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I've been a social and occasional smoker of cigarettes and other things for the last 2-3 years, never really becoming dependent on anything to the point of getting cravings. Lately however, due to increasing personal stress levels I find myself craving smoking; sometimes I really want the relief from a hit or a cigarette. However, being health conscious I read as much information as I could regarding smoking, and although I currently smoke relatively very little (last pack almost lasted 2 months), the craving is there and I don't want to head down that path.
On the flip side, I also don't want to stop smoking completely. I fully realize the risks having read dozens of articles on smoking and seen hundreds of shocking pictures of lung diseases, but I'm also a believer of the saying, "I'm here for a good time, not a long time" which is why I would like to smoke sustainably.
If you aren't familiar with the mechanism in which smoking eventually kills you, look here for a quick read:
http://forum3.aimoo.com/AskJoel/Possible-Physical-Changes/Coughing-more-after-quitting-smoking-1-73191.html
Basically, the conclusion is that smoking will eventually kill you, but as long as you stop in time your body has the ability to repair itself; even if the abnormal amounts of precancerous basal cells are present in the lungs and the cilia cells are totally destroyed, your lungs will eventually start to regenerate as long as a certain point of no return is not reached.
This leads to me ponder: if the lungs can start to regenerate (cilia cells start recovering days after smoking cessation) even after decades of heavy daily smoking, then can infrequent (albeit regular) smoking be sustainable? I believe the answer to be a firm YES, as smoking 1 cigarette per year will most likely have negligible effects on one's health however the question still remains: how frequently can one smoke without significantly raising the risks of developing health problems related to chronic smoking? Of course, even ex-smokers clean for 5 years still have elevated risks of lung cancer and other diseases (most risks are reduced to near pre-smoking levels only after 10-15+ years), I'm merely questioning how much smoking can the average set of lungs tolerate In terms of keeping abnormal basal cell growth in control, keeping your cilia cells relatively intact so they can remove carbon deposits and toxins from your lungs, etc.? Please keep in mind that this is strictly limited to lung diseases; smoking related kidney, heart, etc. diseases are not as significant and introduce too many factors to consider. Therefore I'll ask the question a different way; how often can one smoke for 20+ years while not destined of having lungs looking like this?
![[image loading]](http://sdfs.ucps.k12.nc.us/images/Smokers%20Lung.JPG)
Search engines are of no help; in fact I found not a single link on this concept, which is why I am turning to TL.
We have to start somewhere: from personal experiences, I know someone who has smoked on average half a pack (~10) cigarettes daily for 30+ years suffering from emphysema, with his lungs beyond salvation and his life expectancy at only ~5 more years even if he quits cold turkey. So ~10 cigarettes / day is not sustainable, and although I can't back this claim with anything else other than my own anecdotal knowledge, I don't even think that smoking ONE cigarette per day is sustainable over long periods of time because I personally find myself coughing more and having mucous problems smoking about 1 cigarette / day for ~5 months last year.
Anyone else with experiences/knowledge/an opinion regarding this? Thanks in advance.
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Depends on genetics and other factors of general health (fitness, sleep, nutrition,etc)
Just don't do it.
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How about your teeth looking like shit?
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On March 03 2012 10:24 eshlow wrote:
Depends on genetics and other factors of general health (fitness, sleep, nutrition,etc)
Just don't do it.
That's obviously the most sensible thing to do, but I, along with millions of others, choose to sacrifice just a bit (for me anyway) of health for some sanity. If I can smoke even just 1 cig. or the equivalent of it every week without significantly compromising my health, then I want to do it. Just trying to find the average here so I can have the peace of mind.
On March 03 2012 11:14 GoTuNk! wrote:
How about your teeth looking like shit? 1
You obviously didn't read the OP, that's the least of the concern here as it's even preventable for 2-pack-a-day smokers.
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I enjoy smoking too, it would be interesting thing to know if can be "sustainable". I'd say I smoke around 6-10 cigs a year, and every single one of them is very pleasant.
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i find this thread amusing since it is in the health and fitness group. dont they say that each cigarette reduces your lifespan by like 20 minutes or something like that? not sure how that can be sustainable.
edit: 11 according to this article.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/583722.stm
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On March 03 2012 18:29 dAPhREAk wrote:
i find this thread amusing since it is in the health and fitness group. dont they say that each cigarette reduces your lifespan by like 20 minutes or something like that?
Sure, on average; the difference between life expectancies divided by average number of sigarettes smoked is 11 minutes. It's never mentioned that this would be the same for heavy, long-time smokers or casual smokers.
I don't know of any research on the subject but I would be interested to know the answer as well
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This question is actually not so uncommon.
But it seems that there is no real data for less than one a day smokers.
I would imagine that second hand smoke, pollution, lifestile, etc. would influence the results far to much.
But remember a quote from a doctor Bach I found(although he was not specifically talking about very light smokers):
"There is no safe level of exposure to the carcinogens in tobacco smoke, [...]Quitting is absolutely the No. 1 thing an individual can do to reduce their risk of ever developing cancer."
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On March 03 2012 21:43 Garbels wrote:
This question is actually not so uncommon.
