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ADiosgracias
Guest
should I not smoke an hour before communion? like with food
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TheDoctor
Guest
As a Catholic, my opinion is that a smoke does not break the communion fast rule.
As a Catholic dad, my opinion is that you should not smoke. At all. Period. Get help to quit if you need it.
As a Catholic dad, my opinion is that you should not smoke. At all. Period. Get help to quit if you need it.
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spiderweb
Guest
I don’t believe there is any formal teaching on this, but it’s not a bad idea to offer a little sacrifice along with the fast. Technically the smoke goes into your lungs, and the Eucharist into your stomach.
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robwar
Guest
another thought to this is to be considerate of those around you. I can’t stand the smell of smoking and someone who has just smoked smells and has that nasty cigarette smell. It can make me nauseous. Maybe the thought would be that if I don’t smoke one hour before, I’ll smell better to those around me at Church. You should really quit anyway for your own health and well being.
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Jon_Paul
Guest
No smoking does not break the Eucharistic fast that applies only to foodstuffs. Liquids also are okay to consume. When we smoke, we take it into our longs, not our stomachs. And I assure you that it’s a bad idea to take Christ into the lungs! 
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Elizium23
Guest
Liquids are not okay to consume if they are coffee, juice, tea, soda, alcohol, or other beverages that are not water!
You may only consume water and medicine. Since cigarettes are neither food nor drink they are not regulated, but common sense should prevail here.
You may only consume water and medicine. Since cigarettes are neither food nor drink they are not regulated, but common sense should prevail here.
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revert_jen
Guest
My understanding is that this is not correct. I believe only water is allowed (and medicine), not things like coffee.
However, I agree both that smoking does not break the fast, and that refraining for an hour before the Eucharist is a good idea for other reasons (sacrifice, the comfort of others, etc.).
I wish people would also refrain from using more than a tiny amount of perfume and cologne before Mass, but that would be another thread.
–Jen
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Luz_Maria
Guest
Holy Mother Church takes care of us and if we are sick, we may eat less than one hour before receiving. Also, if a family member is sick and brought Holy Communion or Viaticum, both the sick and the healthy person may Receive even if the persons have just eaten (there was no way to know that the Priest or EMHC would be coming). Also, if a Priest must celebrate multiple Masses, he fasts the one hour before the first Mass’ Communion, but he is not obliged to fast before the consecutive Masses.
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shialinane
Guest
smoking as in dagga will interfere with normal human purity. i just look for a smoking free genaration.
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CaptFun
Guest
On the one hand, smoking has nothing to do with fasting, (eating or drinking).
On the other hand remember to remove the 'rette form your mouth, expel all smoke, and consider putting it out altogether before presenting yourself for communion. Perhaps a day before.
youtube.com/watch?v=_UeheksW6uM < this sort of “smoking” (without tobacco or other ignited substances) is probably the best sort to do if one must. But watch out for hypothermia!
(Please Note: This uploaded content is no longer available.)
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Neofight
Guest
So, the easiest way for all concerned is to place the prohibition on smoking AFTER the next mass you attend…in other words you just never smoke again at the close of the next mass.
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revert_jen
Guest
I’m pretty sure that the OP didn’t ask if he should quit smoking. I can’t understand why everyone feels the need to give unsolicited advice on this issue. (This is directed at the posters on this thread in general, not particularly toward Neofight.)
–Jen
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Neofight
Guest
Fair enough, Jen…by all means, smoke to your heart’s content…far be it from me, after seeing both my father and grandfather die from the ravishing effects of smoking, to show concern for the health of others from a known and verifiable health hazard!
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revert_jen
Guest
I didn’t say I smoked. If you think there is anyone in this country who doesn’t already know that smoking is dangerous, by all means, you should tell them–that would help them. However, I doubt that anyone ever quit smoking just because he kept being nagged about it by strangers.Fair enough, Jen…by all means, smoke to your heart’s content…far be it from me, after seeing both my father and grandfather die from the ravishing effects of smoking, to show concern for the health of others from a known and verifiable health hazard!
It would make more sense to pray that God would help them quit than just to tell them to do it. I’m very sorry about your father and grandfather, but it’s not helping someone if there is basically no chance that the help will do any good.
When I was younger, my obstinacy kept me away from a sincere Christianity for at least a year because a friend-of-a-friend was nagging me about it. She meant well, and was probably showing concern for the state of my soul, but her “help” actually harmed me. Not through her fault, rather because of my sinful nature, but even though it wasn’t her fault, it was still very predictably the result of her actions.
So, I’m not saying smoking is good, I’m saying unsolicited personal advice (regardless of how good that advice may be) from strangers is not helpful.
–Jen
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otjm
Guest
So, if I am reading this right, you think that people who smoke will actually solicit advice as to whether they should or shouldn’t?
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CB_Catholic
Guest
They already know it’s bad for them. They’ve heard it over and over and over and over and over and over. At some point they will either tune it out or rebel. That’s all nagging about anything accomplishes.So, if I am reading this right, you think that people who smoke will actually solicit advice as to whether they should or shouldn’t?
The OP asked a question, he deserves the courtesy of a simple answer, not a lecture.
And no, I don’t smoke.
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jmcrae
Guest
Just a quick clarification - water, only, as far as liquids go. Water and medicine is permitted within the hour before Holy Communion. Everything else, we refrain from. (Juice, coffee, etc.) Gum creates a juice that goes down your throat, so you should also refrain from chewing gum, even though it’s not technically food.
Smoking isn’t either food or drink, and doesn’t simulate them, either, so there wouldn’t be any rule about it, other than common courtesy.
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CB_Catholic
Guest
Chewing gum stimulates saliva, which is ALWAYS in your mouth and always being produced and swallowed whether you realize it or not. It just creates more. Saliva is part of your body. The question of chewing gum has been asked a number of times in the AAA section, and the answer from the priests is that gum does not break the fast. It is not food. Just be sure to remove it before Mass.
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jmcrae
Guest
Yes, and just as when coffee beans are mixed with plain water, they become coffee, so also, when the flavorings of the gum mix with your saliva, it becomes juice.
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CB_Catholic
Guest
Here is an answer from one of the apologists:Yes, and just as when coffee beans are mixed with plain water, they become coffee, so also, when the flavorings of the gum mix with your saliva, it becomes juice.
forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=141897&highlight=chewing+gum
What you have stated is just plain nonsense.
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