Is it sinful to smoke?

[kimbaichan]

I smoke, and it’s a sin. I don’t think that automatically makes me a bad person, though. “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” That would mean every single person is a bad person.
The reason smoking is a sin for me–I’m addicted. I’d like to get up in the morning and pray my morning offering, instead I have to have a smoke. I could pray first but my brain needs the nicotine so badly that I couldn’t clearly remember what I’d said and I’d stumble over the words. For me, the fact that doing something harmful to my body takes precedence over dedicating my day to the Sacred and Immaculate Hearts is a sin.

 

[tbcrawford]

I smoke, and it’s a sin. I don’t think that automatically makes me a bad person, though. “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” That would mean every single person is a bad person.
The reason smoking is a sin for me–I’m addicted. I’d like to get up in the morning and pray my morning offering, instead I have to have a smoke. I could pray first but my brain needs the nicotine so badly that I couldn’t clearly remember what I’d said and I’d stumble over the words. For me, the fact that doing something harmful to my body takes precedence over dedicating my day to the Sacred and Immaculate Hearts is a sin.

God bless you kim what do you think about priests who smoke?

 

[Holly3278]

I believe it is sinful to be a “smoker” because you are addicted to the cigarettes or whatever it is that you are smoking. However, if you simply enjoy the occasional cigar or whatever, I don’t see the harm in that.

 

[kimbaichan]

God bless you kim what do you think about priests who smoke?

Like any one else, it depends on how much they smoke and what their conscience tells them about it. IMO, they would be caught between a rock and a hard place; I think it would be very hard for them to carry out their pastoral duties if they were suffering from nicotine withdrawals when trying to quit.

 

[tbcrawford]

Like any one else, it depends on how much they smoke and what their conscience tells them about it. IMO, they would be caught between a rock and a hard place; I think it would be very hard for them to carry out their pastoral duties if they were suffering from nicotine withdrawals when trying to quit.

Good point

 

[Mumbles140]

I see two very different arguments that smoking is a sin, and I would like to confront both of them below.

First, the argument that smoking is sinful because it is causing harm to our bodies, which should be temples for God. The fact of the matter is that under this argument, anything which causes harm to your body is sinful. This would include drinking, occasional tobacco use (even cigars–mouth and throat cancer), fast food, and other health-risk activities. I think the argument that something is unhealthy automatically qualifies is as sinful is based off of scripture that can be interpreted in any number of varying ways and is applied strictly to smoking because that is viewed as a societal evil by most of the population.

Secondly, the argument that addictions are sinful. I have never seen specific scripture or teaching on the matter in terms of its sinful nature. I believe that if the activity itself is not sinful, then it becoming an addiction would not change this. What changes the sinful nature of the activity is when the addiction begins affecting other areas of your life, which could lead you into sin.

I am addicted to cigarettes, but I have control over it. I don’t mean I’m craving cigarettes all the time or smoking 5 packs a day, but I have not been able to give up cigarettes, and that’s why I consider it an addiction. And knowing full well the health risks associated, I still do not believe I am committing a sin by smoking, nor am I sinning by not breaking my habit (although I am trying to quit for personal reasons). And until the Mother Church says something definitively on the matter, I’ll continue to stick to my beliefs, and my tobacco!

 

[s4angel]

I am a smoker, I grew up with smokers. I hate it that it controls me and I just don’t seem able to stop though I did while pregnant. Is it a sin? I rather think so because I know that I am slowly poisoning myself and those I love around me. Why don’t I just stop? because I am weak and I am physicaly addicted and mentaly addicted. I use it to calm down instead of the lord and praying, I use it to end my meals and sometimes in place of meals, I use it as an excuse for a break instead of prayer and I always say I need a cigg instead of I need Jesus which I should be doing. I am still trying to quit.

 

[Portrait]

I am a smoker, I grew up with smokers. I hate it that it controls me and I just don’t seem able to stop though I did while pregnant. Is it a sin? I rather think so because I know that I am slowly poisoning myself and those I love around me. Why don’t I just stop? because I am weak and I am physicaly addicted and mentaly addicted. I use it to calm down instead of the lord and praying, I use it to end my meals and sometimes in place of meals, I use it as an excuse for a break instead of prayer and I always say I need a cigg instead of I need Jesus which I should be doing. I am still trying to quit.

Dear s4angel,

Your post is refreshingly honest in that you do not try to justify your habit and addiction to tobacco. Moreover, you have a genuine desire to quit since you know that you are relying upon cigarettes rather than our Lord.

I will remember you in my prayers and ask that God will grant you the necessary willpower so that you can say farewell to smoking forever. I was myself a smoker up until about three years ago thus I understand what you are going through. All I can say is never give up trying to give up, no matter how often you fail. It is plainly evident that you love our Lord and that is the best start one can have when trying to break any habit.

So s4angel don’t despair, you will succeed eventually but pray continually and ask God for His grace for you.

Keep on keeping on alright.

Warmest good wishes and prayers,

Portrait

 

[stringbeanduck]

I am a smoker, I grew up with smokers. I hate it that it controls me and I just don’t seem able to stop though I did while pregnant. Is it a sin? I rather think so because I know that I am slowly poisoning myself and those I love around me. Why don’t I just stop? because I am weak and I am physicaly addicted and mentaly addicted. I use it to calm down instead of the lord and praying, I use it to end my meals and sometimes in place of meals, I use it as an excuse for a break instead of prayer and I always say I need a cigg instead of I need Jesus which I should be doing. I am still trying to quit.

Yes it’s probably a sin to smoke while you are pregnant. Course my mother was heavy smoker when she was pregnant with me. Might be the reason why I like tobacco. Problem is, your brain is use to all the chemicals and sugar. Try getting off them chems and sugars and then try to quit. I suggest smoking homegrown tobacco or American Spirits for a while before quitting. Then pray a lot and seek the prayers of others when you try to quit again.