But it seems that there is no real data for less than one a day smokers.
I would imagine that second hand smoke, pollution, lifestile, etc. would influence the results far to much.
But remember a quote from a doctor Bach I found(although he was not specifically talking about very light smokers):
"There is no safe level of exposure to the carcinogens in tobacco smoke, [...]Quitting is absolutely the No. 1 thing an individual can do to reduce their risk of ever developing cancer."
Yah I give up trying to find articles and research on this subject; after a 3 day search even checking out my university's library network I still found absolutely nothing.
Looks like I'll stick to 2-3 ciggs per week for a few months supplemented by a good diet and exercise, I'll let TL know how things turn out.
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I find myself kind of in the same position except i have no cravings whatsoever, I smoke like 2 packs a months or something, mostly on the weekends. I like smoking and I dont see myself quitting (obviously I wont/dont smoke if im sick) because I like it and I believe it can be done responsibly. Ive been a smoker for the past.. 8 years or so and ive never consumed more than a pack a week. Its funny because when I fill forms or surveys regarding tobacco the minimum option is ike twice what I do.
In any case OP, doubt theres a clear way to answer your question specially when theres a lot of genetic variables.
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How can you ever smoke responsibly? This doesn't make sense at all. Smoking cigarettes no matter how little you do it, is always bad, so how is it responsible?
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On March 04 2012 06:39 solidbebe wrote:
How can you ever smoke responsibly? This doesn't make sense at all. Smoking cigarettes no matter how little you do it, is always bad, so how is it responsible?
Don't be obtuse. Same way you can drink responsibly.
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nice pic man, not fucking gross at all or anything
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yeah, as a University student I feel as though I know a lot of people who smoke on an regular but light basis. It seems very possible to do in a way that will be as minimally detrimental to one's health as drinking on weekends is.
There will almost never be a time smoking is good for you but it has to be possible to do it without affecting your health to a large degree. Air pollution is great enough in developed countries that I believe the there is some level of smoking under which the affect is totally negligible.
And, as to my point that there will almost never be a time that smoking is good for you when I was attending college in 2009 I was in a class with a guy who, when he came down with pneumonia, was told by his doctor "I'm not telling you to start smoking but if you do keep at it, the hot dry smoke will help to minimize the fluids in your lungs" (I paraphrase, obviously). There are times when, even according to a doctor, smoking is not only not a bad idea but a good one.
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do we got a docta in tha house? an answer from a non 14 year old kid with opinions influenced by his/her christian parents would be cool
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On March 04 2012 07:07 Barrin wrote:
Lots of cardio.
LOTS. OF. CARDIO.
Run a lot.
From what I know of the physiology this won't make that big a difference to what cigarette smoke does to your lungs. It will just make your cardiovascular system more efficient. Certainly I would say it makes no difference to your chances with lung cancer
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On March 04 2012 07:07 Barrin wrote:
Lots of cardio.
LOTS. OF. CARDIO.
Run a lot.
source? of course it helps with being fit/not being short of breath but does it help with lung health...? would be cool if true for sure haha.
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The better question is how long will you be able to smoke casually before you're just addicted? Find a better stress reliever.
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On March 06 2012 11:46 Bigtony wrote:
The better question is how long will you be able to smoke casually before you're just addicted? Find a better stress reliever.
Well he's been doing it for a few years already, so maybe he can handle it. Some people are better at avoiding addiction than others.
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I always think of smoking like eating junk food. Eating 500g of chips and a chocolate bar everyday definitely wont be healthy.
But having a 28g bag each day as a snack wont do too much damage...
Maybe that's not how smoking works, but that's how I think of it. I don't buy smokes myself, but if my friend goes out to smoke sometimes I ask for one, it helps me relax, I never have a desire for another right away though.
I smoke maybe 2-4 per month, honestly with those 2-4 smokes or none, I think my life would be the exact same.
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On March 04 2012 14:10 Warillions wrote:
do we got a docta in tha house? an answer from a non 14 year old kid with opinions influenced by his/her christian parents would be cool
Very mature contribution to the discussion -.-
I'm with Bigtony, plenty of other stress relievers that don't have harmful effects. Not the answer you're looking for though, I hope you get that peace of mind 
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The issue with asking this question is that, as far as I know, no one is really going to have an answer for you. This is not something people have done studies on, and given the anti-smoking sentiment (at least here in America, maybe this is not an issue in other countries) I do not see anyone one being willing to start such a study (I can not imagine it lasting longer than a week before someone started calling you a pawn of the tobacco companies). The other thing I want to say, and someone kind of touched on it, is be really careful with nicotine. That shit is addictive as hell (for the record I am a two pack a day smoker). Do not think that just because you have not had an issue yet (and if you say you are having cravings, that's the start of it). So the question you should be asking is not "how much can I smoke without killing my lungs," but rather "how much can I smoke without getting addicted." Once you cross that line, it really sucks trying to get back, and once you are addicted, you are going to have an even harder time "just smoking here and there." I do not mean to scare anyone, nor to say you should not smoke at all, just that you need to be very careful, to avoid screwing yourself over here. I would say that if you are already having cravings, you need to smoke less than you are now, or you run the risk of winding up smoking two packs a day in a couple years.
