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Riddil · 12-08-2003, 09:47 AM

Weeell... I know it never really was the intention of this thread to attack smokers, per se, simply to highlight low-brow advertising of the past... but I feel the need to step up to defend smokers...

First up, when I was in HS and early college I was another full-of-anger anti-smoker. My step-dad smoked like 3 packs a day, my clothes always stunk like smoke, it was nasty, I felt smokers imposed on everyone else around them, etc etc.

Lo and behold eventually I became a smoker. And even though I don't smoke now, I still feel some affinity for my smoker allies.

Smoking is really very similar to drinking-to-get-drunk. See, in HS/college a lot of kids drink with the sole intent to get completely blitzed. However, as life goes on 'normal' people outgrow that tendency. Sure they may get ripped on holidays, but that every-weekend-binge isn't really attractive anymore. Binge drinking isn't healthy... but it's done to improve the enjoyment of a social situation.

Same with smoking.

When you're a smoker suddenly you have an excuse to walk up and talk that cute girl/guy. "Excuse me, can I bum a cig?".... "Hey, do you have a light?", and next thing you know you're in a conversation. Not to mention that it also gives you something to do. There are times when you're at a party or a bar and you're sitting there feeling stupid b/c all you can do is sit there and twiddle your thumbs. However, if you have a smoke then you're doing something. It gives your hands something to do, something to focus on, you feel less like a heel b/c now you can feel like the marlboro man- cool but distant. Quiet because you choose to be. As opposed to being a Nelson sitting on the couch all by your lonesome.

See, in a party/bar it's all about a connection. You have to have *something* in common with people to be able to initiate a conversation. (This is more prevalent in college days). Smoking is an instant "in". If a party is really starting to drag, just grab your smokes and step outside with the smokers, you instantly have a circle of friends just b/c you're all smokers together.

Sure, I'm overdramatizing everything a bit... but it's still true for the most part. (It's the reason why 90% of all fraternity/sorotity members smoke... it's another social connection tool).

And besides, most smokers now are very respectful of non-smokers space. They only smoke in designated areas, etc etc. Parents smoking around their kids, people w/ no respect of other people's space... sure, those people deserve to be shot.

But smoking... honestly it's not THAT bad. Smoking one-pack-a-week, done only at a bar or a party... is it really any worse for you than going to a party friday and saturday and drinking enough beer to drown a sailor? Or even as bad as eating Burger King every single day?

People are just so anti-smoking now it's almost ridiculous.

12-08-2003, 09:47 AM	#10
Riddil Management Consultant Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 165	Weeell... I know it never really was the intention of this thread to attack smokers, per se, simply to highlight low-brow advertising of the past... but I feel the need to step up to defend smokers... First up, when I was in HS and early college I was another full-of-anger anti-smoker. My step-dad smoked like 3 packs a day, my clothes always stunk like smoke, it was nasty, I felt smokers imposed on everyone else around them, etc etc. Lo and behold eventually I became a smoker. And even though I don't smoke now, I still feel some affinity for my smoker allies. Smoking is really very similar to drinking-to-get-drunk. See, in HS/college a lot of kids drink with the sole intent to get completely blitzed. However, as life goes on 'normal' people outgrow that tendency. Sure they may get ripped on holidays, but that every-weekend-binge isn't really attractive anymore. Binge drinking isn't healthy... but it's done to improve the enjoyment of a social situation. Same with smoking. When you're a smoker suddenly you have an excuse to walk up and talk that cute girl/guy. "Excuse me, can I bum a cig?".... "Hey, do you have a light?", and next thing you know you're in a conversation. Not to mention that it also gives you something to do. There are times when you're at a party or a bar and you're sitting there feeling stupid b/c all you can do is sit there and twiddle your thumbs. However, if you have a smoke then you're doing something. It gives your hands something to do, something to focus on, you feel less like a heel b/c now you can feel like the marlboro man- cool but distant. Quiet because you choose to be. As opposed to being a Nelson sitting on the couch all by your lonesome. See, in a party/bar it's all about a connection. You have to have something in common with people to be able to initiate a conversation. (This is more prevalent in college days). Smoking is an instant "in". If a party is really starting to drag, just grab your smokes and step outside with the smokers, you instantly have a circle of friends just b/c you're all smokers together. Sure, I'm overdramatizing everything a bit... but it's still true for the most part. (It's the reason why 90% of all fraternity/sorotity members smoke... it's another social connection tool). And besides, most smokers now are very respectful of non-smokers space. They only smoke in designated areas, etc etc. Parents smoking around their kids, people w/ no respect of other people's space... sure, those people deserve to be shot. But smoking... honestly it's not THAT bad. Smoking one-pack-a-week, done only at a bar or a party... is it really any worse for you than going to a party friday and saturday and drinking enough beer to drown a sailor? Or even as bad as eating Burger King every single day? People are just so anti-smoking now it's almost ridiculous.