Smoking...all I can ask is...why?- Page 3
Smoking...all I can ask is...why?
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/4/04
re: Smoking...all I can ask is...why?#50
Posted: 5/7/05 at 11:03amThe irony is that the kids who think they are hastening their demise, because life sucks so what's the point, think they'll be dead by the time they're thirty. When, in fact, they will have no such luck....they'll get over their depression somewhere in their forties and regret all those wasted years as they struggle through their sixties and seventies with chronic emphysema and finally croak in their Miami condos when they're 85.
re: Smoking...all I can ask is...why?#51
Posted: 5/7/05 at 11:12am
"Personally all I can ask is.......why?........why do people who don't smoke or never have smoked or are under the age of 17 think they can pass judegment on my habit? Why? "
I have tried smoking. I tried it when I was too young to know that it was bad-and sure it felt 'cool', but I stopped after just smoking like 10. I'm not passing judgements. I'm asking why people do it. I don't understand why you would. If you honestly don't mind dying earlier, then say that. Maybe just because I don't smoke, I don't understand how it's "enjoyable", but I can't understand people enjoying something that they know is killing them with every breath they take.
re: Smoking...all I can ask is...why?#52
Posted: 5/7/05 at 3:06pmFine, Carl---be with a boy instead of a MAN.
Broadway Star Joined: 6/11/04
re: Smoking...all I can ask is...why?#53
Posted: 5/7/05 at 3:22pm
Never underestimate the power of chemical addiction. As someone said earlier, people smoke because it is pleasurable. I grew up in a time when almost everyone's dads smoked and many moms. My dad smoked almost automatically...and everywhere. I can remember riding in the car with the smoke so thick that you could hardly see through it and no one thought twice about it. When I turned 16 or so, I started smoking just because I thought it was cool. Luckily, I never got too addicted to it because my girlfriend (now my wife) detested it so I quit.
I hate the smell of it now and if I'm in a smokey place I get a headache...but still, even after 30 some years, there are still moments...at high school football games, for instance...when a little voice inside me says, "wouldn't a cigarette go good right now..." I can't imagine what it's like for people to quit who are truly addicted.
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/30/05
re: Smoking...all I can ask is...why?#54
Posted: 5/7/05 at 3:49pmi smoke! I don't see any problem with it because it is my choice. I know the risks but i enjoy smoking. A comedian was once heckled for smoking on stage and he turned round and said something very true. Non smokers die everyday. I'm a lifeguard and gym assistant so i exercise reguarly and as an "actor" it hasn't screwed my voice up yet. Also what is it with health freaks who constantly grief people for what they eat, smoke or lack of exercise.... health freaks are gonna feel very stupid when they're in hospital dying of nothing. Seriously i don't think people who have never smoked have a right to critisise... i don't eat loads of curries or spicy food so does that mean i have a right to ask for someone to be moved in a resteraunt because i don't like the smell? Sorry but it is something that annoys me!
re: Smoking...all I can ask is...why?#55
Posted: 5/7/05 at 4:34pmI’m not a smoker (have in the past but it never became an addiction). I don’t have a problem with others smoking. It’s a personal choice. What I don’t like is having to breathe someone else’s smoke. If I wanted to do that, I’d light up myself! It’s not about health issues. It’s about the fact that the smoke makes me cough, gives me a headache and, after a while, makes me feel generally ill. If I can avoid the situation, I will. No problem. But that’s not always possible. I used to work in a tiny office with five smokers and no windows. It was disgusting and I quit after two months. There needs to be just a little bit of consideration from both sides.
re: Smoking...all I can ask is...why?#56
Posted: 5/7/05 at 4:50pm
Unrelated:
Kelly, I love the painting in ure avatar.
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/30/05
re: Smoking...all I can ask is...why?#57
Posted: 5/7/05 at 5:51pmKelly you're the voice of reason!
re: Smoking...all I can ask is...why?#58
Posted: 5/7/05 at 9:12pm
In the beginning, a new smoker gets a head rush and feels the effect of nicotine for a few cigarettes, but then they realize they try to quit and can't and that's why people smoke. 
Also, something about holding something, inhaling it, and it calming your nerves when you're in the midst of a nic fit used to be appealing to me. However, I quit 4 weeks ago and really have lost my desire to smoke any type of tobacco product.
re: Smoking...all I can ask is...why?#59
Posted: 5/7/05 at 9:28pm
I hate smoking.