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I think as well you need to think about the carcinogens right? As I understand it you can get lung cancer from one cigarette, and each cigarette will increase the chance of a mutation as it exposes you to further carcinogens. So even one is possibly unsustainable.
I'm a Physics/Maths student though, haven't done biology since school, this is just as I remember it from A-levels.
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Pretty much what deadeight said.
The carcinogens in the cigarette will settle in your lung and may cause cell mutation, after the second hit to the dna it may lead to a cancerous growth, so just one cigarette can be enough to give yourself lung cancer. Also basically all those nasty ass throat cancers are highly related to smoking and drinking, so your chances of getting one of those will go up too. And believe me those are some of the nastiest cancers one can get.
Don't smoke people, it's a stupid thing to do. If you like the nicotine, get a gum. If you wanna relax, go out and have sex.
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Just smoke weed instead. 1 blunt a day will leave you with a 0% greater chance of getting lung cancer.
Edit: I forgot to mention the feeling after you workout when you're high is one of the greatest feelings on this earth
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On March 08 2012 10:09 MethodSC wrote:
Just smoke weed instead. 1 blunt a day will leave you with a 0% greater chance of getting lung cancer.
Edit: I forgot to mention the feeling after you workout when you're high is one of the greatest feelings on this earth
Don't people mix tobacco into them? I'm pretty ignorant on that stuff. On top of that just the paper burning will mean you inhale carcinogens.
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This is something I'd be interested in the answer to. I smoke 1 - 5 cigarettes a day, which is by no means a lot. I'm still fit, my breathing/singing has not changed at all, and I don't -feel- like there is any damage.
My friend went to a doctor asking something similar (he smoke somewhere between 10-15 a day) and was told the risk he was at was minimal.
For everybody hating on smoking (which they ought not to be, this isn't the hate-smoker thread), I smoke because I enjoy it. I like the taste, I like the feeling of nicotine and it can help me relax. It also helps me get a break from the computer every hour or so when I'm playing Starcraft. Drinking imo, is worse, and I'm willing to bet that the majority of people in this thread have been drunk/get drunk regularly (I haven't drank in 4 years). It contains calories, it's more addictive, and it turns you into a different person when you take it.
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On March 08 2012 10:09 MethodSC wrote:
Just smoke weed instead. 1 blunt a day will leave you with a 0% greater chance of getting lung cancer.
Edit: I forgot to mention the feeling after you workout when you're high is one of the greatest feelings on this earth
Just for clarification, do you work out high, or smoke a blunt PWO?
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On March 09 2012 00:05 CluEleSs_UK wrote:
This is something I'd be interested in the answer to. I smoke 1 - 5 cigarettes a day, which is by no means a lot. I'm still fit, my breathing/singing has not changed at all, and I don't -feel- like there is any damage.
My friend went to a doctor asking something similar (he smoke somewhere between 10-15 a day) and was told the risk he was at was minimal.
For everybody hating on smoking (which they ought not to be, this isn't the hate-smoker thread), I smoke because I enjoy it. I like the taste, I like the feeling of nicotine and it can help me relax. It also helps me get a break from the computer every hour or so when I'm playing Starcraft. Drinking imo, is worse, and I'm willing to bet that the majority of people in this thread have been drunk/get drunk regularly (I haven't drank in 4 years). It contains calories, it's more addictive, and it turns you into a different person when you take it.
Alcohol is more addictive than nicotine...? That's only alcoholics.
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On March 09 2012 00:05 CluEleSs_UK wrote:
This is something I'd be interested in the answer to. I smoke 1 - 5 cigarettes a day, which is by no means a lot. I'm still fit, my breathing/singing has not changed at all, and I don't -feel- like there is any damage.
My friend went to a doctor asking something similar (he smoke somewhere between 10-15 a day) and was told the risk he was at was minimal.
Smoking 10-15 cigars a day is definitely not minimal if you ask me. Your lungs wont be the same.
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On March 09 2012 00:05 CluEleSs_UK wrote:
This is something I'd be interested in the answer to. I smoke 1 - 5 cigarettes a day, which is by no means a lot. I'm still fit, my breathing/singing has not changed at all, and I don't -feel- like there is any damage.
My friend went to a doctor asking something similar (he smoke somewhere between 10-15 a day) and was told the risk he was at was minimal.
For everybody hating on smoking (which they ought not to be, this isn't the hate-smoker thread), I smoke because I enjoy it. I like the taste, I like the feeling of nicotine and it can help me relax. It also helps me get a break from the computer every hour or so when I'm playing Starcraft. Drinking imo, is worse, and I'm willing to bet that the majority of people in this thread have been drunk/get drunk regularly (I haven't drank in 4 years). It contains calories, it's more addictive, and it turns you into a different person when you take it.
Alcoholic drinks contain calories? BURN THE STUFF!!! Calories are EVIL!!!
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smoking "casually" rapes your oxygen capacity. you wont be able to intake enough oxygen. you will really feel it in the gym and your ability will decrease as you cant do that extra rep. you will also get addicted in about a week trying to smoke "casually". it just takes one single fuckup (ie having 5 one night then 1 the day after) and you're screwed again.
