Is smoking a sin?

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I just watched the movie “Thank You For Smoking” again last night. I love this film, but it did get me thinking… if we don’t want our children to do it, it’s probably not okay to do ourselves. Right? I mean it is terrible for your health even if one were to partake of it “in moderation.” Therefore, is it a sin to smoke?
 
I asked something about this long ago, I might be able to do a thread search.

The answer was “not a sin to smoke in general”. Apparently some of the popes even smoked. However, some added that it can be a sin to smoke in excess, and considering how much we know about the dangers of smoking these days, a little bit is probably too much.

It’d be advised not to smoke and to tell your kids not to smoke. But, don’t just go around saying “smoking is a sin”.
 
The only mention of tobacco in the Catechism is:
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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Tobacco use is not, *per se *a sin.

tee
 
I always find this an interesting cultural phenomenon. People have their little hot-button issues that separate them from the rest of the world kind of like the Pharisee and the tax collector in the Temple - “Thank you God that I am not like this tax collector.” I tend to see people who condemn smokers as self-righteous hypocrites or just ignorant because they haven’t put much thought into it. They probably say smoking is destroying “the temple” as they’re on their way to McDonalds or as they throw down a whole bag of potato chips in one sitting. I personally don’t smoke, I think it’s pretty disgusting - smells bad and costs too much - but a sin? Probably not as black and white as some make it out to be.
 
Being raised a Methodist, smoking is considered a sin (or was in the old Methodist Church)

The key text used by the Wesley brothers was “The body is the temple of the Holy Spirit” >> So drinking and smoking were considered a sin because you were destroying the temple. (In the late 60s early 70s the Methodist church allowed drinking in moderation)

Now that I am Catholic, I still feel the same as the Wesley brothers… It’s a sin to do anything that would destroy that temple.
 
Well there’s no doubt that there are many who hypocritically renounce smoking in general as a sin while they themselves aren’t leading healthy lives. However, it begs the question that if smoking in general ISN’T a sin, then is the fact that it is an illegal substance the ONLY reason why smoking marijuana is a sin? What if it were legalized? What about if it is smoked in a country where it is legal?
I know nobody is perfect and there’s been popes that smoked, but does that mean it isn’t a sin just because a pope or some other pious people enjoyed or still enjoy the vice?
What if a pope or priest or nun smoked marijuana, does that mean smoking marijuana isn’t a sin?
It seems like the dividing line here between what is and isn’t a sin is rather subjective. Many would consider smoking at all to be in excess as their is no benefit to the body in doing so, the only motivation is to alter one’s state of mind chemically to enjoy the euphoric sensations caused by the substance. In many ways this is no different than enjoying alcoholic beverages in moderation (i.e. not becoming intoxicated). However, unlike smoking, drinking is not inherently harmful in even very small amounts. And as the film and some posts point out, are all these taxable vices so different than junk food?
How often are you allowed to eat cheesecake without it being considered an excessive amount? Is eating it at all a sin? Is one cigarette a day the limit? One per month? How about marijuana? Once a day in a blue zone in Amsterdam okay?
 
Will_B said:
Being raised a Methodist, smoking is considered a sin (or was in the old Methodist Church)

The key text used by the Wesley brothers was “The body is the temple of the Holy Spirit” >> So drinking and smoking were considered a sin because you were destroying the temple. (In the late 60s early 70s the Methodist church allowed drinking in moderation)

Now that I am Catholic, I still feel the same as the Wesley brothers… It’s a sin to do anything that would destroy that temple.
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Drinking in moderation does not destroy the temple and therefore is not a sin. I would lean towards saying that smoking on occasion, like a few times a year would not be a sin. I guess it would also depend on what you were smoking.
 
It seems to me that the environment would play a factor in this. What does the Church teach about imposing our vises upon others? It seems like smoking in any environment with non-smokers is imposing our vise upon those around us. They receive the detriment of second hand smoke without smoking themselves. It seems to me like second hand smoke is a attack on another person, albeit remote and subtle. Cursing would be similar in nature as it is something you do that can harm another.

Just a thought.

God Bless.
 
revertfromLDS said:
Well there’s no doubt that there are many who hypocritically renounce smoking in general as a sin while they themselves aren’t leading healthy lives. However, it begs the question that if smoking in general ISN’T a sin, then is the fact that it is an illegal substance the ONLY reason why smoking marijuana is a sin? What if it were legalized? What about if it is smoked in a country where it is legal?
I know nobody is perfect and there’s been popes that smoked, but does that mean it isn’t a sin just because a pope or some other pious people enjoyed or still enjoy the vice?
What if a pope or priest or nun smoked marijuana, does that mean smoking marijuana isn’t a sin?
It seems like the dividing line here between what is and isn’t a sin is rather subjective. Many would consider smoking at all to be in excess as their is no benefit to the body in doing so, the only motivation is to alter one’s state of mind chemically to enjoy the euphoric sensations caused by the substance. In many ways this is no different than enjoying alcoholic beverages in moderation (i.e. not becoming intoxicated). However, unlike smoking, drinking is not inherently harmful in even very small amounts. And as the film and some posts point out, are all these taxable vices so different than junk food?
How often are you allowed to eat cheesecake without it being considered an excessive amount? Is eating it at all a sin? Is one cigarette a day the limit? One per month? How about marijuana? Once a day in a blue zone in Amsterdam okay?
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You can’t smoke a joint in moderation. Smoke one joint, you’re high. Your state of mind is significantly altered. You’d probably have to drink a six pack to debilitate yourself to the same level.
 
