I met a guy, we have hit it off...but he smokes....

[Sean0775]

I smoke, but mainly just at work and only about a pack a week. Here's my view on the whole smoking/cancer thing.

 

All the studies and statistics about smoking killing people are based on the Baby Boomer generation. In addition to non filtered cigs, the Baby Boomer generation had asbestos, lead paint, coal, fewer safety standards on emissions, and the occasional wood burning stove. If you run a hose from the tailpipe of your car to the interior, it will kill you. Those fumes are going up into the air that we all breathe every day. Mining also used to be a more popular occupation back then, and while I'm sure plenty of miners smoked, I have a lot of trouble putting much blame on smoking in that scenario. I could go on, but there isn't much point since no one ever listens to reason in this debate. Are cigarettes unhealthy? Sure, but there's a lot of other things in this lovely world that are just as bad.

 

And for the record, I ate crappy food and didn't exercise long before I took up smoking. On occasion I will touch tofu, but only if it's mixed in with a huge bowl of Mongolian food. I don't see the point of exercising or joining a health club when I can just go into work and stock some pet food or laundry detergent. That's enough of a total body workout for me, and I'm hardly what you'd call unhealthy (lost 25 lbs in the past 6 months).

[Saxis]

This would be such a tough call for me. With some asthmatic symptoms, just being around smokers is hard sometimes. Quite a few of my friends smoke, and I'll hang outside with them while they do, but being in a car or building with them makes me sick.

 

If I met a girl that I was attracted to and had a connection with, I think I could only give it a chance if she wanted to or was on the verge of quitting.

[AriaIncognito]

And I still stand by my statement. Unless you're a size 4 or below, you really can't afford to be that picky.

 

Wow, just wow.

 

I can understand if you offer an opinion that you're not personally attracted to people you'd consider "overweight" (over size 4 is hardly overweight. i'd hate to hear what you'd say about someone in the double digits) but to make a blanket statement that because someone isn't size 4 or below they can't afford to be picky? Absolutely appaulling.

 

Everyone is entitled to have their wants and needs met for a mate. Nobody should have to settle.

[uniqueone]

 

All the studies and statistics about smoking killing people are based on the Baby Boomer generation. In addition to non filtered cigs, the Baby Boomer generation had asbestos, lead paint, coal, fewer safety standards on emissions, and the occasional wood burning stove. If you run a hose from the tailpipe of your car to the interior, it will kill you. Those fumes are going up into the air that we all breathe every day. Mining also used to be a more popular occupation back then, and while I'm sure plenty of miners smoked, I have a lot of trouble putting much blame on smoking in that scenario. I could go on, but there isn't much point since no one ever listens to reason in this debate. Are cigarettes unhealthy? Sure, but there's a lot of other things in this lovely world that are just as bad.

 

 

I know there's nothing I can say. You're just going to have to find out on your own, but it's hard to sit back and realize that there's nothing that can be done to make those with your beliefs see things differently.

 

You're living as if you're invincible..and that's very common at your age. If they found a spot on your lung tomorrow, you're outlook would change overnight.

 

Do you know why the smokers on this thread are so defensive and so adamant about their smoking? That's addiction talking and addiction will fight to the death anyone or anything that tries to get in its way.

 

And if any smokers reading don't think they're addicted.....try to stop.

[riverbender]

Actually the most self righteous ones are the reformed smokers.

 

hmm, I'm a reformed smoker. I started when I was 11 years old. 1+ packs from the time I was 15. I spend 1.75 hours 6 days a week in the gym and do cardio and yoga at home in the morning. I worked out when I smoked as well. I was a yoga addict for a while. Two sessions a day. And a smoker!!!! OMG! I eat a clean body builder's diet. No refined sugar. I don't even think I could keep down something deep fried. I keep my fats to 15-20% of total calories. I track macro and micro nutrients. I take about 15 different nutritional supplements a day. Oh, and I have a BS in Computer Science, an AA in Paralegal Studies, own and run and IT consulting firm. I didn't accomplish all that in the past two years I've been nicotine free. But eh, I'm just a freak I guess.