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On March 08 2012 21:18 Deadeight wrote:Show nested quote +On March 08 2012 10:09 MethodSC wrote:
Just smoke weed instead. 1 blunt a day will leave you with a 0% greater chance of getting lung cancer.
Edit: I forgot to mention the feeling after you workout when you're high is one of the greatest feelings on this earth Don't people mix tobacco into them? I'm pretty ignorant on that stuff. On top of that just the paper burning will mean you inhale carcinogens.
i thought the latest consensus is that smoking weed is carcinogenic anyway (and you should instead use a vaporiser..)
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Before smoking was illegal in most public places, resurants malls etc. and before my parents quit smoking I was probably in second hand smoke like 50% of the time. Will this effect my health in the future, or do all bad things about smoking go away in about 15 years as they state?
Also in regards to the OP, I never thought of smoking as casual smoking cause there just isn't many people who do it. Why is this? I don't know I've never smokes, maybe its more addicting, or the fact that is smoking is more socially acceptable to do. For instance on your break at work you can go outside and smoke or situations similar, while it would be frowned upon in those same situations to go out and have a beer or some scotch. Also is could be the convience of it being so easy to carry on you at all times that leads to temptation.
TLDR; Just try to not do it. Many people look down towards smoking and many girls won't go out with smokers if they don't smoke and I don't blame them. It's also bad for your health. Overall if your going to do it, of course smoking 1-2 cigarettes a day is better than the average pack a dayer.
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Hey OP, I was in the same place you were a couple years ago. Smoking is a really great way to relax for 10 minutes then continue with your day. I never got addicted I just had a cigarette every week or so. Ill tell you what, the mental addiction doesnt really go away, I still crave one every now and then without ever being physically addicted. What helped me a lot my gf hated that I smoked and she really put her foot down on getting me to stop. I dont know if I really have a point, just that smoking is really great but if you can find some kind of motivation to stop it will probably be for the better.
Also
Things like weed and drinking cant really help that because they have a longer buzz associated with them, for instance you can not drink/get high at work but taking a 10 minute smoke break is not a problem.
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On March 08 2012 21:18 Deadeight wrote:Show nested quote +On March 08 2012 10:09 MethodSC wrote:
Just smoke weed instead. 1 blunt a day will leave you with a 0% greater chance of getting lung cancer.
Edit: I forgot to mention the feeling after you workout when you're high is one of the greatest feelings on this earth Don't people mix tobacco into them? I'm pretty ignorant on that stuff. On top of that just the paper burning will mean you inhale carcinogens.
That's mostly a uk thing. Using a water bong or vaporizer can reduce or eliminate the carcinogens
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e-cigs are a possibility. i think these are too new for there to be substantial health risk information on them, but honestly, there are few things worse than smoking for your health. I think the fact you're inhaling vapor instead of smoke takes a lot of the risk out of the equation
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On March 04 2012 07:07 Barrin wrote:
Lots of cardio.
LOTS. OF. CARDIO.
Run a lot.
Combine the two.
I legitimately passed some dude doing this, and he was running an okay clip too, somewhere around 8:00 pace.
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for me, quitting cigarettes was pretty easy. a few years ago when they went to the FSC (fire-safe cigarette) formula for cigarettes (which, by the way, involes lacing the cigarette paper with *******CARPET GLUE******* to slow the burn) i found that cigarettes became metallic tasting, and very disgusting.
I'm sure many of you remember.....before the fire safe BULLSHIT, cigarettes were actually SWEET, and pleasant tasting! now, with the carpet glue in them, they taste like complete shit. i think mainly the only people who still smoke cigarettes are those who either a) smoke while they drink (socially) or b) are too addicted to quit smoking cigarettes even with how nasty they taste now.
i think it's hilarious that the FDA bans marijuana, meanwhile putting carpet glue in cigarettes...they are completely unconcerned with smoker's health (their attitude: after all, they're already killing themselves by smoking right?)
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![[image loading]](http://www.zoklet.net/bbs/images/smilies/facepal.gif)
They put so many harsh chemicals in those things its shocking.
They put BENZENE cigs...I'm a biology major and I can tell you when cells are exposed to benzene they quite literally die or mutate on contact, you wouldn't believe how destructive it is to cellular tissues. You can actually watch this happen under a microscope..benzene destroys cells on contact.
I am amazed they are allowed to sell cigs, let alone people actually smoke them. Its just so horrible for you. Studies have shown the single most benefical thing you can do for your health is to quit smoking. Quality exercise, diet, and sleeping habits mean nothing if you put those toxins into your body.
Dont be stupid. Seriously, dont start smoking. ![[image loading]](http://www.zoklet.net/bbs/images/icons/icon13.gif)
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If you choose to smoke I believe you need to eat very healthy to compensate.
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Its mostly about genetics though, the worlds oldest living person ever recorded (Jeanne Calment) smoked a couple of cigarettes every day and she lived to be 122.
