Would you advise your children to smoke a pipe?
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It's not really a question of better or worse than some other form. It's a question of good for you or not. If you don't think it's good for you, it can't be recommended to your children. I do it but there is no uncertainty that it comes at a price. As Phil said, had I grown up at a different time the decision might have been different. People can believe what they want but the idea that smoking isn't bad for you is just denial, moderate or otherwise. A little unbiased research can be very enlightening. I'll smoke until I'm dead but that's likely to be sooner than if I didn't. The only real consolation is that dying a little early beats the Hell out of sitting in some wheel chair drooling all over myself.
I suppose I have a different outlook on pipe smoking than most folks. I never drank, never smoked cigarettes, never took or smoked dope. I took up smoking a pipe almost 15 years ago after I researched the risks to my health, which I found were minimal. I love everything about pipes and smoking tobacco. I was never addicted to cigarettes, and never will be. I am not addicted to pipe tobacco. I don't ruin my furniture, clothes or anything else with careless behaviour. Pipe smoking calms me, brings lucidity to my thoughts and as I said earlier, adds greatly to my quality of life. I am puzzled why people who think so little of what they do are even on this forum. Really, it takes me aback. It's as though pipe smoking is a bad thing-it's not. And if it were really as harmful as folks here think it is, then why on earth do you do it, especially if you have kids? It's almost like society has brainwashed you into thinking smoking pipes is bad and dangerous-it's not, and there are studies to back this up. I have nothing else to add other than I just don't get it. Must be my low IQ...
I suspect that most of us here have a few years on you billinsfl. You'll not doubt "get it" in a few years. If it takes a pipe to make you lucid, well that does explain a bit. Smoking is what it is. Not a particularly bright thing to do but, a personal choice for which you may or may not pay a price over and above the cash you shell out for pipes and blends. No one has said that it is "such a bad thing." It's not a particularly good thing, re-read what you have written, all of the justification you need for what is simply an enjoyable experience on it's own. There really is no justification for smoking other than self-gratification or, if that grates, personal enjoyment.
There are many other ways of enjoying life without the risk inherent in smoking. Just make the decision but, do not discount the risks in order to validate as selfish decision. Accept them and enjoy your pipe. That's what most of us do without the struggle for some sort of justification and discounting the known health risks. If you have to justify your wee vice, perhaps you shouldn't do it.
I'm an adult, I no longer need the validation or approval of others.
As an aside, I do find it hard to believe that a glowing ember has never escaped your pipe and burned a car seat or chair. Let alone that you haven't ever burned a hole in your pants, a shirt or a sweater. Do your pipes have a spark arrester? :worship:
There are many other ways of enjoying life without the risk inherent in smoking. Just make the decision but, do not discount the risks in order to validate as selfish decision. Accept them and enjoy your pipe. That's what most of us do without the struggle for some sort of justification and discounting the known health risks. If you have to justify your wee vice, perhaps you shouldn't do it.
I'm an adult, I no longer need the validation or approval of others.
As an aside, I do find it hard to believe that a glowing ember has never escaped your pipe and burned a car seat or chair. Let alone that you haven't ever burned a hole in your pants, a shirt or a sweater. Do your pipes have a spark arrester? :worship:
I'm in my mid 30's, and have been smoking a pipe for at least 15 years. I am also (now only occasionally) a cigarette smoker. I don't have kids.
Would I ever encourage... no. If asked, I would explain that it has health risks, that it cost money and that it is a dirty habit. After that, it is up to the person asking those questions. No my job to preach, either for or against.
Would I ever encourage... no. If asked, I would explain that it has health risks, that it cost money and that it is a dirty habit. After that, it is up to the person asking those questions. No my job to preach, either for or against.
I think this fact does not get enough focus around here.
Nicotine is by itself not harmful. Like many other substances, including caffeine and natural endorfins, it can be addictive.
Inhaling smoke through lungs or sinuses can irritate those tissues. Tissues subjected to prolonged irritation and excessive deposits of irritants can produce health problems.
I am more concerned with the high amount of car/diesel exhaust, industrial toxins, and the general flow of disease -- which can be mutagenic -- than I am pipe smoking.
That maybe true. But, while you can't really do anything about car/diesel emissions you can, immediately and positively, should you wish, do something positive for your health with respect to tobacco.
