At what point do you consider yourself a smoker?

liah

On another forum (shameless lolocaust plug) there was the question of "Do you smoke?"

I had trouble answering this. My reply was:

Now, I don't consider myself a smoker, but to be honest I'm probably kidding myself. While I'd never, ever buy my own smokes or tobacco (except when required for drug usage, and even then, I'd never buy unless I was doing particularly well monetarily), I do smoke relatively frequently. Can range from anything-- nothing for months, to ten a day, though usually not more. My housemate and my current boyfriend both smoke, so no matter where I am it's there.

I started at 22, and the original reason was to have an excuse to be in the smoking area of pubs and strike up conversation (have you a light/fag?) when I didn't know anyone in this country. Kind of helped me make friends, I suppose.

I have no addiction to smoking. I wouldn't freak out or get stressed or count down the days since I last had a cig. I smoke them because they're there and I've an issue with oral fixation (I know this is the lolocaust after hours but just leave this one!). I constantly need to be doing something with my mouth (seriously, leave it!) and sucking on something tends to do the trick (don't you dare).

Is it going to damage my health? Probably. But it's not something I plan on continuing with any sort of gusto after I've moved on from Ireland. The only cases in which I smoke are if it's offered, or if I want to go to the smoking room without looking like a weirdo. I'll probably continue to smoke when I drink, and obviously when I'm doing hash or weed since nobody seems to smoke pure here. But those scenarios are rare enough, too.

So basically, I don't consider myself a "smoker" til I actually buy my own pack of tobacco or fags. I don't consider myself a "smoker" til I actually have an addiction to it, which I don't.

Am I a smoker who's horribly in denial? At what point do you consider yourself a smoker?

Tommy_NDX

20 a day for ten years but im not a smoker.

Davidius

A person is a smoker if they smoke and I don't think there's really many 'if's, 'but's or 'maybe's about it.

Captain Havoc

What do you do if your girlfriend starts to smoke?:

Slow down and apply lubricant

MagicMarker

I think you're a smoker, but worse. Seriously, what a stupid fúcking reason to start and continue smoking!

mikom

liah to truly answer that question you have to ask yourself "do you smoke after sex".

If you answer yes then go to a doctor and get it checked out........ or else ask your partner to slow down.

Captain Havoc

mikom wrote: »

liah to truly answer that question you have to ask yourself "do you smoke after sex".

If you answer yes then go to a doctor and get it checked out........ or else ask your partner to slow down.

Snap

arybvtcw0eolkf

liah wrote: »

At what point do you consider yourself a smoker?

When you stink like the rest of 'em.

When you couldn't give a rats arse where you throw your butt's.

When you couldn't give a toss that I don't want you smoking at the entrance to shops, pubs, cafe's, hospitals or sitting beside me on the luas/bus etc reeking of fags.

When you complain about the downturn in the economy but spent €50- a week on your addiction.

df1985

i try not to consider myself a smoker but probably kidding myself too. a cigarette while sober would turn my stomach.i only ever smoke while drunk/drinking, wouldnt have one or even want one during the week, then 4/5 pints in on saturdays im dying for one.went through nearly a whole pack last saturday night.

if someone asked me are you a smoker my immediate reaction would be to say no, but then i ask my mates do they consider me a smoker and theyd say yes.in fairness i only get to see a lot of them at the weekend.

SoupyNorman

I tried my darnest to become a smoker but that pr1ck Denis Hopper would'nt let me on the boat.

A Doozer

You're a nuiscance to both sides. To the non smokers you are saying you're not a smoker when you do in fact smoke.

To the smokers you bum their cigs and there's not a lot of respect for fag bums.

Think of all the people trying to quit (2 days since you mention it) coming in here and reading this. Let me give you friendly advise. Don't smoke. If you can NOT smoke very easily then don't. If you keep going where you're going then you will be an addict.

Oh and buy your flatmate and bf a pack each.

liah

A Doozer wrote: »

Oh and buy your flatmate and bf a pack each.

I do whenever I have the money. And I don't bum much off people, either.

