Smoking Cigarettes

[Holly3278]

The Bible says that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit:

1 Corinthians 6:19 RSV Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God? You are not your own;
1 Corinthians 6:20 RSV you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

And the Catechism says this about tobacco:

**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.

But the question is, just what exactly or how much is excess? What do you think?

 

[Allen537]

The Bible says that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit:

1 Corinthians 6:19 RSV Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God? You are not your own;
1 Corinthians 6:20 RSV you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

And the Catechism says this about tobacco:

But the question is, just what exactly or how much is excess? What do you think?

hmm… tough since in regards to food, tobacco, and alcohol it is all relative to the person.

But I guess a good rule of thumb would be:

Food- if you have eaten to the point of being sick, or to the point of throwing up either in and of itself or in order to consume more food, you have crossed the line.

Tobacco- If you smoke so many in a row with the intention of getting high, you have over done it.

Alcohol- If you get to the point where you are drunk…you have over done it. But then again, this one is tough, since the effects of alcohol can sneak up on you, especially if you remain seated while drinking over a long period of time. In which case if you stood up and found yourself to be drunk, I would assume the moral culpability would be lessened somewhat.

In Carmel,

Br. Allen

 

[Holly3278]

hmm… tough since in regards to food, tobacco, and alcohol it is all relative to the person.

But I guess a good rule of thumb would be:

Food- if you have eaten to the point of being sick, or to the point of throwing up either in and of itself or in order to consume more food, you have crossed the line.

Tobacco- If you smoke so many in a row with the intention of getting high, you have over done it.

Alcohol- If you get to the point where you are drunk…you have over done it. But then again, this one is tough, since the effects of alcohol can sneak up on you, especially if you remain seated while drinking over a long period of time. In which case if you stood up and found yourself to be drunk, I would assume the moral culpability would be lessened somewhat.

In Carmel,

Br. Allen

Ah ok. Thank you for your (name removed by moderator)ut Br. Allen.

 

[MartyMcFly]

Tobacco- If you smoke so many in a row with the intention of getting high, you have over done it.
n

You can get HIGH from smoking Tobacco?

 

[Holly3278]

You can get HIGH from smoking Tobacco?

I didn’t know that you could get high from smoking tobacco either but apparently you can according to Br. Allen.

 

[ForwardProgress]

I think smoking should be a mortal sin. It is a disordered use of the lungs. Fr Corapi agrees.

 

[Allen537]

You can get HIGH from smoking Tobacco?

You can get a “high” by taking in too much nicotine flowing to the brain at one time.

From Tabaccofreedom.org:

For a drug to be addictive, it must get to the brain quickly. Injected heroin gets to the brain in about 15 seconds, giving the user an explosive “high.” Nicotine from tobacco smoke gets there even faster. It takes about seven (7) seconds to travel from the lungs to the brain – (see special on How Tobacco Companies Free-base, or Super Charge, Nicotine).

Once in the brain, nicotine minics a chemical called acetylcholine and bonds with nerve cells scientists refer to as “nicotine receptors.” These receptors are “entry gates” to the cells and the specific chemicals activate the receptors. The chemicals “fit” the receptor cells like a key sliding into a lock.

We call these chemicals neurotransmitters. They function as a postal system for the brain by delivering instructions to different cells and causing chemical reactions to occur [5].

Nicotine “hijacks” many of the receptors meant to receive acetylcholine and causes the release of other chemicals such as dopamine, serotonin and noradrenaline. These reactions create the “high” associated with smoking. The neurotransmitters make the smoker feel happy, alert or stimulated and affect the mood of the addicted user [6].

Getting “high” on Nicotine
Researchers believe smoking causes an increase in the amount of “feel good” chemicals present in the smoker’s brain. As the person continues to smoke, his/her brain actually creates more nicotine receptors with which to “catch” the drug. This means that when the smoker stops smoking abruptly, all these receptors become “hungry” for their habitual dose of nicotine. This hunger is responsible for the physical cravings for a cigarette. The sudden drop in the levels of dopamine and other neurotransmitters in the smoker’s brain when he/she quits result in low moods and depression that so many people experience when they try to quit [7]. The crack cocaine user goes through similar, although more intense, withdrawals upon cessation: the initial short-lived euphoria will be followed by a “crash.” This involves anxiety, depression, irritability, extreme fatigue and possibly paranoia.

 

[Holly3278]

You can get a “high” by taking in too much nicotine flowing to the brain at one time.

From Tabaccofreedom.org:

For a drug to be addictive, it must get to the brain quickly. Injected heroin gets to the brain in about 15 seconds, giving the user an explosive “high.” Nicotine from tobacco smoke gets there even faster. It takes about seven (7) seconds to travel from the lungs to the brain – (see special on How Tobacco Companies Free-base, or Super Charge, Nicotine).

Once in the brain, nicotine minics a chemical called acetylcholine and bonds with nerve cells scientists refer to as “nicotine receptors.” These receptors are “entry gates” to the cells and the specific chemicals activate the receptors. The chemicals “fit” the receptor cells like a key sliding into a lock.

