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Beryllos
Guest
Ho hum.
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edward_george1
Guest
I had a pipe last night. I’m not addicted. I might go weeks without another pipe. Mileage may vary.
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BT3241
Guest
Smoking is just a choice.The first time? Yes. After just a few cigarettes? No.Addiction to nicotine can happen quickly. It changes the chemical balance in your brain. Smoking may seem like it’s just a choice or a habit. In fact, most people who use tobacco are addicted.Cigarettes have been engineered to speed up nicotine’s path to your brain. Their design feeds addiction. No cigarette is safe. Tobacco smoke contains more than 7,000 chemicals. At least 250 are toxic. I use to smoke and when I went in for a major operation they where checking my oxygen level in pre-op and the nurse was not happy it doesn’t just damage the lungs it chokes off every cell in the body by affecting the oxygen level. People can actually die from a heart attack the first time they smoke just like cocaine it will be very very rare but it has happened But if smoking is what your going to do my words won’t stop you I know from experience its the same way with all drug addicts
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BlueMaxx
Guest
What an absolutely ridiculous thread…and such a pompous assertion to begin with.
Some folks should tend their own garden instead of worrying about what others are doing with their time and money.
Some folks should tend their own garden instead of worrying about what others are doing with their time and money.
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BT3241
Guest
You don’t have to read this post you choose to.
Tips to quit smoking:
Set your date.
Set your date and time to stop and carry on smoking as usual right up to that time – don’t try to cut down beforehand, that just makes cigarettes seem more precious rather than less so.
Look forward to it.
Remember – you’re not giving up anything because cigarettes do absolutely nothing for you at all. They provide you with no genuine pleasure or crutch, they simply keep you addicted – a slave to nicotine. Get it clearly into your mind: you are losing nothing and you are making marvellous positive gains not only in health, energy and money but also in confidence, self-respect, freedom and, most important of all, in the length and quality of your future life. You’re going to enjoy being a non-smoker right from the moment you put out your last cigarette.
Have a final smoke.
Actually, there’s nothing to give up – you’re getting rid of something. Light your final cigarette and make a solemn vow that regardless of what highs or lows may befall you in future, you will never puff on another cigarette or take nicotine in any form again. This is one of the most important decisions you will ever make because the length and quality of your future life critically depend on it. What’s more, you know it’s the correct decision even as you make it. Having made what you know to be the correct decision never even begin to question or to doubt that decision.
Be cool about withdrawls.
The physical withdrawl is very slight and passes quickly.
Your body will continue to withdraw from nicotine for a few days but that doesn’t mean you have to be miserable or crave cigarettes. The physical withdrawal is very slight – there is no pain – and it passes quickly. What’s more, it’s what smokers suffer all their smoking lives. Non-smokers do not suffer it. You are a non-smoker and so you’ll soon be free of it forever.
If you associate a cigarette with a coffee, tea, drink or break, have your coffee, tea, drink or break and at that moment, instead of thinking: “I can’t have a cigarette now”, simply think: “Isn’t it great: I can enjoy this moment without having to choke myself to death”. You have to learn to think right again.
Socialise as normal.
You won’t be craving a cigarette so there’s no need to avoid smokers.
Do not try to avoid smoking situations or opt out of life. Go out and enjoy social occasions right from the start and do not envy smokers, pity them. Realise that they will be envying you because every single one of them will be wishing they could be like you: free from the whole filthy nightmare. No smoker wants to see their children start smoking which means they wish they hadn’t started themselves. Remember it’s not you who are being deprived but those poor smokers. They’re being deprived of their health, energy, money, peace of mind, confidence, courage, self-respect and freedom. If you’re offered a cigarette, just say: “No thanks – I don’t smoke”, rather than start a long conversation about how long it has been since you stopped.
Tips to quit smoking:
Set your date.
Set your date and time to stop and carry on smoking as usual right up to that time – don’t try to cut down beforehand, that just makes cigarettes seem more precious rather than less so.