My grandfather died from lung cancer. I can't see why anyone would smoke. If he didn't smoke, he might still be here.
Ugly is beautiful
"My brother plays a drag queen... and I'm surprised he looks as good as he does in drag." - Adam Rapp
"thanks, abba. now i'll forever have an image of you as a tattoed hardcore straightedge grrl savaging people in the mosh pit." - papalovesmambo
"Yeah Abba. All the filthy crap you spew out there on those boards. I for one, am equally shocked. :-P" - AnnaK
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/14/04
re: Smoking...all I can ask is...why?#60
Posted: 5/7/05 at 10:08pm
I started to say yesterday (but figured I'd posted enough, lol) that while I am a very rare smoker myself, being in an enclosed space or too physically near someone smoking does bother me.
However, at the same time, I defend anyone's decision to smoke as long as it doesn't get in "my space." Heck I've even been known to buy cigarettes for people (not minors!) I have friends and relatives who have the habit. I'm glad that I can go to a movie and not have people sitting around me smoking, but if things were like they were years ago, then, hey, I'd live with it.
I hope to live to a ripe old age, but one thing's for sure ... none of us get out of here alive, and there is something to be said for enjoying life while we're here. For some people that may include smoking, even if in the end, it might reduce their lifespan some. I'm heavier now than I was 20 years ago. I could starve myself, or I can be happy and content and eat chocolate when I feel like it. (Preferably dark chocolate, yum!)
Some pipe tobacco smells I kinda like, depends on what the blend is, but some of those are really nice.
re: Smoking...all I can ask is...why?#61
Posted: 5/7/05 at 10:25pm
I started smoking when I was 13, to "fit in", you know, all the cool kids were doing it. When I was 24 I was diagnosed with a health condition, and my dr. said I needed to quit. Which I did. For 11 years. Then started again when I was 35, quit the next year, and now (37) I smoke only when I'm out drinking with my friends.
Why do I smoke? Because I like it. Yep. I do. Drinking and smoking go hand in hand. I'm not a huge smoker... maybe just a little fat. He he. No, really... I don't smoke a lot, never have. And if I don't have any triggers, I can go days and weeks without smoking. And if I'm in a group of non-smokers, I will not go out of my way for a cigarette.
The funny thing? I am slightly allergic to cigarette smoke. If the bar is too smoky, or if I leave my "going out" clothes by the bed my eyes get all watery and itchy.
Experience is what you get when you didn't get what you wanted. - Randy Pausch
re: Smoking...all I can ask is...why?#62
Posted: 5/7/05 at 11:24pm
Thanks, Munk, it’s my favorite. Called “Afternoon Rain - Venice” by Michael J. Lynch. I saw it in a restaurant and have been searching madly for it ever since with no luck at all. I just want to BE there... There’s a larger image linked below if you're interested.
Beergoggles, I think you’re the first person ever to call me the voice of reason!!
Back on topic...
As I said, I did smoke for a while but I never developed an addiction. (Ironic in that I seem to have a very addictive personality under every other circumstance!) Back then the smoke didn’t bother me at all. But now...ugh. Even on the rare occasion I decide to have a cigarette of my own - and it does happen once in a while - even then my own smoke bothers me! I must look pretty freakin’ ridiculous waving away the smoke from my own cigarette!
Afternoon Rain - Venice
re: Smoking...all I can ask is...why?#63
Posted: 5/7/05 at 11:32pm
I hate smoking. It upsets me to see my family do it and slowly kill themselves.
My choir director smokes which really bothers me. We all idolize him and he has a glorious voice and he pretty much tosses away his voice like its nothing. How can people smoke when they have a gift like that?
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/20/04
re: Smoking...all I can ask is...why?#64
Posted: 5/9/05 at 3:50amAll I can say is Parks, don't ever ever smoke! It's not cool, it's not sexy, it's stupid and disgusting and don't ever let anyone tell you otherwise. Plus you'll never have to worry that a non-smoker can smell that you've just had a cigarette, which we all can do by the way.
