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04.02.2008 4:47 pm

If it were easy to kick the habit, would you stop smoking?

St. Louis Post-Dispatch
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I have family members who smoke. They like to smoke. If it were easy to quit, I doubt they would — in spite of all the research that talks about how dangerous smoking is.

Today, there’s research out that says scientists have isolated that genes that “make people more likely to get hooked on cigarettes and more prone to develop lung cancer - a finding that could someday lead to screening tests and customized treatments for smokers trying to kick the habit.”

So the question is simple: If it were easy to quit smoking, would you do it?

For the nonsmokers out there: Would that make it easier to persuade your smoking friends or family to kick the habit?

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8 comments

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I don’t care if people smoke as long as they:

1. Don’t smoke in my house.
2. Don’t throw their cigarette butts in my lawn.
3. Don’t smoke while they are working for me.

Other than that, I do not care what they do. They can smoke 5 packs a day, as long as it isn’t near me because it will probably make my near-clean clothes smell like a Marlboro factory.

Like I said yesterday, if there is ANY way to reduce the amount of people on this planet without deliberate war, crime, famine, and violence, I am all for it. I think snuff is the wave of the future……no second-hand smoke or spit from chewers. Think about it……

BTW: I am no longer in favor of marijuana, other than the occasional recreational use by responsible citizens during periods of time that they are not employed by me or employed by any of my business partners. Yes, the herb should be legalized, but it should also be recognized that people who get totally (and I mean TOTALLY) stoned 24/7 every friggin day of the year are basically unemployable.

(They may seem fine for awhile….but just wait…..they will find some way to screw things up royally….and you will have to pay the tab.)

Trust me.

— robsmyth
6:50 pm April 2nd, 2008

Some seem to have more of a predisposition to addiction than others. An addictive personality if you will. Smoking just happens to be the habit of choice that many find sates their addiction. For others it’s not enough.

I smoked on and off for about 5~6 years. My parents had both smoked in their younger years. We all chose to stop and did so cold turkey. I tried smoking a cigarette about 4 years after quitting and got sick to my stomach. It’s about been 4 years since then. I still think about smoking a good cigar or getting out by pipes and good pipe tobacco, but I chose not to for my family as well as my general health and medical history. I was never a hard smoker (and therein perhaps is a reason partly as to why it was easier for me to quit). At my worst I smoked perhaps two packs a week, though one was the norm. My mother quit when she realized she was pregnant with me. My father quit his pipes before I was 4. At 34, I’ve never seen nor heard of either of them smoking, much less desiring it. For us, it was easy, and we did it.

Now I can’t stand being around cigarette smoke. I can tolerate some cigar smoke and I don’t mind pipe smoke as it’s quite aromatic. Hookahs are pleasant smelling too, but I doubt you’ll see many people carrying a small hookah around with them!!!

As long as places are well ventilated and properly partitioned, I have no problem with businesses allowing smokers ( I know the laws say otherwise). I could care less if you smoke in your home or car. I do get quite perturbed by drivers flicking their butts. The revenue that unmarked police cars could probably get from going after so many of these litter bugs… I think it’d make it well worth their time. And for those who smoke at home, unless I’m forced to be in there for a long period, I’m either avoiding you or leaving as soon as possible. Stale cigarettes and ashes, smokers homes and the stink of bar bathrooms have a lot in common in my experience.

— Logus
9:56 pm April 2nd, 2008

I only smoke after 5:00 pm and only about a pack a week, so no.
I like this addiction.

I was reading Rob Smyth statement about marijuana above, and then thought about 1 of my jobs. I work @ a local Country Club waiting table for the rich & powerful. I never write down an order, no matter if it’s a table of 24 having 3 courses, or a family of 4… I am the only waiter/waitress to not write their orders down at this establishment. My original plan was to impress a St. Louis big-wig with my ability to retain information and land a really nice job. I usually just impressed the ladies that were playing bridge. anyway, whenever someone asks me how do you do it? how do you remember each order and never make a mistake. . . I always respond by saying “I smoke pot everyday” the response is always the same… just a perplexed look? then i say “just kidding” then they laugh. because that makes sense, right?

but what is the truth? you have read my previous TOTD posts. he he
it is clear that everyday I work there, by not writing down my orders. I am setting myself up to “screw up royally” I will let you know when that happens?

— Gabe
4:56 pm April 3rd, 2008

I remember when I was in college and I was working as a coop at TI in Dallas for a semester. My roommate and I would head out to the bars about midnight arriving back about 3am. He was a casual smoker and I was not. Over time I would take a few drags and leave it at that. One Sunday morning I woke up and caught myself reaching for a cigarette. Right then and there I realized I was getting hooked so I took them and threw them right in the trash. Have not touched them since. That was 1989. Glad I didn’t succumb to the addiction.

— AJ
5:27 pm April 3rd, 2008

I smoked one cigarette when I was about 4. None since. My family on both sides smoked like chimneys. None got heart attacks, cancer or were otherwise unhealthy.

If genes promotes smoking, do the same genes promote health benefits from smoking? How else can I explain that my family on both sides have such longevity?

— johnh
11:48 am April 4th, 2008

John, didn’t you say that you’re Native American, or have a lot of Native ancestry? Perhaps your healthy eating habits (family tradition?) and ancestry in general are key?

— Logus
11:53 am April 4th, 2008

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