Why is this drug still legal?

That's right, I'm talking about tobacco....And I'm going to list the misery tobacco has brought to my life.

1) I already posted about my cat

2) My ex (who I am insuring as he has no health insurance, or job for that matter) has, in the past 3 months, required $90,000 (thats right, 90 thousand, not nineteen, not nine) in health care--and plenty more still to come to repair the damage done by close to 50 years of smoking. Leaking aorta, emphysema, a fibrous mass near the kidneys. It will probably be close to a QUARTER OF A MILLION DOLLARS by the time he is done.

3) My mother died in 2004 from COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). Emphysema, brittle bones, and any number of other problems. She weighed about 53 pounds when she died. Number of years smoking? about 35. Even tho she quit at 50, the damage was long since done.

4) My father died in 2002 when his aorta essentially exploded. He didn't died quickly. The medical profession, in spite of his living will, kept him alive for 2 weeks until they tested for brain activity, and found pretty much none. They then gave my mother-who by that time weighed about 60 pounds and was on oxygen 24/7-one day ONE DAY to move him out of the hospital and into a hospice. He lingered for one more week. I talked to him on the phone during that time. He just grunted and moaned. The nurse said he was quite excited. This is a man who regularly corresponded with the last Boer president of South Africa about racism in the United States, who escaped from Iran on one of the last planes out when the Shah was overthrown, who traveled the world. He died at 79, after having smoked for 65 years.

4) other thoughts. For years I did not experience a Christmas that didn't involve the smokers all spending it outside, away from the family, away from the tree. My son's hamster, M C Hamster, died with a tumor growing on his side after living in the ex-s smoking room. My brother and I, who grew up in a house where both our parents smoked constantly, indoors, with windows closed, suffer from repeat pulmonary disorders and weaknesses.

Marijuana is still illegal. Mothers Against Drunk Driving is a powerful group and in some cases the courts treat a person who kills someone under the influence of alcohol as a murderer. Why, oh why, is this drug still legal?

Tell me about it! I am amazed that tobacco, something that has killed MILLIONS is legal; and marijuana, something that doesn't kill, is illegal. It's all mixed up!

Taking away everyone's freedom of choice because some people abuse a substance is not the answer.

I DESPISE being around someone who smokes. It's sickens and disgusts me. It's hard for me to imagine many things stupider than smoking.

But, so long as they do it without exposing others to the smoke -- on that point I agree it must not be permitted -- it is their choice to do so.

The hazards of smoking are well known and anyone who smokes bears 100% of the responsibility for the consequences.

Making tobacco illegal will just create another black market and an aditional profitable activity for organized crime.
People have been aware for decades that tobacco kills yet, applying their free will, they keep using it. Banning it will not prevent its use. Minors smoke today in the United States, Panama and other countries despite the fact that it is illegal.

Ya, it's true....we should have the freedom of choice.....where's my joint?! :D
I don't think smoking tobacco should be made illegal, it's just interesting to think that something that kills is kept legal and other things are made illegal and they aren't half as bad.
And we are exposed to cigarrette smoke alllll the time. You don't have to be right in front of the person who's smoking for it to effect you. I hate the smell and the way it makes my eyes turn red and itchy.....

unfortunately, even if you smoke all by yourself and expose no one else to it, everyone else DOES suffer.

By the time my dad was dead, he has a hospital bill of over A QUARTER OF A MILLION DOLLARS. Of course, insurace and medicare paid it, but WHERE DO YOU THINK THE MONEY FOR MEDICARE AND INSURANCE CAME FROM.

Thats right, right out of your paychecks....

Gee, freedom of choice. It isn't about choice people, its about tobacco companies, and the power they wield.

Tobacco is much more addictive than heroin--why don't we legalize that--after all, the junkie is the one who suffers, dies, etc.

The money spent on the struggle against drug trafficking and money laundering also comes out of our paychecks.

One of my dearest uncles died of liver cirrosis despite just drinking only one drink with the meals. I do not drink alcohol, but I would not dream of asking for another Prohibition. Prohibition did not work, marihuana and cocaine are illegal and are widely consumed.

First let me say I have read your post and am sorry to hear about your cat. I used to hate cats but that changed when I was very sick at home one time and my step daughters cat became my pal. I really missed him when he died. You can not say with certainty however that your cats cancer was from the smoke.

