Cigarette smoking... The ins and outs of a nasty habit.

[Chaosculture]

This is a contuation from the Pet Peeves thread. Here we are to debate the on-going struggle between smokers and non-smokers in great detail. Remember: Respect is necessary. This is a friendly debate. I'm thinking in order to understand your position, all should provide this label at the beginning of their post:

Smoker:

or

Non-Smoker:

Yes, I know, the Non-Smokers have more to type... but you all have more lung capacity now don't you?

[Darkness]

"Is it okay to talk about the difference between chemicalized tobacco and all natural tobacco, as well?"

[vortec1]

Do us all a favor live longer!:)

[Chaosculture]

I don't see why not. I mean, there's not really a need to start a thread for that. BTW. American Spirits = Awesome if they were cheaper

[UNDEAD FRED]

Im a non smoker, Im not against smoking. I wont let people smoke in my vehicle or home. What they do in thier home or vehicle is thier buisness. Plus cigarettes are to expensive. I know here in California they tax them heavily. They are allmost $4+ a pack. My main bitch is the cigarette butts everywhere.

[Chaosculture]

Smoker:

I hate cigarette butts everywhere too! I know they eventually bio-degrade and all, but (no pun intended) in the meantime the city looks disgusting (and Richmond doesn't need any help to accomplish this look). I usually flick off the ember and shove the butt in my pocket until a proper receptacle comes along.

[vortec1]

Yes, those butts every where even in my yard. I dont smoke! Its the people who hang around.:drool:

[UNDEAD FRED]

Here in California they slapped on a dollar a pack tax on cigs a few years ago, supposely to pay for uninsured people who have smoking related medicle problems. If the money really goes there, who knows??? You cannot smoke in restraunts, bars, and even around bus stops. I heard in Europe they put pictures of peoples cancered lungs on cigarette packs.

[Darkness]

"I roll my own cigarettes, and I use a natural tobacco, no filter. When I switched from the 'chemical laden prepackaged' cigarettes I actually went through about two to three weeks of chemical withdrawal."

"Afterwards, I found myself not only smoking less, but breathing much better. I also discovered that more and more of my non-smoking friends stopped complaining about the smell of my smoking. Plus it cost less than half the price per pouch."

"Almost all 'prepackaged' cigarettes are laced with heavy chemicals, from the time the seed is planted to when they are chemically dried in vats, to the very paper they are wrapped and packaged in. In my opinion that's where all the bad health is coming from. These chemicals are deadly, and extremely addictive."

"The Indians have been smoking natural, wild, red leaf tobacco, green leaf tobacco, and cannabis since their beginnings, and until stereotypical 'white man' started add his touch, there wasn't a cancer connection."

"Just a bit of food for thought." ;-)

[Chaosculture]

"I roll my own cigarettes, and I use a natural tobacco, no filter. When I switched from the 'chemical laden prepackaged' cigarettes I actually went through about two to three weeks of chemical withdrawal."

"Afterwards, I found myself not only smoking less, but breathing much better. I also discovered that more and more of my non-smoking friends stopped complaining about the smell of my smoking. Plus it cost less than half the price per pouch."

"Almost all 'prepackaged' cigarettes are laced with heavy chemicals, from the time the seed is planted to when they are chemically dried in vats, to the very paper they are wrapped and packaged in. In my opinion that's where all the bad health is coming from. These chemicals are deadly, and extremely addictive."

"The Indians have been smoking natural, wild, red leaf tobacco, green leaf tobacco, and cannabis since their beginnings, and until stereotypical 'white man' started add his touch, there wasn't a cancer connection."

"Just a bit of food for thought." ;-)

I can't disagree with any point you made Darkness. They use basically jet fuel in most commercial cigarettes so the paper burns better! Problem is... I don't want to go through that chemical withdrawl again. I've quit 5 times. The last 2 times I quit for around 6 months. Both times I felt like a heroin addict withdrawling for the first 2 days. I had sweats, chills, the works! I hate supporting big tobacco, and I hate what this habit does to my finances, but for the time being... I'm sticking with the time honored excuse "I'm just too stressed right now to quit." I need the chemicals.

[vortec1]

"I roll my own cigarettes, and I use a natural tobacco, no filter. When I switched from the 'chemical laden prepackaged' cigarettes I actually went through about two to three weeks of chemical withdrawal."