Or you can smoke something that doesnt hurt your lunges like weed or cigars (you dont inhale cigar smoke)
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On March 09 2012 00:05 CluEleSs_UK wrote:
This is something I'd be interested in the answer to. I smoke 1 - 5 cigarettes a day, which is by no means a lot. I'm still fit, my breathing/singing has not changed at all, and I don't -feel- like there is any damage.
My friend went to a doctor asking something similar (he smoke somewhere between 10-15 a day) and was told the risk he was at was minimal.
For everybody hating on smoking (which they ought not to be, this isn't the hate-smoker thread), I smoke because I enjoy it. I like the taste, I like the feeling of nicotine and it can help me relax. It also helps me get a break from the computer every hour or so when I'm playing Starcraft. Drinking imo, is worse, and I'm willing to bet that the majority of people in this thread have been drunk/get drunk regularly (I haven't drank in 4 years). It contains calories, it's more addictive, and it turns you into a different person when you take it.
I would much rather you drink. My ONLY peeve with smoking is secondhand smoke. I don't give a shit that you're killing yourself, just don't bring me down with you. Secondhand smoke smells like shit, stays on your clothing, negatively (even worse than smoking yourself?) affects the people around you, etc. It's even worse when people are wearing contact lenses / have sensitive lungs, etc.
So yeah, don't smoke - not because of your health, but because it's downright sick disrespectful to the people around you.
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On March 19 2012 19:49 Pulimuli wrote:
Its mostly about genetics though, the worlds oldest living person ever recorded (Jeanne Calment) smoked a couple of cigarettes every day and she lived to be 122.
Or you can smoke something that doesnt hurt your lunges like weed or cigars (you dont inhale cigar smoke)
Why would weed not hurt your lungs? It is smoke going to your lungs, that can't be good for your lungs regardless of what the source of the smoke is.
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On March 19 2012 21:47 ElizarTringov wrote:Show nested quote +On March 19 2012 19:49 Pulimuli wrote:
Its mostly about genetics though, the worlds oldest living person ever recorded (Jeanne Calment) smoked a couple of cigarettes every day and she lived to be 122.
Or you can smoke something that doesnt hurt your lunges like weed or cigars (you dont inhale cigar smoke) Why would weed not hurt your lungs? It is smoke going to your lungs, that can't be good for your lungs regardless of what the source of the smoke is.
That might be true, i just know it doesnt cause cancer.
Also the quantity of smoke being inhaled with weed is alot smaller compared to those who smoke a pack of cig's a day (since nobody really smokes 20 joints per day)
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On March 09 2012 09:33 OMin wrote:
e-cigs are a possibility. i think these are too new for there to be substantial health risk information on them, but honestly, there are few things worse than smoking for your health. I think the fact you're inhaling vapor instead of smoke takes a lot of the risk out of the equation
Hi ecig is very good, its like smoking a cig without all the chemicals and purely nicotine and water vapor. Ive been vaping for almost 12 months now. as soon as i got one of these i stopped smoking real cigs / cigar instantly. it gives the same feeling in the throat and in the brain as hitting a cig, and they have so many good flavors its insane. not to mention i feel way healthier. they say all the benefits of quitting smoking are the same as quitting smoking and starting to vape. (vape = use ecig)
for anyone interested check out vapor4life.com ( best quality e-cig's and flavor selection iv'e found, and the only vendor iv'e purchased off of my entire smokeless life)
its far cheaper than smoking cigs (i did the math- if u smoke half pack of cig a day, [where im from] it cost 80$ a month, where as a month of vaping cost 20$ per month)
feel free to msg me on tl.net if u have any questions on getting started.
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I wish you added a spoiler tag for that picture of the lungs. I feel sick now, and I'm never smoking.
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On March 09 2012 00:16 KaoReal wrote:Show nested quote +On March 08 2012 10:09 MethodSC wrote:
Just smoke weed instead. 1 blunt a day will leave you with a 0% greater chance of getting lung cancer.
Edit: I forgot to mention the feeling after you workout when you're high is one of the greatest feelings on this earth Just for clarification, do you work out high, or smoke a blunt PWO?
Sorry yeah for clarification I work out high, you could smoke afterwards as well if you wanted lol.
For the person asking why weed wouldn't hurt your lungs. There are many studies showing that smoking a couple joints a day will have no negative effects on your lungs or lung capacity. If you use a vaporizer there are no negative effects on the lungs at all.
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I can't see how breathing was even an option with that set of lungs.
Seriously, why the fuck would you post that picture... its gross.
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The better question is how long will you be able to smoke casually before you're just addicted? Find a better stress reliever.
Winner of the thread here. The chance is that eventually you will smoke JUST TWO a week, then eventually JUST ONE PACK a week. OP, why would you take that chance? The amount your health will be compromised by a nicotine addiction, even if adjusted for the chance of that happening, is FAR GREATER than what you get from smoking casually
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I wonder what's worse...
1 cigarette in a day.
OR Commuting up to four hours in smoggy Toronto on a Summer's day.
Seriously, if you're only smoking 1 cig. a day, or making a pack last 2 months you're doing pretty well.