I used to work at a nursing home and could tell you horror stories about its effects. One guy smoked through a hole in his throat was so addicted. I never smoked,did drugs or alcohol and would not date a woman who smoked as I find it annoying.

Having said all this,now to your question. It is not illegal because we live in a free country where adults can make decisions for themselves. Prohibition against alcohol only lead to opportunity for crime and gangsterism. Making tobacco illegal would have similar results. Drugs are illegal and readily available on street corners in most every city. Gangs,violence and crime follow. Usually smokers do not mug old ladies or rob stores to buy cigarette but they do to buy crack and heroin. The former is legal cheap and available while the latter is illegal and relatively expensive. If it were up to me I would legally dispense drugs to addicts in a controlled fashion as well as make treatment available.

The other reason cigarettes and such are not banned is because they are cash cows for the government. States are very reluctant to give up any source of revenue. I agree with much of what you write but prohibition is not an answer. As a country we have been there and done that. And where would prohibition stop? Animal rights people and even the government may ban McDonalds selling meat because it clogs arteries and is inhumane. One persons vice is another ones pleasure. Hopefully we will remain a free society where we can make choices,even if they are perceived by others is being the wrong ones.

Dale

unfortunately, even if you smoke all by yourself and expose no one else to it, everyone else DOES suffer.

By the time my dad was dead, he has a hospital bill of over A QUARTER OF A MILLION DOLLARS. Of course, insurace and medicare paid it, but WHERE DO YOU THINK THE MONEY FOR MEDICARE AND INSURANCE CAME FROM.

Thats right, right out of your paychecks....

Gee, freedom of choice. It isn't about choice people, its about tobacco companies, and the power they wield.

Tobacco is much more addictive than heroin--why don't we legalize that--after all, the junkie is the one who suffers, dies, etc.

Unfortunately you can make the same argument about almost anything hazardous; like driving a car; or skydiving. Does that mean those activities should be illegal?

Taxpayers get stuck paying for way too damn many things in the end. It sucks, but it's not because cigarettes are legal, it's becuause our government doesn't have any respect for taxpayer's money and spends way too much of it.

Maybe to buy a pack of cigarettes you should be required to sign a statement saying that if you get sick and can't afford treatment that no one is responsible for your medical care and you will just be left to die.

PS: I am 100% for legalizing marijuana (and heroin too).

Maybe to buy a pack of cigarettes you should be required to sign a statement saying that if you get sick and can't afford treatment that no one is responsible for your medical care and you will just be left to die.

PS: I am 100% for legalizing marijuana (and heroin too).

Wow!! We actually agree on something!! LOL :p

Wow!! We actually agree on something!! LOL :p

Make note of this date! ;)

Unfortunately you can make the same argument about almost anything hazardous; like driving a car; or skydiving. Does that mean those activities should be illegal?

Taxpayers get stuck paying for way too damn many things in the end. It sucks, but it's not because cigarettes are legal, it's becuause our government doesn't have any respect for taxpayer's money and spends way too much of it.

Maybe to buy a pack of cigarettes you should be required to sign a statement saying that if you get sick and can't afford treatment that no one is responsible for your medical care and you will just be left to die.

PS: I am 100% for legalizing marijuana (and heroin too).

I agree with you, TrueHeart! Hmmmm it seems lately I agree with a lot of what you have said. Should I be concerned? LOL Anyway, I used to smoke many MANY years ago but quit. I think your idea about signing a waiver is great. I agree about marijuana, although heroin I'd have to think about. =\ This thread is interesting to me as well since I don't see any smokers weighing in. lol

J.

well, i posted this at another site that will remain nameless (but I'm sure some of you know which one)--and I received no end of flak about how its their right, etc.

One very charming (hah) person felt that the appropriate response to my description of my parents and pets death WAS A PICTURE OF A VIOLIN

I thank all of you for letting me say my piece, not being jerks about it. My statements came from unbearable grief. I was able to function when my parents died because of my cat, who is now dead. I now grieve for all of them.

And now I grieve over a world where people who do things like post the violin are applauded on a public forum

Thank you ageless community for kindness and good manners

catlover ...

I am sincere in my heartfelt condolences for your loss

I lost my best friend of 16 years (a dog) about 4 years ago, and it still hurts. I understand.

