Blowing Smoke

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Scardinoz

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I quit smoking (cold turkey) on November 4th, 2007. I smoked cigars. Monte Cristo Tubos.

That said, I was having a discussion with an evangelical friend of mine and the subject of smoking came up. He said that it is a sin because it is unhealthy. I told him I disagreed and said that such logic would lead us to conclude that eating hamburgers and such was a sin, thus leading us to a slew of dietary laws.

I eventually conceded that smoking frequently to the noticeable detriment of one’s health could be labelled a sin and so could blowing smoke in the face of innocent bystanders. However, he insisted that smoking in itself is a sin because it is deliberate, unhealthy, and easily avoidable.

What’s your take on it?
 
My doctor tells me there is no statistical difference between non-smokers and smokers who consume 5 or fewer cigars per week. She has cleared me to smoke 5 per week. She even went so far as to “send a note home” to my somewhat skeptical wife (half joking in full earnest, as my grandmother used to say).

The benefit I derive in terms of relaxation and stress reduction are immense.

To paraphrase Ben Franklin "Cigars are proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy!

Tell you protestant buddy to lighten up.
 
The Church in her Catechism says that tobacco use* falls under the virtue of temperance (and its abuse, presumably outside of it).
2290 The virtue of temperance disposes us to avoid every kind of excess: the abuse of food, alcohol, tobacco, or medicine. Those incur grave guilt who, by drunkenness or a love of speed, endanger their own and others’ safety on the road, at sea, or in the air.
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(* In addition to food, which you had mentioned, and other substances)

tee
 
tee_eff_em said:
The Church in her Catechism says that tobacco use* falls under the virtue of temperance (and its abuse, presumably outside of it).

(* In addition to food, which you had mentioned, and other substances)

tee
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Ah, yes, but what is to be considered excess?

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While that person clearly needs a new hobby, smoking habits vary wildly from person to person.

I guess a ‘Less Than 5 Per Week’ rule is a good ball park.
 
Smoking is not intrinsically evil.
It can be a sin though, as in all other actions other than smoking. Remember the object, the end, and the circumstances of an act (CCC 1755).
May I have a light? 🙂

-Smokin’ Joe
randomthoughtsmusings.blogspot.com
 
My Protestant Father feels the same way about things such as smoking and drinking (the latter is a very common practice at my Catholic Church). From what I read, it sounds like your friends thinks that smoking is bad because it is unhealthy. You got it right when you questioned him about hamburgers and you could even go so far as to say most vegetables (pesticides) or even breathing (there is a lot more harm in the air then one would normally think). Did your friend quote from scripture, or did he have some logic, or what?
 
1 Cor. 6:19-20 “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body,” (1 Cor. 6:19-20).

That is what he used as the foundation for his argument. I believe that, even interpreting the verse as he did - given its context - smoking in moderation is still permissable.

That said, my best man and I celebrated my impending marriage this coming Sunday with a couple of Montecristo Churchills. Wonderful cigars. Medium bodied with some spicy notes. Just how I like them.
 
I don’t believe smoking is a sin. I don’t ever remember seeing a commandment from God that says, Thou shall not smoke. But, I quit smoking because I just wanted too. A choice for me. 👍
Peace, Golfjack
 
I don’t smoke, I don’t think smoking is a sin, however, I do believe that blowing smoke around non-smokers is immoral.

There was a time when smokers would ask “do you mind if I smoke” before lighting up - these days few bother to ask, and even fewer bother to accept “no” for an answer.
 
Among_Strangers said:
Well it’s clear where I stand on this 😃
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I’m :wave:over here with Among Strangers.
Mind you, :hmmm:it is a good deal easier to say that smoking a pipe (which smells perfectly :love:yummy),is as an innocent pleasure than it is to say that about smoking cigarettes (which:coolinoff: smell like a [deleted :eek:adjective] [deleted :bigyikes:{&improper} noun])😉…
 
Cigs today are only made of 50% and the rest is fillers. Church only says the use of tobacco is okay in moderation, well by that logic, smoking those commerical cigs could be considered immoral given that they are only partly tobacco.
 
This gets debated on these forums periodically. As a former smoker, I have held that it is inherently sinful. I have also held the view that it is not sinful. 🤷

The Curch has not spoken definitely on this. I will echo what some other posters have said. Like food or alcohol, it is a matter of moderation. Smoking ocassionally, as long as it does not become adddictive or compulsive, is probably okay. If it has gotten to the point where it has become habitual or an addiction, well I just do not know. 🤷

Perhaps asking if smoking is sinful is the wrong question. Perhaps the real question is: Does smoking contribute to personal holiness?
 
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