The Thread of DEATH.

No.

How old are you?

I'm terrified of death, and I'm still a smoker/drinker.

Death isn't too picky, might as well do what you like.

Eat healthy, exercise, don't drink, don't smoke...get hit by a bus anyways. Ouch.

We're all going to die, big deal. Enjoy your vices...just keep your cigarette butts out of my scotch.

That attitude only works if you DO get hit by a bus. Good luck, but odds are you'll live to your sixties and deteriorate into an unhealthy, inactive, expensive burden on your loved ones and the already-fucked healthcare system a few decades early.

I LOVED having my mother, who just died of cancer 10 days ago, as a burden. I considered it a privilege to be there for her when she needed me. I will agree with you about the fucked up healthcare system that we have, however...I experienced it very clearly through her ordeal over the past month and a half.

A failed attempt at humor then, Phil. I by no means endorse either doing any of that or getting hit by a bus. Live long and healthy.

And to answer, death doesn't terrify me. It scares the living shit out of me.

But I'm not really speaking of those who are burdened, but of the massive guilt and shame felt by the person whose lifelong smoking habit is dumped into the lap of their loved ones.

I can't speak directly to your situation, and my condolences on your loss. My experience has been less fulfilling.

You've been smoking for 2 years? Big deal. My 35 year-old sister has been somking for 22 years and she's fine. She won't be one day but she'll probably go down from the heart attack long before cancer can take root. As for being a burden, well... most of society is a burden in one way or another and you're paying for it. Smoke up and live as long as you can and maybe one day you can get your payback by being a burden to others.

I'm not being judgemental at all (I swear), but when I was doing the chemo thing the smokers were the most deeply depressed and self loathing people in the room. Burden of loved ones and eventual death aside, lung cancer is a really awful way to go.

Judas, I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of your Mom. And I do understand what you mean about it being a privilege to have been there for her. Same thing with my brother - all those years that he looked out for me, it was my turn to look out for him.

You know, touching upon something that Gabe said - about the guilt the smokers felt. I'm not sure if I'm tying this in properly, but I think it's along the same line. When my brother died of cancer - and he was not a smoker, nor is there a history of it in our family, it was just one of those shitty curveballs that was thrown his way - he spent alot of time in and out of Sloan Kettering over that year that he was doing chemo, and he was there full time for the last month before he died. So as a result, I was over there alot during that year. For my family and me, when he was there, we were there. And the one thing I can tell you, and I mean this with 100% sincerity, no snark or humor whatsoever - if you want to quit smoking? Take a tour of a cancer hospital. Although my brother's cancer wasn't from smoking, you'll see stuff there that'll have you throwing out your cigarettes in a hurry. I used to smoke when I was in college, and I gradually gave it up over the years, so I had fully quit by the time my brother got sick. But I can see a little bit of what Gabe means. I was really just horrified that I'd ever smoked when I saw some of those people there. So whenever someone says, "How do I quit smoking? The patch? Nicotine gum? Cold turkey?" The first thing I say to them is, "No lie - take a tour of a cancer hospital."

And am I scared of death? Absolutely. Losing my brother didn't prepare me for it in the least.

Couldn't have said it better myself LisaNY, and I didn't.

I also like you avatar.

This just in: Smoking causes cancer. And smells like shit. And is pointless, more or less.

But I don't really care what other people do. If you're cool with possibly getting cancer then who cares? You might not get cancer. My great aunt lived till her late 70s and she smoked unfiltered Chesterfields from age 14.

What I care about is friends I've had that have actually been so enthusiastic about smoking that they try to get me to start smoking too. Clint Eastwood looks awesome smoking in movies. He hated the shit in real life. As far as death though, I mean, yeah, smoking promotes death more than life. I thought that's why it was cool looking.

I drink. Heavily. Know why? It gets results. I used to smoke cigarettes. I quit. It's pointless. Rather smoke a joint.

Seconded. If I'm gonna fuck my health up at least I can have fun doing it. Smoking is pointless. As I'm very interested in trying out new stuff I figured I would give smoking a chance. After 2-3 packs I gave up trying. I found the whole thing boring, to be honest. Smoking cigarettes, like taking heroin, is something I'm certain I won't be doing for the rest of my life. Although I can't say no to a good cigar now and then.