WeeBushy

Here's how I decide if someone is a smoker.

Question: Do you smoke?

Answer: Yes you do.

Therefore: You're a smoker.

Mr. Presentable

Someone who doesn't smoke, doesn't smoke. You are a smoker.

InKonspikuou2

If a man builds a thousand bridges and sucks one dick, they don't call him a bridge-builder... they call him a cocksucker.

Super-Rush

Not anymore. One week off them and never going back.

TheZohanS

liah wrote: »

On another forum (shameless lolocaust plug) there was the question of "Do you smoke?"

I had trouble answering this. My reply was:


Am I a smoker who's horribly in denial? At what point do you consider yourself a smoker?

Get a blog...

dr.bollocko

RaaahhhhH!!! Kill all smokers. Blah blah cost to tax payer blah blah smell. Evil. Wouldn't touch a smoker. Lets feck them all onto a leper colony on the other side of the world. Scum they are.

Now. I've covered that angle pretty well.
Has anyone seen my cigs?

sdanseo

If you smoke reguarly you're a smoker. That could be once a day, once a week, once a minute.

Filthy habit. Glad I don't.

brummytom

I'd say if you smoke cigarettes more than very rarely, you're a smoker

Not much grey area

Wertz

liah wrote: »

At what point do you consider yourself a smoker?

At the point where the smoke enters your lungs on a semi regular basis.
I don't smoke cigarettes, unless I'm drinking (rare occurence) or I'm smoking spliffs (more common occurence)...I haven't smoked cigarettes on their own in almost 7 years...however I'd still contend that I'm somewhat addicted to the act if not the substance contained in the smoke, and I still suffer the consequences of smoking, albeit to a lesser extent than someone who smokes "full time".

sneakerfreak

you are a smoker when if you were about to light a cigarette and were told you couldnt you would become upset.

thats it.

would you be upset if told you couldnt smoke again or prevented from doing so?

think that thought and feel the panic/fear that results,that feeling is the mental addiction.

u only know ur an addict when you are denied what you are addicted to.

bluto63

You're a smoker, there's no doubt about that. I used to just like you as well, the occasional one when out in the pub. Then I realised, 'what's the point?' Really, what is the point? It's expensive and pointless. And if you use the excuse 'everyone else is' it doesn't say much about your character.

seanybiker

Yes you're a smoker and the fact you dont even buy fags but still sometimes smoke up to 10 a day also makes you a bum. Your a bum smoker

OutlawPete

I was in bed one night and I could smell something burning. Just like that smell you get when rubber burns in a fire. My girlfriend said 'try it without the condom' ...

Sorry

If you smoke, you're a smoker.

I find it so difficult to see how that can be complicated?

AnonoBoy

It's a fairly straight forward question with a very straight forward answer.

Smokers smoke.
Non-smokers don't.

Also as stated above - starting smoking so you can stand in the smoking area and strike up a conversation is just silly. You can just head out there to chat to your friends who are smoking. And remember if you're a chick guys will chat you up anyway.

OutlawPete

AnonoBoy wrote: »

You can just head out there to chat to your friends who are smoking..

Ahhhh haaaaaaaa!! What if you have no friends!!?? What then??

Edit: Quoted the wrong line .. doh!!!

northsidedave

WeeBushy wrote: »

Here's how I decide if someone is a smoker.

Question: Do you smoke?

Answer: Yes you do.

Therefore: You're a smoker.

snap

Bajingo

OutlawPete wrote: »

Ahhhh haaaaaaaa!! What if you have no friends!!?? What then??

Edit: Quoted the wrong line .. doh!!!

Then you have to start smoking to make friends..as the OP said..there's no way around it.

soups05

AnonoBoy wrote: »

You can just head out there to chat to your friends who are smoking.

sorry but i hate that. I have to listen to people who complain about the place being full of smoke when THEY come into our open air smoke area in work.

no one forces them to come out to the smoke area but they will complain anyway. I have told more than one that if they want fresh air they should F### off to any other part of the workplace and not complain about the one small place we smokers have left.

