Smoking

  • kara

    kara (100)

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    This thread can focus on all types of smoking (illegal drugs and nicotine) but I want to focus on just cigarette smoking.

    Cigarette Smoking Statistics (based on the United States)

    In the United States, an estimated 25.1 million men (23.4 percent) and 20.9 million women (18.5 percent) are smokers. These people are at higher risk of heart attack and stroke. The latest estimates for persons age 18 and older show...*

    Among non-Hispanic whites, 24.1 percent of men and 20.4 percent of women smoke (2004).

    Among non-Hispanic blacks, 23.9 percent of men and 17.2 percent of women smoke.

    Among Hispanics, 18.9 percent of men and 10.9 percent of women smoke.

    Among Asians (only), 17.8 percent of men and 4.8 percent of women smoke.

    Among American Indians/Alaska Natives, 37.3 percent of men and 28.5 percent of women smoke.

    Studies show that smoking prevalence is higher among those who had earned a GED diploma (39.6 percent) and among those with 9-11 years of education (34.0 percent) compared with those with more than 16 years of education (8.0 percent). It's highest among persons living below the poverty level (29.1 percent).

    * National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), 2004, National Center for Health Statistics and NHLBI

    Cigarette smoking is a addictive, and also very hard to quit.

    Almost 15 million smokers try to quit each year, yet less than 5% reach their one-year anniversary. For these smokers the key to stopping may seem elusive. But the facts of nicotine addiction are no mystery.

    Nicotine from smoking changes the structure and function of your brain. When the brain stops getting the nicotine it's used to, you begin feeling strong withdrawal cravings. These cravings for cigarettes are actually your brain craving nicotine.

    Fact: Cigarettes are highly efficient nicotine delivery devices and can be as addictive as drugs such as heroin or cocaine.

    That's the forgotten side of "kicking the habit." Nicotine addiction drives your smoking habit. And unless you can beat the cravings that come from nicotine addiction, you can't beat the habit.

    I grew up around smokers and it didn't bother me until I got into sports. I was lucky enough to escape anything harmful like second-hand smoke or breathing problems. But it did affect small things along the way. Some kids aren't as fortunate, and have even developed lung cancer just from second hand smoke.

    How do you all feel about smoking?
    July 13th, 2007 at 11:35pm
  • Tre the Cool.

    Tre the Cool. (100)

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    My mom smokes, and my dad used to. She doesn't smoke in the house though, but it still bugs me. I can't stand the smell of it.

    She's been smoking since she was 13, and said its super hard to quit.

    My dad quit a week before his sister died. It's been...almost 9 years...
    July 13th, 2007 at 11:57pm
  • libbey crocodile.

    libbey crocodile. (100)

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    I can't stand smoking. It just makes me mad. My Nana died of lung cancer a few years ago. She never even smoked. It was just second-hand smoke. I don't think it's fair. I don't think it is fair that when smokers smoke their disgusting habit is polluting the rest of the population's lungs too.

    I work at an icecream store, and we have windows which we serve people from. I find it really rude when people smoke right by the window, because the wind blows the smoke into our store. Fuck, I don't want to inhale your smoke. It's disgusting.
    July 14th, 2007 at 12:11am
  • The Way

    The Way (1400)

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    I wish Gerard Way would stop. More than anything, even more than wishing they'd come here for a concert. It might kill him.

    Same for everyone else out there. It's not the nicotine that kills you; it's just what keeps you addicted. There are far more lethal chemicals in these things.
    July 14th, 2007 at 01:35am
  • Tre the Cool.

    Tre the Cool. (100)

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    The Way:
    I wish Gerard Way would stop. It might kill him.
    I feel the same way.

    And I think Mike Dirnt smokes too...

    and if BJ and Tré do too, I want them to stop.

    I've tried getting my mom to stop so many times, but she just yells at me and tells me to mind my own business. Sad
    July 14th, 2007 at 01:38am
  • Chemical Heart.

    Chemical Heart. (150)

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    I used to think smoking was disgusting, and promised myself I'd never try it.
    But when you're drunk promises don't always stick.
    Now I still dislike it, but there is plenty of information and help for people out there to stop, they just have to take the first step and want to do it.

