If I'm in a dusty environment it makes me sick yet smokers chuff down 20 to 50 a day. How can they enjoy it?

5 minutes ago, Harrisfan said:

If I'm in a dusty environment it makes me sick yet smokers chuff down 20 to 50 a day. How can they enjoy it?

Dust doesn't contain nicotine. People chuff down 50 cigs a day for the nicotine, which feels good and is addictive

12 minutes ago, Peterw42 said:

Dust doesn't contain nicotine. People chuff down 50 cigs a day for the nicotine, which feels good and is addictive

I tried smoking. Didnt do anything for me. Seems like the dumbest habit around.

Vulgar baiting posts & replies removed.

@Ralf001

I strongly advise you to stop.

8. You will not post vulgarities, obscenities or profanities.

9. You will not post disruptive or inflammatory messages. You will respect other members and post in a civil manner. Personal attacks, insults or hate speech posted on the forum or sent by private message are not allowed.

Most start because they see others they look up to, peers, smoking, and think it's cool. I tried it a couple of times until a friend and I split a pack in about an hour or so. Got so sick that ended any future attempts.

Weed of course occasionally is a different thing, as it actually does something physical to you, unlike the mental "high" many get from cigarettes.

That nicotine addiction has killed millions, including my dad, who smoked up to 3 packs a day for 60 or more years, until it caught up to him at 79.

People keep smoking because it gives many comfort from stress. Something to do while they're bored.

1 hour ago, Harrisfan said:

If I'm in a dusty environment it makes me sick yet smokers chuff down 20 to 50 a day. How can they enjoy it?

I smoked for almost 20 years. Quit over 10 years ago.

It was cool right ? Then it just became a bad habit.

4 minutes ago, fredwiggy said:

Most start because they see others they look up to, peers, smoking, and think it's cool. I tried it a couple of times until a friend and I split a pack in about an hour or so. Got so sick that ended any future attempts.

Weed of course occasionally is a different thing, as it actually does something physical to you, unlike the mental "high" many get from cigarettes.

That nicotine addiction has killed millions, including my dad, who smoked up to 3 packs a day for 60 or more years, until it caught up to him at 79.

People keep smoking because it gives many comfort from stress. Something to do while they're bored.

Smoking does not reduce stress in the long term and can actually increase it.

While nicotine in cigarettes provides a temporary feeling of relaxation by stimulating dopamine release and reducing short-term withdrawal symptoms, this effect is fleeting. The perceived stress relief is often just the body’s response to alleviating nicotine withdrawal, not true stress reduction.

In reality, smoking increases physiological stress:

• Raises heart rate and blood pressure

• Tenses muscles

• Reduces oxygen flow to the brain

• Triggers anxiety and irritability between cigarettes

Studies consistently show that smokers report higher stress levels than non-smokers, and quitting smoking leads to significant reductions in anxiety, depression, and overall stress. The cycle of smoking to relieve stress only reinforces addiction and worsens mental health over time

6 minutes ago, blaze master said:

I smoked for almost 20 years. Quit over 10 years ago.

It was cool right ? Then it just became a bad habit.

Cool in the 70s and maybe 80s. Cigars were too. Cigars taste awful.

1 minute ago, Harrisfan said:

Smoking does not reduce stress in the long term and can actually increase it.

While nicotine in cigarettes provides a temporary feeling of relaxation by stimulating dopamine release and reducing short-term withdrawal symptoms, this effect is fleeting. The perceived stress relief is often just the body’s response to alleviating nicotine withdrawal, not true stress reduction.

In reality, smoking increases physiological stress:

• Raises heart rate and blood pressure

• Tenses muscles

• Reduces oxygen flow to the brain

• Triggers anxiety and irritability between cigarettes

Studies consistently show that smokers report higher stress levels than non-smokers, and quitting smoking leads to significant reductions in anxiety, depression, and overall stress. The cycle of smoking to relieve stress only reinforces addiction and worsens mental health over time

Found another opinion just to dismiss what I posted I see. Well, those smokers I've talked to, hundreds over the years, have told me what smoking does for them, and it does give them comfort, and from stress. My dad was one of them, seeing him smoke well into my late teens until I left the house. I know full well what smoking does as many of my friends and family smoke to this day. It's a quick fix, just like all other drugs, alcohol included. Many people have addictive personalities, and for some, giving up smoking leads to another addiction, hopefully a healthy one.

Just now, fredwiggy said:

Found another opinion just to dismiss what I posted I see. Well, those smokers I've talked to, hundreds over the years, have told me what smoking does for them, and it does give them comfort, and from stress. My dad was one of them, seeing him smoke well into my late teens until I left the house. I know full well what smoking does as many of my friends and family smoke to this day. It's a quick fix, just like all other drugs, alcohol included.

