<!--QuoteBegin-Rapier7+Feb 12 2005, 03:38 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Rapier7 @ Feb 12 2005, 03:38 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> <b><i><u>Masochists</u></i></b> are what you people are.
When you put in ad hominem arguments about automobiles and industry and other stuff that does pollute the air and can reduce lifespan, you're missing the point.
Public smoking is retarded. Second hand smoke doesn't kill (since you don't freaking stand in it all the time), but it's just as bad as smoking a cigarette and you're infringing on somebody else's lifestyle.
That's it. That's what you're doing.
You are (while not deliberately) causing somebody else to feel drastically uncomfortable (I saw a kid have an asthma attack when he walked out of a Media Play store where some smoker was smoking, scary stuff) and for a few seconds, they don't have a choice but to put up with it.
And then when they do inform you it's dangerous and while you do already know it, WHY DO YOU KEEP DOING IT, YOU RETARDS? It wastes money. It reduces lifespan. It creates a stigma around you that health nazis can't resist laughing at. Sure, you can say it's your choice, freedom of lifestyle, knowing the consequences. But while you're leading a self destructive lifestyle, WHY?
You haven't given one good reason why you smoke. It calms you down? So does taking a freaking breath, and that's healthy. Take yoga, eat a food you like, JUST STOP AND TAKE TIME TO THINK AND BREATHE AND IT WILL YIELD THE EXACT SAME RESULTS WITHOUT THE HARMFUL SIDE EFFECTS.
But here's the thing:
While people say that respecting somebody's freedom of CHOICE, they don't realize something. YOU ARE NOT EXTENDING THE SAME COURTESY. Sure, smoke inside your house, or in a designated smoking area, but when you do it out in the open, in the middle of a city, or outside a store, or in a park, you're infringing somebody ELSE'S freedom of choice. The choice of NOT TO KILL THEMSELVES OR INHALE TOXIC SUBSTANCES.
Christ. This is what I don't understand.
"I know it's bad for me, I tried to quit, I can't do it, I'll continue smoking and destroying my lungs UNTIL I FREAKING DIE."
WHY? YOU HAVE NOT GIVEN ONE DAMNED REASON WHY.
Gee, if I wanted to destroy my lungs, shorten my lifespan, attach a moral stigma to myself, waste money, have the inability to run more than 1 mile once I reach 40, and a whole slew of other delightful conditions, sure, I'll smoke.
If you smoke inside your house, I'm all for that, or even in a designated smoking area. But outside where non-smokers dominate the smokers, don't even think of trying to spout out freedom of choice. Jeez. <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd--> I smoked 2 cigarettes reading this post.
EDIT: And yes, suicide should be created legal. I mean, come on, how many corpses are there in prison that were arrested for commiting suicide?
<!--QuoteBegin-Rapier7+Feb 13 2005, 09:52 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Rapier7 @ Feb 13 2005, 09:52 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Sure, smoke your cigarettes, you really haven't given a valid explanation as to why you do smoke.
You enjoy smoking? Hah, you've got to be kidding me. Take a deep breath. Drink an ice cold glass of water. Take some time to think.
Sure accomplishes the same thing smoking does. <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd--> No frankly it doesn't. Its relaxing sure, but not like a cigarette....nicotine is a drug that produces a mild euphoria...water and deep breaths got nothing on that.
Beyond that I honestly kinda like the flavor, the smeel brings back fond memories of my grandfather, and and blowing smoke is enjoyable. Espcialy on a cold still night, it just hangs there, its beautiful.
Private_ColemanPhD in Video GamesJoin Date: 2002-11-07Member: 7510Members
<!--QuoteBegin-Rapier7+Feb 13 2005, 11:52 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Rapier7 @ Feb 13 2005, 11:52 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Sure, smoke your cigarettes, you really haven't given a valid explanation as to why you do smoke.
You enjoy smoking? Hah, you've got to be kidding me. Take a deep breath. Drink an ice cold glass of water. Take some time to think.
Sure accomplishes the same thing smoking does. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd--> He doesn't need to give a valid reason. If he enjoys it, let him. That's like if you hate twister and I love it you could go "OOhh!! you smackface! You could seriously hurt yourself by falling over!"
