Are "social smokers" just kidding themselves?

I Heart Internet · 25-04-2014 2:12pm #1

People who, when asked by medics or others if they smoke, say "I'm just a social smoker." I think they're kidding themselves. They are smokers.

Unless one lives and smokes as a hermit in a cave, you smoke "socially". I think it's just a phrase used by smokers who don't want to admit that they really smoke. Ditto "social drinkers".

What do you think AH?

KingOfFairview · 25-04-2014 2:13pm

Wrong. I only smoke when I'm gargling, don't have so much as a drag during the week.

Eggy Baby! · 25-04-2014 2:13pm

Smoking is a bollocks habit in general.

I Heart Internet · 25-04-2014 2:14pm

KingOfFairview wrote: »

Wrong. I only smoke when I'm gargling, don't have so much as a drag during the week.

So you're a smoker, yes?

Knex* · 25-04-2014 2:14pm

Or maybe some people just enjoy a cig from time to time when they're out having a few drinks?

I think it does exactly what it says on the tin, really.

roro1990 · 25-04-2014 2:14pm

I think smokes are disgusting when i'm sober, but as soon as a I get a few drinks on me, the nicotine alcohol combination becomes extremely enticing. I don't get my brain!

Knex* · 25-04-2014 2:15pm

I Heart Internet wrote: »

So you're a smoker, yes?

The saying "Social smoker" doesn't imply that he's not. You seem to want to force everyone into two categories, non smoker or addicted to smoking.

Doesn't work like that, for obvious reasons.

toastedpickles · 25-04-2014 2:15pm

It's like the term "recreational drug use"

You either do it or you don't

darkpagandeath · 25-04-2014 2:16pm

I Heart Internet wrote: »

So you're a smoker, yes?

So You drink alcohol ? does that make you an alcoholic ?

I Heart Internet · 25-04-2014 2:16pm

darkpagandeath wrote: »

So You drink alcohol ? does that make you an alcoholic ?

No, it makes me a drinker.

whirlpool · 25-04-2014 2:18pm

Are you sure you know what you're even asking, OP?

"I am a social smoker" = I smoke, and the only times I smoke are in social situations like when in the pub with friends.

But your question is....

No really what is your question?

TeddyTedson · 25-04-2014 2:19pm

Social smoking generally refers to people who only smoke when they're drinking.
I'm an ex smoker however I usually smoke when I drink still, never when I'm sober.
I buy my cigarettes though. The amount of people who ask me for cigarettes on nights out is astonishing. Piss off and buy your own.

comongethappy · 25-04-2014 2:19pm

Same as:

"I only sleep with members of the same sex when I'm out drinking on the weekend.

I'm not gay though."

KingOfFairview · 25-04-2014 2:20pm

I Heart Internet wrote: »

So you're a smoker, yes?

A social smoker, yes

Knex* · 25-04-2014 2:20pm

whirlpool wrote: »

Are you sure you know what you're even asking, OP?

"I am a social smoker" = I smoke, and the only times I smoke are in social situations like when in the pub with friends.

But your question is....

No really what is your question?

"Are smokers jokers? Discuss."

To be fair, it is much easier to be funnier in the relatively quiet smoking areas than it is in the louder pub/club part. So yes.

SEPT 23 1989 · 25-04-2014 2:21pm

.

I Heart Internet · 25-04-2014 2:21pm

Knex. wrote: »

The saying "Social smoker" doesn't imply that he's not. You seem to want to force everyone into two categories, non smoker or addicted to smoking.

Doesn't work like that, for obvious reasons.

No. Just "smoker" or "non-smoker". Simple

Knex* · 25-04-2014 2:21pm

comongethappy wrote: »

Same as:

"I only sleep with members of the same sex when I'm out drinking on the weekend.

I'm not gay though."

No. Its nothing like that at all

whirlpool · 25-04-2014 2:21pm

comongethappy wrote: »

Same as:

"I only sleep with members of the same sex when I'm out drinking on the weekend.

I'm not gay though."

But they're not saying they're not smokers.

Unless the OP left that part out.

KingOfFairview · 25-04-2014 2:22pm

I Heart Internet wrote: »

No. Just "smoker" or "non-smoker". Simple

Who decided this?

Drakares · 25-04-2014 2:23pm

I Heart Internet wrote: »

No, it makes me a drinker.

You're contradicting yourself there, horse.

There is a difference between a Social Drinker and a guy that drinks every day. The exact same way as there's a difference between a Social smoker and one who smokes 40 a week.. I don't really get what yer on about tbh.

I Heart Internet · 25-04-2014 2:23pm

whirlpool wrote: »

No really what is your question?

Are self-proclaimed "social-smokers" just kidding themselves. Adding the "social" bit to soften the blow to their eager or in an attept to portray themselves as not quite a smoker.

