A question for smokers

[gemfyre]

Why can't you all just suck on a nicotine inhaler instead of a cigarette? You get the same drug fix, but there's none of the goddamn smoke that we non-smokers are always whinging about.

You get your addiction, but it doesn't affect anyone else, and everyone would be happy.

So why are cigarettes/cigars etc. still so bloody popular?

Comments

[leeef.livejournal.com]

You can get nicotine inhalers?

I totally agree with you. I hate having to walk past a smoker and breathing in their filthy habit.

[jet-ski.livejournal.com]

I'm not a smoker, but just a couple of things -

I don't think a nicotine inhaler would be enough to satisfy the oral fixation that most smokers have as they would get their nicotine dose much quicker.

Sucking on a nicotine inhaler would hardly be seen as 'cool'

The more isolated smokers become from non-smokers the more they hold on to their little social gatherings which happen when they all get together for a fag...smokers *like* having to sneak outside for a smoko to chat to their mates.

Smoking is an outlet that some people use to 'destress' but I don't think sucking from an inhaler (too much like real medication) would gel well with their concepts of sneaking out for a silent few minutes.

[firvulag.livejournal.com]

why is smoking seen as 'cool' though?

Is there any other method of fucking up your own body, and that of anyone that happens to be near you, that is considered 'cool'? I guess drinking in excess in australia seems to have a pretty good appearance, and that's not that good for you even though some drinking is good for you...supposedly.

Speeding and being a general tool on the road has the risk of affecting others too, but isn't going to just because they happen to be near you.

I do however agree. A nicotine inhaler (or smoke free cigarette, or other alternative) just wouldn't cut it for most smokers. It just wouldn't have the same image.

Also, it becomes harder to quit until a critical amount of your friends are no longer smokers, and you can easially spend time with the smoker(s) when they aren't out having a fag.

adiction is about more than the chemical

[blue-cat.livejournal.com]

a la Jet_ski

I learned a lot from trying to help a friend give up, firstly during her pregnancies then later.

A lot of it, like heroin, is the 'scene' ~ you look for the pack, the lighter, you fondle the pack & pick your ciggie. The swift movements of ciggie to lips then the flick of the lighter, the first puff. slow inhalations and the regret as you finish. None of this involves actual nicotine.

For her, eventually with 3 kids, it was time out. patches etc replaced the chemicals but they didn't replace the '5 minutes away from the kids' ~ just taking the time out didn't do it for her, she needed the excuse, the actions, the mental association of that thin tube with the good times with friends and the social scene of adultness to divorce herself for 5 min from 'mommiemommie MOMMIE'.

That was the real addiction. The nicotine hit was just an added bonus.

If they came up with Chocolate patches: slap it on & get all the buzz of 100g bar, would you give up chocolate? No, cause the aspect of peeling the bar, relaxing into eating slowly that lush melting goodness.... mmmm.

*eyes up Galexy Ripple bought for lunch*
*drools*

Re: adiction is about more than the chemical

[gemfyre.livejournal.com]

If my eating chocolate directly affected everyone within my vicinity then yes, I'd probably be considerate enough to give it up.

[honeyjubilee.livejournal.com]

Ugh! I hate having to shove my way through crowds of smokers hanging around just outside the door (there are signs that say no smoking within 25 feet of the building...). I also hate it when I get stuck sitting next to someone in class who smells like they haven't showered in a month and have smoked 3 packs right before class.

[firvulag.livejournal.com]

Yeah, that sucks. During major project there were 4 of the 6 of us that were smokers and they HAD to go out and have one during our weekly meetings. They also managed to always stand under the air conditioning intakes, so always got told off about it and forced to move further away.

At least the lecturers in that building gave a shit and were confrontational about it rather than most that don't, hence the smokers in the doorway when it says 25ft.

I also hate the smokers that sit outside at the hospital here. The signs say no smoking on the premesis. there are no smoking signs in each seating area. a couple of nurses were sitting in one smoking and chatting. RIGHT IN FRONT OF A NO SMOKING SIGN! Are they mental?

[vegetus.livejournal.com]

Because inhalers aren't as cool and trendy as cigarette?

[gemfyre.livejournal.com]

But what's cool and trendy about smelling bad and annoying most of the people nearby?

[vegetus.livejournal.com]

For some people they don't dislike the smell of smokes and still non-smokers are in the minority in many places.

[hipikat.livejournal.com]

I don't smoke... But the beauty of wisps of smoke dissipating, mapping out the eddies and currents in the air & reminding you that you are sitting in an earth-wide ocean of flowing gas kind of makes me want to.