Forgive anything I may have said that sounds too harsh. I am used to expressing my point of view forcefully. But it does not diminish my sympathy.

Yeah ... I don't know. Everybody is eerily agreeable here today! I'm getting NERVOUS. :eek:

Yes, it's an odd day here in the Ageless community folks.....
HURRY! Someone say something about Bush so we can get back to normal around here!! LOL J/K

catlover: I am very sorry for your losses.....the day I loose my pets or close family will be unbearable, I can't even imagine it. I think the majority of us here are compassionate people....it feels more personal here than any other forum I've been to. ;)

Speaking for myself, I love everybody here ... even the ones who are a little mixed up in the head ;)

well i for one appreciate the agreeableness-at least on my threads. I'm heartbroken, cried so hard my eyes are bruised.

and again I thank you all. Of course everyone has a right to their opinion. I don't think anyone has the right to belittle someone else's grief however. No one at this site did that, and I respect all of you for it

I think the reason we are all in agreement is because catlover's kitty is looking down from heaven and sending rays of sunshine to us all.

trueheart-you just brought a smile to my face:)
thank you

Tell me about it! I am amazed that tobacco, something that has killed MILLIONS is legal; and marijuana, something that doesn't kill, is illegal. It's all mixed up!

i agree.... It's a killer.. I've lost so many family members from it and losing one who is 40 years old , never smoked a day in her life, dying of lung cancer because of her parents smoking in front of her.. Second hand smoking is a KILLER!!

My wife of 18 months was killed by a man who ran a red light and hit us broad side ( her side, I was driving) at 75MPH. He was in a pick up and we were in a VW Jetta. I now drive a Ford Excursion. That was over 2 1/2 years ago and I am just now learning to live again. The truth is we never know what is going to kill us. I know that sounds bad, but I don't think very many of us are going to die of natural causes at age 99. It's just the way the world is. It will either be some kind of cancer or an auto accident. I do understand your pain. I have lost family to tobacco use. But my wife was 22 when she died and we were health nuts so to speak. I do agree with earlier post that it would just create a huge black market. You will just have to be ready when it is your time, GYZ

I'm a smoker since I was 14. About five years ago, I quit with the help of a doctor who prescribed a medication which cost 85€ (100 $) a box.

I spent 2 years without smoking a single cigarette and my life changed.

I thought that I had won the battle, but 2 years ago, after a sad and stressful event, I lit up one cigarette, then smoked just one from time to time, and needless to say, I became hooked again.

At the time when I took the medication, I was able to afford the 85€ a box. Now I cannot. I tried to quit without any help and my life turned into hell. I gained weight, I became a pain in the neck, lost my job, trembled and had awful cramps. I tried to remain determined but becmame a mess.

What I wonder sometimes is, why does health insurence pay for illnesses related to smoking and DO NOT cover medications that help poeple to quit ? 85€ for a medication would cost them so much less than hundreds of thousnads spent on each illness caused by tobacco.

Now I'm trying to quit with the help of a book. I saw many around me quit after reading it. I hope that it'll work for me.

Loucine,
I wish you good luck with the book! It is bizarre that insurance will pay for the damage done, but not for the stuff to help you quit.

My employer is gradually moving towards a plan where people who engage in risk behavior (smoking is at the top of the list) will have to pay a higher premium--and even if the employee doesn't do it, if their dependents do, the premium will rise

Loucine,
I wish you good luck with the book! It is bizarre that insurance will pay for the damage done, but not for the stuff to help you quit.


It's amazing isn't it?!! The good ol' drug administration is making BANK off us! There is no way they would cover something that HELPS YOU....they want us to all be sick so we turn around and take pills that DON'T help us but only make us sicker in the long run. I am actually AMAZED that my employer signed us up with a Chase Insurance that covers anything from herbs to Chiropractors.....it doens't make sense really because these are all things that will hopefully keep me OUT of the doctors office.....go figure. :rolleyes:

Imagine the loss in revenue if people were healthy!

Hear, hear catlover! The health care costs are staggering concerning the little white weed. My mother succombed about 10 years ago to 3 packs/day. Lung cancer, which spread everywhere before she decided to get any help. Far reaching impact by just one person.