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I've been a smoker since I was 15. I'm 22 now and I smoke 7 cigarettes a day, no more, no less. While I see alot of people repulsed by it, It is still my choice to smoke. I enjoy it, I like it and it gives me a reason to go outside and walk the dog lol. Alcohol can be just as bad for you if consumed on a regular basis as smoking.
The one thing that really confused me in health class was the fact that many studies are based off the subject smoking two packs of cigarettes a day. At least that is the way it was done when I was still in school. There have been no studies, to my knowledge, of how much tar your body actually cleanses on a daily basis. More of them are just geared for the repulsive factor.
As a smoker, I feel that is fine to smoke but you should not attach cigarettes to emotional states just like any activity that you do. You will end up smoking more and more because emotions change constantly. If you are smoking because of stress then you really do need to stop. Life is filled with stress. It really is a mind over matter type deal.
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There have been no studies, to my knowledge, of how much tar your body actually cleanses on a daily basis. More of them are just geared for the repulsive factor.
Your body can't remove the stuff that it can't break down... so tar is just going to accumulate as you see with the black lungs. Tar isn't biodegradable.
On the other hand, your body can heal damage to some extent, but yeah, tar and all that other stuff are known carcinogens and whatnot
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Smoking has a beneficial role to your lungs and respiration if done in very small amounts
-Source: Med school.
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On April 25 2012 16:40 Pwnographics wrote:
Smoking has a beneficial role to your lungs and respiration if done in very small amounts
-Source: Med school.
I heard that smoking a moderate amount for one year can increase your lung capacity.
-Source: College track coach.
When I was running on a team in college we tried to get one person to smoke for a year as an experiment but nobody wanted to.
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I'm in the same boat as OP here. I was a smoker of around ~5 a day, so by no means heavy. As I started training for the 400m, I quit (2 weeks or so without a cigarette here), but I miss smoking, not because I'm addicted (I have nicotine replacement), but because I love the taste and the act of smoking.
I've tried e-cigarettes, but they don't taste the same at all.
Has anybody tried "American Spirit" cigarettes? they contain no additives, but I can't find any studies into whether they do as much damage to your lungs. I guess ultimately, I'm looking for a way to smoke without affecting my running. Any ideas?
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On May 01 2012 00:01 CluEleSs_UK wrote:
I'm in the same boat as OP here. I was a smoker of around ~5 a day, so by no means heavy. As I started training for the 400m, I quit (2 weeks or so without a cigarette here), but I miss smoking, not because I'm addicted (I have nicotine replacement), but because I love the taste and the act of smoking.
I've tried e-cigarettes, but they don't taste the same at all.
Has anybody tried "American Spirit" cigarettes? they contain no additives, but I can't find any studies into whether they do as much damage to your lungs. I guess ultimately, I'm looking for a way to smoke without affecting my running. Any ideas?
pretty sure they damage your lunges in the same way as normal cigarettes if you inhale the smoke, because no additives is pretty much the same as a Cigar or Cigarillo which is 100% natural tobacco
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On March 04 2012 06:39 solidbebe wrote:
How can you ever smoke responsibly? This doesn't make sense at all. Smoking cigarettes no matter how little you do it, is always bad, so how is it responsible?
OK questions like this are a little silly. I'm a smoker and smoke way too much, one pack in two days. I do healthy stuff like eating right and SS to offset it somewhat but I know it's a problem.
But if you seriously thing a ciggie once in a great while is going to harm you a lot, I would say you're mistaken. You risk yourself every day when you exercise, drink to excess, cross the road, go into a pool, drive, eat fried foods or even just stress yourself a lot.
You just need to find what an acceptable risk level is. I'm pretty sure a ciggie a day is safe. Even not counting the regeneration and looking solely at the 11 mins per ciggie figure, if you smoked every day for 20 years that would be 7300 ciggies. With a bit of math that comes to you reducing your life span by a grand total of *drumroll*
Fifty Five hours. If your natural lifespan would take you to the evening of 2050 Jan 5th, you'll die somewhere on Jan 3rd morning, having enjoyed a lifetime of social smoking.
For myself, who smokes 10 a day, the figure would be 550 hours or 23 days (I know beyond a critical mass it might get exponential). That's a little scary but, in the grand scheme of things, its less than a month. I know if someone told me I'd live for another SIX months if I gave up videogames for life I'd be like...eh, screw it. 6 more months as a hopefully old man, vs a lifetime of enjoying videogames?
Anyhow the analogy is silly but you know what I mean. What would you give up for what you enjoy? The only way to be perfectly safe is to live in a bubble, never going out, never travelling, never driving etc. We decide every day what "acceptable" risk means to us, and it has to be an equation that considers how much you enjoy thing X and how risky thing X is compared to other risks you DO take every day, out of necessity or choice.
If you can quit, quit. If you can't, don't listen to people who say extremely counterproductive things like "What does it MATTER if you're smoking two cigs a day or two packs a day? You're a SMOKER!!!!"
