powers are weak today. I am unable to to see any positive aspects about the smoking habit.

[rawxstasy]

I worked on a cancer floor in a hospital and saw first hand the effects of smoking. You can look forward to yellow stained teeth, bad breath, decreased lung capacity ( aka shortness of breath ) cancer of the lungs ( incurable for the most part - life expectancy 2 years ) portable oxygen tanks, chronic cough. Just to name a few.

People who smoke look older than their actual age. ( most of them look like crap after a few years )

I was married to a smoker. He tried several times to quit. Couldn't do it. I ended up with chronic lung problems from second hand smoke. It took four years of being seperated from him to start feeling better. I still have shortness of breath though.

Please don't start. This is an addiction that is nearly impossible to stop.

[fantasydreamer]

I have first hand experience of being with a 23 year old male smoker, my exboyfriend.

The disadvantages:
His breath stinks (no matter how many toothbrushing/flossing/mouthwash he uses, and worse he can't smell his bad breath)
He looks like he's 27 when he was 22 when I met him
He has shortness of breath like asthmatic people, he needs an inhaler all the time!
When he forgets to bring an inhaler - he can't breathe!
His teeth is so stained, if you will look at the back of his teeth - it's like tar-colored, not just yellow!
His face is way thinner than his body, it's disproportional...it's like he has a small head in a big body.
He can't do any physical activity for so long.
We were picked as a couple to join the "Amazing Race" reality TV show among hundreds of applicants...but we had to decline because he was afraid he'll collapse on the show 'coz of his lung problems.
His nose is always blocked.
He can't stop or quit even if he said he would, so many times he tried.

---i could go on and on...the point is, it's not sexy at all---

[CoolBee]

I'm wondering if the OP is wanting to give up and trying to identify all the positive reasons for staying a smoker so he knows what other things he will be giving up along with the cigs? Maybe not, maybe he really wants to start which along with everyone else I wouldn't recommend.

Anyway, here's the biggest positive reason for smoking that I can come up with (I don't by the way, probably had 20 cigs in over 50 years and I can't inhale as it sends me into an asthma attack!):

The 'doorstep smokers' network in a large organization is the single most powerful network in the company. It spans the entire hierarchy from postroom clerk to CEO (or board members if the CEO is a non-smoker) and many important decisions are made on that doorstep. If you don't smoke and never join the smokers, you have NO idea! (I used to sometimes!)

To those who live in a country where it's allowed to smoke in a building - in the UK, if you are a smoker, then you generally find yourself on the doorstep or carpark outside the building having a crafty one several times a day thereby increasing your annual leave by around 5 weeks per annum... I'm not going to rant now, no really....

Other positive reasons:

it gives you a bit of a mental breathing space, an excuse to take a short time out if you are feeling under pressure

here in the middle East/north Africa, it's a male social bonding thing - something like 95% of males smoke, many since they were boys - whiling away a few hours in the shisha cafe is the equivalent of having a few pints in a British pub

it kills a few minutes if you are deeply bored

it can give you some emotional cover if you don't know how to make conversation - same way as people these days in breaks at conferences hit the mobile phones - to cover social shyness and feeling unable to start or participate in conversations with strangers.

Anyway, I could go on, but I can't personally see any PHYSICAL benefits to smoking, but there are some social benefits.

[coy smile]

Originally Posted by rawxstasy

I worked on a cancer floor in a hospital and saw first hand the effects of smoking. You can look forward to yellow stained teeth, bad breath, decreased lung capacity ( aka shortness of breath ) cancer of the lungs ( incurable for the most part - life expectancy 2 years ) portable oxygen tanks, chronic cough. Just to name a few.

People who smoke look older than their actual age. ( most of them look like crap after a few years )

I was married to a smoker. He tried several times to quit. Couldn't do it. I ended up with chronic lung problems from second hand smoke. It took four years of being seperated from him to start feeling better. I still have shortness of breath though.

Please don't start. This is an addiction that is nearly impossible to stop.

I agree with her

[RonSouther]

Originally Posted by opaque

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

Why are you planning to hurt yourself? Why isn't fresh air good enough for your body?

And why would you need to ask about the disadvantages of smoking? Terrible health, bad breath, $$$$$$, smelly clothes, compulsive addiction...

I'm almost suspecting this thread is a joke?

If you need comfort sucking on something, use a pacifier.

[Cruz]

You're only smelly to non-smokers. Non-smokers can be equally, if not more, smelly to smokers as smoking covers up a whole range of other bad odours. Being a veggie, I personally rather kiss someone who has smoked than who has just eaten a hamburger, nothing like the smell of decaying flesh. I don't smoke (used to but quit as I know it's not good for you), but I never judge those who do, smokers are more fun and laid back. And smoking is enjoyable, funny how we don't come down on those who eat meat, drink alcohol or use pharmaceutical drugs as much as we do smokers (all equally as bad for you).

[RonSouther]

This isn't judgment against smokers. This is a fact of life.

Physical (and mental) health is the root of your being. It's easy to not worry about health when you're healthy. There's simply too much science and too much observation of the follies of smoking as a habit to say, "sure, go for it!"

The beautiful thing about life is that we have the freedom to make these choices. But with that freedom comes the responsibility of the consequences of our choices. If you get it right, you enjoy the reward of harmony. If you get it wrong, you suffer. And with the body, much of the damage we do is not reversible.

Smoking as a habit is simply unintelligent.

[taylor]

Originally Posted by opaque

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

Advantages:
Feels good.
Makes you look like a cool rebel to a certain % of people in certain environments.
Might give you an ego boost for being different than the masses.
Gives you something to do with nervous energy.
Gives you opportunities to take breaks throughout the day.
Adds texture to your personality. (Used in movies for a reason)

Disadvantages:
It's expensive. Add it up and it's no small price.
Death and/or serious illness.
Reduced lung capacity, smokers cough/voice and more moderate general illness.
You smell bad to everyone around you but fellow smokers.
Stains teeth.
Makes you look old.
People like me will avoid you just to avoid second hand smoke.
Turns you into a social pariah. Actually hated by a certain % of people in certain environments.
A % of people will just loose respect for you, see you as a bad influence, low class, ignorant, etc.
Addiction -- Can't Stop. People who are addicted often decide to stop and can't seem to even after extreme measures and years of trying.
Addiction -- Inconvenience. It will be something you have to keep up like a diabetic taking insulin at certain times of the day no matter what else is happening or how inconvenient it is.

It's of course really stupid, but hey I see people riding motorcycles in a tank top and no helmet, not using condoms for casual sex, fat people eating terribly unhealthy food and dying from it, buying overhyped garbage on their credit card and amassing huge debt at 28% interest, etc. You'd be in good company. I don't intend for this to sound mean as I personally think it's your responsibility what you do with your life and I have no ill will towards smokers, it's just really really stupid to me.

I do agree with Cado that if you are going to do it, you might get natural tobacco as those chemical additives are not something you want to be holding in your lungs frequently. Tobacco companies do not care about you and will sell you any garbage as long as it improves their profit for the quarter. A sad fact. Be safe.

[neilpage]

Originally Posted by opaque

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

advantage= you only look cool smoking in your head.
disadvantage= death.

[Karen TDQ]

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

[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.

[ButterflyWoman]

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

[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.

[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

[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.

[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