Sunday, 21 June 2009
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Smoking Cigarettes Isn't Such A Bad Alternative
When I was younger (under 12) I said I'd never smoke a cigarette in my life, that having grown up watching my parents smoke I'd never even touch one because they're disgusting. Then my teenage years came and, while I stayed clear of cigarettes, I became a drug addict. I would snort pills multiple times a day and smoke pot like it was my job.
I haven't smoked pot or touched pills for almost three years now, not even when I'm actually in pain because I don't trust myself. When I am stressed out, or when I'm feeling particularly weak, I will smoke a cigarette. I think it's amusing to hear people say how bad it is for others. The way I see it snorting pills is way worse. Is smoking bad? Yes. Is it better than snorting a percocet? Um, YES. Is it better than toking? Depends who you ask, but I'd rather smoke a cigarette.
Here's why:
1) When I smoke my pupils dilate, tricking my brain into feeling high without my actually being inebriated. It's a legal high that lasts only a few minutes, which happens to be long enough for me to regain my composure.
2) Smoking is destructive. I don't mean to my body, though I know it is destructive in that way, too. What I mean is that while I'm smoking I am destroying the cigarette. Yup, with each inhale I watch my cigarette become smaller and smaller, it's ashes falling off from what is left to destroy. Unless you are a stress smoker you probably have no idea what I'm talking about and are looking at your screen like I am crazy, that's okay.
I know many of you will tell me that there are other ways to deal with my stress, but this is the way I have easiest access to, and it's not like I smoke on a daily or even weekly basis.
Do you smoke? Are you a stress smoker? If you're completely against smoking, why?
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Comments (99)
Nope. I don't smoke. I used to smoke when I was 13, 14 but that didn't stick so.... nope.
Perhaps smoking could just be a transistion? When it comes to dealing with stress, I mean. Dealing with stress in any way that is harmful to you, isn't good. There are much healthier ways to deal with stress. I can understand why you feel as though people are ignorant when they point out that smoking is bad for you, because compared to other addictive habits, it's not "as bad," though essentially you may be more apt to being addicted to other drugs than cigarettes, you're still addicted. You're binded to them.
Don't you ever wonder what it would feel like to be free from addiction when dealing with stress?
I'm against it because you're taking what is already bad for you (stress) and trying to deal with it through something else that is bad for you (smoking). The point is to deal with stress is a positive way.
yeh but only when i feel the need for the nicotine rush.
I don't smoke. To get my high, I either eat some really good food, work on art, or exercise.
I don't want to be dependent on something that will eventually kill me. Not looking down on anyone, but the question asked why I don't, and that's why. To each their own, right?
I have never smoke beore and I will never will do.
I don't smoke. There are much healthier alternatives to deal with your stress. Smoking isn't only bad for your health--it affects the health of others around you. Secondhand smoke, anyone?
I used to smoke but i "quit" (I gave in a few times but overall smoke free). I wasn't so much a stress smoker but i smoked when i was bored. so the challenge for me was finding ways to keep myself distracted.
i agree with you buddy.... it's easier way to bust the stress... tho' everyday i go to gym to nullify the effect of smoking or atleast reduce the effect of it.
don't smoke much.. once in a while is fun......njoi the ashes of phoenix.
i dont smoke at all.
I don't think all the "anti-smoking" stuff is aimed at people who smoke once in a while.
Also, to say "at least it's better than snorting", well losing an arm would be preferrable to dying, but I'd actually prefer is neither one happened to me today.
I used to smoke on an off since I was younger, but I'm done with it. I have a highly addictive type of personality, so I use things that are a lot more productive and beneficial to release when I am stressed. Generally I try to read a book, exercise, or play guitar/listen to music.
socially yes
Smoking a cig does nothing for me. It doesn't feel good in any way. All my stress goes out when I listen to music so I'm stress free 95% of the time.
if it werent for ciggs idont know what id do haha
Don't smoke, never will.
I don't smoke because knowing I'm healthy keeps me stress free. So that's why I go to the gym and try to eat healthy, as well.
I'm a smoker. Not a stress smoker per se.. Just a smoker.
I know it's bad. But I choose to do so. It's my choice.
I've got a baby and I'm very much aware he does not choses to smoke. I would never encourage it either. Therefor I don't smoke in his sight. I only smoke outside when he's asleep and when I'm at work or elsewhere when he's not present.
I have only recently tried smoking, and have since only done it when extremely stressed or very drunk. I agree with you, that it is a much safer alternative to many other things that I have either done or have been tempted to do. That said, it is still a disgusting habit and is quite dangerous, and I hope to keep it from becoming a habit.
umm i doubt snorting pills is worse haha really do some research i dont think that gives u cancer..
most people who smoke smoke because they can't stop and they are addicted so i think that if you can stop and you smoke occasionally like that then its just destructive to yourself and you definitley run the risk of becoming addicted. either way breathing all those horrible chemicals through your mouth and into your lungs is absolutely horrible whether you smoke 1 a day or 20.
and you dont "nullify" the effects from smoking just by going to the gym
it just really bugs me to say that their are worse things and that smoking isnt a bad alternative cause that just shows you live under a rock
not trying to be mean but its true
smoking is a better alternative. i agree. having been a drug addict myself, my only vice left is cigarettes, and when people tell me i should quit, i just ask them if they'd rather me deal with my stress/issues with a baggie of coke instead. they usually stop bugging me.
p.s. i didn't smoke cigs until after i did coke. and it is a lot harder to quit smoking than it is to quit doing coke.
kinda makes you wonder why cigs are legal? i laugh.
My mom passed away at the age of 53 two months ago from lung cancer. She was a smoker for 38 years.
So will I ever smoke? Never.
To have to go through the pain of being 18 and without a mom and then taking care of your 15 year old brother and making sure he's ok is very stressful. And trust me, there are better ways than smoking cigarettes to relieve stress.
I implore you to stop smoking. I begged my mom for years to quit and when she sat us down and told us the doctors gave her 2-3 months...it really hits you. I know everyone thinks "oh this won't happen to me", but cigarettes do kill. I saw my mom wither away before my eyes. I don't want that to happen to anyone whether it be a parent, sibling, or spouse. Please stop smoking.
@Lil_Firefly_25@xanga - Being the sort of person who hates it when people "sympathize" with me on such issues, I'll make it short. I'm really sorry for how sucky it has to be for you.
I'm glad you have the strength to continue to try help others with this sort of thing. Some people just give up after a loved one dies, you know? You're a wonderful creature. :)
@Mangonese@xanga - Thanks. I just get very defensive when it comes to cigarettes and smoking. I know I always sound so preachy like some old fogey who is freaked out about any kind of smoke, but I just like to tell people that sure we have a choice to smoke if we want. We also have a choice to go outside and do something productive like exercise or hang out with friends to relieve stress.
I smoke if I feel like it, on and off for a couple years. And when I say on and off I mean it. I've never had cravings and I could go 2 weeks without having one and not even notice, or I could smoke 5 in a day. I guess it's mostly social smoking, but I do sometimes use it as a way to calm down after a stressful day. I often wonder why I've never been addicted/or why I don't really have cravings. Is that normal?