for Smoking Really Blows11/14/2004 c1 
1Formerly
First off, I'm not really what you'd call a smoker, so this isn't an attack from "the other side." I just don't think this is very good.
"Everyone should know by now that smoking is bad for you - it can even kill you. So why are so many people still smoking? And why are so many more trying it for the first time?"
The same with suntanning, drinking, and for that matter driving cars (which pollute the environment, go that much farther towards destroying the world, and have a high risk of death or injury). Smoking is worse, true, but not by that much.
"People under 18 are the largest group of nonsmokers, so cigarette companies naturally target young people in their advertising. They promote the image of happy, beautiful, popular & active people using their products. In reality, smokers are none of these things."
Funny, I happen to know a lot of happy, beautiful, popular and active smokers. Maybe you're generalizing a bit too much with absolutely no foundation for your beliefs?
"Its kind of hard to look nice when your teeth are yellow and your face is wrinkled. Nicotine stains your teeth, nails & fingertips - for as long as you smoke. No amount of brushing or washing gets rid of the yellow tint."
Actually, this is only for chainsmokers. I know many people who smoke only once a week or less, who are in perfectly good shape. For that matter, I know smokers who smoke every day and are in perfectly good shape.
"And smoking damages your skin by interfering with circulation, causing you to age faster & get more wrinkles than a nonsmoker."
Tanning also gives you wrinkles, as does living.
"Smoking stinks. Literally. Your breath, your hair, your clothes, your car, your house - all reek of cigarettes if you choose to smoke. Most people don’t enjoy that lovely aroma, so you probably won’t have that many friends."
Actually, I never really minded the smell of smoke, although I guess many people do, so this is a valid argument. However, I have never once met anyone who let smoking get in the way of friendship - maybe a love relationship, but my best friends smoke, and it has never bothered any of their nonsmoking ones.
"Smoking damages your heart & lungs, so you won’t be able to play sports as well or for as long as a nonsmoker. It also weakens your immune system, so you’ll be sick more often."
At last, a valid argument.
"And finally...how can you be happy when you’re addicted to a drug that’s going to kill you - not to mention cost you an average of $700 a year in the process?"
Easily.
1FormerlyFirst off, I'm not really what you'd call a smoker, so this isn't an attack from "the other side." I just don't think this is very good.
"Everyone should know by now that smoking is bad for you - it can even kill you. So why are so many people still smoking? And why are so many more trying it for the first time?"
The same with suntanning, drinking, and for that matter driving cars (which pollute the environment, go that much farther towards destroying the world, and have a high risk of death or injury). Smoking is worse, true, but not by that much.
"People under 18 are the largest group of nonsmokers, so cigarette companies naturally target young people in their advertising. They promote the image of happy, beautiful, popular & active people using their products. In reality, smokers are none of these things."
Funny, I happen to know a lot of happy, beautiful, popular and active smokers. Maybe you're generalizing a bit too much with absolutely no foundation for your beliefs?
"Its kind of hard to look nice when your teeth are yellow and your face is wrinkled. Nicotine stains your teeth, nails & fingertips - for as long as you smoke. No amount of brushing or washing gets rid of the yellow tint."
Actually, this is only for chainsmokers. I know many people who smoke only once a week or less, who are in perfectly good shape. For that matter, I know smokers who smoke every day and are in perfectly good shape.
"And smoking damages your skin by interfering with circulation, causing you to age faster & get more wrinkles than a nonsmoker."
Tanning also gives you wrinkles, as does living.
"Smoking stinks. Literally. Your breath, your hair, your clothes, your car, your house - all reek of cigarettes if you choose to smoke. Most people don’t enjoy that lovely aroma, so you probably won’t have that many friends."
Actually, I never really minded the smell of smoke, although I guess many people do, so this is a valid argument. However, I have never once met anyone who let smoking get in the way of friendship - maybe a love relationship, but my best friends smoke, and it has never bothered any of their nonsmoking ones.
"Smoking damages your heart & lungs, so you won’t be able to play sports as well or for as long as a nonsmoker. It also weakens your immune system, so you’ll be sick more often."
