Finding smoking a really sad thing to do?

[ClaudiaAndHerFringe]

Unreasonable or not? I don't get it, and I feel sorry for people outside getting a fix in the rain, it just looks a bit sad really.

Gawwwd there’s nothing better than sitting somewhere lovely with a pack of vogues and a glass or three of good wine and some great company. I don’t know why science is fucking about with exploring Mars and whatnot when they could be making decent non-alcoholic wine and cigarettes that won’t make you drop dead

It gives you a light-headed high, without any mental impairment. It's a weird mix of making you feel super alert, yet also relaxed - nicotine releases both adrenaline and dopamine. It's happiness and excitement in a stick.

I'll have a cigarette on special occasions and celebrations. I keep a packet in my utility room in the first aid cupboard (in an airtight box).

The trick is to look cool and get buzzed, not sad, stinky and addicted.

Well yes it is, unfortunately it is highly addictive. Most of my family smokes or did, funnily enough all the women have given up on both sides of the family, the men can't seem to again, both sides of the family, despite regular and repeated over decades and decades efforts to give up they can't.
For some people smoking becomes a part of you, its not simply something you do. One family member descibed it to me like their oldest friend, now in 70s and smoking since age 11.
As an ex smoker I agree with PP if it wasnt so dangerous I would do it. I loved smoking in the sun, watching the sun come up on a balcomy with a coffee and cigarette is a beautiful feeling.

I think food’s replaced fags and look where we are with that. I include myself. Ducking now.

I love smoking. Nothing better than a tea and a fag. The only sad thing is that I can't buy menthol anymore.

Smoking may have made people look cool in the past. Now they just look stupid.

I haven’t smoked for 15 years but I smoked for 20 before I gave up. Your post has me yearning for a ciggie!

Careful now, you'll set the upf brigade off and then everyone will pile-in. I agree tho, fast-food delivered to your door, etc. it is a bigger problem.

I’d love to be a smoker again. I’m afraid I replaced it with a vape but how I felt after a couple of weeks was a surprise and I wouldn’t go back. However, I miss a good strong Marlboro with a coffee or a glass of wine. I couldn’t afford it any longer. I smoked myself near to death during my divorce and I had to stop. I honestly don’t know how anybody affords to smoke these days.

I also don’t miss smoke in pubs, restaurants, trains etc. Despite being a smoker, I didn’t like that at all. Latterly, I had breast cancer and there is no way I’d smoke again after that. There is still a slight yearning when somebody walks past me with a cigarette but I wouldn’t do it again. My Dad gave up at 40, 46 years ago. He still says he’d quite like a cigarette with a good wine or a nice whiskey. It’s such a bloody awful addiction.

I loved smoking and giving up was the hardest thing I’ve ever done. It’s so true that cup of coffee and a cigarette to start the day was such an enjoyable ritual. Life will always be be just that little bit more boring without fags. Nevertheless, I do feel much healthier and no longer have the constant feelings of worry and guilt about it. However I’ve promised myself that if I’m ever diagnosed with a terminal disease, or reach 85, I will start again!

It doesn't look cool. But it might feel amazing, but I'm not going to try!

Why do people even start smoking? Do you want to get lung cancer and die? I enjoy having a healthy set of lungs

This is a good description. I’ve got a friend who has a pack a year. Just has one very occasionally. I wish I could have been like that but alas no.

Please don’t feel sorry for us! 5 minutes outside alone is magic! Especially when it’s raining and the whole house doesn’t follow you outside 😬

Sad to say I started due to peer pressure as a teen. Once you’re hooked that’s it unfortunately. But then it is very enjoyable. But even though I enjoyed it I 100% wish I hadn’t started - you can’t miss what you’ve ever known.

I have to be honest I've tried at most 3 cigarettes in my life. It just made me cough and I didn't get the hype of it. Even if I did enjoy it, I wouldn't have smoked further simply because I don't want lung cancer.

God I love smoking. My lungs are a bit fucked these days after several bouts of Covid so I limit it to the odd one here and there, but a lovely roll-up in the pub with a pint is a marvellous thing. I’m lucky, it’s always been something I could take or leave so I can have one and not smoke again for six months or something.

For those who don’t understand: it’s the ceremony (particularly when rolling your own), the first lovely drag and hit on your brain, the camaraderie and the sheer “fuck you” ness of doing something you know you shouldn’t.

Likewise. Loved it but it kills you sadly.

I’d pick smoking over vaping any day!

Because years ago it was encouraged. At 14, in the 50’s, my Nan gave my mum a cigarette and taught her how to smoke to look “ladylike”. It was marketed as sexy, alluring, good for your health. My mum was a model. She smoked because it was expected. She gave up when we were born in late 60’s/early 70’s, largely because she didn’t like it at all. It was a “look”.

If my 27 year old daughter started smoking now, I’d say she was an idiot because we know now how awful it is. We have the facts and information. Years back it was the total opposite. It’s such an addiction. My Nan smoked 60 a day for 60 years. She died of bowel cancer at 86. Of course her smoking had an impact on that. In my family, we have a long line of heavy smokers. Not now thankfully. We know better.

Thiiiiiiiiis! 😆

God I miss smoking.

That's why I'm puzzled at some of the replies here, why people seem not to give a stuff about their health.

It is a serious addiction, that has emotional ties, no different from drug addiction, alcohol or food, looking down on people, using insulting language doesn't help either.

If I ever get diagnosed as terminal I will be right back on those fuckers

I wouldn’t. I stopped cigarettes and took up vaping. It’s not ideal. However, within a couple of weeks I lost my smokers cough. I could go running again with ease. I don’t get breathless anymore or stink of tobacco. I feel much much better for changing over and hopefully my regular reduction in nicotine content will mean I don’t have that addiction forever. I’d never ever have given up smoking without my vape. My GP encouraged me also when I discussed it with him. I am fully aware that we don’t know if there will be a vaping impact going forward but my own experience has been that it’s been a positive move for me and I’m no longer coughing and wheezing.