Am I sinning by smoking?

[ChunkMonk]

I’m smoking right now, so while my cognitive functions are stimulated, let me take another crack at it.

Smoking tastes good. It also gives a very nice burning sensation in the throat. It divides the day up nicely, gives a nice natural 3-5 minute break in the action of whatever I’m doing to collect my thoughts. It also is fun to smoke with other people. Everyone (who is cool) piles outside and we have our own little short conversation. You meet new people because smokers congregate. It’s also fun to learn to blow smoke rings. It is nice when you watch a movie with another smoker because you can stop the movie at a certain point and discuss what is happening, how good the movie is, what you think is going to happen.

It’s also fun to poke fun at people who don’t smoke. Because everyone is so uptight about smoking, it can be nice to tease people about it from the other side.

Will non-smokers understand? Probably not. Everyone likes to feel superior and being a non-smoker gives you a nice, socially acceptable reason to openly display your own sense of superiority. That can also be part of the fun, not being uptight and not feeling the need to follow all the ‘rules’ and not being hyper-obsessed with physical health. So it’s a tradeoff. Non-smokers get to be sanctimonious and smokers get to go out with all the cool kids and leave the squares behind.

 

[Reuben_J]

I’m smoking right now, so while my cognitive functions are stimulated, let me take another crack at it.

Smoking tastes good. It also gives a very nice burning sensation in the throat. It divides the day up nicely, gives a nice natural 3-5 minute break in the action of whatever I’m doing to collect my thoughts. It also is fun to smoke with other people. Everyone (who is cool) piles outside and we have our own little short conversation. You meet new people because smokers congregate. It’s also fun to learn to blow smoke rings. It is nice when you watch a movie with another smoker because you can stop the movie at a certain point and discuss what is happening, how good the movie is, what you think is going to happen.

It’s also fun to poke fun at people who don’t smoke. Because everyone is so uptight about smoking, it can be nice to tease people about it from the other side.

Will non-smokers understand? Probably not. Everyone likes to feel superior and being a non-smoker gives you a nice, socially acceptable reason to openly display your own sense of superiority. That can also be part of the fun, not being uptight and not feeling the need to follow all the ‘rules’ and not being hyper-obsessed with physical health. So it’s a tradeoff. Non-smokers get to be sanctimonious and smokers get to go out with all the cool kids and leave the squares behind.

I know. LOL.

Seriously, I try to get smokers to stop and I only do that because I sincerely feel afraid for them for doing so.

I said the same thing you said when I was a smoker. I did it (smoked) because I could not help it; it not not up to me but because I was controlled by the nicotine deficiency and I need to smoke to offset the withdrawal syndrome.

We tried to help a brother in our cell group to quit the habit. He did stop for a while but later reverted after a spell when we were not with him. He felt bad about it … .

I think that should be our attitude to those who unfortunately have the habit but like I said it is difficult to tell them without incurring the misunderstanding.

Smoking is a problem and we should see it as such. Smokers know about it. Others telling them it is does not help much. Well meaning criticism can be seen as vilification.

To the OP - hope you will consider the posts here.

 

[lilypadrees]

Why do you need to smoke to feel good? The burning sensation you enjoy now could lead to esophageal cancer later. And those around you could develop cancer from second hand smoke if they are not smokers themselves.

I’m sorry you see poking fun at people who don’t smoke as “fun.” It isn’t. Walking without gasping for air is fun. The money saved from not buying all those cigarettes can be used on much healthier pursuits.

My father was a smoker for most of his life. He developed COPD as a result of his smoking and was in and out of hospitals until the day he died. My grandfathers both smoked. One of my grandmothers smoked. So many health problems as a result of being hooked on nicotine.

There is nothing “fun” about smoking. You would do well to quit, if not for yourself, for your loved ones. You are endangering their health as well as your own.

Smoking is not “cool.” It is stupid. I’d rather hang out with those you consider “squares” than be with those who have no respect for themselves or others.

I’ll tell you another thing. Jesus didn’t smoke.

 

[RKS89]

I no longer smoke cigarettes but I smoke pipes and cigars. They relax me, give me quiet time to myself which I need for my personality type, I enjoy the tastes and the smell and the ritual of packing and lighting a pipe or cutting a cigar. I appreciate comments from others who take the time to say they like the smell and, in general, I enjoy the type of people who also smoke pipes or cigars. It’s something that’s difficult to do fast, so it forces you to slow down. It helps me work problems out in my head. I even do the Examen with a pipe in hand. At this point my pipes are like old friends, things I reach for almost instinctively if a problem or big decision presents itself. And then, there’s always a certain bit of the unexplainable when trying to say exactly why you like a thing. Oh, I also think pipes and tobacco are visually appealing, sort of like art.