Drinking has bad effects on the liver and brain cells. I guess you don't drink then?
For the record, you smokers out there, I don't hate people who smoke or drink. I don't do either because I have better ways to find entertainment, but I don't really care if you smoke now or then.
However, people who still smoke for the sole reason of **** other people off, that really makes me **** off. Not at the smoking itself, but just the willful retardedness, irresponsibility, and general puerility of it.
Fact: smoking reduces your lifespan. Fact: death to a family member, particularly painful and/or premature ones, are extremely hard on the family (emotionally, financially, etc). Fact: if you can quit smoking but don't just to **** people off, you're a friggin' jerk and don't deserve a family.
TalesinOur own little well of hateJoin Date: 2002-11-08Member: 7710NS1 Playtester, Forum Moderators
Whatever your opinion, it is up to the individual to decide what to and what not to put into their own body. And though others may offer a differing perspective, it is their responsibility to respect the decision of an individual. And to STOP offering their perspective once it has been acknowledged.
Also, keeping in mind the fact that the warning labels on cigarettes have been progressively getting larger, it's a bit tough to miss them. Or the anti-smoking ads. It's difficult to imagine how any anti-smoker (as opposed to non-smoker, who simply goes about their own life without smoking) can carry the illusion that a smoker doesn't realize that their habit is harmful.
Short version. We don't ask for your approval, we don't ask for you to condone it, we don't ask for you to stick around while we smoke. We don't even ask for the anti-smoking ads to stop. But when you stop and tell us individually, specifically that we should stop smoking, you deserve an ***-beating of equal doggedness as your 'warning'.
Extra-short version. The little hints you drop do little other than irritate. Irritation is not the way to convince someone. Cut it out.
I mean, look at <Insert annoying religious cult here, personal preference Mormons>. They do nothing other than steal a few precious seconds of your day. You have about as much chance of converting a smoker to a non-smoker, as they have of converting anyone from South Central to their church. The difference is, <Insert annoying religious cult here> get beaten, if not shot in SC.
quick question, just some honest answers please: I was reading the Runaway Jury, and it mostly talked about smokers... a lot of people on the jury smoked before 18 and then got hooked ever since. Has that happened to anyone here? Just smoked because everyone else did, and then got addicted?
I respect your decisions, I just find it impossible to comprehend why you would do something that will kill you. Yes it may be pleasurable, but it will kill you.
<!--QuoteBegin-AlienCow+Feb 14 2005, 05:59 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (AlienCow @ Feb 14 2005, 05:59 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> I respect your decisions, I just find it impossible to comprehend why you would do something that will kill you. Yes it may be pleasurable, but it will kill you.
Oh well... <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd--> we're all going to die anyways, what's a few years?
Private_ColemanPhD in Video GamesJoin Date: 2002-11-07Member: 7510Members
<!--QuoteBegin-AlienCow+Feb 14 2005, 06:41 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (AlienCow @ Feb 14 2005, 06:41 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> I'm pretty damn sure you're not ignorant of the fact that smoking increases said chance of getting cancer, so you didn't need to say that. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd--> That doesn't make it any less true.
<!--QuoteBegin-AlienCow+Feb 14 2005, 06:24 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (AlienCow @ Feb 14 2005, 06:24 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> A few years? You can get lung cancer at any age, surely? Just older people are more susceptible to cancer I assume.
Sure you could lose 2 years. You could also lose 30... <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd--> Or the reasonably likely event that you die in a car crash could happen, who's to say you will lose any years at all? It's a risk sure, but people pay 10 bucks for a shot at winning a lottery that you are more likely to get hit by a meteor then acctually win... People will gamble for pleasure, it makes about as much sence as anything else in this stupid world.
<!--QuoteBegin-Private Coleman+Feb 14 2005, 04:38 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Private Coleman @ Feb 14 2005, 04:38 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Anyone can get cancer from anything. It's a medical fact. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd--> Well...while I'm not going to say that everything is as likely to give you cancer as smoking is, he does have a point. Read a news article a few weeks back, and I guess grilled meat now causes cancer too.... <!--emo&???--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/confused-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='confused-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->
<!--QuoteBegin-AlienCow+Feb 14 2005, 06:45 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (AlienCow @ Feb 14 2005, 06:45 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Gambling for money is one thing, gambling with your life... <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd--> you gamble your life every time you step out of your damn front door and get in the car... Sure you can argue that you wouldn't have much of a life if you didn't go out once in a while, but whats the big deal. Life is just like any other commodidy, some people just don't value it too much.