 

One of my reasons for quitting was so that I could do more yoga. I never had a problem working out and smoking. Probably because I exercised omg lol. My only problem was that I would start getting the nicotine withdrawal during long workouts.

 

I never had a damn wrinkle until I quit smoking. I think it was the stress that I went through quitting. The trauma I went through while quitting quite literally nearly killed me. I never felt so bad in my life. Physically, mentally and emotionally. It sent me into a major depressive episode. So, I'm not too righteous about it. (I don't think) I know how truly hard it is to quit. I also know how truly bad the stuff smells.

 

Ok I'd better stop or I'm going to get started on cigarettes impact on healthcare costs......now THAT's where things get serious.

And while your at it don't forget to mention refined sugar, hormone pumped meat, trans fat, alcohol,over processed grains, the pharmaceutical industry, insurance industry, greedy medical malpractice lawyers, and the pandering politician's effects' on health care costs.

 

Yes, smoking kills, and so yeah, it's bad. Most anything in excess is bad.

[uniqueone]

hmm, I'm a reformed smoker. I started when I was 11 years old. 1+ packs from the time I was 15. I spend 1.75 hours 6 days a week in the gym and do cardio and yoga at home in the morning. I worked out when I smoked as well. I was a yoga addict for a while. Two sessions a day. And a smoker!!!! OMG! I eat a clean body builder's diet. No refined sugar. I don't even think I could keep down something deep fried. I keep my fats to 15-20% of total calories. I track macro and micro nutrients. I take about 15 different nutritional supplements a day. Oh, and I have a BS in Computer Science, an AA in Paralegal Studies, own and run and IT consulting firm. I didn't accomplish all that in the past two years I've been nicotine free. But eh, I'm just a freak I guess.

 

One of my reasons for quitting was so that I could do more yoga. I never had a problem working out and smoking. Probably because I exercised omg lol. My only problem was that I would start getting the nicotine withdrawal during long workouts.

 

I never had a damn wrinkle until I quit smoking. I think it was the stress that I went through quitting. The trauma I went through while quitting quite literally nearly killed me. I never felt so bad in my life. Physically, mentally and emotionally. It sent me into a major depressive episode. So, I'm not too righteous about it. (I don't think) I know how truly hard it is to quit. I also know how truly bad the stuff smells.

 

 

You are so right....it's great for you! I think you should start smoking again.

 

(you might not be picking up a cigarette anymore but your philosophy hasn't changed about it....unfortunate.)

 

Incidentally, please don't brag about your health. I do know people who have quit but ended up dying of lung cancer not long after. They quit too late, unfortunately. There are also celebrities who that happened to as well. I believe Peter Jennings was one.

 

I'm not going to argue this topic. It's stupid. There's no sense trying to help people who don't want to be helped. They'll find out on their own.

[love4ever]

Smoking is no differnt then anything else you would like to change about somebody. They have to want to change it. Not for you for themselves.

 

Very true, that is why I just don't date smokers. Because if they said they would quit for me...thats means nothing. Also most of them stink lol

 

 

 

Just remember automobiles give off WAY more carbon monixide and harmful chemicals that cigarettes, and no one is trying to outlaw THEM.

 

No one is trying to outlaw them but there are people trying to make them better. And people still resist.

 

And I still stand by my statement. Unless you're a size 4 or below, you really can't afford to be that picky.

 

Wow, just wow.

 

I can understand if you offer an opinion that you're not personally attracted to people you'd consider "overweight" (over size 4 is hardly overweight. i'd hate to hear what you'd say about someone in the double digits) but to make a blanket statement that because someone isn't size 4 or below they can't afford to be picky? Absolutely appaulling.

 

Everyone is entitled to have their wants and needs met for a mate. Nobody should have to settle.

Lol yea so pretty much at 5'6" and 130lbs I'm pretty much a fat bastard and should have taken the first guy to come along.

I don't know Touche I did agree that other poster was wrong to make generalizations but don't lead yourself into fitting into one of those categories.