 

[lilypadrees]

Thank you for your response, RKS89.

 

[Jerusha]

Vaping is an excellent alternative. And it does not expose you to the thousands of carcinogenic compounds found in burning tobacco with additives.

 

[RKS89]

No problem. I also would add that I can buy the same pipe tobacco (in fairness, the blends probably aren’t identical) as JRR Tolkein smoked, or CS Lewis and there’s a kind of connection there for me, across space and time, like looking at a photograph. I also restore pipes and it’s interesting wondering at the life of the little hunk of wood in your hand, who owned it and all that. And they (should) outlive me, so I can pass them on, if only for decoration or nostalgia.

 

[ChunkMonk]

And those around you could develop cancer from second and smoke if they are not smokers themselves.

No, they can’t.

I’m sorry you see poking fun at people who don’t smoke as “fun.” It isn’t.

Yes, it is. When they aren’t being sanctimonious and uptight it is.

There is nothing “fun” about smoking.

Says the person who doesn’t smoke, so doesn’t know one way or the other.

Smoking is not “cool.” It is stupid. I’d rather hang out with those you consider “squares” than be with those who have no respect for themselves or others.

All the cool kids smoke, and like I said earlier: you want to feel superior so you use the excuse of smoking to do what you were going to do anyway. If it wasn’t smoking, it would be something else. Try to be more humble, and you might actually concince people. As it is, you just make me want to smoke more.

I’ll tell you another thing. Jesus didn’t smoke.

And? If you’re trying to make me feel bad for calling non-smokers squares then reread this sentence:

“I’d rather hang out with those you consider “squares” than be with those who have no respect for themselves or others.”

I playfully called some people squares. You angrily accused me of being a terrible sinner. Who is really rejecting the spirit of Christ’s teaching here? I knew it wasn’t an honest question when you asked it, but I answered it anyway, so I guess I deserve some of the blame but man, you people are mean. I’d rather die of lung cancer tomorrow than live a thousand more years if it means I have to be a humorless, nose-in-the-air, sanctimonious, high horsed, bore.

 

[lilypadrees]

No problem. I also would add that I can buy the same pipe tobacco (in fairness, the blends probably aren’t identical) as JRR Tolkein smoked, or CS Lewis and there’s a kind of connection there for me, across space and time, like looking at a photograph. I also restore pipes and it’s interesting wondering at the life of the little hunk of wood in your hand, who owned it and all that. And they (should) outlive me, so I can pass them on, if only for decoration or nostalgia.

I understand that. There are certain blends of tobacco that stir memories within me. And we do have one of my grandfather’s pipes. I will never think of him without a pipe in his mouth.

I have a friend who makes pipes. Very artistic. Very decorative. He has a talent for that kind of thing.

 

[lilypadrees]

You’re kidding yourself or are in denial, ChunkMonk. People die from breathing in secondhand smoke every day. Ever hear of Dana Reeve? She was the wife of Christopher Reeve. She never smoked but was around people who did. She developed lung cancer and died soon after at the age of 44 leaving her children without either of their parents.

I smoked for a short time when I was 12. I did it because my friends did it. But I didn’t like what smoking did to me. I didn’t like the way I felt. I didn’t like the way my clothes smelled. I didn’t like struggling for every breath or the burning feeling in my lungs. So I gave it up. With my respiratory problems, I shouldn’t have started. But I wanted to be “cool” and “fit in” with everyone else. All smoking did for me was make me look foolish. I’m better off for having given it up and wish I had never started.

The kids you think are “cool” smoke. The kids who are truly cool don’t. They either gave it up or never started.

You can call non-smokers anything you want. It doesn’t change the fact that you are the one who will have to suffer the consequences of your actions. I just pray you don’t take anyone else with you when you fall from the pedestal you’ve placed yourself and the rest of your smoker buds on.

Instead of attacking non-smokers for what we are “missing,” be honest with yourself. You smoke because it’s an escape from whatever stress you feel you are under. Your cigarettes are a crutch for you. A “friend” you can turn to who will always be there.

No one can make you do anything you don’t want to do. You smoke because you want to smoke. And nothing I or anyone else says is going to make you stop until you reach that crossroad where you are forced to make that decision.

I didn’t call you a sinner, ChunkMonk. I said I believe that smoking is a sin. It’s your life. You will have to live with the consequences. I am glad I stopped smoking. And I pray that you will wise up and stop one day too.

