Talk Elections

Got me thinking after my exchange with Fezzy.

Bonus: If you smoke cigarettes or cigars, what's your favourite brand?

No. Nasty habit.

I voted option 2 thinking just of tobacco, but based on the poll I should've voted option 3, for weed.

Yes, luxury cigarettes and weed.

By the way, I looked up the Nat Sherman's and apparently they're a little difficult to find and cost more money. I'll try looking around at some gas stations, but I highly doubt they'll be there. I might have to wait until I'm 18 to try them :P

I've tried to like cigarettes (but never cigars, those are just objectively gross). How someone can stomach more than like two menthols a week or one drag of Reds without vomiting is something I will never quite grasp.

Menthols are fantastic and Reds are beautiful.

You're like six, you don't smoke.

Anyways, just cigars now. Quit smoking over a year and a half ago, never going back to it. That's over a decade of a horrible habit.

6 3/4 and I beg to differ.

No, last time I smoked was probably about 5 to 8 years ago.

No - never have and never will.

I'm the only one who voted for option three? I feel bad now.

People here don't party.

No, I don't smoke anything, and on those rare occasions when I did (weed only) back in university days, I must admit it made me cough so terribly I could not make a habit of it.

Which is why we're here.

I was saying the very same thing until my final HS grade.

Why on earth would you want anybody else to know about it, and then subject them to your second-hand smoke?  If I smoked, I'd be sure to only do so in private, for much the same reasons that I fart and pick my nose in private too.  Smoking is one of the most antisocial activities around, and you do it at parties?!

Woah sorry. It isn't taboo. :P

Smoking is actually a very social activity, and don't get me wrong it isn't like I do it all the time, but hey, you only live once. Plus I'm at University so what do you expect?

I believe its sarcasm.

You can never be too sure on this forum, aha.

No. I enjoy not having cancer.

You believe wrong.

Those who believe smoking isn't antisocial are the same type of people who think it's a great idea to start doing it in the first place, so their judgement is already distorted.

Lol wow.

A good majority of forumites are sensible people. This is good.

I grew up in a family with many smokers so I always considered smoking something normal. Nevertheless (or maybe "that's why"?) I never felt attracted to smoking and didn't start. I'm still quite indifferent to smoking and don't care or mind if someone next to me smokes.

Great rebuttal!

This bothers me. Not all smokers get cancer. Even so, no matter how childish it sounds, I'd rather die at 50-something knowing I lived a fun life and smoked than live to be 90 and not have had any fun at all.

Well said. Longer life =/= better life. Smoking a cigarette is no different from having a coffee, an alcoholic beverage or driving an automobile.

I absolutely agree.

Because smoking is the key to living a fun life? I know you'll have loads of fun lugging around your oxygen tank and undergoing chemo.

Beat me to it.  That POV is one of the more retarded arguments in favor of smoking there are.

For some people, yes. Others drink coffee or use PCP or go skydiving. It isn't any of my business though. Different people have different tastes. You can get cancer just from going to the beach.

My tastes run towards not dying of small-cell lung cancer.

You can develop or avoid lung cancer irregardless of smoking cigarettes.
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Your totally on-topic photoshopped picture of the president and your use of the non-word "irregardless" has completely convinced me of your ironclad position.

Who cares if its photoshopped? "Irregardless" is an oft-used colloquialism and is acceptable in informal conversation. I don't see the problem. If you are in Las Vegas and still think smoking is antisocial then you might need to think about some things for a while.

Like Napoleon said, having fun is subjective. My great grandfather smoked a pipe for about 60 years and died of old age at 95.

For some people, having fun is living a normal life and going to see a movie every once and a while. For others, it's doing acid and dodging traffic.

This is true. Smoking however leads to a multifold increase in the likelihood of dying. And a picture of a man who I strongly disagree with is supposed to make me think what, exactly?

The picture serves no real purpose beyond my own amusement, rather similar to posting on this forum or smoking in that regard.

Your likelihood of dying has always been 100% and I don't foresee changes to your chances anytime soon. But, you do many things that put you at risk for death, I don't need to know you to know that and you are better off saying that smoking doesn't appeal to you so you abstain, instead of being prudish and moralistic about it. Do you drink sodas, eat fast food or use automobiles as transportation?

Ah, the old I had a grandad who smoked 300 cigarettes and he lived until he was a hundred and two chestnut, similarly I had two great uncles who smoked about 20 a day and died aged 40, all of their 7 siblings are still alive and never smoked. Look, I know lots of smokers and have absolutely nothing against them, but trying to say smoking doesn't have a huge effect on your life expectancy is just stupid.

Oh, and never.

I've never smoked anything. I might try a cigar some time, though I don't intend to make a habit of it.

I haven't seen anyone argue that smoking wont impact one's life expectancy. I have seen some ridiculous posts like "smoking leads to death". Think about it, life leads to death. So I don't try to act like smoking doesn't impact one's life expectancy but:

1. I don't particularly care. I smoke for my own enjoyment.

2. I am not convinced by the moralizing of nonsmokers. I highly doubt they abstain from all risky behaviors. Prioritizing them and choosing not to smoke is fine but acting like its anything beyond that and you just look like a douche IMO. It's also pretty condescending when people seem to think that smoking turns one into some line of addicted cigarette zombie. That only happens if you want it to happen. You seem to understand a bit better though, which is good.