[The Loacker]

And I hate to make generalizations here but.....smokers are more likely to have other unhealthy habits too...such as fast food...stuff like that.

 

In other words, I can look at a smoker and pretty much be sure that they don't exercise and they don't eat right.

 

Umm...what? I smoke, yet I eat healthy and work out. Smoking does not equate to an overall unhealthy lifestyle, it's just a habit some of us picked up and stuck with. Many of my smoker friends also work out and eat healthy.

[ahah2322]

i don't smoke at all and will never unless something really life-changing happens. smoking is just weird...health considerations aside, it doesn't look glamourous to me. i will never date someone that does. my bf tried it the other time. i was so hurt... but that's another story.

[uniqueone]

Umm...what? I smoke, yet I eat healthy and work out. Smoking does not equate to an overall unhealthy lifestyle, it's just a habit some of us picked up and stuck with. Many of my smoker friends also work out and eat healthy.

 

That's good to know. I was basing it on all the smokers that I know.

 

My question now though to the smokers who work out is....why bother?

[The Loacker]

LOL, why bother? Because you do get gains from working out even if you smoke. Newsflash: smoking does not halt all biological processes in your body.

[blind_otter]

I'm at the stage where I'm kind of angry with my Dad for smoking for so long and cutting his life short. So what, he was 77 when he died. I want him here, now, still. HIs grandchildren miss him. His wife misses him. Everyone misses him. And he did it to himself. He wouldn't quit, even when I was 14 and I started smoking.

 

Smoking makes me angry. I hate it.

[uniqueone]

Newsflash: smoking does not halt all biological processes in your body.

 

Really?

 

http://www.smoking-cessation.org/content/healthissues.asp

[The Loacker]

Doesn't say anything about it halting all biological processes in your body (which is impossible to do anyway unless you die). Basically what I'm saying is, even if I smoke, going to the gym will make me healthier. I will build muscle by going to the gym, even if I smoke. My stamina will increase if I do cardio, even if I smoke. I will lose weight by going to the gym, even if I smoke.

 

Why should I avoid all those benefits just because I smoke? It makes no sense.

[uniqueone]

Doesn't say anything about it halting all biological processes in your body (which is impossible to do anyway unless you die). Basically what I'm saying is, even if I smoke, going to the gym will make me healthier. I will build muscle by going to the gym, even if I smoke. My stamina will increase if I do cardio, even if I smoke. I will lose weight by going to the gym, even if I smoke.

 

Why should I avoid all those benefits just because I smoke? It makes no sense.

 

 

I'm being a bit facetious here....but still serious.......

 

My point is....why build stamina....why build muscle....why lose weight....when.....you're dying? I've given examples before, but I'll give them again. It's like going to workout at the gym and then having a nice healthy salad that's laced with cyanide. See the irony?

[Darkzen]

I'm being a bit facetious here....but still serious.......

 

My point is....why build stamina....why build muscle....why lose weight....when.....you're dying? I've given examples before, but I'll give them again. It's like going to workout at the gym and then having a nice healthy salad that's laced with cyanide. See the irony?

 

We die a little everyday, smoking just speeds up the process. Working out isn't typically done to be healthy anyways, most people work out to look better. Eating fast food also speeds up the process, so does a number of other things. People pick and choose their battles, no one is perfect.

 

Bottom line is that we do plenty of things that are bad for us each and every day... get off your soapbox already. You're not perfect or the epitome of a healthy lifestyle. Everyone can do more to be healthy, why don't you do more? Especially if you want to talk down to people that don't do enough, in your eyes.

 

Smoking isn't good for you, no $hit. Get over it, I'm sure we could find things that you do, which aren't good for you as well. I used to be a smoker, I haven't been a smoker in a while. I do have a cigarette occasionally, big deal... do you work-out every single day, are there not days that you put the gym off?

 

You have no right to preach about flaws, unless you're flawless IMHO. Offering advice is fine, but you're not doing that.