<!--QuoteBegin-Swiftspear+Feb 14 2005, 06:48 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Swiftspear @ Feb 14 2005, 06:48 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> <!--QuoteBegin-AlienCow+Feb 14 2005, 06:45 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (AlienCow @ Feb 14 2005, 06:45 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Gambling for money is one thing, gambling with your life... <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd--> you gamble your life every time you step out of your damn front door and get in the car... Sure you can argue that you wouldn't have much of a life if you didn't go out once in a while, but whats the big deal. Life is just like any other commodidy, some people just don't value it too much. <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd--> Driving a car is a factor of skill. An 8 year old driving down a freeway at 80 MPH is going to end up being scooped up into a plastic baggie. Sure there's always a CHANCE your car could explode into a billion pieces for no reason, but swerving to dodge a bad driver is nothing like getting emphesema <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif' /><!--endemo-->
<!--QuoteBegin-Poofle+Feb 14 2005, 06:48 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Poofle @ Feb 14 2005, 06:48 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> <!--QuoteBegin-Swiftspear+Feb 14 2005, 06:48 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Swiftspear @ Feb 14 2005, 06:48 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> <!--QuoteBegin-AlienCow+Feb 14 2005, 06:45 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (AlienCow @ Feb 14 2005, 06:45 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Gambling for money is one thing, gambling with your life... <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd--> you gamble your life every time you step out of your damn front door and get in the car... Sure you can argue that you wouldn't have much of a life if you didn't go out once in a while, but whats the big deal. Life is just like any other commodidy, some people just don't value it too much. <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd--> Driving a car is a factor of skill. An 8 year old driving down a freeway at 80 MPH is going to end up being scooped up into a plastic baggie. Sure there's always a CHANCE your car could explode into a billion pieces for no reason, but swerving to dodge a bad driver is nothing like getting emphesema <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif' /><!--endemo--> <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd--> Skilled drivers get killed every day because people run into them. If you are skilled you probably do increase your life expectency, but the big risk was really never from your driving anyways.
TalesinOur own little well of hateJoin Date: 2002-11-08Member: 7710NS1 Playtester, Forum Moderators
edited February 2005
And it's been proven that lab work causes cancer in rats, going outside (or being in any sunny room) increases your chance of getting skin cancer dramatically, eating certain types of oils balloons your chance of a heart attack, and breathing air is likely to lead to a bacterial or viral infection of one type or another.
When I get older, I'll begin to smoke cigarettes. I think the people who smoke are aware of the hazards, But when your that old your gonna die anyways right? So why dont you just smoke, and get the most out of life.
Yeah I'd also recommend against doing it because you want to "live life to the full". By all means try them if you want to, but don't take them up just to fulfil a certain type of lifestyle. <!--emo&???--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/confused-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='confused-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->
<!--QuoteBegin-intensityrising+Feb 14 2005, 08:46 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (intensityrising @ Feb 14 2005, 08:46 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> When I get older, I'll begin to smoke cigarettes. I think the people who smoke are aware of the hazards, But when your that old your gonna die anyways right? So why dont you just smoke, and get the most out of life. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd--> You don't need to smoke to get the most out of life.
I actually read most of this thread, and I tend to agree with most of the statements here.
Now, I smoked my first cig about 4 years ago. I never found it particularly appealing, and since then, I have smoked maybe 40-50 total. Yes, 40-50 individual cigarettes, over the last 4 years. Personally, I can find the stale smell to be offensive at times (for example, if it is extremely overpowering, in an enclosed space such as an elevator.) Since I have smoked before, I am aware that there is really not much (short of taking a shower and changing clothes) that can help the smell, so I live with it.
I'm not quite sure where I was going with this post.
<!--QuoteBegin-Private Coleman+Feb 14 2005, 03:38 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Private Coleman @ Feb 14 2005, 03:38 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Anyone can get cancer from anything. It's a medical fact. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd--> Smoking definitely increases your chances of getting cancer, though. While you can get it from other things, the risks aren't as great... Bunches of people manage to get through life without cancer, but smoking makes the risk of it happening a lot higher.
