Health Problems from smoking?

[matchstickman]

I've never told my doctor I smoke pipes or cigars, but I am a total lightweight. Two bowls a day is pushing it for me, and sometimes, I don't smoke at all. I have some blood pressure issues from all the drinking I did a few years back, but I take meds for it and if the pipe affects my BP, its not to the point that I notice it. If anything, I think it helps me relax and lowers it a little bit and soothes the urge to punch someone in the face.

 

[sherlock]

I told my doctor and he told me to to keep it to a minimum, which is not a problem because I only smoke a bowel or two a day. I have a kidney transplant so very little is attributed to smoking, just the mess im on. I also reported my self as a smoker on my insurance because I don't want that to be a an issue.

 

[jchaplick]

I have seen those notices, and there is a difference between inhaling and not inhaling, but it is marginal. I know some guys that smoke 5-10 bowls a day, some even add cigars to that, and have been doing it for years, they seem healthy to me.
Im not too worried, you gotta die somehow, I know people who the doctors say smoking killed them, they were over 80. I think it was time, but whatever. im good with that

 

[sherlock]

jchap, I have to agree with you. I don't get the whole assertion that smoking cost health insurance companies et all more money. At some point we will all get sick and die, what difference does it make whether I am 70 0r 80 or if it is from lung cancer or heart problems?

 

[gsandrini]

Acording to my father, which is a Doctor, if you are puting any kind of heat smoke into your body it is going to be bad for you... Cigars, cigarettes, pipe tobaco, marijuana or anything else..
To think that puting tobacco into your mouth and sometimes lungs is going to make your health better is some kind of denial..
The problem is that when you somebody say "tobacco" nowadays everybody will think of lung cancer and the other of hundreds of health issues caused by cigarettes... To be honest, I don't believe pipe smoking is going to do more harm then drinking alcohol or eating fast food on a regular basis.
Is just a question of how much you do it.. Drink whiskey everyday and you'll see what happens, eat a BigMac everyday and you'll see what happens..
I mean, each person is different..

 

[pipedisciple]

I believe that I read somewhere that tobacco was once used for medicinal purposes, probably before they started putting chemicals in it. I was a cigarette smoker for many many years, but now smoke just cigars and pipes and in moderation. I have had two heart surgeons tell me that pipe and cigar smoking can be beneficial, because it causes you to relax. Maybe if more of the anti-smoking public would try it, there would be less tension in this world. As for me, I plan on smoking until I can no longer draw on my pipe or cigar. ::

 

[cyndi]

You can also get lung cancer from campfires and meat cooked over a wood burning stove/grill. Or you could just drive into ATL during July, take a couple of deep breaths and go home with asthma.

 

[mcarnevale]

I lived in Okinawa for a few years. Almost everyone there smokes cigarettes (and drink lots of alcohol) yet they led the world in "Centurions" for a very long time until recently. My take is the US Cigs are loaded with junk vs other countries cigs are more "natural" (less additives) than... Life style has a lot to do with it as well. AMericans for the most part rush, rush, rush, stress, stress, stress. Okinawans on the other had take life as it comes and enjoy it more. Just MHO.

 

[weezell]

There is a long list of things that will kill me first!Pipes just gonna have to wait in line...

 

[nathaniel]

Cyndi, I always say the same thing in regard to 2nd hand smoke. I grew up in Costa Rica where everyone has wood stoves filling their houses with smoke throughout the day.... never knew anyone with cancer though from their. Just here in the U.S. Which makes me think its more of a diet and lifestyle thing than any one substance.

 

[jchaplick]

Think about it this way, I personally believe its a bigger risk to get into your car and drive for one day than it is to smoke one bowl a day for your entire life...gotta die somehow

 

[brewshooter]

I certainly think that it's a moderation issue, like many things, but here's a news flash for those not already in the know, thousands of people every year develop lung cancer who never smoked, lived around a smoker, worked in a mine, or had any of the other precursor habits that would normally doom one to a miserable/painful death. As with most things, the story is more complex then activity A results in dire consequence B.

 

[yuri66]

All I can say on this is genetics, yes, smoking does pose health risks as all the things mentioned in the post. But a few years ago (10 now) I remember there was an old man on the local Richmond news, they were shooting a piece on him becasue he was celebration his 110th Birthday, and when the reporter asked him his secret to a long life he said "a pack of cigarettes a day and a good shot of JD". I laughed my ass off when that came out, because the reporter was expecting some BS about living healthy etc. etc. but he just blurted it out and he had smoked since the age of 13. No I do not believe that smoking contributed to his longevity, but it also did not stop him from living a very long time. So I say a lot of health issues are genetic, you are born and your alarm clock is set, when the bell (buzzer for the younguns) rings, time up, no matter how you lived.

So smoke if you enjoy it and if you fear that you will not make it to a 100 then dont.