Look forward to it.
Remember – you’re not giving up anything because cigarettes do absolutely nothing for you at all. They provide you with no genuine pleasure or crutch, they simply keep you addicted – a slave to nicotine. Get it clearly into your mind: you are losing nothing and you are making marvellous positive gains not only in health, energy and money but also in confidence, self-respect, freedom and, most important of all, in the length and quality of your future life. You’re going to enjoy being a non-smoker right from the moment you put out your last cigarette.
Have a final smoke.
Actually, there’s nothing to give up – you’re getting rid of something. Light your final cigarette and make a solemn vow that regardless of what highs or lows may befall you in future, you will never puff on another cigarette or take nicotine in any form again. This is one of the most important decisions you will ever make because the length and quality of your future life critically depend on it. What’s more, you know it’s the correct decision even as you make it. Having made what you know to be the correct decision never even begin to question or to doubt that decision.
Be cool about withdrawls.
The physical withdrawl is very slight and passes quickly.
Your body will continue to withdraw from nicotine for a few days but that doesn’t mean you have to be miserable or crave cigarettes. The physical withdrawal is very slight – there is no pain – and it passes quickly. What’s more, it’s what smokers suffer all their smoking lives. Non-smokers do not suffer it. You are a non-smoker and so you’ll soon be free of it forever.
If you associate a cigarette with a coffee, tea, drink or break, have your coffee, tea, drink or break and at that moment, instead of thinking: “I can’t have a cigarette now”, simply think: “Isn’t it great: I can enjoy this moment without having to choke myself to death”. You have to learn to think right again.
Socialise as normal.
You won’t be craving a cigarette so there’s no need to avoid smokers.
Do not try to avoid smoking situations or opt out of life. Go out and enjoy social occasions right from the start and do not envy smokers, pity them. Realise that they will be envying you because every single one of them will be wishing they could be like you: free from the whole filthy nightmare. No smoker wants to see their children start smoking which means they wish they hadn’t started themselves. Remember it’s not you who are being deprived but those poor smokers. They’re being deprived of their health, energy, money, peace of mind, confidence, courage, self-respect and freedom. If you’re offered a cigarette, just say: “No thanks – I don’t smoke”, rather than start a long conversation about how long it has been since you stopped.
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BT3241
Guest
Think about smoking.
Don’t try to “not to think” about smoking – it doesn’t work.
If I say: “Don’t think about a brick wall, what are you thinking about? Just make sure that whenever you are thinking about it, you’re not thinking: “I want a cigarette but I can’t have one” but instead: “Isn’t is marvellous: I don’t need to smoke anymore and I don’t want to smoke anymore. Yippee, I’m a non-smoker!” Then you can think about it all you like and you’ll still be happy. Turn it positive.
There is no such thing as one cigarette after quiting.
Never be fooled into thinking you can have the odd cigarette just to be sociable or just to get over a difficult moment. If you do, you’ll find yourself back in the trap in no time at all. Never think in terms of one cigarette, always think of the whole filthy lifetime’s chain. Remember: there is no such thing as just one cigarette.
Avoid substitutes
Do not use any substitutes. They all make it more difficult to stop because they perpetuate the illusion that you’re making a sacrifice. Substitutes that contain nicotine such as e-cigarettes or so-called Nicotine Replacement Therapy; patches, gums, nasal sprays and inhalators – are particularly unhelpful as they simply keep the addiction to nicotine alive. It’s like advising a heroin addict who’s smoking the drug off foil, to start injecting it instead.
Ditch your cigarettes.
You are already a non-smoker the moment you put out your final cigarette.
Do not keep cigarettes on you or anywhere else in case of an emergency. If you do, it means you’re doubting your decision. Non-smokers do not need cigarettes. You are already a non-smoker the moment you put out your final cigarette. In fact one of the many joys of being free is not having to worry about having cigarettes and a light on you, of ending that slavery.