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On May 01 2012 06:14 Autofire2 wrote:Show nested quote +On March 04 2012 06:39 solidbebe wrote:
How can you ever smoke responsibly? This doesn't make sense at all. Smoking cigarettes no matter how little you do it, is always bad, so how is it responsible? OK questions like this are a little silly. I'm a smoker and smoke way too much, one pack in two days. I do healthy stuff like eating right and SS to offset it somewhat but I know it's a problem. But if you seriously thing a ciggie once in a great while is going to harm you a lot, I would say you're mistaken. You risk yourself every day when you exercise, drink to excess, cross the road, go into a pool, drive, eat fried foods or even just stress yourself a lot. You just need to find what an acceptable risk level is. I'm pretty sure a ciggie a day is safe. Even not counting the regeneration and looking solely at the 11 mins per ciggie figure, if you smoked every day for 20 years that would be 7300 ciggies. With a bit of math that comes to you reducing your life span by a grand total of *drumroll* Fifty Five hours. If your natural lifespan would take you to the evening of 2050 Jan 5th, you'll die somewhere on Jan 3rd morning, having enjoyed a lifetime of social smoking. For myself, who smokes 10 a day, the figure would be 550 hours or 23 days (I know beyond a critical mass it might get exponential). That's a little scary but, in the grand scheme of things, its less than a month. I know if someone told me I'd live for another SIX months if I gave up videogames for life I'd be like...eh, screw it. 6 more months as a hopefully old man, vs a lifetime of enjoying videogames? Anyhow the analogy is silly but you know what I mean. What would you give up for what you enjoy? The only way to be perfectly safe is to live in a bubble, never going out, never travelling, never driving etc. We decide every day what "acceptable" risk means to us, and it has to be an equation that considers how much you enjoy thing X and how risky thing X is compared to other risks you DO take every day, out of necessity or choice. If you can quit, quit. If you can't, don't listen to people who say extremely counterproductive things like "What does it MATTER if you're smoking two cigs a day or two packs a day? You're a SMOKER!!!!"
It's just another haters gonna hate matter. The saddest thing is that every smoking-related thread on the internet is the exact same. We can never have decent conversations on the topics that matter to smokers, because the thread fills up with typical "smoking is stupid" or "let's take apart inaccuracies in your post to make smoking sound worse" posts that are totally OT.
For smokers looking decent advice on sustainability, there's nothing but anecdotes to go by.
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yeah, god i would love some hard info on this. i really enjoy being social and smoking, but i dont do it regularly. the top problems to be would be addiction, followed by lung issues. assuming i quit before im addicted and smoking a pack a day for 20 years, i'm willing to take my chances.
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My advice for anyone dealing with nicotine dependence or addiction would be to force yourself to quit for a week or two...not matter how hard it is. It will then become easier to develop the habit of not doing it...focus on feeling grateful for the healthy benefits you enjoy from not doing it...breathing deeply, higher oxygen saturation, healthier perfusion and heart function, etc....
That being said, the occasional indulgence likely won't be too detrimental. I stress the term "occasionally"... honestly, who knows where the line is for any individual when it comes to cigarettes...I guess it comes down to whether you feel that your habit is affecting your health when you look at it objectively and honestly...And also whether you have the self-control to indulge with restraint.
If deep down you know it is affecting you then perhaps you should cut-back...if you don't have the self-restraint to do that then perhaps quitting altogether is your best option...addiction is a funny thing to witness in yourself
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On May 01 2012 06:14 Autofire2 wrote:Show nested quote +On March 04 2012 06:39 solidbebe wrote:
How can you ever smoke responsibly? This doesn't make sense at all. Smoking cigarettes no matter how little you do it, is always bad, so how is it responsible? OK questions like this are a little silly. I'm a smoker and smoke way too much, one pack in two days. I do healthy stuff like eating right and SS to offset it somewhat but I know it's a problem. But if you seriously thing a ciggie once in a great while is going to harm you a lot, I would say you're mistaken. You risk yourself every day when you exercise, drink to excess, cross the road, go into a pool, drive, eat fried foods or even just stress yourself a lot. You just need to find what an acceptable risk level is. I'm pretty sure a ciggie a day is safe. Even not counting the regeneration and looking solely at the 11 mins per ciggie figure, if you smoked every day for 20 years that would be 7300 ciggies. With a bit of math that comes to you reducing your life span by a grand total of *drumroll* Fifty Five hours. If your natural lifespan would take you to the evening of 2050 Jan 5th, you'll die somewhere on Jan 3rd morning, having enjoyed a lifetime of social smoking. For myself, who smokes 10 a day, the figure would be 550 hours or 23 days (I know beyond a critical mass it might get exponential). That's a little scary but, in the grand scheme of things, its less than a month. I know if someone told me I'd live for another SIX months if I gave up videogames for life I'd be like...eh, screw it. 6 more months as a hopefully old man, vs a lifetime of enjoying videogames? Anyhow the analogy is silly but you know what I mean. What would you give up for what you enjoy? The only way to be perfectly safe is to live in a bubble, never going out, never travelling, never driving etc. We decide every day what "acceptable" risk means to us, and it has to be an equation that considers how much you enjoy thing X and how risky thing X is compared to other risks you DO take every day, out of necessity or choice. If you can quit, quit. If you can't, don't listen to people who say extremely counterproductive things like "What does it MATTER if you're smoking two cigs a day or two packs a day? You're a SMOKER!!!!"