I am sad for your loss, and believe I mentioned loss of my dear kitty of 18 years.:)

BellaLove, don't think we can use Bush anymore to disagree on, as just about everyone fed up with him! Maybe we could argue about how sweet and wonderful Cindy Sheehan isn't!!:p

Hear, hear catlover! The health care costs are staggering concerning the little white weed. My mother succombed about 10 years ago to 3 packs/day. Lung cancer, which spread everywhere before she decided to get any help. Far reaching impact by just one person. p

lencarol, if I understand your statement you are pointing to the fact that your mother's death affected many people? If this is true, I think you are in agreement with what I initially tried to express--

it may be the individuals own life, but what he or she does with it impacts (and harms) many others. While I didn't suffer the physical anguish of my parents illnesses and deaths, I did suffer in that I no longer have my family, and my brother suffered terribly emotionally as he was the one who had to take care of them both during their final illnesses, as my mother was too ill when my dad was dying to be able to do anything. We haven't been close as adults, but when I do see him I can see the anguish still in his eyes. Elderly they may have been, but the life expectancy of 79 for women and 76 for men (or whatever it is) is an average--roughly half (since the median is often close to the mean) live longer.

Yes, I agree totally, catlover.:)

Catlover:
TOBACCO DOES NOT KILL. Smoking it kills. Chewing it kills, blowing its smoke on others kills. Smokers are aware of it.

But you cannot expect that making it illegal it will solve the problem of smoking. It will create its own set of additional problems.

That is my point.

sheila,

of course, you are right. it (the topic title) is a rhetorical question-I know why it is still legal

I'm a smoker since I was 14. About five years ago, I quit with the help of a doctor who prescribed a medication which cost 85€ (100 $) a box.

I spent 2 years without smoking a single cigarette and my life changed.

I thought that I had won the battle, but 2 years ago, after a sad and stressful event, I lit up one cigarette, then smoked just one from time to time, and needless to say, I became hooked again.

At the time when I took the medication, I was able to afford the 85€ a box. Now I cannot. I tried to quit without any help and my life turned into hell. I gained weight, I became a pain in the neck, lost my job, trembled and had awful cramps. I tried to remain determined but becmame a mess.

What I wonder sometimes is, why does health insurence pay for illnesses related to smoking and DO NOT cover medications that help poeple to quit ? 85€ for a medication would cost them so much less than hundreds of thousnads spent on each illness caused by tobacco.

Now I'm trying to quit with the help of a book. I saw many around me quit after reading it. I hope that it'll work for me.

Aline, my heart goes out to you. I am a former smoker. I had a very hard time giving it up....in fact, I used to think I would never be able to. But finally I did, and thank heavens I did because I now have asthma and it would be awful if I smoked on top of it. Most of the time, it's under control thankfully.

Weight gain is just part of the deal with stoping smoking for most of us. They say stoping smoking is like taking 50 pounds off in terms of the workload on your heart, so from a cardiac standpoint, you can afford to gain a little!

I know for myself if I smoke even one cigarette, I'd be smoking a pack a day tomorrow.......I'm a total addict. So I just can never touch them again, end of story.

We have a saying in my clinic however....if you can afford to smoke, you can afford the medication to quit. Seems harsh, but is most likely true. If you give up the cigarettes, you'll have the money you shelled out for the medicine in no time. But I had as hard a time as ever quitting and had similar symptoms to what you describe.....but guess what? When I finally made the absolute decision to quit, I had three annoying days and that was it....and I didn't use anything.....I just quit. You can do it too!!! You really can. LOVE YOURSELF FIRST!!!!!!

nice post Kat

that was 12 years ago btw.

and i forgot to mention that there is a non-profit called "Ignite" if you know any teenagers that would like to fight the battle against smoking. just google it and you'll find it. it was started by a teenager in kentucky who was sick of big tobacco influencing young people to smoke. there are "ignite" groups in most states.

What I wonder sometimes is, why does health insurence pay for illnesses related to smoking and DO NOT cover medications that help poeple to quit ?

That probably falls under the same section where they pay for the pregnancy and the well-baby care, but not for the birth control (at least they didn't use to, I think they may have gotten smart and do pay for it now) or the fact that they pay for fillings but not the sealants that will prevent the cavities in the first place.