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/15/03
re: Smoking...all I can ask is...why?#65
Posted: 5/9/05 at 6:18amThe idiots who piss me off are the ones that smoke in their cars and then throw their nasty cigarette butts out the window. Keep your nasty shi* inside!
re: Smoking...all I can ask is...why?#66
Posted: 5/9/05 at 9:48amMy 8-year-old son asks me why people smoke. He can't understand why people would do that to themselves. I hope he stays that way.
re: Smoking...all I can ask is...why?#67
Posted: 5/9/05 at 11:27am
I used to smoke. I can understand why people smoke. It calmed me when I was nervous (or so I thought).
However I haven't smoked for 6+ years. And I cannot be around it.
We had friends visiting about 4 years ago, and were at a place that allows smoking....when we got home, All four of us put our clothes outside cause of the smell.
I never believed what people said about the smell before I quit.
I will not put smokers down......as I've been there.
But I have to ask.......regardless of anything else, why damage your health? Are you of such little worth, that you will slowly kill yourself?
I value this board and the people on it.......and I want you all to still be here........please.....please, stop....FOR YOU!
re: Smoking...all I can ask is...why?#68
Posted: 5/9/05 at 11:47am
I always remember being told that once you start smoking, you're going to spend the rest of your life trying to quit. And how true that is.
I know I need to quit completely. But for now, smoking occassionally is what's working for me. I'm very glad I don't get totally addicted to it, and have never been a heavy smoker. But unfortunately that's not the case with everyone.
My roommate has a beautiful voice that I'm incredibly jealous of, yet he smokes a pack and a half a day. He's trying to quit, and going through hell in the process. Each time he falls off the wagon he gets depressed and smokes more... I try to help him get back on. It's a real, very difficult struggle for him, even with the smoke aids.
So... to all you that don't smoke, don't start, hate the habit, it is a nasty habit, but also do understand that for some people it is very, very difficult to stop. Even when you want to and/or need to.
Experience is what you get when you didn't get what you wanted. - Randy Pausch
re: Smoking...all I can ask is...why?#69
Posted: 5/9/05 at 11:55am
great post day.......and when and if you are ready, you'll quit. It doesn't matter what anyone else thinks.......you, and your roommate will do it when the time is right.
What helped me, was Zyban....I tried the damn gum (nothing worse than wearing full leather, trying to look butch, and hiccuping all over the place), I tried the patch, but after a week, I'd take it off when I wanted to smoke....plus the dreams terrorized me.....and then I tried Zyban, and from day one never felt unhappy, angry, etc........maybe I was lucky, but Zyban totally took the edge off of quiting.......
Good Luck....
re: Smoking...all I can ask is...why?#70
Posted: 5/9/05 at 11:58amI've never smoked, because I've been around enough secondhand smoke at cast parties to know that I would not like it. My freshman year, the seniors had the "senior cigar" to commemorate their last show, and at one party a LOT of people partook with them. If you've never been around 30-odd people smoking cigars, consider yourself lucky. They were outside, but left all the doors open so smoke was leaking into the house, so there was no escaping it. It made me so sick I had to leave early.
re: Smoking...all I can ask is...why?#71
Posted: 5/9/05 at 12:00pmelphaba, I'll tell my roomie about the Zyban... he's having terrible gas and heartburn, and I wonder if its the lozenges (sp) he's on.
Experience is what you get when you didn't get what you wanted. - Randy Pausch
re: Smoking...all I can ask is...why?#72
Posted: 5/9/05 at 12:01pm
I was parked at the bank yesterday....guy parked in front of me got out of his truck, lit a cigar, took a puff, and put it on his back bumper...while he walked over to the ATM.
How stupid is that???? Besides the smoke getting into nearby cars with windows rolled down, he could blow up his own car......I was amazed that anyone could be so stupid.......a lit cigar near a gas tank????
re: Smoking...all I can ask is...why?#73
Posted: 5/9/05 at 12:05pm
I had to add these two things:
I hate those damn "Truth" ads. They give nonsmokers a bad rap by making us look like crazed militant Nazis.
Every time I see Elijah Wood with a cigarette, I want to shake him. Damn it, he's supposed to be around for a long time so we can fall in love and live happily ever after!
re: Smoking...all I can ask is...why?#74
Posted: 5/9/05 at 12:07pm
He'd need to get Zyban through his doctor.....
also, what helped me with the "feel" of a cigarette between my fingers were cinnamon sticks........plus, they taste good......
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