    Although it angers me how smokers are a huge drain on our health systems when there is people who are dying from something they didn't choose to have or inflict on themselves.
    July 14th, 2007 at 01:53am
  • Chemical Heart.

    Chemical Heart. (150)

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    inspiritual:
    I used to think smoking was disgusting, and promised myself I'd never try it.
    But when you're drunk promises don't always stick.
    Now I still dislike it, but there is plenty of information and help for people out there to stop, they just have to take the first step and want to do it.

    Although it angers me how smokers are a huge drain on our health systems when there is people who are dying from something they didn't choose to have or inflict on themselves. And some of them don't have any respect when smoking around non-smokers.
    July 14th, 2007 at 01:56am
  • kara

    kara (100)

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    My parents both used to smoke. My dad had to stop after he had his heart attack, but occasionally I'd catch him outside with one. Not a lot, though. They weren'r heavy smokers, but whenever I'd go out and play as a kid, all the adults would be out there watching us, smoking. I guess it wasn't as big of an issue back then as it is today.
    July 14th, 2007 at 02:16am
  • Chemical Heart.

    Chemical Heart. (150)

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    It was only about 10 years ago or something that all these smoking campaigns started coming in. Before that people saw it acceptable to smoke, as they only knew very slightly of the risk or had begun smoking when they were also teens when people knew hardly anything about the health issues associated with smoking.

    My dad use to smoke. He quit, but occasionally I catch him and I get angry at him. If he only smoking occasionally in social settings I won't say anything because I have done that before. But if he is just smoking outside on his own because he feels he needs it I get really cranky because I'm worried he'll become addicted again.

    Edit: I also just realised I'd posted my last message twice by accident.
    July 14th, 2007 at 02:26am
  • kara

    kara (100)

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    inspiritual:
    It was only about 10 years ago or something that all these smoking campaigns started coming in. Before that people saw it acceptable to smoke, as they only knew very slightly of the risk or had begun smoking when they were also teens when people knew hardly anything about the health issues associated with smoking.

    My dad use to smoke. He quit, but occasionally I catch him and I get angry at him. If he only smoking occasionally in social settings I won't say anything because I have done that before. But if he is just smoking outside on his own because he feels he needs it I get really cranky because I'm worried he'll become addicted again.

    Edit: I also just realised I'd posted my last message twice by accident.
    XD Don' worry about it. The best of us hit the 'Quote' instead of 'Edit'.

    My dad feels the need to smoke after drinking. He's usually smoking by himself outside but the minute I'm out there he gets rid of the cigarette. I'm glad he looks out for my health.
    July 14th, 2007 at 02:33am
  • Chemical Heart.

    Chemical Heart. (150)

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    Thats really good of him. My dads not like that.
    He trys to be sneaky and wait for no one to be around and he'll go out and smoke but then you can smell it as soon as he comes inside because he reaks of it.

    I hate being in public areas where there is clearly a sign telling people not to smoke but they do it anyway. I just want to walk up to them and scream.
    July 14th, 2007 at 02:43am
  • billie.

    billie. (100)

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    I was like, the only kid in primary school who's parents didn't smoke.
    July 14th, 2007 at 06:30am
  • princess.

    princess. (350)

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    My parents don't smoke. I don't smoke. My brother...Well, I'm not really sure. I've watched him take a few puffs and then he's turn around and told me he doesn't smoke. He then told me he would explain later. He has yet to do so.

    I think it's absolutely disgusting. I lived in Spain for a while, and before that the smoke never really bothered me. But when I came back, over four years ago now, the smell of it just...I hated it. Still do, actually. I can't deal with it very well. If I'm standing even twenty feet away from someone smoking, if I'm there for long my nose starts twitching and it gets hard for me to breathe. I have to leave every time.

    In Europe the smoking problem is even worse than it is in the United States. It's so bad there. We would go to the subway, on our way to school or whatever, and there were advertisements that said [in Spanish]: "You don't smoke for the eight hours you're asleep. Why should you need to on the subway?" And people would walk by, puffing away. Throwing their cigarettes at the sign.