"Afterwards, I found myself not only smoking less, but breathing much better. I also discovered that more and more of my non-smoking friends stopped complaining about the smell of my smoking. Plus it cost less than half the price per pouch."

"Almost all 'prepackaged' cigarettes are laced with heavy chemicals, from the time the seed is planted to when they are chemically dried in vats, to the very paper they are wrapped and packaged in. In my opinion that's where all the bad health is coming from. These chemicals are deadly, and extremely addictive."

"The Indians have been smoking natural, wild, red leaf tobacco, green leaf tobacco, and cannabis since their beginnings, and until stereotypical 'white man' started add his touch, there wasn't a cancer connection."

"Just a bit of food for thought." ;-)

At least no record! of it.

[jackskellington]

I smoked my last one on June 26th of 2001 after 15 years of the habit. I don't preach at smokers around me nowadays, though, since I understand their addiction all too well.

[Darkness]

I can't disagree with any point you made Darkness. They use basically jet fuel in most commercial cigarettes so the paper burns better! Problem is... I don't want to go through that chemical withdrawl again. I've quit 5 times. The last 2 times I quit for around 6 months. Both times I felt like a heroin addict withdrawling for the first 2 days. I had sweats, chills, the works! I hate supporting big tobacco, and I hate what this habit does to my finances, but for the time being... I'm sticking with the time honored excuse "I'm just too stressed right now to quit." I need the chemicals.

"Try switching to American Spirit or Drum, (Drum is imported from Holland, they don't believe in chemicals on growing things there.) I still smoke, I just don't smoke chemicalized tobacco anymore."

[Chaosculture]

"Try switching to American Spirit or Drum, (Drum is imported from Holland, they don't believe in chemicals on growing things there.) I still smoke, I just don't smoke chemicalized tobacco anymore."

I've tried (and loved) Drum, but it's not nearly as available as, say, Camels. I love Lucky Strikes too, but run into the same problem. I'd buy lots when I run across them, but in those instances I tend to smoke twice as much. Wow, I make a lot of excuses... I GUESS I AM AN ADDICT!

[Darkness]

I've tried (and loved) Drum, but it's not nearly as available as, say, Camels. I love Lucky Strikes too, but run into the same problem. I'd buy lots when I run across them, but in those instances I tend to smoke twice as much. Wow, I make a lot of excuses... I GUESS I AM AN ADDICT!

"I hear that Camels are actually almost as clean a tobacco as American Spirit. Could be a good first step." :)

[Chaosculture]

"I hear that Camels are actually almost as clean a tobacco as American Spirit. Could be a good first step." :)

Okay... Say I was to switch to Drum... Do most major grocery stores carry it (I'm assuming most gas stations don't)? And if I was to convert to rolling tobacco, do you have any tips as to better rolling techniques (I don't smoke pot, and therefore have an extremely hard time rolling a cig without the aid of a rolling machine).

[Darkness]

Okay... Say I was to switch to Drum... Do most major grocery stores carry it (I'm assuming most gas stations don't)? And if I was to convert to rolling tobacco, do you have any tips as to better rolling techniques (I don't smoke pot, and therefore have an extremely hard time rolling a cig without the aid of a rolling machine).

"Yes, most stores carry it, in pouches, as well as in cans. As for rolling, practice on a pencil, it worked for me." :)

[devourthesun]

Smoker, Camel Lights are my brand of choice. I hate american spirits, they taste like ass and they smell even worse. I know a few people who roll their own smokes, but thats entirely too much work for me. And I'll be damned if they aren't trying to kill us California smokers with the prices! I refuse to buy cigarettes at the grocery store or any place that isn't either a Cigarettes Cheaper, 7-11 or gas station. those are the only 3 places I can find a pack of camel lights for under 4 bucks *usually*, and If I get stuck going the grocery store, its almost $6 a pack! it's madness!

and with regards to what was said in the other thread, I tend to be a very courteous smoker when I'm in public, I try and stand a good 4 or 5 feet away from the other people at the bus stops, I try not to blow my smoke out when I'm passing by outdoor seating areas for restaurants and coffee shops, but sometimes, thats just the way the wind catches it.