Enjoy your freedom you are truely free.
live a smoke-free life and be on your guard not to fall back into the trap.
Life will soon go back to normal as a non-smoker but be on your guard not to fall back into the trap. If your brain ever starts playing tricks on you by thinking “Just one cigarette”, remember there is no such thing, so the question you need to ask yourself is not: “Shall I have a cigarette now” but “Do I want to become a smoker again, all day, every day sticking those things into my mouth, setting light to them, never being allowed to stop?” The answer “No”. Why not? “Because I didn’t like being a smoker – that’s why I decided to become a non-smoker”. That way those moments can become pleasurable as you congratulate yourself that you’re free and that way you can enjoy the benefits of stopping smoking and remaining a non-smoker for the rest of your life.
Its all in how you think about it.
Don’t try to “not to think” about smoking – it doesn’t work.
If I say: “Don’t think about a brick wall, what are you thinking about? Just make sure that whenever you are thinking about it, you’re not thinking: “I want a cigarette but I can’t have one” but instead: “Isn’t is marvellous: I don’t need to smoke anymore and I don’t want to smoke anymore. Yippee, I’m a non-smoker!” Then you can think about it all you like and you’ll still be happy. Turn it positive.
There is no such thing as one cigarette after quiting.
Never be fooled into thinking you can have the odd cigarette just to be sociable or just to get over a difficult moment. If you do, you’ll find yourself back in the trap in no time at all. Never think in terms of one cigarette, always think of the whole filthy lifetime’s chain. Remember: there is no such thing as just one cigarette.
Avoid substitutes
Do not use any substitutes. They all make it more difficult to stop because they perpetuate the illusion that you’re making a sacrifice. Substitutes that contain nicotine such as e-cigarettes or so-called Nicotine Replacement Therapy; patches, gums, nasal sprays and inhalators – are particularly unhelpful as they simply keep the addiction to nicotine alive. It’s like advising a heroin addict who’s smoking the drug off foil, to start injecting it instead.
Ditch your cigarettes.
You are already a non-smoker the moment you put out your final cigarette.
Do not keep cigarettes on you or anywhere else in case of an emergency. If you do, it means you’re doubting your decision. Non-smokers do not need cigarettes. You are already a non-smoker the moment you put out your final cigarette. In fact one of the many joys of being free is not having to worry about having cigarettes and a light on you, of ending that slavery.
Enjoy your freedom you are truely free.
live a smoke-free life and be on your guard not to fall back into the trap.
Life will soon go back to normal as a non-smoker but be on your guard not to fall back into the trap. If your brain ever starts playing tricks on you by thinking “Just one cigarette”, remember there is no such thing, so the question you need to ask yourself is not: “Shall I have a cigarette now” but “Do I want to become a smoker again, all day, every day sticking those things into my mouth, setting light to them, never being allowed to stop?” The answer “No”. Why not? “Because I didn’t like being a smoker – that’s why I decided to become a non-smoker”. That way those moments can become pleasurable as you congratulate yourself that you’re free and that way you can enjoy the benefits of stopping smoking and remaining a non-smoker for the rest of your life.
Its all in how you think about it.
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edward_george1
Guest
Having the occasional pipe or cigar does not make one an addict. There are varying degrees of these things. Some people, due to genetics, body chemistry, environment, and many other factors, might smoke one cigarette and be instantly hooked. But some not. I could smoke a pipe every night for a week, and then put it down for months on end. I know myself and I know my limits.
If you can’t smoke without being addicted, then you shouldn’t. If others can’t smoke without being addicted, then they shouldn’t either. But we must not go to the extreme of insisting that every instance exposes one to the risk of addiction and physical dependency, and for that reason should be always and everywhere avoided.
And with that, I will decline to further participate in this thread, given that my reasoning doesn’t seem to be seriously considered.