Kat thats what i did....just got up one day and decided, after a number of failed attempts, that not smoking wouldn't kill me....like I wasn't going to die if I didn't have one....but that smoking certainly would. I was having trouble breathing especially at the gym which had never been a problem before, So I just stopped....but I had to also stop hanging round with anyone at all who smoked, going to places where smoking was ok, lots of self talk, drinking heaps of water so i spent most of my time in the loo...after a couple of weeks the cravings passed....but even now if I am in a crowded bar and the band is playing and everyone is talking, laughing, drinking, smoking....gawd I could almost cry its such a strong desire to light up...but like Kat I know if I have just one then all the self talk will start again....I will be a "social smoker", I won't buy any just smoke every one elses.....its the worst addiction....but it feels good to have beaten it....

you have to do it for you though....no-one could have made me....I think for me smoking was an act of defiance....absolutely no-one in my family smoked...except my grandfather....87 died of lung cancer...I was his favourite so there was comraderie, pleasure and a "try and stop me" attitude in there....if I wanted to get freudian on my own arse I could have a field day.....

its great now, my hair is clean, my skin is clean, my eyes are bright....you don't realise until you stop how good it feels to not do it....

Thank you Kat for your post, I know I shoudn't have lit that one cigarette and I know I MUST quit.

You're right about cigarettes being more expensive in the long run than the medication. But you see, I can't even afford cigarettes, so I roll up my own. I know it's stupid, I know that if I was really determined to quit, I would find ways, but my life is so incredibly stressful right now, that I don't think I can handle the weight of quitting on top of everything.

The time will come when I will be able to, and that is VERY soon. I hope.

I have no idea what the solution is to rid people of this awful drug. It's a huge industry that profits lots of people and kills millions.

When you think that they purposely add chemicals to get people hooked :eek:

Supposedly I smoke only pure tobacco, and I know its bulls***.

aaaanyway.......

Aline..

I used the Patch when I quit smoking.. I only used step 1 and 2 by the third step I did it on my own.... At the same tiime I went on a diet LOL... I joined Jenny Craig because of the effects of gaining weight... but go on Weight Watchers or something like that..... just while you quit.....I did get irritable, tired, and completely rude sometimes LOL...... but I fought every urge I had... You just need to be strong and willpower .......Do you have any non smoking friends that can be your coach or mentor?? That always helps to have a partner.. My husband was mine he didn't smoke and he and my family helped me thru the rough times..... Also I stayed VERY FAR away from alchol I didn't drink I hardly even went out .. and I stayed FAR FAR FAR away from other smokers.....

Good Luck.... I do hope you kick the habit .. Youd id once you will again.

I quit years ago and when My Fiance Died I started again.. Now i'm smoke free for 4 years...

Nicotine patches are terribly expensive also. I tried those, but they didn't do much for me. As soon as I diminished the doze, my terrible urge to smoke came back.

Unfortunately almost everyone that I know smokes. That's how I lit that one cigarette.

To stay away from smokers means becoming a hermit for at least 3 months, which I did the last time that I quit.

You're right about the alcohol, fortunately I only drink occasionally, so that has never been a problem for, me.

I'll certainly find a way, I'm just not too motivated to quit right now because of all the stress.

Congratulations to you Mer!! . It takes a lot of strong will to quit. Non smokers do not understand that, they're not supposed to because they haven't experienced the horrors of giving up an addiction. Good for them, I wish I had never gotten myself into this mess since the beginning.

Aline, I would think it would be even more difficult to stop smoking in Europe because smoking seems to go on in public much more than here in the U.S. I was very surprised at all the second hand smoking I was exposed to while travelling through various countries. I saw smoking in places that it's just not allowed anymore here in the U.S.

I can go for weeks here without being exposed to smoking. But, when I went to Amsterdam or Bucharest, for example, I found that the smoke just hung in the air in public places, just like it used to be here in the U.S.

N
Congratulations to you Mer!! . It takes a lot of strong will to quit. Non smokers do not understand that, they're not supposed to because they haven't experienced the horrors of giving up an addiction. Good for them, I wish I had never gotten myself into this mess since the beginning.


THANK YOU!! your right though .. Non smokers that never smoked before don't know how really difficult it is.... I tried for at least 5 years until I was successful.....It's very difficult.....