I don't smoke inside my house because my parents don't want me to, so I smoke out back behind my apartment or in front, depending on my mood and the weather.

As far as butts being everywhere, When I'm smoking at home, I have an empty soda can in the back and an ashtray out front that I use. If I'm walking, I try to pitch it in a garbage can when I can, but sometimes it's just easier to pitch it somewhere else.

[Chaosculture]

Smoker, Camel Lights are my brand of choice. I hate american spirits, they taste like ass and they smell even worse. I know a few people who roll their own smokes, but thats entirely too much work for me. And I'll be damned if they aren't trying to kill us California smokers with the prices! I refuse to buy cigarettes at the grocery store or any place that isn't either a Cigarettes Cheaper, 7-11 or gas station. those are the only 3 places I can find a pack of camel lights for under 4 bucks *usually*, and If I get stuck going the grocery store, its almost $6 a pack! it's madness!

and with regards to what was said in the other thread, I tend to be a very courteous smoker when I'm in public, I try and stand a good 4 or 5 feet away from the other people at the bus stops, I try not to blow my smoke out when I'm passing by outdoor seating areas for restaurants and coffee shops, but sometimes, thats just the way the wind catches it.

I don't smoke inside my house because my parents don't want me to, so I smoke out back behind my apartment or in front, depending on my mood and the weather.

As far as butts being everywhere, When I'm smoking at home, I have an empty soda can in the back and an ashtray out front that I use. If I'm walking, I try to pitch it in a garbage can when I can, but sometimes it's just easier to pitch it somewhere else.


I feel your pain with the prices in Cali. I grew up in San Diego and lived there till '98 when I moved to Virginia (tobacco country). I went from spending 3 bucks a pack, to $1.80 a pack! The prices here are up to $2.50 a pack(sometimes 3) now, and i'm sweating it... I've gotten spoiled.

[ZombiesAteMyDog]

I dont smoke, never even tried it, nor do I care too, booze is my vice :lol:

my entire family smokes as well as all of my friends so im used to it and it doesnt bother me at all.

here in IL they just passed a law, you cant smoke inside any building, restraunt, bar, anything, unless 80% of thier sales come from tobaco, also if your outside smoking you must be at least 25 feet from any doors or windows, a few days ago I actualy saw a cop with one of them big wheel measuring things measuring how far a guy was from the door of McDonalds.

I think people should be allowed to smoke when ever, and where ever they want assuming its not public property and the owner has banned smoking or asked them not to smoke in thier house or car ( as I do in my car ) , I dont think the goverment needs to get involved and tell people where they can and cant smoke at.

also i can't confirm the validity of this and im not sure if this is just here in IL or everywhere , but I was by my moms house a few weeks ago, and her friend was over, and they were talking, and my step dad was complaining because his ciggarete went out, and that they had been going out alot lately, and my moms friend mentioned something about some new lines they put on the ciggaretes, and once a cigarete burns past a certain number of lines it goes out and has to be re-lit, she said it was some new law they said they had to have inorder to sell them, again not sure if its just in IL or everywhere, then again im not even sure if its true or not as im a non smoker, sounded kinda iffy to me, but figgure its at least worth mentioning here.

[Chaosculture]

I dont smoke, never even tried it, nor do I care too, booze is my vice :lol:

my entire family smokes as well as all of my friends so im used to it and it doesnt bother me at all.

here in IL they just passed a law, you cant smoke inside any building, restraunt, bar, anything, unless 80% of thier sales come from tobaco, also if your outside smoking you must be at least 25 feet from any doors or windows, a few days ago I actualy saw a cop with one of them big wheel measuring things measuring how far a guy was from the door of McDonalds.

I think people should be allowed to smoke when ever, and where ever they want assuming its not public property and the owner has banned smoking or asked them not to smoke in thier house or car ( as I do in my car ) , I dont think the goverment needs to get involved and tell people where they can and cant smoke at.

also i can confirm the validity of this and im not sure if this is just here in IL or everywhere , but I was by my moms house a few weeks ago, and her friend was over, and they were talking, and my step dad was complaining because his ciggarete went out, and that they had been going out alot lately, and my moms friend mentioned something about some new lines they put on the ciggaretes, and once a cigarete burns past a certain number of lines it goes out and has to be re-lit, she said it was some new law they said they had to have inorder to sell them, again not sure if its just in IL or everywhere, then again im not even sure if its true or not as im a non smoker, sounded kinda iffy to me, but figgure its at least worth mentioning here.