If you can’t smoke without being addicted, then you shouldn’t. If others can’t smoke without being addicted, then they shouldn’t either. But we must not go to the extreme of insisting that every instance exposes one to the risk of addiction and physical dependency, and for that reason should be always and everywhere avoided.
And with that, I will decline to further participate in this thread, given that my reasoning doesn’t seem to be seriously considered.
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RepetantCatholic
Guest
You said, “Pastor,” so I’m not certain if you are a Catholic or another denomination.
I smoke rolling tobacco, a bag takes two weeks to smoke and costs twenty dollars. I vape sometimes, but very rarely and even that is pretty cheap.
I don’t smoke anywhere in public but only in my home with the garage door closed in my garage.
Here are some Biblical quotes:
Mark 7:15
“Nothing outside a person can defile them by going into them. Rather, it is what comes out of a person that defiles them.”
Mathew 15:11
“What goes into someone’s mouth does not defile them, but what comes out of their mouth, that is what defiles them.”
Forgive me my sins, but I get a lot of flack for being a smoker. So, this is a touchy subject for me. Sorry if I sound uncharitable. I’ve come to understand that people get upset at smokers because
That’s all.
I smoke rolling tobacco, a bag takes two weeks to smoke and costs twenty dollars. I vape sometimes, but very rarely and even that is pretty cheap.
I don’t smoke anywhere in public but only in my home with the garage door closed in my garage.
Here are some Biblical quotes:
Mark 7:15
“Nothing outside a person can defile them by going into them. Rather, it is what comes out of a person that defiles them.”
Mathew 15:11
“What goes into someone’s mouth does not defile them, but what comes out of their mouth, that is what defiles them.”
Forgive me my sins, but I get a lot of flack for being a smoker. So, this is a touchy subject for me. Sorry if I sound uncharitable. I’ve come to understand that people get upset at smokers because
- They can’t afford to smoke, so get upset that someone actually has the money to smoke. (Again, in my state a box of cigarettes can cost twelve dollars). So, there is an underpinning of classism involved in this whole thing created by over-taxing cigarettes.
- Really want to smoke themselves, but are afraid of the health concerns and the societal pressure not to smoke. So, there is an element of jealousy involved in non-smokers who actively give smokers flack.
That’s all.
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po18guy
Well-known member
Had Italian neighbors. It was one of uncle Tony’s hand-rolled stogies that made me quit before I had actually started. I turned greener than the tobacco!
Anyway, those “health nuts” who jog beside traffic are smoking more than I ever did. But, they do remove many pollutants from the air.
Anyway, those “health nuts” who jog beside traffic are smoking more than I ever did. But, they do remove many pollutants from the air.
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Socrates92
Guest
How did you post a reply of less than 10 characters? My mind is blown. 
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Cruciferi
Guest
I think I had a pipe 2 weeks ago… Seattle Pipe Club Plum Pudding I believe 
It’s getting a bit cold in Ohio to enjoy it outside though… I’ll have to dig out my fur hat!
It’s getting a bit cold in Ohio to enjoy it outside though… I’ll have to dig out my fur hat!
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Cruciferi
Guest
Here’s my question… Are you actually reading what people are posting? Nobody here is advocating chain smoking. Some of us enjoy an occasional pipe and cigar. BIG DEAL.
Look, I’m glad that you gave up cigarettes. But your personal problem isn’t everyone else’s problem. You can’t project your addiction on others. The Church says moderation. If you have an issue with moderation, yes, you should quit smoking.
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RepetantCatholic
Guest
I’ll just share some experience why this is a touchy subject for me.
Over the summer time I got harassed, threatened and accosted for drinking copious amounts of diet coke fountain soda and smoking rolling tobacco. I’ve been going to a gas station for ten years buying my diet coke, and over the summer time a group of workers who work not the gas station itself but the indoor fast food stand were upset because I drank diet coke and smoke. I’m thirty-nine almost forty, and these kids in their early twenties to mid-twenties made a big unwelcoming show to me that was frightening.