Comments
When you put in ad hominem arguments about automobiles and industry and other stuff that does pollute the air and can reduce lifespan, you're missing the point.
Public smoking is retarded. Second hand smoke doesn't kill (since you don't freaking stand in it all the time), but it's just as bad as smoking a cigarette and you're infringing on somebody else's lifestyle.
That's it. That's what you're doing.
You are (while not deliberately) causing somebody else to feel drastically uncomfortable (I saw a kid have an asthma attack when he walked out of a Media Play store where some smoker was smoking, scary stuff) and for a few seconds, they don't have a choice but to put up with it.
And then when they do inform you it's dangerous and while you do already know it, WHY DO YOU KEEP DOING IT, YOU RETARDS? It wastes money. It reduces lifespan. It creates a stigma around you that health nazis can't resist laughing at. Sure, you can say it's your choice, freedom of lifestyle, knowing the consequences. But while you're leading a self destructive lifestyle, WHY?
You haven't given one good reason why you smoke. It calms you down? So does taking a freaking breath, and that's healthy. Take yoga, eat a food you like, JUST STOP AND TAKE TIME TO THINK AND BREATHE AND IT WILL YIELD THE EXACT SAME RESULTS WITHOUT THE HARMFUL SIDE EFFECTS.
But here's the thing:
While people say that respecting somebody's freedom of CHOICE, they don't realize something. YOU ARE NOT EXTENDING THE SAME COURTESY. Sure, smoke inside your house, or in a designated smoking area, but when you do it out in the open, in the middle of a city, or outside a store, or in a park, you're infringing somebody ELSE'S freedom of choice. The choice of NOT TO KILL THEMSELVES OR INHALE TOXIC SUBSTANCES.
Christ. This is what I don't understand.
"I know it's bad for me, I tried to quit, I can't do it, I'll continue smoking and destroying my lungs UNTIL I FREAKING DIE."
WHY? YOU HAVE NOT GIVEN ONE DAMNED REASON WHY.
Gee, if I wanted to destroy my lungs, shorten my lifespan, attach a moral stigma to myself, waste money, have the inability to run more than 1 mile once I reach 40, and a whole slew of other delightful conditions, sure, I'll smoke.
If you smoke inside your house, I'm all for that, or even in a designated smoking area. But outside where non-smokers dominate the smokers, don't even think of trying to spout out freedom of choice. Jeez. <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I smoked 2 cigarettes reading this post.
EDIT: And yes, suicide should be created legal. I mean, come on, how many corpses are there in prison that were arrested for commiting suicide?
You enjoy smoking? Hah, you've got to be kidding me. Take a deep breath. Drink an ice cold glass of water. Take some time to think.
Sure accomplishes the same thing smoking does.
You enjoy smoking? Hah, you've got to be kidding me. Take a deep breath. Drink an ice cold glass of water. Take some time to think.
Sure accomplishes the same thing smoking does. <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
No frankly it doesn't. Its relaxing sure, but not like a cigarette....nicotine is a drug that produces a mild euphoria...water and deep breaths got nothing on that.
Beyond that I honestly kinda like the flavor, the smeel brings back fond memories of my grandfather, and and blowing smoke is enjoyable. Espcialy on a cold still night, it just hangs there, its beautiful.
You enjoy smoking? Hah, you've got to be kidding me. Take a deep breath. Drink an ice cold glass of water. Take some time to think.
Sure accomplishes the same thing smoking does. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
He doesn't need to give a valid reason. If he enjoys it, let him. That's like if you hate twister and I love it you could go "OOhh!! you smackface! You could seriously hurt yourself by falling over!"
Drinking has bad effects on the liver and brain cells. I guess you don't drink then?
However, people who still smoke for the sole reason of **** other people off, that really makes me **** off. Not at the smoking itself, but just the willful retardedness, irresponsibility, and general puerility of it.
Fact: smoking reduces your lifespan.
Fact: death to a family member, particularly painful and/or premature ones, are extremely hard on the family (emotionally, financially, etc).
Fact: if you can quit smoking but don't just to **** people off, you're a friggin' jerk and don't deserve a family.