Industrial toxins, vehicle emissions, etc. really have no logical place in a debate about consciously partaking in smoking and the intentional imperiling your own well being. Pick your poison I suppose. Nothing wrong with that except it conflates the argument I think.
I opine one should simply do a bit of research, make the decision to smoke or not and then, cease trying to make a case about how smart you are to smoke. Just enjoy the pipe or whatever.
Also, the why of some others habits (hobby, if you insist), if legal, are really none of your or my business. We really shouldn't have to justify our nasty little vice to anyone other than ourselves and maybe "herself." And, there is no acceptable justification except "I enjoy it." It's a selfish little pleasure, I enjoy it. Sure, it's a confusing thing for the kids to see but, I'll cross that bridge when they are older and can understand that I am, in fact, imperfect.
Industrial toxins, vehicle emissions, etc. really have no logical place in a debate about consciously partaking in smoking and the intentional imperiling your own well being. Pick your poison I suppose. Nothing wrong with that except it conflates the argument I think.
I opine one should simply do a bit of research, make the decision to smoke or not and then, cease trying to make a case about how smart you are to smoke. Just enjoy the pipe or whatever.
Also, the why of some others habits (hobby, if you insist), if legal, are really none of your or my business. We really shouldn't have to justify our nasty little vice to anyone other than ourselves and maybe "herself." And, there is no acceptable justification except "I enjoy it." It's a selfish little pleasure, I enjoy it. Sure, it's a confusing thing for the kids to see but, I'll cross that bridge when they are older and can understand that I am, in fact, imperfect.
I agree that this is a good starting point for any decision. To this I add that there should be a feedback loop: do it while it offers something to you, and leave it at any point where that ceases.
However:
I am not sure I can agree that any decision falls under this standard. All things have repercussions, even the entirely personal. While I tend to be libertarian in this regard, including some regulated chemicals, I don't think it's the full story. Standards and leadership are as much part of life as individualism, and are -- in my long-term study -- often more gratifying. A $0.02 for your busy mind to consider, nothing more.
Also, I must disagree here:
While I can see the point that smoking would be an addition to existing environmental conditions, and therefore those conditions are not relevant, we do have the ability to do something about those toxins, even at a personal level, for example moving to the burbs or countryside instead of living in a city apartment.
In addition, we can see why smoking might be a scapegoat.
It is very human -- "human, all too human" as a great man wrote -- to find a scapegoat that is easy instead of tackling the hard problem.
In fact, some would argue that all of human politics follows this pattern. "Our problem is not the elephant in the room, go beat up on these (easy) victims" is a powerful way to gain authority and mobilize masses of people.
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This is the real issue. It not good for you but most of us have decided it's worth the risk. Sure, noxious fumes in the atmosphere constitute a similar risk but adding all the toxins contained in tobacco certainly doesn't help. The question posed is "would you encourage your child to do it?" not "is it worth the risk?". We have all made the decision to take that risk, each for his own reasons and a warren pointed out that doesn't require the approval of others or that we justify that decision. I didn't encourage risky behaviors in my children but they like me have the right to make their own risk/cost assessments now that they are adults.
I would encourage my own adult child to smoke a pipe, just as I would encourage anyone who had shown an interest.
Clearly, several posts in this thread are disturbing to me, to a certain degree. I suppose I feel that way, because I view pipe smoking as a hobby done in moderation, not a method to simply satisfy an addiction.
I could go deeper into detail, but it's probably not necessary. I'm certain which side of the fence I am standing on, and what part pipe smoking plays in my own life. The benefits vs. risks are something I would gladly share with anyone who expressed an interest in the hobby.
Clearly, several posts in this thread are disturbing to me, to a certain degree. I suppose I feel that way, because I view pipe smoking as a hobby done in moderation, not a method to simply satisfy an addiction.
I could go deeper into detail, but it's probably not necessary. I'm certain which side of the fence I am standing on, and what part pipe smoking plays in my own life. The benefits vs. risks are something I would gladly share with anyone who expressed an interest in the hobby.
metal: Very rational. I find little to disagree with. My days as a leader are long gone. I'm not even a follower any longer. I'm pretty much a social dropout by choice. I spent a good part of my adult life trying to fix social problems on a personal, face to face level.
glouster: Absolutely correct. I can fault myself for my child's bad decisions as an adult and only hope they learn from them, while wondering where I went wrong. Then I can wish them well, hope their life is good and quit blaming myself as they have the absolute right to make their own mistakes and, alternatively, achieve their own triumphs.
