Still smoking?

[El_Machinae]

Why are so many people still smoking, despite all the information we have, and all the tools we have?

In Canada, the smoker doesn't pay the full cost of the smoking, because they trust the Health Care system to take care of them. However, I'd imagine in quite a few states, the average smoker can't trust the medical system to take care of them ... so why aren't they taking care of themselves?

PS: with taxes added on, a pack of smokes in Canada is (roughly) $10 - or $8 USD, to keep it in perspective

 

[Aramazd]

Umm... maybe people still smoke because they are addicted to nicotine.

 

[I am the Future]

Maybe because it makes them look so cool.

 

[Stylesjl]

Because people are naive to think they can quit at any time when they start

No smoker in the world doesn't know their habit is harmful, its just that they can't stop without a strong willpower

 

[bhsup]

Hey now, just for the record, I don't want to stop. I like my little packs of coffin nails. Tastes great, smells cruddy!

Oh, and I can get them around here for a pretty good price still. A carton of Camels goes for $23.00 or so at the cigarette shop.

 

[Narz]

Ironically some smokers only truly relax and take deep breathes while they are smoking. If they could just get that relaxation and deep breathing without the cigs...

Of course there are other factors too. But the main thing is they just have to find something better to do in their moments off.

 

[Narz]

Because people are naive to think they can quit at any time when they start

No smoker in the world doesn't know their habit is harmful, its just that they can't stop without a strong willpower

They could always call 911 and claim they are suicidal. There is no smoking allowed in mental institutions in most states. Of course non-restricted patients can take smoke breaks but not those on suicide-watch.

 

[Stylesjl]

They could always call 911 and claim they are suicidal. There is no smoking allowed in mental institutions in most states. Of course non-restricted patients can take smoke breaks but not those on suicide-watch.

But that would take away their ability to smoke cigerretes which they don't want because of the addiction

 

[Narz]

But that would take away their ability to smoke cigerretes which they don't want because of the addiction

Ok, so looks like you'll have to commit them yourself.

By the way, I'm not saying cigerretes are not a challenge to quit but by travelling somewhere (maybe going camping for a week) where smokes are not available they can physcially detox and maybe when they get back (if they are dedicated and have a plan) they won't start up again.

 

[MjM]

Smoking is the root of all evil.

 

[RedWolf]

Why are so many people still smoking, despite all the information we have, and all the tools we have?

In Canada, the smoker doesn't pay the full cost of the smoking, because they trust the Health Care system to take care of them. However, I'd imagine in quite a few states, the average smoker can't trust the medical system to take care of them ... so why aren't they taking care of themselves?

PS: with taxes added on, a pack of smokes in Canada is (roughly) $10 - or $8 USD, to keep it in perspective

Interestingly.. I read an article recently about the cost of smokers to the health care system versus the tax dollars generated by smokers.

And most studies show that the tax revenue (from smoking) far exceeds the estimated cost of smoking to the health care system. So much so that the conclusion was that smokers essentially fund our health care system for the rest of us. Which means of course that the shrill calls to cancel universal health care for smokers is ridiculous and completely unfounded. (As are the lawsuits by governments against big tobacco)

I like to use these facts now when arguing with my family (mostly all smokers) when I'm on my "you should quit smoking" high horse. They invariably tell me to mind my own business and I throw my hands up in futility and tell them "Fine... keep smoking. People like you are funding health care for people like me. You could quit and go on a caribean cruise every year but see if I care)

(I love my family dearly - which is why that argument is so frustrating. It's hard watching people you love injure themselves slowly)

 

[I am the Future]

Smoking is the root of all evil.

Except when those evils are enviormentalists.

 

[ummmm........]

Interestingly.. I read an article recently about the cost of smokers to the health care system versus the tax dollars generated by smokers.

And most studies show that the tax revenue (from smoking) far exceeds the estimated cost of smoking to the health care system. So much so that the conclusion was that smokers essentially fund our health care system for the rest of us. Which means of course that the shrill calls to cancel universal health care for smokers is ridiculous and completely unfounded. (As are the lawsuits by governments against big tobacco)

That may be overstating it, but the underlying theory is obvious if you consider how much younger the average smoker is when they die, and how much money it takes to keep older "healthy" people alive.

Back on topic: I smoked because it tasted good. Nicorette did a great job of weaning me off my physical addiction whenever I wanted to quit, but I still wanted the taste of it . . .

 

[croxis]

A book titled "The Tipping Point" put it this way: It isn't that smoking is cool, its that the cool people smoke.

I think also people, especally teens, fail to understand the concept of perminent. There are changes to biological pathways that can't be undone, even if the person quits. My father hasn't smoked in 23 years and he still gets cravings.

 

[Stylesjl]

Smoking is the root of all evil.

So someone can't be evil if they don't smoke right? Right?

 

[scloopy]

I think also people, especally teens, fail to understand the concept of perminent. There are changes to biological pathways that can't be undone, even if the person quits. My father hasn't smoked in 23 years and he still gets cravings.

I agree that teens fail to understand the concept of anything but "today". They like I did once think, "I'm not hooked, I can quit anytime.".

Like your dad I still want that first one in the morning and I haven't had one in 10 years. I quit and 6 months later I had a heart attack. I told the doc that the stress of quitting caused the heart attack. For some unknown reason he does not agree with that assesment.

 

[ummmm........]

That's odd. I quit about five years ago and I missed the taste for a long time, but that's already gone. I never have cravings anymore at all. And I smoked for about eight years, all told. Not as long as some people, surely, but easily long enough to get me addicted I would think . . .

 

[bhsup]

My dad smoked for over 20 years, two packs a day. He went cold turkey and successfully quit for 15 years. All throughout those 15 years he said he still had dreams about smoking and always wanted one. He started back up and has been smoking for the last 7-8 years or so again.

 

[Perfection]

By the way, I'm not saying cigerretes are not a challenge to quit but by travelling somewhere (maybe going camping for a week) where smokes are not available they can physcially detox and maybe when they get back (if they are dedicated and have a plan) they won't start up again.

Well, from my knowledge based off observing various attempts by people to quit I don't think they find that much helpful. A mere week just isn't gonna cut the cravings that much. People have difficulty not smoking years after quitting.

 

[Billy Rubin]

I do it for the little dopamine rush I experience whenever I light one - it makes me think cigarettes taste well and keeps me addicted.
As to all the information: I'm well aware of it, but hey - we all die of something sooner or later, don't we?