Also, keeping in mind the fact that the warning labels on cigarettes have been progressively getting larger, it's a bit tough to miss them. Or the anti-smoking ads. It's difficult to imagine how any anti-smoker (as opposed to non-smoker, who simply goes about their own life without smoking) can carry the illusion that a smoker doesn't realize that their habit is harmful.
Short version. We don't ask for your approval, we don't ask for you to condone it, we don't ask for you to stick around while we smoke. We don't even ask for the anti-smoking ads to stop. But when you stop and tell us individually, specifically that we should stop smoking, you deserve an ***-beating of equal doggedness as your 'warning'.
Extra-short version. The little hints you drop do little other than irritate. Irritation is not the way to convince someone. Cut it out.
I mean, look at <Insert annoying religious cult here, personal preference Mormons>. They do nothing other than steal a few precious seconds of your day. You have about as much chance of converting a smoker to a non-smoker, as they have of converting anyone from South Central to their church.
The difference is, <Insert annoying religious cult here> get beaten, if not shot in SC.
I was reading the Runaway Jury, and it mostly talked about smokers... a lot of people on the jury smoked before 18 and then got hooked ever since.
Has that happened to anyone here? Just smoked because everyone else did, and then got addicted?
Oh well...
Oh well... <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
we're all going to die anyways, what's a few years?
Not that I care to smoke either way.
Sure you could lose 2 years. You could also lose 30...
That doesn't make it any less true.
Sure you could lose 2 years. You could also lose 30... <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
Or the reasonably likely event that you die in a car crash could happen, who's to say you will lose any years at all? It's a risk sure, but people pay 10 bucks for a shot at winning a lottery that you are more likely to get hit by a meteor then acctually win... People will gamble for pleasure, it makes about as much sence as anything else in this stupid world.
Well...while I'm not going to say that everything is as likely to give you cancer as smoking is, he does have a point. Read a news article a few weeks back, and I guess grilled meat now causes cancer too.... <!--emo&???--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/confused-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='confused-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->
you gamble your life every time you step out of your damn front door and get in the car... Sure you can argue that you wouldn't have much of a life if you didn't go out once in a while, but whats the big deal. Life is just like any other commodidy, some people just don't value it too much.
you gamble your life every time you step out of your damn front door and get in the car... Sure you can argue that you wouldn't have much of a life if you didn't go out once in a while, but whats the big deal. Life is just like any other commodidy, some people just don't value it too much. <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Driving a car is a factor of skill. An 8 year old driving down a freeway at 80 MPH is going to end up being scooped up into a plastic baggie. Sure there's always a CHANCE your car could explode into a billion pieces for no reason, but swerving to dodge a bad driver is nothing like getting emphesema <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif' /><!--endemo-->
Fine, but its stupid.
you gamble your life every time you step out of your damn front door and get in the car... Sure you can argue that you wouldn't have much of a life if you didn't go out once in a while, but whats the big deal. Life is just like any other commodidy, some people just don't value it too much. <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Driving a car is a factor of skill. An 8 year old driving down a freeway at 80 MPH is going to end up being scooped up into a plastic baggie. Sure there's always a CHANCE your car could explode into a billion pieces for no reason, but swerving to dodge a bad driver is nothing like getting emphesema <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif' /><!--endemo--> <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
Skilled drivers get killed every day because people run into them. If you are skilled you probably do increase your life expectency, but the big risk was really never from your driving anyways.
You don't need to smoke to get the most out of life.
I actually read most of this thread, and I tend to agree with most of the statements here.
Now, I smoked my first cig about 4 years ago. I never found it particularly appealing, and since then, I have smoked maybe 40-50 total. Yes, 40-50 individual cigarettes, over the last 4 years. Personally, I can find the stale smell to be offensive at times (for example, if it is extremely overpowering, in an enclosed space such as an elevator.) Since I have smoked before, I am aware that there is really not much (short of taking a shower and changing clothes) that can help the smell, so I live with it.
I'm not quite sure where I was going with this post.
Sorry.
Smoking definitely increases your chances of getting cancer, though. While you can get it from other things, the risks aren't as great... Bunches of people manage to get through life without cancer, but smoking makes the risk of it happening a lot higher.