I would not rush to that conclusion. I think it would be possible to smoke marijuana in moderation, assuming it wasn’t a sin for other reason (ie, assuming you’re smoking somewhere it’s legal to do so). I’m not sure if the above poster has actually smoked one joint himself to know that… (and different people have different amounts of tolerance, so even if one joint is too much for him, it might be moderation for someone else. It’s also possible to smoke half a joint).
 
You acknowledge these vices are harmful, and you know that the Church teaches the avoidance of vice and the practice of virtue. If you are looking to justify and rationalize, there are several answers that might be helpful, but if you’re going to be honest, smoking isn’t something that could be considered a virtue. Are these harmless habits, or something more sinister? May I suggest C.S. Lewis’ “The Screwtape Letters” as an informative and entertaining look at this question. It’s not smoking or not smoking that’s important, but the why of it either way.
 
revertfromLDS said:
I just watched the movie “Thank You For Smoking” again last night. I love this film, but it did get me thinking… if we don’t want our children to do it, it’s probably not okay to do ourselves. Right? I mean it is terrible for your health even if one were to partake of it “in moderation.” Therefore, is it a sin to smoke?
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Yes it is.
 
Smoking is not sin per se. Nor is drinking. Nor is game of chance. It becomes a sin when it is done in excess that one is depending on it whereby one should depend on the Lord.

Smoking definitely is not encouraged as nothing really good that will come out of it. Why would we do something that has no apparent goodness but only endanger our life?

A better question that should be asked is - why do I smoke? The answer will make it clearer to a smoker whether it is a sin or not.

Usually we smoke because we crave for it; because the body system has been addicted to it. The physiology part demands that the body need to maintain the nicotine level, the chemical that’s stored in the body through years of smoking. It does this by altering the body system so that the person will crave for smoke and if it is not appeased it can cause minor side effect - restless, anxiety or even anger. And if smoking is done, the insufficiency in the system is rectified and the person experience ‘pleasure and satisfaction’. In other word, smoke has become a ‘satisfier’ in the life of a smoker.

This is against the spirit of believing in God as the sole provider of good things. If I have God why do I need Dunhill? The danger of smoking is that one can make smoke as a god in one’s life, even if not directly or in a small way.

So why smoke? Why not just kill the habit? Why not ask God to help to overcome the habit?

Good bless.
 
Will_B said:
Being raised a Methodist, smoking is considered a sin (or was in the old Methodist Church)

The key text used by the Wesley brothers was “The body is the temple of the Holy Spirit” >> So drinking and smoking were considered a sin because you were destroying the temple. (In the late 60s early 70s the Methodist church allowed drinking in moderation)

Now that I am Catholic, I still feel the same as the Wesley brothers… It’s a sin to do anything that would destroy that temple.
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So you are suggesting Jesus was a sinner. He drank wine regularly.
 
thistle said:
So you are suggesting Jesus was a sinner. He drank wine regularly.
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Very good point, I’m glad I’m not the only one who realizes Jesus drank wine. 🙂

I believe smoking (and drinking) in moderation wouldn’t be a sin. Many medical studies have shown that smoking in moderation isn’t harmful to the body. Is it beneficial? No, but neither is watching a good movie if you think about it. However, if you can’t trust yourself not to make an accurate estimate of what is “moderation” for yourself, you shouldn’t start. We all know nicotine is highly addictive, and if you begin to need it, this is harmful to the body, which according to definitions I’ve read here, means it is a sin.
 
I think the best way to look at it is like food and alcohol: God made tobacco and it can be used for enjoyment legitimately in moderation. So, for example, having a nice cigar or pipe once a week would probably not be any worse than having a beer or two in the evening. Smoking in that amount - and in particular using cigars and pipes instead of cigarettes - would be just like enjoying a fine meal or what-have-you.

Definitely definitely avoid cigarettes though. Cigars and pipes will relax you and taste nice, you can “feel” the nicotine, but with cigarettes you get a very quick and strong “kick” of nicotine which is so much more addictive. Plus with cigarettes it’s very easy to just light one up, whereas with pipes and cigars they take some time to smoke. It’s sort of like comparing taking a couple of shots of vodka to having a nice pale ale or something.

I am myself addicted to cigarettes right now. From reading here and in the catechism I think smoking cigarettes would be a venial sin (an undue attachment to creatures certainly, but I don’t think it’d send us to hell on its own). Of course we should really shun venial sin too. Venial sin will predispose us to mortal sin and, besides that, Purgatory ain’t no picnic and we really have no way of knowing how much time we add to our purgation with every puff. I’m going to try to quit soon, along with my dad.

Frankly we don’t really have any way to know for 100% sure whether smoking cigs is grave matter or not; afaik the Church hasn’t made any dogmatic judgments of it, those things generally being reserved for theological matters. The Ordinary Magisterium’s relationship to it has changed with time; at least one Pope banned its use very severely, and then apparently later on it was liberalized. So, just going with what I “hear people say” and (if memory serves) what the Church currently teaches, it’s a venial sin, but definitely something we should stop.
 
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