Chewing tobacco gives me a mighty fine buzz. Works better than some of the pot I've had. Hell of a lot stronger than smoking, I just...can't eat raisins now.

I started off smoking Black and Milds because I liked the smell and then moved on to Marlboros. Even thinking about quitting makes me a nervous wreck but I am gonna have to break down soon because I absolutely hate the thought of paying for something that makes me sick. Also heres an amusing little video that relates to smoking and death http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUB8jLjH7NQ

Besides touring a cancer wing at a hospital like Lisa suggested, medically induced comas also work wonders in killing the urge to smoke. I told this story in another thread, but my dad was having heart problems due to smoking (heart attacks, etc.). Got so bad they had to put a stent in him. Only problem was, when they put the stent in, the artery tore (even though he was under, my dad has this weird recollection of someone saying "Oh, shit. Sorry, Joe" to him while it happened), and while he was getting prepped for emergency surgery, he had another heart attck. To save him, he was put into a medically induced coma, and was in the hospital for about a month and a half. We came thisclose to losing him.

I'm sorry for all of you that lost someone due to smoking, and I do encourage everyone that is smoking to really try giving it up. Hell, if you must have a vice, there's always porn, knowingly renting really shitty movies, etc. Or use the money you'd spend on smokes and join a gym. Or, send the money to Nick - buy some CHUD and RON shirts and shit and keep the site going!

In the words of Devin: Fuck smokers.

Seriously. It's a drain on your personal finances, our health system, insuarnce rates, makes you smell horrible, and serves no purpose. If you enjoy it, fine, just don't trumpet it like it's a badge of honor. It is not.

And since when is smoking "intellectual"? That's a conflicted phrase if I've ever heard one.

My granddad used to smoke 80 cigarettes a day. He'd smoke quite a few just during meals.

When he was told he had lung cancer he was told giving up smoking could buy him an extra 6 months. By that stage, giving up was basically as good as dying, except it'd take longer and he wouldn't get to smoke while he was doing it.

He was literally on his last breaths when he thought it'd be funny to share a joke to liven everyone up. He also thought it'd be funny to die before delivering the punchline. I'll have to ask some relatives what it was so someone can enlighten me on it one of these days...

I tend not to judge smokers for their smoking, but I don't know why lung disease wouldn't scare the piss out of you. If you've ever seen it take only five months to kill your father, you'd probably never touch one.

It's clear he's confused on it anyway; Bukowski's anything but intellectual.

At this point I'm smoking a primetime (cigarillo) every day or two, sometimes I'll have more when I'm drinking.

I am pissed off by my lack of will power, the thought of maybe getting cancer one day doesn't bother me nearly as much. I hate smoking, I hate being associated with it, but damn it it feels so good! I will beat you, cigarettes, I really will...

Cancer's not the only thing that will kill you from smoking. Your odds of dying from smoking-related respiratory or heart disease are way higher. (And you can add risk of dying of sepsis to any extended hospital stay. Watch Three Kings to see how fatal that is.)

Cancer might be the least of your worries as a smoker.

Emphysema Inside:



And out:

I used to get ashma attacks when I was a kid. I have never been tempted to smoke because I know what it feels like to not be able to breathe and feel like you are going to die from it.

Not to mention that smoke made me feel ill (doesn't anymore) but I can't stand the stink of it. What bothers me about smokers is them invading me with their habit, or my kids. I'm truly in favor of any laws that keep smoke out of my family's lungs, it is worse than farting in people's faces.

Hey I'm not without vices, my problem is my eating habits, I really have to eat a lot healthier. So I'm not trying to say that I'm a saint in this respect.

I quit smoking a year and a half ago, preceding the birth of my son. I was terrified of doing it (pack-pack and a half a day habit, had never tried quitting), but it ended up being one of the best decisions of my life. Everything smells better, and I don't hack up a lung every morning. Now if I could lose 60 pounds and get my blood sugar under control I'd be doing great. I wish I could be more sympathetic about people who tried quitting and failed, but honestly, I did it my first time with the patch, and it ended up being insanely easy. The only reason someone can't quit smoking is because they don't want to quit smoking, but I get that, because that was me for 13 years.