Scientific facts not opinions.

Just now, Harrisfan said:

Scientific facts not opinions.

Many scientific facts are still theories, subject to change. Many studies have shown both sides, just like all other subjects. Like I just said, It's a quick fix, just like all other drugs, alcohol included.

Science is here

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10540594/

It increases stress levels.

https://www.healthline.com/health/heart-disease/stress-smoking

2 minutes ago, Harrisfan said:

Science is here

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10540594/

It increases stress levels.

You asked why people like smoking, and I told you. It's again, a temporary fix to relieve stress, but the addiction continues, which eventually leads to more stress.

I think it became popular due to movie stars doing it and it looked cool. No way it reduces stress. Lots of office workers would do it to reduce boredom at work. Not one of those men and women became less stressed than non smokers.

I liked smoking , smoked from 14 for 40 years loved the taste and the smell and it relaxed me.

Then 13 years ago I had a serious back problem and spent the majority of my time in bed or in my bedroom.

and a bedroom is a place I have never smoked.

So for a couple of weeks I never touched one and until this day I still haven't.

Funny though , I worked with and had friends who had stopped for years but then started again , and I never understood that.
But now , I still like the smell of cigarette smoke and I can now understand why people start again , though not tempted.

4 minutes ago, Harrisfan said:

I think it became popular due to movie stars doing it and it looked cool. No way it reduces stress. Lots of office workers would do it to reduce boredom at work. Not one of those men and women became less stressed than non smokers.

Wouldn't that be yet another assumption, guessing how those many feel after smoking?

Again, you can only go by personal experience with smokers, and having them tell the truth, along with studies done with actual smokers who also tell the study providers the truth.

First hand experience, actually living with a heavy smoker, gives you a lot of experience seeing them daily both before and after smoking.

1 minute ago, NE1 said:

I liked smoking , smoked from 14 for 40 years loved the taste and the smell and it relaxed me.

Then 13 years ago I had a serious back problem and spent the majority of my time in bed or in my bedroom.

and a bedroom is a place I have never smoked.

So for a couple of weeks I never touched one and until this day I still haven't.

Funny though , I worked with and had friends who had stopped for years but then started again , and I never understood that.
But now , I still like the smell of cigarette smoke and I can now understand why people start again , though not tempted.

True, just like all other addictions. I've seen a few who went sober and then one drink got them hooked again. The same with smokers, as it's a mental thing along with physical. Much like the smell of weed arouses and has previous pot smokers wanting back.

2 minutes ago, fredwiggy said:

Wouldn't that be yet another assumption, guessing how those many feel after smoking?

Again, you can only go by personal experience with smokers, and having them tell the truth, along with studies done with actual smokers who also tell the study providers the truth.

First hand experience, actually living with a heavy smoker, gives you a lot of experience seeing them daily both before and after smoking.

I smoked for 2 years. You keep making silly comments for some reason.

Have never tried it not even a drag of one. I think I inadvertently have my parents to thank for that as they were on 20-40 a day and 60 a day when we lived in Singapore. As a kid I had Asthma not very good when both parents are chuffing away like steam trains so for me it’s always been a no-no. Have absolutely no idea what it tastes like other than snogging the face off an old girlfriend who did smoke and I remember that was disgusting.

3 minutes ago, fredwiggy said:

Again, you can only go by personal experience with smokers

Post a scientific link to show smoking reduces stress long term. I worked with heavy smokers and they were always more stressed than non smokers. My dad was 2 packs a day. Been a non smoker for 40 years and far more relaxed. Their is no science to show smoking reduces stress long term.

1 minute ago, Harrisfan said:

I smoked for 2 years. You keep making silly comments for some reason.

I've actually never made a silly comment, but go by actual experience and studies. I lived with a smoker for 19 years, and seen what it does, daily, along with having half my friends smoke cigarettes, pipes or cigars. You can't assume how others feel about anything without actually asking them, and them telling the truth.

Just now, Harrisfan said:

Post a scientific link to show smoking reduces stress long term. I worked with heavy smokers and they were always more stressed than non smokers. My dad was 2 packs a day. Been a non smoker for 40 years and far more relaxed. Their is no science to show smoking reduces stress long term.

If you read what I wrote, you would see what I said. Go back and check.

3 minutes ago, Utalk2mutt said:

Have never tried it not even a drag of one. I think I inadvertently have my parents to thank for that as they were on 20-40 a day and 60 a day when we lived in Singapore. As a kid I had Asthma not very good when both parents are chuffing away like steam trains so for me it’s always been a no-no. Have absolutely no idea what it tastes like other than snogging the face off an old girlfriend who did smoke and I remember that was disgusting.

I always wondered what me and my family got from my dad's inside the house smoking, as second hand smoke damages also.

