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Why is it hard to quit smoking, are cigarette sort of drugs? And can anyone tell me why smoking is considered cool

nicotine interacts with the dopamine neurotransmitters in the brain, so that a person experiences "craving".

It seems to be improper to carry a bad habit, as it's kind of contrary to self-control.


what does the Bible say about habits and/or addiction?

It's addictive because nicotine, and maybe some other things in cigarettes is a mind altering drug.

No, it's not like you go on a psychidellic mental trip. But the drugs give a person a feeling they enjoy (why else would anyone actually inhale such stuff) and it changes the brain so the brain become dependant on it just like any other addictive drug.

On top of that is psychological addiction which adds to the physical addiction.

And yes, it is often started as a fashion statement. Note that people do all sorts of unpleasant things in their desire to be fashionable. They shoot metal studs through all parts of their body, they have needles shove ink into their skin thousands and thousands of time. They've even been noted to wear uncomfortable shoes.

Compared to those, what's sucking on a poisonous stick if you think it makes you look fashionable?

There is also the self medication aspect, such as with the chain smoking schizophrenics.

So really, there's a multitude of reasons why people start, but the drugs have their effect without regard to why and so the smoker or chewer becomes an addict.

_________________
Marv
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Jesus loves chain smoking schizophrenics too...

substances as simple as salt can influence the brain. It's the nature of it's use that matters. Nicotine makes a good insceticide, salt makes a good herbicide. I imagine there is a fitting use for nicotine, as there is with salt; but it's difficult to imagine the use of a substance in a self- destructive manner as it's proper use, as intended by God.

"although we discriminate between green herbs, not eating all, we refrain from eating some, not because they are common or unclean, but because they are bitter, or deadly, or thorny."
(Justin -Dialogue with Trypho, Chap. XX.)

"The substances are themselves as creatures of God without impurity, and in this their native state are free to the use of all; but the ministries to which in their use they are devoted, makes all the difference... I burn the Arabian product myself, but not with the same ceremony, nor in the same dress, nor with the same pomp, with which it is done to idols."
(Tertullian -The Chaplet, Chap. X)


any thoughts?

Well, they may be addictive to some ppl, but I still managed to quit cold turkey.

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Read the Bible prayerfully.For a wealth of sound theology, go to John 3:16.
(My wife and I are very much in love, by the way.)
I don't like extremes of temperature. I don't like extremes among preachers. People maybe think I'm extreme.But never mind about me
A true Christian is different, and the world will notice the difference.Even your tattoo, if it's faith related, it's different!

I've never been addicted to cold turkey, what's that like to smoke?

Sorry, back to the topic

Sparky:

LOL.

But anyway there are various shades of meaning when it comes to addiction, and it doesn't just affect cigarettes. Some is clinical, as in drug abuse, in a rather different category. I guess that when people talk about cigarette addiction, coffee addiction or even becoming addicted to tattoos, some of those you can quit, but others are more permanent...

Take care.

_________________
Read the Bible prayerfully.For a wealth of sound theology, go to John 3:16.
(My wife and I are very much in love, by the way.)
I don't like extremes of temperature. I don't like extremes among preachers. People maybe think I'm extreme.But never mind about me
A true Christian is different, and the world will notice the difference.Even your tattoo, if it's faith related, it's different!

misinformation (smoking is cool)

An interesting article on nicotine addiction can be found HERE.

_________________
MikeC1956
Asst Admin

know that your sin will find you out. Numbers 32:23b NET

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Mike:

I am going to stick my neck out and say that I think that when people talk about addiction - a real problem - there are also various cultural factors that get thrown in as well as the more strictly clinical aspects. For example, from a strictly clinical perspective, cannabis is supposed to be less addictive than nicotine. (I don't advocate either cannabis or cigarettes, might I add.)

Some people are occasional social smokers but there are those who will even guilt manipulate with other completely spurious arguments such as 'it's not ladylike to smoke', etc. or whatever.

So I think it's useful to distingish between the cultural and strictly clinical aspects.

But my bottom line is still, I gave up smoking and I don't advocate it.

_________________
Read the Bible prayerfully.For a wealth of sound theology, go to John 3:16.
(My wife and I are very much in love, by the way.)
I don't like extremes of temperature. I don't like extremes among preachers. People maybe think I'm extreme.But never mind about me
A true Christian is different, and the world will notice the difference.Even your tattoo, if it's faith related, it's different!

can't say i've ever viewed smoking as cool -- these people reek from smoking -- they are killing themselves & adding to my medical insurance premiums due to their jacked up health -- is there even 1 good thing about smoking?

Paco:

Let me just give you a friendly tip. Smokers who may have cut down drastically and those who are struggling to quit altogether don't usually appreciate what may come across to them as easy moralizing from people who have never smoked themselves. (Just thought I'd mention it...)

I'm glad I quit, anyway.

Take care.

_________________
Read the Bible prayerfully.For a wealth of sound theology, go to John 3:16.
(My wife and I are very much in love, by the way.)
I don't like extremes of temperature. I don't like extremes among preachers. People maybe think I'm extreme.But never mind about me
A true Christian is different, and the world will notice the difference.Even your tattoo, if it's faith related, it's different!

smoking is indefensible

i don't consider my view as "easy moralizing" -- i fought against peer pressure & other factors & was strong/lucky enough to make repeated choices against smoking, alcohol, rampant sex, etc that assails teenagers & society-- does that make me a better person than those who smoked? -- NO -- did i make the correct choice with regards to smoking? -- absolutely!

my tolerance for smokers is less than it is for people with some other vices for some reason -- i try not to voice my views much in this arena because of 1 Cor. 13:1

it is commendable when people choose to quit smoking, obviously

Paco:

Yes, but the 'look at me, how good I am!" type of talk can sound self-righteous (I know you didn't intend it that way), especially to those who are struggling hard with a problem.

I'm in wholehearted agreement with you about the thing itself, but from a PR point of view, we need to come across as sympathetic to people.

Take care.

_________________
Read the Bible prayerfully.For a wealth of sound theology, go to John 3:16.
(My wife and I are very much in love, by the way.)
I don't like extremes of temperature. I don't like extremes among preachers. People maybe think I'm extreme.But never mind about me
A true Christian is different, and the world will notice the difference.Even your tattoo, if it's faith related, it's different!

i don't -- notice what i said...


i agree -- but since this can be a hot button item for me @ times i try to abstain, unless i know the person

k: Quitting cold turkey IS feasible, though some ppl find it hard.

Take care.

_________________
Read the Bible prayerfully.For a wealth of sound theology, go to John 3:16.
(My wife and I are very much in love, by the way.)
I don't like extremes of temperature. I don't like extremes among preachers. People maybe think I'm extreme.But never mind about me
A true Christian is different, and the world will notice the difference.Even your tattoo, if it's faith related, it's different!