Catlover,

You have my sympathy and understanding. My mom and dad both smoked. My dad quit at 60 years old but died at 72 from complications of diabetes. Smoking was a big contributor to his heart damage. My mom was diagnosed with Stage II lung cancer last Fall at 73, but she is SOOOO lucky because she found it very very early. She had surgery to remove part of her lung, and did a brief round of chemo, and thus far she is in full and complete remission. She stopped smoking THANK GOD. But she's smoked heavily since the age of 17, and who knows if she will really make it all the way...

My one daughter took up smoking for awhile but stopped. She did it because her bf got her started. So both of my girls are non-smokers and I'm so glad for so many reasons.

I saw on the news last night that states in the US make something like 231,000,000 on cigarette taxes but only spend 550,000 on prevention. I think it's not illegal because it is far too profitable on many, many levels.

I just don't understand why kids even start now, knowing what we know about smoking!

Texas must be the capitol of SmokeLand here in US, as I see it everywhere! :eek: I see many,many teens smoking here, is the cool and in-thing to do. Just was talking to the sweetest young healthy looking young woman yesterday, then found her out back smoking like a weed--so sad! Should have talked with her about what a beautiful woman my mother once was, until she hit about 35, and the smokes caught up with her, looked old beyond her years, skin and bones, wrinkled face, teeth falling out. She died too young--so tragic. I can always tell a woman who smokes just by looking. I find it very interesting that none of us siblings smokes, and rarely drink. Alcohol and tobacco go hand in hand for many addicts. :(

Catlover...what an awful lot to go through with your parents. ((hugs)) That's just awful.

My dad currently has COPD and lives with me, so I know a bit of what you went through.

I guess what is the sickest thing about it all is the tremendous profit the tobacco companies have made over the years, at the expense of other's lives. Not that they forced them to smoke, of course. Now we know about the damage smoking causes, but I believe the tobacco companies knew long before that was all made public.

Why people take up smoking now, being fully aware of the implications, is something I don't get.

Hi Catlover,

My grandmother died of a heart attack four years ago. She was actually dying of emphysema, but suddenly had a massive heart attack when her breathing got worse. I wonder if she was so scared it caused her to have the heart attack. I'm so sorry you've lost so many to this addiction. It really is sad. I'm so thankful I never started smoking.

My smoking years were the happiest I've experienced in my life and I do not regret them...i just wish they could have gone without health consequences.
I dropped a couple of dress sizes & experienced what it feels like to look as good as any movie star; good jobs were much easier to get, and people treated me better than I've better been treated in my life. It was never hard finding a guy, and I was mostly free of insecurity. Whether it was because of all this or the nicotine, I felt emotionally better than ever.

I let myself smoke over 8 years, with an 18 month break in between.

It was hard to give up all the benefits of being a smoker, but I realised it was all unsustainable in the long run.

It was like having a holiday from myself....being someone others regarded as super-special and desirable just because of a bit of weight loss.

I feel that I can live without people falling all over themselves to gawk at me now, but it was very tough. I lost friends, the good-will of employers, good treatment from people generally, and a guy I loved.

It was an eye opener and a learning experience, that for sure!

Unbelievably, tobacco companies put chemicals in their cigarettes to make them even more addictive! About 50,000 Americans each year die from the effects of
2nd hand smoke. My mother had emphysema and used a nebulizer for about 8-10years before my dad died--and he continued to smoke in the house-it was only once she was on oxygen 24/7 that he took it outside.

Lencarol you are right about what it does to ones appearance. My mothers sisters are attractive women, well into their 70's-with good skin--even despite health problems (one aunt has scelorderma (sp?) and the other suffers from shingles-both never smoked (or quit long before I was born). My mothers face was badly lined, the lines around her lips were very deep and numerous. Her back was hunched due to osteoperosis (exacerbated by calcium loss related to smoking). This started before she quit smoking at age 50.

I was always terrified I would end up looking like my mother, with the premature lines, the hunching. I never got them. I think I now look like what my mother WOULD have looked like in her 50's.