1 minute ago, fredwiggy said:

I've actually never made a silly comment, but go by actual experience and studies. I lived with a smoker for 19 years, and seen what it does, daily, along with having half my friends smoke cigarettes, pipes or cigars. You can't assume how others feel about anything without actually asking them, and them telling the truth.

You posted no scientific links. You live in a made up world with wacky theories.

1 hour ago, Harrisfan said:

If I'm in a dusty environment it makes me sick yet smokers chuff down 20 to 50 a day. How can they enjoy it?

1 hour ago, scubascuba3 said:

Why do people start rubbish threads? is it boredom?

I started smoking when I was 11yrs old. By the time I was 12, I was smoking a pack a day. At 14, I switched to non-filtered Camels (they were cool, right?) tucked up in the shoulder sleeve of my T-shirt. At 17, I switched to unfiltered, menthol 'Kools' because I was a guitar player, and all the cool black blues and jazz players smoked Kools.) I smoked those for the next 42 years.

Now, I call myself a 'smoker who hasn't smoked a cigarette in 27 years.' I'm afraid that if I say I've quit, I'll be tempted to smoke 'just one.' I don't want just one. I want the whole pack. I want a carton. I'm an addict... as is just about every smoker. Can you think of any other reason to stand outside of a restaurant in a cold, pouring rain just to smoke a cigarette? We've all seen people standing around in parking lots, looking bored, finishing a smoke.

I'm a nicotine addict, and have to treat the addiction that way so I don't relapse. Every smoker can tell you tales of the many, many times they tried to stop and failed.
If you want to finally stop smoking, I can help you. No, I do NOT have an easy way to stop. I just have some effective ways. Just ask.

1 minute ago, FolkGuitar said:

I started smoking when I was 11yrs old. By the time I was 12, I was smoking a pack a day. At 14, I switched to non-filtered Camels (they were cool, right?) tucked up in the shoulder sleeve of my T-shirt. At 17, I switched to unfiltered, menthol 'Kools' because I was a guitar player, and all the cool black blues and jazz players smoked Kools.) I smoked those for the next 42 years.

Now, I call myself a 'smoker who hasn't smoked a cigarette in 27 years.' I'm afraid that if I say I've quit, I'll be tempted to smoke 'just one.' I don't want just one. I want the whole pack. I want a carton. I'm an addict... as is just about every smoker. Can you think of any other reason to stand outside of a restaurant in a cold, pouring rain just to smoke a cigarette? We've all seen people standing around in parking lots, looking bored, finishing a smoke.

I'm a nicotine addict, and have to treat the addiction that way so I don't relapse. Every smoker can tell you tales of the many, many times they tried to stop and failed.
If you want to finally stop smoking, I can help you. No, I do NOT have an easy way to stop. I just have some effective ways. Just ask.

Buy gum

Avoid alcohol

Avoid smokers

Go for a walk

Find new hobbies

Quitting is easy. Most smokers do it out of boredom.

Bickering removed.

The comment regarding "scientific claims" links etc, is not applicable in "The Pub" that is for serious discussion areas like news/health forums etc.

30 minutes ago, fredwiggy said:

I lived with a smoker for 19 years

yep, i lived with a smoker.

started grabbing a cigarette here and there, then got addicted.

i will not live with a smoker again.

1 minute ago, save the frogs said:

yep, i lived with a smoker.

started grabbing a cigarette here and there, then got addicted.

i will not live with a smoker again.

It makes clothes stink. I remember pubs in the 90s. Clothes would stink afterwards.

Just now, Harrisfan said:

Buy gum

Avoid alcohol

Avoid smokers

Go for a walk

Find new hobbies

Quitting is easy. Most smokers do it out of boredom.

Various Smoking Session organizations have polled on that issue among smokers.

No, quitting is NOT easy. That's why so many people fail. Most smokers would love to quit, but believe they can't and aren't willing to do the work to make it happen. Hell, I must have tried to stop 25 different times over my smoking years.
Boredom has very little to do with the problem. It's just the most visible.

I've been a member of an internet smoking session group since before Facebook, back in the Usenet News Groups, about 26 years in this same group. We've watched hundreds of people over the years come to us for help with quitting, and we've seen hundreds of successful people! We've also seen hundreds who keep coming back again and again over the years, trying in vain not to smoke, but getting nowhere, just as I did.
There is a reason for that. Smoking is a DOUBLE ADDICTION; physically addicted to a drug, and emotionally addicted to a habit. Oddly enough, it's NOT the nicotine addiction that causes the biggest problem. That's pretty much finished after the first two weeks. It's the emotional side of the problem that makes most people start smoking again.
If one is NOT a heavy smoker, one really can't appreciate or internalize the problems. Only give platitudes that fall on deaf ears.