It’s like Lord of the Flies type stuff. These kids aren’t Christian but are certainly Atheist. That’s why I’ll always testify that Atheists online are on their best behavior or theoretical about their Atheism, but Atheists in real life can be quite frightening. Again, I didn’t grow up in a region where religion is toxic; I just assume that region is toxic in general and would be worse were the people there not part of a Church. At most whatever Church they belong to amplifies their original tendencies instead of trying to ameliorate it. The Catholic Church asks us to change and turn away from sin.
Again, I’ve already come to terms with the sinner that there is not much I can do to get them to see the forest for the trees. Now, I pray the Divine Mercy prayer daily, say random prayers to people I run into, and accept there is not much else I can do. Hopefully, Atheists learn at some point in life to see the forest for the trees and not assume John Lennon’s song, “Imagine,” would exist if there were no religion. It would be Lord of the Flies instead, with Social Darwinistic Moaist, Stalin like authoritarianism leading to all kinds of atrocities for anyone who is different.
Over the summer time I got harassed, threatened and accosted for drinking copious amounts of diet coke fountain soda and smoking rolling tobacco. I’ve been going to a gas station for ten years buying my diet coke, and over the summer time a group of workers who work not the gas station itself but the indoor fast food stand were upset because I drank diet coke and smoke. I’m thirty-nine almost forty, and these kids in their early twenties to mid-twenties made a big unwelcoming show to me that was frightening.
It’s like Lord of the Flies type stuff. These kids aren’t Christian but are certainly Atheist. That’s why I’ll always testify that Atheists online are on their best behavior or theoretical about their Atheism, but Atheists in real life can be quite frightening. Again, I didn’t grow up in a region where religion is toxic; I just assume that region is toxic in general and would be worse were the people there not part of a Church. At most whatever Church they belong to amplifies their original tendencies instead of trying to ameliorate it. The Catholic Church asks us to change and turn away from sin.
Again, I’ve already come to terms with the sinner that there is not much I can do to get them to see the forest for the trees. Now, I pray the Divine Mercy prayer daily, say random prayers to people I run into, and accept there is not much else I can do. Hopefully, Atheists learn at some point in life to see the forest for the trees and not assume John Lennon’s song, “Imagine,” would exist if there were no religion. It would be Lord of the Flies instead, with Social Darwinistic Moaist, Stalin like authoritarianism leading to all kinds of atrocities for anyone who is different.
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MNathaniel
Guest
Wh… what?
I don’t smoke, but… what?
This quote would seem to make the WHO look ridiculous. What a pity that whoever wrote it, wrote it.
Incidentally, I looked up your source. Here’s an additional quote from that WHO article:
I’ve rarely seen a sillier example of correlation mistaken for causation. This quote on no level offers evidence that tobacco is the “leading cause” of impoverishment in these low- and middle-income countries. The most the article demonstrates is that people who are already poor, are more likely to smoke for enjoyment (which is consistent with other evidence that people who are already poor, are more likely to choose unhealthier comfort foods. People living in poverty seek small pleasures where they can get them. It’s not the small pleasures that ‘lead’ them into poverty, by and large; the small pleasures are chosen because they’re already in poverty and they figure they might as well enjoy this one small thing). If a person is already so impoverished that the household spending on tobacco displaces other basic needs like food and shelter, then that person is already so impoverished – for non-tobacco-related reasons – that simply ceasing to smoke tobacco will not lift them out of poverty.
Incidentally, this is only one reason to be cynical about poor quality content put out by the WHO. Don’t want to derail a thread though. But suffice to say that the WHO poisons its own well (and subverts any appeal to its authority) when it includes obvious junk alongside claims it wants you to believe.
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kapp19
Guest
Lol!!! I agree with Father. I had a cigarette a week ago or so. Might have a cigar tomorrow, we’ll see!
Strange how high schools in the West hammer in the evils of tobacco and alcohol but then talk about “safe sex” the next week, eh? Guess what… they are full of it.