If they are a success in life I hope a bit of it redounds to me. If a failure, well I'll just disavow any responsibility. :D
glouster: Absolutely correct. I can fault myself for my child's bad decisions as an adult and only hope they learn from them, while wondering where I went wrong. Then I can wish them well, hope their life is good and quit blaming myself as they have the absolute right to make their own mistakes and, alternatively, achieve their own triumphs.
If they are a success in life I hope a bit of it redounds to me. If a failure, well I'll just disavow any responsibility. :D
Tell that to someone who has Peripheral Artery Disease & a candidate for having the arteries in their legs stripped at the least, or at risk of losing a foot or possibly a leg. Peripheral Artery Disease of the lower extremities is not caused by cholesterol, can be caused by Diabetes but is heavily caused by nicotine. One of my best friends lost 2 toes plus a part of the major bone in one of his feet in 2014 because the arteries in his leg were so bad part of his foot died due to lack of circulation. He now has to wear a 5EEEEE wide special shoe. Problems continue and his doctor told him the leg will have to come off. My advise to him has been to get it done, get a prosthesis & get on with his life while there is any of it left.
Oh yeah...almost forgot. He is not diabetic. He quit cigarettes 35 yrs ago and took up smoking just a pipe.
I will add on to what JReb said. Studies have shown a direct correlation between nicotine and degenerative disk disease, and spinal stenosis. Additionally, nicotine will directly impact your ability to heal after major surgery.
Nicotine may be less harmful than the tar and chemicals found in smoke, but it does have negative effects on health. To believe otherwise if foolish... to state so as a fact is irresponsible.
Did those studies separate Nicotine from its delivery mechanism and lifestyle options? Keeping in mind how the social sciences are having trouble replicating study results at this time, I think it makes sense to look at the studies themselves and what they actually revealed.
I understand this perspective, having been there through another form. The Kali-Yuga is upon us, but I think it's nearing the end. So I take hope in that!
There's a lot of factors involved, but I was thinking about it the other day, excess is really the enemy here.
If I drink nothing but coke and pepsi every day eventually my body is going to have severe reactions, alcoholics are going to ruin their livers, sports players often destroy their limbs, lazy people get all sorts of problems after being inactive for long enough, and if I eat nothing but celery and rice I'm going to be severly nutrient deficient. Everything is harmful (if you go too far).
If I drink nothing but coke and pepsi every day eventually my body is going to have severe reactions, alcoholics are going to ruin their livers, sports players often destroy their limbs, lazy people get all sorts of problems after being inactive for long enough, and if I eat nothing but celery and rice I'm going to be severly nutrient deficient. Everything is harmful (if you go too far).
The next statement that always comes up (somewhat jokingly) is "everything in moderation means sometimes excess". Sure, but that's what I would call "discretion". We have brains, most subjects aren't beyond your ability to reason.
Remembering which thread I'm in now, and having said what I've said. I see no reason not to encourage pipe smoking. I look forward to sharing this hobby with future generations.
Remembering which thread I'm in now, and having said what I've said. I see no reason not to encourage pipe smoking. I look forward to sharing this hobby with future generations.
I would not encourage pipe smoking to my boys unless: A) They actually showed an interest in it, and I believed they were mature enough to understand the implications of their decision. B) They were wanting to do it as less harmful a trade-off for cigarette smoking, which in my opinion is far more harmful.
I have used tobacco in various forms for most of my life (cigarettes, snuff and cigars) and IMO, smoking a pipe is the only way for me to do it in such a way that I can consider it more of a hobby, than an addiction. I still enjoy a good cigar now and then, or use snuff while mowing the yard or hunting, but for the most part, I have made my peace with this addiction. :
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I have used tobacco in various forms for most of my life (cigarettes, snuff and cigars) and IMO, smoking a pipe is the only way for me to do it in such a way that I can consider it more of a hobby, than an addiction. I still enjoy a good cigar now and then, or use snuff while mowing the yard or hunting, but for the most part, I have made my peace with this addiction. :
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I honestly don't know, Metal. Other than reading excerpts, I don't know the details. I know that my doctor--who is far from an anti-Nazi--mentioned them when I had my back surgery. Simply providing information that it could have contributed to the disk degeneration that I had and advising against smoking post surgery for a week just to aid the healing process.
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