Not sure about the line on cigarettes... haven't had any problems lately with mine going out. As far as smoking in public buildings... I think it should be up to the owner of the building. There's restaurants here that don't allow smoking, and we still frequent them. I figure with bars there would be a draw to non-smoking bars from non-smokers. As long as my favorite bars remain smoking friendly!

[devourthesun]

I dont know about that line on cigarettes bit, although I do have a tendency to flick my butt a little too hard, knocking the cherry out, which drives me nuts.

As far as I know, none of the bars in my area allow smoking inside the bar itself, but they do allow smoking outside, and most of the bars in my town have a back patio area that they allow smoking, although there is a bar in SF that I went to once that let us smoke inside which was awesome, although the bartender told us (as he handed us ashtrays) "If the cops show up, I didn't give you these" :lol:

And Chaos, My dad tells me all the time about how he quit smoking after they went up past $2 a pack (this was probably the late 70's early 80's) to which I usually reply "$2 for a pack! I would KILL FOR $2 cigarettes!"

and I think it's a bit crazy that they keep passing laws in various states saying you can't smoke in any building, especially if it's you're own apartment! Reminds me of this bit Denis Leary did about smoking in his apartment.

"Come out with the cigarettes above you're head, we know you have them in there Mr. Leary!"

"Nah See! You'll never take me alive See! I've got a cigarette machine in my bathroom see!"

[ZombiesAteMyDog]

I agree, if the building owner, or restraunt owner says no smoking,t hen thats fine, its his property, but the goverment, be it local, state, or federal should keep thier noses out of it.

as for the lines that make them go out , the more I think about it the more I think she said it was something the IL governor passed, so it may only be here, ill try and find some more info on it.

**EDIT** found some more info on it.

Published Sunday, August 05, 2007


Starting next year, cigarettes sold in Illinois must be manufactured in a way that makes them more likely to go out if a smoker stops puffing on them.

Advertisement Supporters of the new state law that will require retailers to sell self-extinguishing cigarettes say the thinking behind it is simple: Unattended cigarettes that can put themselves out are less likely to cause fires, so lives will be saved.
The Illinois General Assembly and Gov. Rod Blagojevich approved the measure in 2006. They delayed its effective date to Jan. 1, 2008, in part to give manufacturers enough time to gear up, said Rep. Donald Moffitt, R-Gilson, one of the main legislative supporters of the plan.

[Darkness]

"This could be a good thing, actually. Considering Salt Peter is one of the chemicals they put on the paper to keep it burning, this could mean less chemicals on the cigarettes themselves."

[devourthesun]

That self-extinguishing idea is actually pretty brilliant, although a tad annoying, considering if you're having a conversation you'll have to relight your smoke a few times.

[Darkness]

That self-extinguishing idea is actually pretty brilliant, although a tad annoying, considering if you're having a conversation you'll have to relight your smoke a few times.

"I have to do that all the time with my rollies, its no biggie actually. It's good for a dramatic pause once in awhile too." :)

"Oh, on the subject of cigarette butts, if you MUST toss them, field strip them (shred them) before you toss them. It looks less obvious, and it helps them break down quicker."

[UNDEAD FRED]

I shouldnt complain to much about smokers, I like to smoke pot.

[devourthesun]

Yeah, I do too, and there's really nothing better than lighting up a cancer stick after you get high

[Emp]

" Drum, (Drum is imported from Holland, they don't believe in chemicals on growing things there.) I still smoke, I just don't smoke chemicalized tobacco anymore."

You don't actualy believe this right? I mean...come on. Every kind of tobaco has chemical shit in it. The only kind that doesn't is the stuff that comes straight from the dried plant itself.
I know a place here in Belgium, not far from where I live, that has a big jar of the original tobaco behind the bar. You can roll your cigs for free there. Trust me, I tried it. And that stuf is raw. Pure evil.