At last, a valid argument.
"And finally...how can you be happy when you’re addicted to a drug that’s going to kill you - not to mention cost you an average of $700 a year in the process?"
Easily.
11/8/2004 c1 Rach
HI!. bravo *clap clap* I arggre with wholeheartly espically since my mum smokes even though both me and my brother have ashma and I've allergy to it it makes me cough.
um shame my mum doesn't use the internet as maybe she could of read this.
good work keep it up
see ya
HI!. bravo *clap clap* I arggre with wholeheartly espically since my mum smokes even though both me and my brother have ashma and I've allergy to it it makes me cough.
um shame my mum doesn't use the internet as maybe she could of read this.
good work keep it up
see ya
11/7/2004 c1 33Tiefling
That was well written, if a little short. By and large I agree with you. I just don't 'get' smokers. Writing this was probably pointless though, since, as you say in the first line, 'everyone should know by now that smoking is bad for you'. Since people do know that, and smoke anyway, I doubt anything you have to say will convince them to stop. But hey, if writing this made you feel better, fair enough.
'They promote the image of happy, beautiful, popular & active people using their products. In reality, smokers are none of these things.'
That's an unfair generalisation. Sure, smoking doesn't *make* you beautiful, popular (it actually does make some people happy) but that doesn't mean that smokers are necessarily unpopular and unnatractive. You're probably right about 'active'- anyone who's serious about keeping fit probably won't want to smoke.
'Most people don’t enjoy that lovely aroma, so you probably won’t have that many friends.'
Not so. I'm a not smoker myself, and I happen to live with a smoker, who has just as many friends, and just as active a social life as I do. The trick is to be aware that other people don't might not like the smell and not smoke inside. Personally, I've got no problem with smokers as long as they're considerate I just really hate the ones who leave their cigarette butts all over the place, blow smoke in my face or are not careful with their lit cigarrettes (doing stupid things like taking them into a moshpit, or swinging the arm holding the cigarette as they walk down the street, accidentally burning passersby.
'And finally...how can you be happy when you’re addicted to a drug that’s going to kill you - not to mention cost you an average of $700 a year in the process?'
You seem to be overlooking the obvious- pleasure. Most smokers ENJOY smoking.
33TieflingThat was well written, if a little short. By and large I agree with you. I just don't 'get' smokers. Writing this was probably pointless though, since, as you say in the first line, 'everyone should know by now that smoking is bad for you'. Since people do know that, and smoke anyway, I doubt anything you have to say will convince them to stop. But hey, if writing this made you feel better, fair enough.
'They promote the image of happy, beautiful, popular & active people using their products. In reality, smokers are none of these things.'
That's an unfair generalisation. Sure, smoking doesn't *make* you beautiful, popular (it actually does make some people happy) but that doesn't mean that smokers are necessarily unpopular and unnatractive. You're probably right about 'active'- anyone who's serious about keeping fit probably won't want to smoke.
'Most people don’t enjoy that lovely aroma, so you probably won’t have that many friends.'
Not so. I'm a not smoker myself, and I happen to live with a smoker, who has just as many friends, and just as active a social life as I do. The trick is to be aware that other people don't might not like the smell and not smoke inside. Personally, I've got no problem with smokers as long as they're considerate I just really hate the ones who leave their cigarette butts all over the place, blow smoke in my face or are not careful with their lit cigarrettes (doing stupid things like taking them into a moshpit, or swinging the arm holding the cigarette as they walk down the street, accidentally burning passersby.
'And finally...how can you be happy when you’re addicted to a drug that’s going to kill you - not to mention cost you an average of $700 a year in the process?'
You seem to be overlooking the obvious- pleasure. Most smokers ENJOY smoking.
11/6/2004 c1 8Under the Cloak
Yes, my darling smoking is bad for you. But what can you do abut it?
Nice way of being informative.
8Under the CloakYes, my darling smoking is bad for you. But what can you do abut it?
Nice way of being informative.