Knowledge so important, and USING it even more important, as you have done catlover. My mother very tiny but never did get the hunching for some reason, straight as an arrow. Her mother did however, had to have hysterectomy very young in life and never took hormones--and smoked like a chimney, did not eat correctly, etc. She died young as well, early sixties. The women on my father's side, on the other hand, had beautiful skin into their 70s and 80s, with a twinkle in their eye and very beautiful dispositions. I remember my grandmother, in her mid90s,with alabaster skin and clear blue eyes, so beautiful. She was deaf as she could be, but otherwise enjoyed wonderful,vibrant health up til she died. Never smoked by the way!:)

It was like having a holiday from myself....being someone others regarded as super-special and desirable just because of a bit of weight loss.



But on the other hand lots of people, like myself, couldn't spend that much time with someone who smokes purely because of the smell. The smell is NOT attractive, particularly on the breath!

That is a real catch-22 for alot of women. Should I quit smoking and gain weight or keep smoking and be thin? I see and listen to these arguments from smokers every day. Is a sad plight, that you have to consider something SO unhealthy, just to remain thin. But thin is very important to many people, just for the reasons Bella_D mentioned, the accolades from others you receive. The big question is: Is it worth dying for?:(

There is a new drug out now for smoking cessation, called Chantix. They claim using it should not cause weight gain, don't know how that works, but I think is what it is claiming.:confused:

That is a real catch-22 for alot of women. Should I quit smoking and gain weight or keep smoking and be thin? I see and listen to these arguments from smokers every day. Is a sad plight, that you have to consider something SO unhealthy, just to remain thin. But thin is very important to many people, just for the reasons Bella_D mentioned, the accolades from others you receive. The big question is: Is it worth dying for?:(

There is a new drug out now for smoking cessation, called Chantix. They claim using it should not cause weight gain, don't know how that works, but I think is what it is claiming.:confused:

I don't think continuing to smoke in order to avoid gaining weight is a rational choice for anyone. More often I think that gaining weight is an easy excuse for not quitting.

There are healthy ways to lose weight (or avoid gaining it). It's not necessary to smoke.

Of course, very true, True. Because smoking is such a hard addiction to overcome, I don't doubt people in general will use every excuse NOT to quit. But an addicted mind, not always a rational one in the area of health matters. I have heard some health and fitness programs (i.e. personal trainers) will not even take smokers or drinkers, because it is such a hindrance to any health progress. Well, I am not that radical, as I see nothing wrong with an occasional cigar after dinner or occasional drink, etc.

Changes in lifestyle SO hard to commit to and keep up. And anytime there is an emotional or physical "trauma", one usually regresses to the "old ways", the familiar previous lifestyle. So commitment the key, AND knowledge of the inevitable if unwise choices aren't dealt with.:)

As everyone knows, I am a sensitive, kind and gentle man.

And I have to say that I do understand the terrible addiction that some people create for themselves by abusing tobacco, alcohol and some drugs and how difficult it is for them to break the habit once they are hooked.

Well, you must surely be a Pisces then!:rolleyes:

Yes I think its true that a smoker will use any excuse to hold onto the habit, even weight gain. I can agree that this is an insightful observation Trueheart & lencarol:)

But in the case of weight gain, it is a very real symptom of quitting for many people and its something that the `quitter' needs to prepare for and consider, in context of what impact that will have on their life.

The only reason I bring this up, is I don't see this aspect of smoking and quitting discussed very often. I see advertisements on TV which imply that quitting the habit will make the person more attractive. But the reality is that a lot people gain weight, and a lot of people do NOT find weight gain attractive at all. People really do lose partners, jobs, and friends when they quit cigarrettes.

The other aspect of quitting I do not see discussed very often is the powerful antidepressent affect of nicotine.

Some people are dopamine defficent and nictotine acts to enhance their mental health and emotional wellbeing, in the way any antidepressant works. When they give up, they lose this benefit. Again, I think this something some `quitters' must understand and prepare for.

Bella D.....you make some very valid points IMO.

I was also a person who was much happier smoking. My brain chemistry has never been the same. I don't feel as mentally sharp, and I find it harder to self-sooth than when I was a smoker.

The weight issue is something I've also struggled with since quitting. Nicotine without question speeds up one's metabolism. The average person gains 10-15 lbs. when they quit smoking sheerly because of the metabolism factor. Some people actually lose weight, but they are in the minority.

On the plus side however, are bonuses we all know including life itself. I feel very lucky to have gained the strength to quit after 25 years. I'm lucky to have lungs, and 12 years later no sign of anything horrible. My father died of lung cancer, and so did a female cousin who was only 51. I feel lucky just to be here.