I dont like people who stand in doorways blocking shops etc but when they are in a smoke area leave them alone.

rant over...leaves in a huff to have a smoke

OutlawPete

Bajingo wrote: »

Then you have to start smoking to make friends..as the OP said..there's no way around it.

So your saying AnonoBoy is wrong? Is that what your saying?? Your saying he was wrong aren't you?? I thought as much ..

PM's AnonoBoy and snitches ..

Wertz

BTW if there's one thing that's worse than any anti-smoking fascist type, it's the sort of person who thinks they don't smoke and yet manages to get several lungfuls a day without ever having bought them. I'll share a smoke with anyone, but serial shop dodgers get on my damn nerves...if you smoke "part time" at least have the decency to put your hand in your pocket instead of trying to cod yourself...

liah

TheZohan wrote: »

Get a blog...

Gee, what a surprise. :rolleyes:

Have one, thanks. Use it for stuff that's actually somewhat relevant rather than just random stuff like this that belongs somewhere a little more lighthearted.

AnonoBoy wrote: »

Also as stated above - starting smoking so you can stand in the smoking area and strike up a conversation is just silly. You can just head out there to chat to your friends who are smoking. And remember if you're a chick guys will chat you up anyway.

It isn't. Some people have difficulty just going up and starting conversations. When I came here, I didn't know a single soul, AT ALL-- going down to the pub for a pint and going out in the smoking area were both ways I'd have an excuse to talk to someone, as without an excuse I really don't have the gift of confidence. It may seem silly to you but it's an issue I have due to a long history and I don't really take kindly to it having the piss taken out of it.

And yes, I realize guys would chat me up anyway, but perhaps that isn't what a girl looks for when she's brand new to the country, tbh establishing friends was a much better idea.

seanybiker wrote: »

Yes you're a smoker and the fact you dont even buy fags but still sometimes smoke up to 10 a day also makes you a bum. Your a bum smoker

Wertz wrote: »

BTW if there's one thing that's worse than any anti-smoking fascist type, it's the sort of person who thinks they don't smoke and yet manages to get several lungfuls a day without ever having bought them. I'll share a smoke with anyone, but serial shop dodgers get on my damn nerves...if you smoke "part time" at least have the decency to put your hand in your pocket instead of trying to cod yourself...

Ah now, 10 a day is a rare enough occurrence, I only take when offered, I NEVER ask for them myself unless I'm completely on my own, don't know a soul, and need an excuse, which I covered earlier.

OutlawPete

liah wrote: »

Gee, what a surprise. :rolleyes:.

Did you think he was a bloke or something??

liah

OutlawPete wrote: »

Did you think he was a bloke or something??

..I think I missed something. :eek: Que?

pebbles21

Receptionist in the Mater Hospital before a procedure i had

REP:"Do you smoke?"

Me:"well when im having a drink i might have one or two so no not really"

REP:"Listen love i have to tick these boxes yes or no ,theres no maybe or sometimes,so you either do or you DONT??"

ME:"Ehhhh...yes i do:o"

OutlawPete

liah wrote: »

..I think I missed something. :eek: Que?

You said 'Gee' and me thinking it as funny .. nevermind

TheZohanS

liah wrote: »

Ah now, 10 a day is a rare enough occurrence, I only take when offered, I NEVER ask for them myself unless I'm completely on my own, don't know a soul, and need an excuse, which I covered earlier.

It's still scrounging.:rolleyes:

Duggy747

I smoke therefore I am. *puff* *puff*

I hate "social" smokers who scab a fag of others just for the sake of smoking.

smiley girl

Now, I don't consider myself a smoker, but to be honest I'm probably kidding myself. While I'd never, ever buy my own smokes or tobacco (except when required for drug usage, and even then, I'd never buy unless I was doing particularly well monetarily), I do smoke relatively frequently.

People don't like people who smoke all their ciggs. You will only buy tobacco when you have a few bob, yet you will smoke other peoples?

liah

smiley girl wrote: »

Now, I don't consider myself a smoker, but to be honest I'm probably kidding myself. While I'd never, ever buy my own smokes or tobacco (except when required for drug usage, and even then, I'd never buy unless I was doing particularly well monetarily), I do smoke relatively frequently.