Maths not your strong suite? It's 55 days and 550 days.
(Yeah it's a late reply but that's some serious miscalculation on a serious subject)
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The only reason you don't want to quit entirely is because of this thing called beta-endorphin. If you want to live the rest of your life being the slave to a chemical, be my guest.
There's no safe way to play around with nicotine, don't try; you can't defy biology.
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Smoking like this isn't ever sustainable. It isn't even worth trying to do. Nicotine is far to risky and addictive to be playing around with. Please take it from a smoker of 10+ years.
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On May 14 2012 13:46 Sacrieur wrote:
The only reason you don't want to quit entirely is because of this thing called beta-endorphin. If you want to live the rest of your life being the slave to a chemical, be my guest.
There's no safe way to play around with nicotine, don't try; you can't defy biology.
The only reason you want to have sex is because of this thing called hormones. If you want to live the rest of your life being the slave to a chemical, be my guest.
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On May 15 2012 03:20 DhakhaR wrote:
The only reason you want to have sex is because of this thing called hormones. If you want to live the rest of your life being the slave to a chemical, be my guest.
Well actually no, that's not quite correct. Libido isn't soley drived by the secretion of testosterone.
But hey aren't you clever, equating nicotine addiction to sexual reproduction. Well, I better go masurbate before I start experiencing withdrawal symptoms.
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On May 15 2012 18:30 Sacrieur wrote:Show nested quote +On May 15 2012 03:20 DhakhaR wrote:
The only reason you want to have sex is because of this thing called hormones. If you want to live the rest of your life being the slave to a chemical, be my guest. Well actually no, that's not quite correct. Libido isn't soley drived by the secretion of testosterone. But hey aren't you clever, equating nicotine addiction to sexual reproduction. Well, I better go masurbate before I start experiencing withdrawal symptoms.
Aren't you clever believe that people can't enjoy smoking for the taste. I'm guessing you've never been a smoker. Moreover, it takes 6months+ to become physiologically addicted to nicotine, so why would people smoke before that? BECAUSE IT'S ENJOYABLE.
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How can smoking be enjoyable? I'm ignorant.
As far as I can see, it makes you smell, costs you money, makes your breath smell, damages your lungs, damages your taste buds, damages your throat, makes those around you smell like you (a homeless person) and generally makes you a weaker person physically.
I'll let them smoke, dont think ill join 'em. I rather like not having to pay to smell like a hobo.
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On May 15 2012 18:59 CluEleSs_UK wrote:
Aren't you clever believe that people can't enjoy smoking for the taste. I'm guessing you've never been a smoker. Moreover, it takes 6months+ to become physiologically addicted to nicotine, so why would people smoke before that? BECAUSE IT'S ENJOYABLE.
Personal attacks may have won you a master debater award in high school, but it won't work here.
I am intrigued as to where you heard it takes at least six months to develop an addiction. I don't think we read the same medical textbook.
The psychoactive effects of nicotine take only a handful of seconds to begin.
And as for people smoking because it just tastes great. Well, you can say I'm skeptical. Sounds like the kind of thing that should be tested empirically before we make any claims about it.
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^ He's right. It takes only one cigarette to basically become mentally addicted, i.e. willing to experience the high you get from smoking again (and again..). Physical withdrawal symptoms develop much slower though and amplify over time.
All this doesn't mean you'll become "a slave" instantly but I wouldn't risk it. Some people can do casual smoking, others became seriously addicted and ruin their lives.
edit. as for the OP, nothing to ad really but I doubt that smoking can eve be truly safe or sustainable (btw I'm a casual smoker too and I like it).
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I doubt that anyone will get that after a cigarette.
I've been a very casual smoker - I call it a drunk smoker - for the past 5 or so (I'm 21, if anyone cares) and I have never had a craving for a cigarette.
I just smoke when I'm out with some of my buddies that do and I don't want to stand around inside.
And - you can say whatever you want, this is true - Smoking makes you look cool. It just does.
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On May 15 2012 23:03 Zoesan wrote:
I doubt that anyone will get that after a cigarette.
I've been a very casual smoker - I call it a drunk smoker - for the past 5 or so (I'm 21, if anyone cares) and I have never had a craving for a cigarette.
I just smoke when I'm out with some of my buddies that do and I don't want to stand around inside.
And - you can say whatever you want, this is true - Smoking makes you look cool. It just does.
true dat, i smoke sometimes when i drink, other than that i smoke cigars (maybe 2-3 times a year)
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i dont smoke cigarettes but that buzz i get from cigarillos is pretty niiiiiice
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On May 15 2012 23:03 Zoesan wrote:
I doubt that anyone will get that after a cigarette.
I've been a very casual smoker - I call it a drunk smoker - for the past 5 or so (I'm 21, if anyone cares) and I have never had a craving for a cigarette.
I just smoke when I'm out with some of my buddies that do and I don't want to stand around inside.
And - you can say whatever you want, this is true - Smoking makes you look cool. It just does.
Do you really think you look cool to a non-smoker? I do not smoke and I do not see anything cool when I see someone smoking.
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EPT