But I can tell you without reservation, that I'd rather be writing this with a cigarette in an ashtray. It's a powerful addiction that I doubt I'll ever eliminate from my psyche.

Thats how I feel too Kat...I'm totally stoked to have my health, and a healthy future to look forward to...there's no question!

Yes I miss the antipdepressant effect a lot (it was great for PMS!) , and the mental sharpness you mentioned (I experienced that too...like it helped me focus better or something). I'll always miss it I guess. Maybe we'll have a drink one day together a toast to old lost (dysfunctional) friends:)

I read somewhere that nicotine has a powerful effect on hormones too, which in many women increases the free testosterone levels (which naturally strips fat from our bodies and increases metabolism).

Ah well, I guess I'm still learning to enjoy having a few squishy bits on my body:) Stu prefers them for some reason....I find it harder to accept, but hey we're all getting old so theres no point in getting too attached to the way we look anyway.

Well there my modelling career out the window, but I always wanted to be an artist anyhow:)

well, i like the idea of meeting and having a drink!

when i quit smoking, i made a deal with myself that if i could quit smoking as long as i smoked, that i could start again. so that means when i'm 68, i can smoke again. this helps me to get through those occasional days when it's all i can do to keep myself from going to the store to buy a lighter and a pack.

if i'm still alone, i'll probably consider it as a means of staving off alzheimers. isn't supposed to be good for that? it's such a great drug, it can't be all bad!

tick, tock, tick, tock...

don't even get me started....i love TALKING about cigarettes almost as much as smoking them.....:o

I'm not really totally clued up, but to my knowledge nicotine itself is fine....its basically an antidpressant and mild stimulant. Its the way we take it into our bodies through smoke thats the problem....and if you smoke tailor-mades theres the additional chemicals.

Maybe some day they will invent a hazard- free way of ingesting nicotine, for those who want to experience the benefits?

(Edit..ps you will not be alone at 68 Kat:))

regretfully, that's not correct. after all, there are plenty of ways to ingest it without smoking it. chew comes to mind.....and there's that nasty oral cancer as a result.

AND, there's gum, and patches. i actually, beleive it or not, thought about doing the patches last year as a means to lose weight, but i knew i'd just be addicted to nicotine again, sadly.

i dissected a live frog once in biology during my nursing school. we dumped drugs directly on the opened, still beating heart...and they made us use the nicotine last. that's because the frog's heart not only couldn't tolerate the nicotine, it's entire body went completely spastic before it died. geez.....horrible retrospectively. luckily i don't think that would happen today, but point being, there are a lot of cardiac implications with nicotine. speeds the pulse, ups the blood pressure, etc. it's definitely not benign.

Edit: I don't know why you think that Bella. I'm alone at 55, and I'm a lot cuter than I'll probably be at 68! :p

Doh! You're messing with my denial systems again kat!

PS. You will you won't be alone Kat because I intend to use the power of nagging on you to get you out of that town where there are no guys:) And if that doesn't work, I'll hunt down some awesome guy for you myself, tie him up in a bow, and post him to you!

AH MAN!!!!

Nothin' like havin' an advocate for L-O-V-E!!! ;) :)

Actually, there are a few guys in this town who are available (albeit not many, you're right!) but they all have something tatooed on their foreheads:

L-O-S-E-R

Florida is an interesting place, and from an historical perspective, it's where people come to reinvent themselves. So besides the active users, you also get a lot of recovering alcoholics and drug addicts, as well as a lot of (back to original topic) SMOKERS!

Although, it is no longer legal to smoke in restaurants in Florida. What's it like down under in that regard?

LOL....we have a bunch of people with those tatoos here too, kat!

Smoking is banned just about everywhere now here....restaurants, cafes, bars, & clubs. It really helps an ex smoker keep their resolve, thats for sure.

if i'm still alone, i'll probably consider it as a means of staving off alzheimers. isn't supposed to be good for that? it's such a great drug, it can't be all bad!

Kat, I've never heard of this. My aunt had alzheimers and smoked like a chimney all her adult life. She was 85 when she died. Ironically enough, she was put into an alzheimers home about 6 to 8 months before she died. She never asked for another cigarette from the day she went in there. Kinda like she forgot she ever smoked. :eek:


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