Jack White smokes, all of your arguments are invalid:

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I quit smoking cigarettes about 6-7 months ago.  While I was never a very heavy smoker, I smoked enough that I can still really feel the difference now that I have stopped. It has made my quality of life better and doing cardio much easier. TBS, smokers and being around smoking do not bother me at all and I'm not a big fan of some of the smoking bans they put out.

Dying of cancer does not appeal to me, so I abstain. Better? And to respond to the question, while I travel in automobiles and occasionally eat fast food, I do not drink soda. The comparison is ridiculous anyway: driving an automobile has little effect compared to smoking on your likelihood of cancer, and eating fast food does not cause people around you to be forced to consume it as well.

I'm saying this after my HS grade, and I'll still be saying it after my Uni grade, after my first job, after my second job, after my last job, after my retirement and after my death.

I don't care if other people smoke, and I'm not going to get into a stupid argument with them that accomplishes nothing and results in both parties staying firmly where they were at the beginning. I will judge smokers, though. The smell on your clothes, having to leave social events for some time to go outside and smoke (or worse, if you do it around others), spending so much money to endanger your own health and even the health of others. If that's your prerogative, I won't stop you.

Some of the peeps here trying to take such a moral anti-smoking stance need to just chill out.

I don't smoke cigarettes any more, but I used to, from about 15/16 until when I quit last October (I'm 21 now, so that's only 5-6 years).

There came a moment when I realised that if you smoke you're effectively spending an obscene amount of money to rent the feeling of normality until the nicotine wears off and you need to top up again. And I was sick of feeling lousy, having yellow teeth, etc, etc.

I still occasionally miss smoking, sure - I especially miss the way nicotine would take the edge off if you were feeling tired - but the longer I go after quitting the more ridiculous it seems to me that I ever spent ~ $10 a day on a pack of cigarettes, and it seems much grosser.

I don't "judge" smokers - the moralising in this thread is pretty silly, as if you should be congratulated for not putting objectively awful chemicals into your body. Personally, I'm glad I stopped, and despite the occasional pang of nostalgia (quickly dissipated by memories of bronchitis!) I don't regret it.

I didn't stop because of a fear of cancer, mind you - that seemed very abstract - I stopped because I didn't like feeling disgusting unless I had my pack a day. Nicotine withdrawal is unpleasant.

There's also the fact that smoking really doesn't make you feel good after a couple of months - that initial sickly buzz is a thing of the past and the only good feeling smoking causes is your brain effectively sighing in relief from getting your fix. Again, I knew this a few months in, but didn't quit for five years. :P

EDIT:


I know you're young and so you've probably just started, but trust me, you'll realise how dumb this attitude is. I'm not saying that everyone who smokes wants to quit - although vast majorities do - but the idea that smoking somehow correlates with "fun" will - very soon- be hilarious to you. "Awesome, I'm going out to the garage in the rain at 7 in the morning to buy Camels! Party on!"

:(

Smoking for nearly ten years, I have never had an entire pack in one day. Maybe 12 cigs.

I feel normal until I smoke a cig, I don't smoke a cig to feel normal.

Smoked weed for almost two years, but one day I realized I could live it and enjoy parties and the life in general even more without it. I've never smoked cigarettes, and will never do so.

Oh, talking about old people who smoke all the time, here you have:

1- Oscar Nyemeyer (104)

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2- Santiago Carrillo (97)

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Both of them are still alive. But, avoid smoking. It hasn't got any benefit. And it can kill you.I'm Julio and I approve this message (my friend's dad died of a lung cancer caused by cigarettes).

Well, sure, it's different for everyone, and I can only talk about my experience. Maybe you're lucky in that regard. Hell, there's some people who can smoke five cigarettes a week, not get addicted, and feel fine.

Although f--- those people. :P

I suppose i'm lucky but I imagine that addiction sucks no matter what the substance happens to be.

One good reason not to smoke:

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I voted 3 as well.

Cigarettes are pure evil and should be fought as such.

(other smoking materials might be just as bad per se, but the cigarettes' social pervasiveness is what makes them so unbearable)

Yeah, I'm not making cigarettes out to be some great moral evil here (I hope), but while addiction sucks, I think the only thing the average person - who's not dabbling in prescription pills or crack or something - is going to get addicted to apart from cigarettes is caffeine, which is much less harmful - although caffeine withdrawal is maybe even worse than nicotine withdrawal.

No, and I never have and never will. Still, I don't have anything personal against people who do and think that that shaming stigma thing that some people like going for is both unpleasant and a mistake.

Just cigarettes.

I've never smoked a whole pack too.

Although for the favourites discussion, Marlboro Smooths, Marlboro Skylines and Camel Crushes are way cool. I'm cool with Marlboro Reds and Marlboro Lights, too.

Newports are awful.

I'm smoking right now.  Currently Pyramids, but normally Bronsons.  Yes, I like cheap cigs.