[Art_Critic]

What I find interesting about this thread is the polar opposite opinions of people who have been touched in some form by cancer caused by smoking and those that smoke and haven't been touched... Yet...

[uniqueone]

Smoking isn't good for you, no $hit. Get over it, I'm sure we could find things that you do, which aren't good for you as well. I used to be a smoker, I haven't been a smoker in a while. I do have a cigarette occasionally, big deal... do you work-out every single day, are there not days that you put the gym off?

 

Hmmmm....you sorta picked the wrong person, I'm afraid.....

 

I don't drink

I don't smoke

I work out EVERY day...yes, every single day

I don't eat junk food....no fast food....no candy...no vending machines....

I eat lots of vegetables, healthy carbs and lean protein and I stay well-hydrated

 

Sorry...but you DID ask......

 

You have no right to preach about flaws, unless you're flawless IMHO. Offering advice is fine, but you're not doing that.

 

I think that I WAS offering advice. Saying not to smoke isn't offering advice to you?

 

And it's not preaching about flaws. It's trying to get people to be healthy. If someone sees it as preaching about flaws, then that tells me how they view their habit in themselves.

[Art_Critic]

Both my father and my Step Mom smoked while I was growing up..

 

I will never forget a family emergency I caused when I would out out my Step Mom's cigs when she would turn her back..

I was told how much money I was wasting and told to stop..

The talk lasted over 2 days from both my Dad and My Step Mom..

 

My Step Mom died in 2002 from Lung cancer due to cig smoking.

[uniqueone]

Both my father and my Step Mom smoked while I was growing up..

 

I will never forget a family emergency I caused when I would out out my Step Mom's cigs when she would turn her back..

I was told how much money I was wasting and told to stop..

the talk lasted over 2 days from both my Dad and My Step mom

 

That's really sad. Too bad they didn't realize how much money they'd be spending on their health later on.

 

Btw, did you see those old tv commercials in the link I posted? Unbelieveable. One shows the dad smoking right in his son's face.

[Art_Critic]

Btw, did you see those old tv commercials in the link I posted? Unbelieveable. One shows the dad smoking right in his son's face.

 

Yeah..RJR was one of our largest accounts back in the day..

We worked on all those ads..

Back then nobody really knew just how bad it was for you.. today we know..

 

My dad also died from lung cancer in 1987 due to cig smoking...

He smoked Camels.. the same ones John Wayne smoked

[Kasan]

What I find interesting about this thread is the polar opposite opinions of people who have been touched in some form by cancer caused by smoking and those that smoke and haven't been touched... Yet...

 

I have noticed this too.....I am witnessing firsthand the impact of smoking for years on people that I care/d about. I lost an aunt to lung cancer recently and my ex-sister-in-law whom I love like a sister was just diagnosed with lung cancer--she is 52.

 

I was a smoker--but gave it up 28 years ago--my husband continued to smoke for a couple of years after I quit and it was gross-but he did finally quit.

[uniqueone]

Yeah..RJR was one of our largest accounts back in the day..

We worked on all those ads..

Back then nobody really knew just how bad it was for you.. today we know..

 

My dad also died from lung cancer in 1987 due to cig smoking...

He smoked Camels.. the same ones John Wayne smoked

 

Oh wow...those were the worst. Unfiltered, right?

[uniqueone]

I have noticed this too.....I am witnessing firsthand the impact of smoking for years on people that I care/d about. I lost an aunt to lung cancer recently and my ex-sister-in-law whom I love like a sister was just diagnosed with lung cancer--she is 52.

 

I was a smoker--but gave it up 28 years ago--my husband continued to smoke for a couple of years after I quit and it was gross-but he did finally quit.

 

 

I've seen coworkers die and I had two uncles die from it. Fortunately my parents never smoked. Only one of my many siblings smoked but she ended up quitting finally.

 

Btw, to the smokers here....smoking doesn't always kill RIGHT away. My one uncle ended up with a tumor in his jaw and they removed the tumor and also had to remove part of his tongue.

[luvmy2ns]

Oh, but it's the personality that counts... right? Not the way he smells.