We call these chemicals neurotransmitters. They function as a postal system for the brain by delivering instructions to different cells and causing chemical reactions to occur [5].

Nicotine “hijacks” many of the receptors meant to receive acetylcholine and causes the release of other chemicals such as dopamine, serotonin and noradrenaline. These reactions create the “high” associated with smoking. The neurotransmitters make the smoker feel happy, alert or stimulated and affect the mood of the addicted user [6].

Getting “high” on Nicotine
Researchers believe smoking causes an increase in the amount of “feel good” chemicals present in the smoker’s brain. As the person continues to smoke, his/her brain actually creates more nicotine receptors with which to “catch” the drug. This means that when the smoker stops smoking abruptly, all these receptors become “hungry” for their habitual dose of nicotine. This hunger is responsible for the physical cravings for a cigarette. The sudden drop in the levels of dopamine and other neurotransmitters in the smoker’s brain when he/she quits result in low moods and depression that so many people experience when they try to quit [7]. The crack cocaine user goes through similar, although more intense, withdrawals upon cessation: the initial short-lived euphoria will be followed by a “crash.” This involves anxiety, depression, irritability, extreme fatigue and possibly paranoia.

Interesting. I did not know that. Thanks for telling us about it. That said, I was not making fun of you or anything when I made the post using the winking smiley just so you know.

 

[joshua1]

You can get high smoking ciagarettes. although I dont think always in the chemical sense, although it can be. When you smoke alot, carbon monoxide robs your blood of oxygen levels, including the blood that flows to your brain, therefore giving you a dizzy or “high” feeling. The same concept of the “choking game” that some kids play.

 

[Christy_Beth]

I’ve been smoking since early 1982. I was in the Army at the time and it was something that most of the others did. I mean, in Basic Training, at the start of a break, it was called out, “If you got them, smoke them.” AIT wasn’t much different. It was the “in” thing to do.

I don’t get a “high” from cigarettes. About the most it does is help me calm down if I’m stressed out. Ok, part of that is due to addiction. And I’ve been trying to break that addiction for a long time. It has affected my health. I’ve been told that I have asthma, and I know that if I were to quit smoking I’d be ok.

 

[kaws]

hmm… tough since in regards to food, tobacco, and alcohol it is all relative to the person.

But I guess a good rule of thumb would be:

Food- if you have eaten to the point of being sick, or to the point of throwing up either in and of itself or in order to consume more food, you have crossed the line.

Tobacco- If you smoke so many in a row with the intention of getting high, you have over done it.

Alcohol- If you get to the point where you are drunk…you have over done it. But then again, this one is tough, since the effects of alcohol can sneak up on you, especially if you remain seated while drinking over a long period of time. In which case if you stood up and found yourself to be drunk, I would assume the moral culpability would be lessened somewhat.

In Carmel,

Br. Allen

With food I might argue that eating too much or unhealthy food that it adds to significant weight gain and negative consequences (such as diabetes and heart disease) while not necessarily a mortal sin might be sinful, especially if one is responsible for providing for a family or others.

Smoking can be a terrible addiction which I think could lessen the moral culpability somewhat if the individual had intentions to try to quit smoking or cut back on their consumption.

With smoking I would add that exposing others to dangerous secondhand smoke could be sinful.

My husband is a smoker . He doesn’t smoke in the house or near our kids. He’s been trying to quit (at least he says) for several years now. He’s tried cold turkey, hypnosis, nicotine patches, wellbutrin and chantix with no luck so far .

Whenever he makes a quit attempt he gets very emotionally touchy. I never know how to react. If I nag about quitting I’m being pushy. If I’m optimistic and praise him for his progress I’m putting too much pressure on him and laying guilt on him for if he fails. If I say nothing I’m not appreciating his effort at cutting back, or not being supportive enough or not believing him. And invariably when he tries to quit something stressful will happen like the vacuum will break or who knows what - stressful things happen all the time but when he’s trying to quit they seem to be magnified at least to him. I try to help him but its hard and frustrating

I had a dream that if I prayed the rosary for a year with the intention of helping him quit he would be able to break his addiction. Prayer is powerful and it can’t hurt:thumbsup: I think that will be my New Years resolution.

Does anyone have any advice on quitting smoking or supporting a spouse to quit smoking?

 

[COPLAND_3]

Personally I have always dispised smoking, I cannot stand to be around it, so I am going to probably have a biased opinion on it.

I think smoking is a venial sin at best but is a mortal sin when someone allows it to be a danger to their health or others.

Drinking alcoholic beverages would be neutral until it is abused, then it is a mortal sin. Personally I don’t see any reason to drink beer or any other beverage like that because it is such a temptation to abuse it. What’s the purpose??!!

 

[Sam_Maloney]

I think smoking is a venial sin at best but is a mortal sin when someone allows it to be a danger to their health or others.

Drinking alcoholic beverages would be neutral until it is abused, then it is a mortal sin. Personally I don’t see any reason to drink beer or any other beverage like that because it is such a temptation to abuse it. What’s the purpose??!!