 

[exnihilo]

Obviously smokers should be more aware of their surroundings, and contrary to popular opinion, there are a lot of us that do try to move to secluded spots to enjoy our vice.

One reason these days to smoke is it gives you an excuse to step away from social gatherings and find some peace and quite.

One of my friends was raised in a smoking household and always had trouble with respiratory infections. Then at 29, she was diagnosed with asthma, and three weeks later she died. Of course her parents were traumatized, but you do wonder what percentage of the asthma they were responsible for. Weakened lungs may have made her more susceptible to asthma. To me, it is a sin, even if the Church doesn’t think so.

There is a tendency to blame anything we can on smoking. Some people just have bad lungs and get asthma.

Today, much discovery is made about the hazardous effect of cigarettes - from simple irritant to allergy to cigarette smoke related diseases including cancer.

They knew smoking was bad for you years ago. They called them coffin nails. Interestingly chewing and dipping used to be more popular ways of using tobacco. But the experts, wrongly, decided all the spit was spreading tuberculosis. So they encouraged people to switch to smoking. Beware of popular research.

 

[exnihilo]

You’re kidding yourself or are in denial, ChunkMonk. People die from breathing in secondhand smoke every day. Ever hear of Dana Reeve? She was the wife of Christopher Reeve. She never smoked but was around people who did. She developed lung cancer and died soon after at the age of 44 leaving her children without either of their parents.

These are the kind of conclusions that make me doubt any claims against cigarettes. People who never smoked get lung cancer so they make up the idea that because they were around smokers they got it from that. Some people get cancers for unknown reasons.

 

[ChunkMonk]

Fair enough. I disagree, but it’s not a huge deal to me. It’s mildly annoying having to hear that conversation every five minutes as a smoker, but whatever. People always gotta be up in mah business.

 

[Shakuhachi]

Of course not everyone who smokes or is around smokers gets lung cancer or COPD and not everyone with Lung cancer or COPD smokes or is around smokers. But there is no doubt that the smoke contains carcinogens. Beyond that fact we are just planning with the odds.

Interesting thing about the relaxing part. Nicotine is a stimulant but I beleive the slow deep breathing is what brings about the relaxed feeling. WHy not do more of that instead?

 

[StarMapp]

The body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. In my opinion, other than the occasional drink that is in keeping with social mores, excesses,pleasure seeking and vanity is venial. Smoking is a drug fix.(BTDT: I grew up in a household where grownups rolled their own, and I mean in stacks. Had my share of second hand.) If the offense serves as a personal detraction(like vanity), the seriousness scale starts to move higher. The degree of focus on the body moves the pointer higher, witness the new TV programs themed on vanity.

A special category I assign to tattooing, which is meant to convey something other than the person thinks it’s for. The spirits already know it is graffiti and a snub of a holy place. The real purpose is hidden from the owner of course. But this could be the extremes. A rose in the foot area,etc and nothing else is venial I would say.

When these get to their senior years, the dermatologists will have a field day. For the sake of the public, I hope the public health system doesn’t cover payment for these reversals.

But I’m ahead of myself here.

 

[exnihilo]

But there is no doubt that the smoke contains carcinogens.

Yes. The smoke is carcinogenic. Which is why non smoked tobacco is better for you. It is also why grilling food has carcinogens. I think smoking is worse than grilled food. But many folks who condemn smokers enjoy grilled food. If they wanted to eliminate all risk they’d not. The time may come when they too are considered ripe for derision.

 

[ChunkMonk]

As far as health care costs go, when the non-smokers give me back the thousands of dollars I’ve paid in taxes on my smokes, then they can complain about my healthcare costs.

 

[lilypadrees]

Keep absolving yourselves from any responsibilities for non-smokers getting lung cancer. You’ll learn the truth one day.

 

[lilypadrees]

Why should non-smokers reimburse you for the taxes you spent on your ciggies? YOU made the choice to smoke. We didn’t make it for you. If you want your healthcare costs and taxes to go down, STOP smoking.

 

[exnihilo]

Keep absolving yourselves from any responsibilities for non-smokers getting lung cancer. You’ll learn the truth one day.

Do you drive a car? If so you are putting out toxic fumes. Do you use electricity? If so the production of it creates toxins including radiation? Do you buy food? It was shipped in using trucks which produce a lot of toxic fumes. I could go on.

The point is I’m sure you are responsible for plenty of people being exposed to toxins. You wanting what you want is no different from a smoker wanting what he wants.