    The smoking problem in Spain has actually gone down quite a bit since I've been there last, according to my parents. But in France, Italy, Germany, I know it's still really really bad.

    ...At least one of my wifeys smokes and it bugs the fuck out of me. -shakes fist- She knows who she is.
    July 14th, 2007 at 06:42am
  • Buffy Summers

    Buffy Summers (100)

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    I tried smoking but I didn't like the way it made me feel.

    I don't ever want to feel like that again and I never want to smoke again.

    My dad smokes and I hate it so much.

    So I pretty much don't like cigarettes.
    July 14th, 2007 at 07:43am
  • skullring

    skullring (250)

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    my granmother had breast cancer, then kept smoking.
    ???
    she's the only one in myy family that does.
    i think it's SO selfish that she's doing that; you came out alive from one cancer, and you're going to risk it more?
    July 14th, 2007 at 07:45am
  • princess.

    princess. (350)

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    My dad's uncle smoked cigars. Like a chimney, as the saying goes. But after he had his son at the age of fifty-something he all but quit. He had I think three double bypass surgeries and one triple bypass. Four heart attacks. We all knew he was dying when he took up smoking and drinking again - a lot. He passed in February of '02 at the age of 82 or something. He lived a good life and though I think smoking is a nasty habit, he lived through it for eighty-odd years.
    July 14th, 2007 at 07:57am
  • RENT.

    RENT. (150)

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    I think it's a disgusting habit.
    July 14th, 2007 at 09:29am
  • folie a dru.

    folie a dru. (1270)

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    I used to smoke.
    I quit for Andie.
    It wasn't hard for me.
    I really only crave cigarettes when I'm depressed or 150% stressed.
    And I smoked about two packs a week for almost two years, since my junior year of high school.
    Because my friends did.
    July 14th, 2007 at 11:07am
  • Chemical Heart.

    Chemical Heart. (150)

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    Princess.:
    In Europe the smoking problem is even worse than it is in the United States. It's so bad there. We would go to the subway, on our way to school or whatever, and there were advertisements that said [in Spanish]: "You don't smoke for the eight hours you're asleep. Why should you need to on the subway?" And people would walk by, puffing away. Throwing their cigarettes at the sign.

    The smoking problem in Spain has actually gone down quite a bit since I've been there last, according to my parents. But in France, Italy, Germany, I know it's still really really bad.
    There is a big problem with smoking up in Scandinavia as well. When I was an exchange student I attended a language school for the first few weeks and they had the little "No Smoking" signs absolutely everywhere through the building, but still you'd walk into the corridors and into the bathrooms and they'd reak of cigarette smoke. It was so disgusting, sometimes it made me feel sick to the stomach.

    I also use to hate going to clubs because the next day when I came home I would smell of cigarette smoke, whether I had touched one that night or not.
    July 14th, 2007 at 01:12pm
  • Kerplunk Girl

    Kerplunk Girl (150)

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    I've been smoking for a long time. I don't want to quit, but I will pay for it when I get cancer or something.

    I hate it when people have no tolerance for those people that do smoke.

    There is this south park ep. where Kyle's mum takes the boys to a tolerance museum, because they were being homophobic against Mr Garrison (but he was trying to get fired from his job for being gay so he could sue the school.)
    Anyway...at the tolerance museum, they had everything on being tolerant against prejudice's, like fat people, races and so on.
    When they finished the tour, the four kids learned to be tolerant. The tour guide took them outside, and there was someone smoking, and all the people that just learned to be 'tolerant and respectful of peoples life choices,' started yelling at the smoker and telling him that he was disgusting and a pig and stuff.

    (Did that make sense?)

    I just think that smoking is a choice only the person can make, and I don't think they should ban it from places like school. (That may sound stupid, but when I was in school, I would get really angry during the day because I didn't have a smoke, so I would sneak out of school and go have one, and get in trouble for walking out of school. I think that could of been avoided if they had some kind leave for five minutes for the Senior students.)

    My view on smoking is very different from the above. :lol:
    July 14th, 2007 at 03:36pm