A bit like me saying I'm a social-drinker. That just means I'm a drinker.

whirlpool · 25-04-2014 2:24pm

I Heart Internet wrote: »

No. Just "smoker" or "non-smoker". Simple

Ok, your question is getting clearer.

So, your question is: are "social smokers" smokers?

Yes they are.

And they're saying they're "social" smokers to describe how often they smoke.

Is a thread needed to reach that conclusion?

I don't really get what's going on.

I Heart Internet · 25-04-2014 2:24pm

TeddyTedson wrote: »

Social smoking generally refers to people who only smoke when they're drinking.
I'm an ex smoker however I usually smoke when I drink still, never when I'm sober.
I buy my cigarettes though. The amount of people who ask me for cigarettes on nights out is astonishing. Piss off and buy your own.

So you're a smoker?

Knex* · 25-04-2014 2:24pm

Drakares wrote: »

You're contradicting yourself there, horse.

There is a difference between a Social Drinker and a guy that drinks every day. The exact same way as there's a difference between a Social smoker and one who smokes 40 a week.. I don't really get what yer on about tbh.

Especially when his original point was for medical purposes.

I'm sure the doctor would appreciate the clarification, for one thing. Rather than this black and white, yes or no, categorization.

meoklmrk91 · 25-04-2014 2:25pm

TeddyTedson wrote: »

Social smoking generally refers to people who only smoke when they're drinking.
I'm an ex smoker however I usually smoke when I drink still, never when I'm sober.
I buy my cigarettes though. The amount of people who ask me for cigarettes on nights out is astonishing. Piss off and buy your own.

Social smokers are the worst for this, "Oh I only smoke when I'm drinking, can I have a smoke?" We'll if you only smoke when you are drinking and you know you're going drinking then **** off a buy a pack, they are expensive. I no longer smoke but used to smoke on nights out, when I did I always bought a box of smokes, ****ings scabs.

I Heart Internet · 25-04-2014 2:25pm

KingOfFairview wrote: »

Who decided this?

Logic

Knex* · 25-04-2014 2:26pm

I Heart Internet wrote: »

Logic

Your ridiculously over simplified logic.

G'wan OP, just get it over with. Get out your banner and start your pontificating and protesting. "DOWN WITH THIS SORT OF THING".

GenieOz · 25-04-2014 2:27pm

I drink on average I'd say about once every 2 months, that's also the only time that I'll smoke.
I would consider myself a social smoker as I smoke about 20 cigarettes a year..if you want to call me a smoker then fine, I don't really mind.

'Smokers' in the general sense would be those that actively smoke and smell of smoke etc.

I Heart Internet · 25-04-2014 2:27pm

whirlpool wrote: »

I don't really get what's going on.

TeddyTedson is a perfect example (if he doesn't mind me saying so). He says he's an ex-smoker, but he still smokes when he's out!

KingOfFairview · 25-04-2014 2:28pm

I Heart Internet wrote: »

Logic

Nope.

bmwguy · 25-04-2014 2:28pm

I only drink when I am smoking. In all honesty though, I look forward to smoking at weekends and drink for that purpose sometimes! Don't even want to drink but go drinking so I can justify smoking. Madness, but there you go!

The Backwards Man · 25-04-2014 2:28pm

I used to smoke OPs, but they are more or less disappeared now, can't get them anywhere.

The Backwards Man · 25-04-2014 2:30pm

GenieOz wrote: »

I drink on average I'd say about once every 2 months, that's also the only time that I'll smoke.
I would consider myself a social smoker as I smoke about 20 cigarettes a year..if you want to call me a smoker then fine, I don't really mind.

'Smokers' in the general sense would be those that actively smoke and smell of smoke etc.

If you smoke one fag a year I would consider you a smoker. One cigarette does as much harm as one hundred.

I Heart Internet · 25-04-2014 2:32pm

The Backwards Man wrote: »

If you smoke one fag a year I would consider you a smoker. One cigarette does as much harm as one hundred.

I agree with the first part. Not sure your second statement is correct!

Drakares · 25-04-2014 2:32pm

I Heart Internet wrote: »

So you're a smoker?

Yes he is, because he doesn't smoke as often as people who are defined as "smokers" it is actually okay to add the word "social" in beforehand. Why are you so offended by this?

Knex* · 25-04-2014 2:32pm

The Backwards Man wrote: »

If you smoke one fag a year I would consider you a smoker. One cigarette does as much harm as one hundred.

Is this some sort of homeopathic cigarette?

KingOfFairview · 25-04-2014 2:34pm

The Backwards Man wrote: »

If you smoke one fag a year I would consider you a smoker. One cigarette does as much harm as one hundred.