People don't like people who smoke all their ciggs. You will only buy tobacco when you have a few bob, yet you will smoke other peoples?

Christ, ye're all on like I'm smoking half of everyone else's boxes. I'll take them ONLY IF THEY ARE OFFERED TO ME and generally only ever one.

Also, I see a huge difference between people who are smokers and people who smoke once in awhile. But apparently everyone's a lot more black-and-white.

OutlawPete

liah wrote: »

But apparently everyone's a lot more black-and-white.

Hardly appropriate. Michael Jackson just died.

To be fair, I also bum the odd fag .. but only cause I'm gay.

Tar.Aldarion

You're not a smoker, and you're a vegetarian between meals. :pac:

Don't really know how to define if you are a smoker or not, probably.
I would smoke a spliff like once a year. Am I a smoker?
The answer is I don't care. Doesn't really matter.:-)
As for going to the smoking area, I am out there a lot, don't gotta smoke, nobody cares. Just for chatting purposes for a lot of us.

Oral fixation? Don't mention?
*bites lip until it bleeds

electrogrimey

I think you become a smoker once you start saying to yourself 'I really feel like a cigarette'. TBH I don't really agree with all the 'you are or you aren't', I think the word smoker is pretty much equivalent to the word alcoholic, except a bit different obviously,seeing as drinking has a much more obvious effect, but having a pint or two every weekend doesn't make you a alcoholic, so I don't think have a cigarette now and then makes you a smoker.

Davidius

electrogrimey wrote: »

I think you become a smoker once you start saying to yourself 'I really feel like a cigarette'. TBH I don't really agree with all the 'you are or you aren't', I think the word smoker is pretty much equivalent to the word alcoholic, except a bit different obviously,seeing as drinking has a much more obvious effect, but having a pint or two every weekend doesn't make you a alcoholic, so I don't think have a cigarette now and then makes you a smoker.

They're not an alcoholic but they're still a drinker. I would think the generally accepted definition of smoker is somebody who smokes.

Is it not like saying that you're not unfaithful because you only have extramarital sex the odd time?

It really does seem clear enough, if you smoke then you're a smoker. If you want to note the varying degrees at which you smoke then you say you're an infrequent smoker, social smoker etc. People generally are not going to accept it if you say you're a non-smoker just because you're less of a smoker than some other smoker. I think denying that it makes you a smoker is simply lying to yourself.

Capt'n Midnight

Alcohol is a normal metabolic intermediate that in small amounts is just used as a food. In large amounts however it is one of the biggest killers.

Many plants produce toxins to kill or incapacite predators, most of these substances don't occur naturally in the human body.


Chocolate that is given as a present doesn't contain any calories. Nor do drinks someone else buys for you. Fags on the otherhand still make your breath smell bad.


http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/health_advice/facts/smokehealth.htm
9 out of 10 heart bypass patients are smokers
9 out of 10 lung cancer patients are smokers

For men in their 30s and 40s, smoking increases the risk of erectile dysfunction (ED) by about 50 per cent.

AckwelFoley

Smoking one cig doesnt make you a smoker.

Same way as straight dude eating cock doesnt make him gay, It just means hes in Jail

stovelid

When you light a cigarette, put it in your mouth and inhale. All else is denial and defensive categorization.

electrogrimey

stovelid wrote: »

When you light a cigarette, put it in your mouth and inhale. All else is denial and defensive categorization.

So having one cigarette in your life makes you a smoker?

Herbal Deity

I would have said that the word "smoker" used without any other adjectives would mean someone who's addicted to smoking.

It's possible to smoke and enjoy it every now and then without being addicted.

I would call myself a "social smoker" or maybe a "light smoker", but not a "smoker", as I could go for weeks without a smoke, but would usually smoke a few when out.

Maybe other people would take different meaning from these phrases, but meh, I don't really care about what other people would label me.