EVERY cigarette is an excess, NO cigarette is morally justified. The only question is one of culpability: how much control does the addict have over his behavior?

Tobacco, used as directed, kills: everyone knows this. The only thing that may keep it from being a mortal sin is the level of addiction which keeps people from being really ‘rational’ about smoking.

And long before it kills you, it robs you of quality of life, making it impossible to lead a healthy, active life. It harms those around you, too.

Smoking is never a pleasure: it’s merely a way to temporarily quite the addiction monster *. No one likes their first cigarette, or their first pack.

Alcohol, used in moderation, is not only enjoyable, but has positive health benefits. Yeah, it damages a lot of lives, too. But at least it has SOME upside, unlike tobacco.*

 

[Freshman88]

I love the image of a priest in a long black cassock brandishing a big wooden pipe.

As an occasional smoker, and someone who enjoys his cigar and whiskey, I cannot see anything wrong with it.

 

[Freshman88]

EVERY cigarette is an excess, NO cigarette is morally justified.

Hogwash!

Tobacco, used as directed, kills: everyone knows this.

So do many other things; big macs, beer, cars.

The only thing that may keep it from being a mortal sin is the level of addiction which keeps people from being really ‘rational’ about smoking.

More hogwash, how do you justify this?

And long before it kills you, it robs you of quality of life, making it impossible to lead a healthy, active life. It harms those around you, too.

It’s easy to avoid harming others, go smoke outside. Also, smoking can be occasional, I only smoke when I’m enjoying a few drinks. I never have any kind of urge the rest of the week.

Smoking is never a pleasure

You obviously haven’t enjoyed a fine cigar! Nor a lovely (although very feminine) cloved cigarette.

No one likes their first cigarette, or their first pack.

I loved both!

Alcohol, used in moderation, is not only enjoyable, but has positive health benefits. Yeah, it damages a lot of lives, too. But at least it has SOME upside, unlike tobacco.

Tobacco has an upside; it’s enjoyable. And despite what you say, it can be enjoyed in moderation.

 

[Cajetan]

I didn’t know that you could get high from smoking tobacco either but apparently you can according to Br. Allen.

The filters is where they hide the heroin.

 

[Genesian]

I smoke pretty heavily, and I do not consider it sinful. At most, I feel it’s an imperfection. The level of its sinfulness

Smoking has been demonized for political reasons that actually have very little to do with health. Smoking does affect a person’s health, but not nearly as much as the American Cancer Society and “Truth” commercials would have you believe. It even has known health benefits, as it has been proven to prevent or at least postpone the onset of neurological diseases, most notably Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Contrary to popular belief, it will not kill you. Smoking has not been listed as the cause of death on a single death certificate.

The supposed health risks of second hand smoke are little more than a glorified lie. Science tells us that the dosage is what makes the poison: small amounts of arsenic are perfectly fine, you have them every time you eat a pair, and large amounts of chocolate are poisonous (granted the lethal dosage is about 22 pounds.) Even heavy smokers take decades and decades to develop any sort of cancer. Surely even a nonsmoker who is regularly exposed to smoke in the air would have to live several centuries to catch up.

Objectively speaking, smoking is no more a desecration of your body than eating red meat more than a few times a month, failing to exercise regularly or any number of things that are a matter of lifestyle or habit than conscious sin.

As for getting “high.” First time smokers do experience a sensation somewhat like it, but it’s been years since I’ve felt any sort of high or buzz.

 

[cheeto1]

If I say nothing I’m not appreciating his effort at cutting back, or not being supportive enough or not believing him.

So unfair! A support group for family members of smokers is long overdue. Why isn’t there one?

I had a dream that if I prayed the rosary for a year with the intention of helping him quit he would be able to break his addiction.

Do you believe your dream? If so, then why not start now? I’ll remember your starting date, Dec. 14, Dec. 14, Dec. 14…

Someone I know asked the priest if smoking was a sin, and the
priest said: No, smoking is not a sin.
That man started smoking like never before. And he was
happy, while his family suffered.

 

[Freshman88]

Someone I know asked the priest if smoking was a sin, and the
priest said: No, smoking is not a sin.
That man started smoking like never before. And he was
happy, while his family suffered.

Smoking may not be a sin, but neither is eating a big mac - but eating lots of big macs and smoking a lot certainly is sinful.

The name of the game is moderation.

 

[COPLAND_3]

I know that I am not going to be a fan favorite on this thread, but I have real issues with smoking and drinking. Under certain circumstances I can see that drinking can be Ok at best, but I don’t see the purpose of it. There are too many other choices that we have to drink something healthy than to grab a beer or any other related beverage. Don’t tell me that you drink beer because you are watching your figure or that it’s good for you, that’s a crock! Drink some juice or get you some soy milk if you are truly interested in being healthy. Drinking has made Catholics look like a bunch of drunk hipocrites, and I am sick of that stereotype.

Smoking is a bad habit no matter how you try to spin it.

And yes, stuffing your pie hole all the time and not taking care of yourself is also a bad habit, though it does not poison everyone around you like smoking does.