Yes, they call that addiction.

Sorry, I probably should have worded that softer, and you're right, that is a big factor of addiction. The point I was trying to get across is that physically, I could have quit all along, but the mental addiction was so ridiculously strong that I didn't want to attempt it.

I don't smoke, but I'm for the most part surrounded by second hand smoke, which I'm used to. But, knowing my fucked luck, I'll probably end up getting fucking lung cancer.

Nah, non-smokers tend to cluck their tongues at the many "smoke breaks" our nicotine-addicted co-workers seem to take, so you'll still seem like an asshole.

And how much introspection are you getting done with all that nicotine hitting your brain? You could be introspecting smarter, not harder.

That's the one that really gets me...my co-workers can nuke 10 minutes at a time at least half a dozen times a day to go smoke a cigarette...but unless I have the exact same excuse, I can't blow off work for a paid net hour every single day unless I'm looking to get fired.

I quit smoking a little over a month ago. The patch works wonders, but I still have to remain vigilant. Smoking really just became a hassle and I only enjoyed it once or twice a day. I suppose getting bronchitis is also a decent motivator.

Ironically enough, it's also your antidote to you.

Are you receiving checks from Phillip Morris or are you just that much of a militant smoker?

It's just funny that you're the only one celebrating it. It seems like the other CHUD smokers have the sense to be embarrassed about it. It might have helped if you didn't call it the "Thread of DEATH". Your rallying tactics are confusing.

Seems like you're not getting the acknowledgement you want. So why are you still waving your big, glitter-encrusted, heart-shaped sign that says "SMOKING IS THE BEST THING EVER!"? I doubt you're going to convince anyone in this thread, at least.

Well duh. Addictive drugs are addictive because they feel good. Why else would you do it? The taste? The charming smell that stays on your clothes?

I also enjoy the moments of solitude, the excuse to get out of work for 10 minutes every now and then, the way it calms me down and gives me something to do with my hands, the way it helps break the ice when meeting new people, the ritual of it, the way it goes with coffee, the nicotine buzz, etc. etc.

But you know what? Not worth it. Not worth the phlegm, the hacking cough, the money constantly being poured down the drain, the shortness of breath, the smell on your clothes, the various deadly diseases you can get, and most importantly it's not worth giving up control of yourself and being chained to it. It's the weakness that it represents that pisses me off more than anything.

Eh, true addiction has little to do with pleasure. Enjoyment vis-a-vis addiction is tangential to the point of being almost irrelevant.

I don't know, physical addiction maybe. But psychological? People wouldn't start smoking at all if it didn't feel good and have a bunch of comforting aspects, I know I wouldn't have.

I just think it's all about the ladies, if you can drink a couple of drinks and have fun that's ok, same as the cigarettes...Better if you are in good shape

I kinda wish I did smoke, that way I'd something to do with my hands while waiting.

I'll hopefully quit after my diet is completely over. Terrible habit but I am addicted and I actually enjoy smoking a lot.

Word.

Okay, so clearly we're not giving you what you want to hear, which I'm sure is the reason you started this thread. Allow me:

"Wow, you smoke? You're the awesomest!"

There. Now can the rest of us go back to not smelling like smoke and having healthy lungs, or is that just too much of an affront to you?

I'd like to see my tax dollars go towards a roving death squad that eliminates idiots who start smoking in this day and age, with all we know about its consequences (not just to the smoker but anyone in the vicinity).

Seriously. There are no excuses, just sheer stupidity. "I really like drunk driving, it's such a release from the crushing boredom of sobriety"

You don't seem to understand that you don't survive stage two lung cancer and above, no matter how good your medical treatment is. You may feebly limp through a couple years past what they give you, but in the end you're going to die. The only difference is that you'll die in the throws of chemo. You might actually be better off not using that universal health care.

That's happened to me before, where the supervisor was also a smoker and they'd get close to an hour extra off during the day on smoke breaks. I fixed that problem by actually taking a one hour nap one day. When my boss asked me where I was I told him I was taking my nap break because it's extremely vital I take one every day. And instead of taking 7 or 8 small breaks I took it all at once.

He got the point and the smoke breaks that people got were taken away and they had to take them on their normal breaks. They were pissed at me but I could care less.