Would you ever stop talking dog**** :rolleyes:

I Heart Internet · 25-04-2014 2:34pm

Drakares wrote: »

Yes he is, because he doesn't smoke as often as people who are defined as "smokers" it is actually okay to add the word "social" in beforehand. Why are you so offended by this?

I just think they're kidding themselves. A smoker is a smoker.

bmwguy · 25-04-2014 2:35pm

The Backwards Man wrote: »

If you smoke one fag a year I would consider you a smoker. One cigarette does as much harm as one hundred.

Are you sure? So no benefit in me quitting then?? Thanks, I wanted to for health reasons but I'll keep on puffing away now

25-04-2014 2:36pm

I Heart Internet wrote: »

Are self-proclaimed "social-smokers" just kidding themselves. Adding the "social" bit to soften the blow to their eager or in an attept to portray themselves as not quite a smoker.

A bit like me saying I'm a social-drinker. That just means I'm a drinker.

It very simple really. A person describes themselves as a social smoker because they are confirming that yes they smoke but only do so in a social setting and not everyday of the week as a full-time smoker would.

Its very simple really and makes perfect sense.

A better drinker comparison would be the difference between a social drinker and an alcoholic as other have pointed out.

The Backwards Man wrote: »

If you smoke one fag a year I would consider you a smoker. One cigarette does as much harm as one hundred.

You are way off with that statement. A couple of cigarettes every now and then is not going to do anything on you.

Drakares · 25-04-2014 2:37pm

I Heart Internet wrote: »

I just think they're kidding themselves. A smoker is a smoker.

So here's a scenario. I smoked a fag 6 months ago when I was blind drunk and my colleague here smokes 10 a day. Are we both smokers?

Furthermore, a doctor asks us both if we smoke. Do we both answer simply with "yes"?

keane2097 · 25-04-2014 2:38pm

Seems worth asking what the value is in blindly classifying people into two big, brash categories is when there's very obviously an entire spectrum of behaviour?

A bit like this gem here which ignores entire swathes of people with myriad preferences in terms of the much safer and easier to decide which side you're on worldview of "quares and straights".

comongethappy wrote: »

Same as:

"I only sleep with members of the same sex when I'm out drinking on the weekend.

I'm not gay though."

The Backwards Man · 25-04-2014 2:38pm

I Heart Internet wrote: »

I agree with the first part. Not sure your second statement is correct!

Might be a bit of a slight exaggeration, but there is no such thing as a safe level when it comes to cigarettes.

KingOfFairview · 25-04-2014 2:39pm

The Backwards Man wrote: »

Might be a bit of a slight exaggeration, but there is no such thing as a safe level when it comes to cigarettes.

Yes there is.

I Heart Internet · 25-04-2014 2:39pm

Harley Bumpy Dropout wrote: »

A better drinker comparison would be the difference between a social drinker and an alcoholic as other have pointed out.

Fair enough.

Harley Bumpy Dropout wrote: »

You are way off with that statement. A couple of cigarettes every now and then is not going to do anything on you.

Well that's just not true and points to why your drinker point above is dodgy. A single cigarette can trigger the cell mutation in the lung that gives you cancer.

I Heart Internet · 25-04-2014 2:41pm

Drakares wrote: »

So here's a scenario. I smoked a fag 6 months ago when I was blind drunk and my colleague here smokes 10 a day. Are we both smokers?"

Yes. You're a recovering smoker.

Drakares wrote: »

Furthermore, a doctor asks us both if we smoke. Do we both answer simply with "yes"?

No. You both say yes and follow it up with the frequency.

Drakares · 25-04-2014 2:41pm

The Backwards Man wrote: »

If you smoke one fag a year I would consider you a smoker. One cigarette does as much harm as one hundred.

You are also a smoker then. You are constantly inhaling fumes similar to that of a cigarette in any case when you walk down the town.

Maximus Alexander · 25-04-2014 2:42pm

Are there honestly people who feel that there is no difference, no sort of sliding scale between smoking 5 cigarettes on a Friday night and smoking 280 a week? As someone who used to smoke about 120 a week, I can assure you there's a difference.

The mind, it boggles.

I Heart Internet · 25-04-2014 2:43pm

Maximus Alexander wrote: »

Are there honestly people who feel that there is no difference, no sort of sliding scale between smoking 5 cigarettes on a Friday night and smoking 280 a week? As someone who used to smoke about 120 a week, I can assure you there's a difference.

The mind, it boggles.

There's a huge difference. But both people are smokers.

25-04-2014 2:44pm

I Heart Internet wrote: »

Well that's just not true and points to why your drinker point above is dodgy. A single cigarette can trigger the cell mutation in the lung that gives you cancer.

I don't believe that occasional smoking is of much risk at all and certainly not on the level of one triggering cell mutation.

People have wildly different views of what social drinking is also you have to remember. What I count only having a few others would call a large amount of drink etc.

Are "social smokers" just kidding themselves?

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