I've been a smoker for 17 years. Smoked all kinds of brands, from Marlboro to Drum. Chemicals, they all have. I have stopped smoking 1.5 year ago and I am very glad I did. :)

[Darkness]

You don't actualy believe this right? I mean...come on. Every kind of tobaco has chemical shit in it. The only kind that doesn't is the stuff that comes straight from the dried plant itself.
I know a place here in Belgium, not far from where I live, that has a big jar of the original tobaco behind the bar. You can roll your cigs for free there. Trust me, I tried it. And that stuf is raw. Pure evil.

I've been a smoker for 17 years. Smoked all kinds of brands, from Marlboro to Drum. Chemicals, they all have. I have stopped smoking 1.5 year ago and I am very glad I did. :)

"Yes I do believe this. Tobacco in Holland is grown all naturally, dried in hot houses instead of chemical drying vats and it's packaged in all natural materials. Holland doesn't believe in using chemicals on foods, plants, and anything else that grows naturally."

[dead and loving it]

I quit about 4 years ago. It was one of the hardest things I ever did.
I'm tired of seeing smokers being treated like sub-humans.
Here in the state of Nohio they recently made it illegal to smoke in any club (even private ones), restaurant, bar, cigar store, ect.
They have taxed the :poo: out of cigarettes to over $4 a pack.
The "rebel" in me wants to smoke again so bad, because I hate being told by the government how to live.
I don't think I could afford to start again if i wanted to though.

[Emp]

"Yes I do believe this. Tobacco in Holland is grown all naturally, dried in hot houses instead of chemical drying vats and it's packaged in all natural materials. Holland doesn't believe in using chemicals on foods, plants, and anything else that grows naturally."

Ever been to Holland?

[Darkness]

Ever been to Holland?

"Not personally, but I do have a few friends that live there."

[Corpse Grinder]

I was a casual cigarette smoker and haven't smoked since with my first wife in the mid-'90's, but I get the cravings once in awhile.

Now I just smoke cigars with one of friends-maybe three or four stogies a month, but that's about it.

[Chaosculture]

"Try switching to American Spirit or Drum, (Drum is imported from Holland, they don't believe in chemicals on growing things there.) I still smoke, I just don't smoke chemicalized tobacco anymore."

Looks like the "Drum" name has been bought out in the states and is being manufactured in Illinois now. I couldn't tell you if that means it's more (or less) chemical ridden than the previous incarnation (I haven't found any info besides taste and flavor comparisons).

Check it out:
http://www.ryomagazine.com/july/tobacco.htm

[Constantine1911]

Filthy habit but sometimes it helps.

[devourthesun]

I think if you ask any smoker in this thread, we all agree that smoking Always helps. :)

[ZombieFreeWorld]

thank God i only smoke weed....whew* wipes forehead*

[devourthesun]

Yes, because weed is Soooooooooooooooooo much better than cigarettes :roll:.

Take note, that was sarcasm, as I also smoke pot now and again, but seriously, I don't understand how pot smokers can get off bitching at people who smoke cigarettes and vice versa.

Pot and the kettle if you ask me.

[ZombieFreeWorld]

yea i feel you. me i smoke weed and black n milds now and then but i dont knock anyone who does anything to their own bodies. except crack and herion other then that do you.

[skullwarrior]

non-smoker

i think smoking is kinda nasty not to rain on anyones parade. each to his/her own. i just personally want clean lungs.:):lol:

[zmbvan]

I smoke to be cool. oh and because I enjoy it, a lot.
I smoke either Winston, American Spirit, or Camels. I enjoy my additive free nicotine.:)

"This for all you non-smokers out there, you and you only, because I know for a fact that you don't know this. Ready? Non-smokers die every day." -- Bill Hicks

[zmbvan]

I smoke to be cool. oh and because I enjoy it, a lot.
I smoke either Winston, American Spirit, or Camels. I enjoy my additive free nicotine.:)

"This for all you non-smokers out there, you and you only, because I know for a fact that you don't know this. Ready? Non-smokers die every day." -- Bill Hicks

[UNDEAD FRED]

"This for all you non-smokers out there, you and you only, because I know for a fact that you don't know this. Ready? Non-smokers die every day." -- Bill Hicks


Yes we do, but we do not do it hacking bloody cancerous chunks of our lungs out, and all that money we dont spend on death sticks, we spend on booze, and DVDs:evil:

[chewy]

Yes we do, but we do not do it hacking bloody cancerous chunks of our lungs out, and all that money we dont spend on death sticks, we spend on booze, and DVDs:evil:

I hate to break this to you, Fred, but non-smokers get lung cancer, too. They also get emphysema and pulmonary fibrosis and all the other "smoker's diseases". And it has nothing to do with exposure to second-hand smoke (which is a crock of shit anyways).