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Don_Ruggero
Guest
Some things, it seems, do not change on this forum.
In any event, I taught moral theology in my day but I seriously doubt my repeating everything you said would have any more impact than you are having.
Cheers, Father @edward_george1 .
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kapp19
Guest
He’s not, unfortunately. It is an attempt at the “perverted faculty” argument, when best argued, as I mentioned above… But we have to understand what the faculty of breathing actually is in order to analyze the argument. Two counter examples… anesthesia, and straws. Neither is illicit, we assume… so… we go from there. The “harm argument” can only go so far without being contrary to the clear principle of the body existing for the body-soul composite (the whole person)…
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redcatholic
Guest
That’s not how it works. Almost every saint is guilty of sin. They die in a state of grace either repentant and forgiven or not culpable for something because of ignorance. In the case of smoking ignorance would seem to apply.
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redcatholic
Guest
If I as a 45 year old grown and educated man went into a store and purchased a pack of cigarettes and started smoking them today I would judge this action grave and confess it.
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RepetantCatholic
Guest
Brilliant nuanced argument.
I’m not certain if you will agree, but I would also suggest if smoking helps us, the poor, get past the stress and anxiety of life then while it is bad for our health at least our quality of life is improved.
Again, what I’ve noticed of a lot of people of every social class is there is always that group that wants a cigarette as much as a smoker, but because of health issues or societal pressure they refrain from smoking. Which is fine, probably the best decision, if they have the wealth to relieve stress in other ways that are healthy or healthier (physically, religiously, spiritually…etc…) then great, but don’t become the draconian authoritarian on smoking harming others or trying to control others from smoking.
To me these people are assigning morality where there is none simply out of their own temptation. A lot of wealth is associated with high anxiety jobs, so it’s great they don’t smoke but don’t hate on the poor guy smoking who looks content and relaxed simply because you refrain due to classist issues.
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Knowing what I know, this is how I visualize it. You got a group of superficial wealthy people with spray on tans and suit coats over jean pants and they all agree, “smoking is bad, it makes you smell, it makes your skin bad, it’s only what poor people do.” Then you got me smoking, not caring what social class they are, and they immediately grab the smoking from hand, “smoking is evil…don’t do it.” With me replying, “I’m not part of your clique or social class, this helps get me through the day, we are all equal in the eyes of God…” Followed by them, otherwise irreligious people, accosting me for being evil for smoking.
Again, I’m not classist the wealth that is not superficial wouldn’t care and would leave me alone.
I’m not certain if you will agree, but I would also suggest if smoking helps us, the poor, get past the stress and anxiety of life then while it is bad for our health at least our quality of life is improved.
Again, what I’ve noticed of a lot of people of every social class is there is always that group that wants a cigarette as much as a smoker, but because of health issues or societal pressure they refrain from smoking. Which is fine, probably the best decision, if they have the wealth to relieve stress in other ways that are healthy or healthier (physically, religiously, spiritually…etc…) then great, but don’t become the draconian authoritarian on smoking harming others or trying to control others from smoking.
To me these people are assigning morality where there is none simply out of their own temptation. A lot of wealth is associated with high anxiety jobs, so it’s great they don’t smoke but don’t hate on the poor guy smoking who looks content and relaxed simply because you refrain due to classist issues.
Edit:
Knowing what I know, this is how I visualize it. You got a group of superficial wealthy people with spray on tans and suit coats over jean pants and they all agree, “smoking is bad, it makes you smell, it makes your skin bad, it’s only what poor people do.” Then you got me smoking, not caring what social class they are, and they immediately grab the smoking from hand, “smoking is evil…don’t do it.” With me replying, “I’m not part of your clique or social class, this helps get me through the day, we are all equal in the eyes of God…” Followed by them, otherwise irreligious people, accosting me for being evil for smoking.
Again, I’m not classist the wealth that is not superficial wouldn’t care and would leave me alone.
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