I essentially quit smoking anything about a year and a half ago.  I've had maybe five cigarettes total since then.

Zizek claims that the 'stigma' you refer to is a reaction towards the spectacle of people openly consuming a product with full knowledge of its potentially detrimental effects; this in an age of products deprived of their detrimental effects: chocolate laxatives, SUVs that are good on gas, diet sodas, and, of course, electronic cigarettes.

I used to smoke weed a lot. Never cigarettes. Nothing in years.

To those who clearly misunderstood my point here - I don't personally give a sh**t what people do on their own, or to themselves, or their lungs.  My point was that it is extremely rude to do it around other people who don't smoke.  The increased risk of cancer is one thing; having my hair and clothes smell like a dumpster due to somebody else's habit is just unacceptable.  Would you like it if I spat all over you at a party, and then got all affronted when asked to stop?

"Social smoking" is an oxymoron, and it's very telling that the smokers in this thread apparently don't get that.

Yes (marijuana)

Oh, heavens no, I don't have problems with smokers, I just prefer not to be around them when they do.  I have too many other bad habits (fast food, regular soda, mostly sedentary lifestyle) that are already causing health conditions and don't feel like adding asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, COPD, and lung cancer to the list.  I'm having a heck of a time managing what I've got now, I don't need to throw more irons in the fire.

I have an adage, "put too many irons in the fire, your house burns down."

Some alarming statistics....So if you don't smoke you have a very very very small chance to get lung cancer.  If you smoke a half a pack/day, you have a 1 in 200 chance.  If you smoke 1-2 packs, it's 1.5%.  If it's over 2 pack/day your chances raise up to an "alarming" 2 in 100.

Yes, it also increases your chances to get several other cancers.  But it's the same kind of statistics.  You go from having a 1 in 75000 chance of getting butt cancer to 1 in 33000 (those are not actual numbers).  Yes, smokers smell.  Yes, it's rude to smoke in the same room as someone bothered by it.  Yes it's not healthy, but it's nowhere near as unhealthy as being a complete fat ass or a heavy drinker.

Weed daily and hookah every couple months.

Cigars, but not since May because it's too damn hot outside.

I never smoked tobacco.

I can see why you would have strong feelings on this..you do live in Las Vegas. I must say I find all the smoking in the casinos to be very annoying and inconsiderate of other people. I think smoking can be something social, obviously so in the case of weed but it can be with cigarettes as well. Just take it outside.

Rude people are going to do rude things whether they smoke or don't. Making generalizations beyond that doesn't do any good.

That's a hardcore way to live.

Quit.

Question for those in this thread - opinion of e-cigarettes? Dorky and healthy or a scam? :P

No, and cigarette smoking should be banned in all public venues.

Yes, this.

The amazing thing is the smokers who aren't generally rude people, and yet don't even realize their behavior is antisocial, or worse, dont even care.  I don't get the cognitive dissonance of these people.

I don't really get cigarette smoking.  I totally get trying marijuana, but I don't get what would attract someone to trying cigarettes in the first place.  I'm not trying to project my own feelings here, it's just hard to imagine someone saying "hey, that looks like fun, and the possibility of addiction is worth it."

It's a mild stimulant and you look cool.

No, and I absolutely hate being around it.

"Mild stimulant" isn't really that impressive of a pedigree, is all I'm saying.  But it does look pretty awesome

Never tried them, but everyone I know who has tried them says they're a pretty good alternative to regular cigarettes.

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^^^

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I'm rather torn on this issue. Why not just have designated smoking areas in most public venues? That'd seem like a good alternative.

If i'm not smoking whilst your breastfeeding, or drinking whilst driving on the same highway as you, or shoiting up at the local kfc while you're waiting for the loo... It doesn't really matter as long as I'm happy with my choices. Kindasorta. Because if I get cirrhodis or hiv or lung cancer, you have to pay for my treatment. A bit of it, anyway. Which doesn't really matter, because you get a lifetime of feeling morally superior to me.

Don't smoke tobacco products youngins.

Smoke weed instead? :P

Quite the opposite, my friend. :P

If you can deal with the legal realities, I'd much rather see somebody smoke pot than cigarettes. Nicotine is a much more addictive and deadly drug.

I haven't smoked in 4 years but have nothing against smoking.

And I really can not think of a single good reason to smoke tobacco. Like seriously, none. If I had to experiment with some drugs, I would seriously rather do heroin or meth, at least those give you some cool side effects. Tobacco is the most pointless thing ever to use.

Speak for yourself. :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BsI-G1Ez2_8 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BsI-G1Ez2_8)

And suddenly your "accidental gay date" thread makes a lot more sense.

Maybe it was as accidental as we thought.

I can't decide which one of you is more ridiculous.

You seriously have to decide whether the person who says he'd rather do heroin or meth--arguably the most dangerous drugs known to man--is more or less "ridiculous" than the person who called him on it? Seriously?

there are safe ways to use heroin, and it is no more habit-forming than nicotine.

only tried it twice in my life.

I think you are missing the point. This was more of a comment of the abysmal content both posters in question produce.

I've smoked the flavored tobacco, hookah.  Probably the cleanest of them all.