Here's a question for the anti-smoking zealots out there. I've asked this one of many of the doctors I used to work with, and none of them were ever able to give me a straight answer...

Between the years of, say, 1920-1970, at least 40% of the adult population of the US were smokers. And these people smoked everywhere: at home, at stores, in movie theaters, at work, even in hospitals. There was no way that non-smokers could avoid cigarette smoke. If smoke is so dangerous and so deadly, why weren't people dropping dead in the street during this time? On the contrary, the years of 1920-1970 gave us what can arguably be called the healthiest generation of Americans ever.

I'm not going to sit here and tell you that cigs are good for you. I'm not even going to try to bullshit you into thinking they're not bad for you. Logic says that inhaling the fumes from a smoldering weed can't be a healthy thing. To me, it's all a matter of degrees; *how* unhealthy is it? I'd have a lot more respect for the anti-smoking crowd if they just came right out and said "we don't like cigarettes and we're going to legislate them away" instead of throwing all of this bullshit psuedo-science around.

Also... All of these deaths each year that can supposedly be linked directly to smoking... Can anyone find me a death certificate where the coroner/pathologist actually writes "cigarette smoking" as one of the contributing factors to a patient's death?

[ZombiesAteMyDog]

I think smoking is everybit as bad as they tell us it is.

also here is some true life experiance and this is the honest to gods truth , My step dad has smoked for 40 years, he has a bad ticker as well, and diabeates, and he has really poor circulation in his leg and his arteries are all shot, about 6 months ago he went in for surgery and they put a stint in his leg to keep the artery open, after the operation the DR pulled us into a consult room and told us in no cross terms, either he stops smoking or he will be back in 6 months and lose his leg... well, he didnt quit, didnt even try, and last saturday he was working on his computer and just barely bumped his leg and doubled over in pain, so we took him to the hospital and his leg was getting no blood, so the DR went in and did an angeogram, came out and again in no cross words said, he didnt stop smoking did he, we told him no, he said he could tell and that now he would probaly lose his leg.

they went in and did an bypass in his leg , they only had one good vien, the blood flow was cut off for so long that the muscle died, hes going back under the knife monday to debreed everything, but as of right now were not sure if he can keep the leg or not, its pretty bad, he still may end up losing it and even if he gets to keep it he is looking at 3 or 4 months of painful slow recovery.

the dr told us there was a 75 - 80% chance this wouldnt have happend, or at least not happend for 10 to 15 years if he had just quit smoking, he also said that if after this he doesnt quit smoking , he will lose it for sure and he might actualy lose the other leg too.

now my mom , who has smoked for at least 30 years and who has always been of the mind that doctors tell people not to smoke just because they want people to do what they do, and has had the mentality of you gotta die sometmie might as well enjoy it , actualy quit smoking, and is going to finaly get my step dad to quit.

now im sure his diabetes and heart problems didnt help, but he has had both of those under control for years now, and the DR barely even mentioned them, both doctors actualy, the leg was so bad that the senior and jr parter that own the office were working together on it, and im sure weather or not smoking played that big of a role can and will be contended by some, but me personaly, i believe every bit of it.

[UNDEAD FRED]

I hate to break this to you, Fred, but non-smokers get lung cancer, too. They also get emphysema and pulmonary fibrosis and all the other "smoker's diseases". And it has nothing to do with exposure to second-hand smoke (which is a crock of shit anyways).


Im sure they do chewy, but what is the percentage of non smokers that get these quote "smokers diseases" as compare to smokers? I allso find it hard to believe that second hand smoke is not bad for you if you are inside a room with someone who smokes. Im not being anti smoker about anything, I think the laws are just fine right now about it, if you want to smoke, just go outside and enjoy. I dont want to be in a bar destroying my liver, and getting "drinkers diseases" and have to worry about my lungs.