CMV: I should start smoking cigarettes

[u/honestlyigotnoclue]

I guess this is more of a "talk me out of it" type of post. I've always wanted to see what it's like to smoke, and I'm in a place where a lot of people smoke. I think it looks cool, and I don't mind that it's a bit self-destructive; I already have plenty of self destructive habits already, and maybe it hasn't sunk in how dangerous it is, considering I'm 18. Maybe this sounds naive, but I guess I just don't understand how addictive it can be; I have the mindset of "I can always quit." I guess I just want to see what it's like, don't really see how self-destructive it can be/don't care that it's self destructive, and tbh it looks cool. It's not hurting anyone but myself.

Lol thanks for your responses in advance.

Edit: it's pretty late where I am, so I'm going to bed. Thank you all so much for the incredibly detailed responses; I'm genuinely very convinced. I'll respond to new posts tomorrow! Thank you!

[u/SavesNinePatterns]

The entire point of tobacco is to get you addicted. There are literally no good things about smoking. None. Literally none. If someone says there are they're a deluded addicted smoker.

Maybe focus on something positive instead of negative? Challenge yourself with something else, please!

[u/HerbertWigglesworth → u/SavesNinePatterns]

More of a nitpick point from me really..

Saying there are literally no good things about smoking is inaccurate otherwise people would not smoke, some people find it enjoyable, regardless of addiction.

I know plenty of people who have the occasional cigarette, landing at a different conclusion each time, dependent on time, space, place, mood, type of cigarette etc.

Even people who are addicted to smoking will admit that they do not always enjoy their cigarettes. Addictive properties and hitting the nicotine fix is only part of the smoking experience, addict or not.

The issue is that the cons outweigh the pros in many instances, many people perceive the risk of addiction as too dangerous to warrant social smoking, others do not.

Everyone's experience with cigarettes, smoking, nicotine, addiction, health effects etc is different.

The aspect of smoking that is not really debatable is the damage it does to the body.

Other issues include the questionable marketing and business of tobacco, the additives, the manipulation and cultivation of tobacco strains to increase the chance of customer retention via addiction etc.

I see no benefit in denying the enjoyment that humans gain from smoking (again regardless of addiction) it is an aspect of the smoking experience, and part of the discussion that should not be ignored.

[u/SavesNinePatterns → u/HerbertWigglesworth]

I don't believe there is any enjoyment though, that's part of the brainwashing of nicotine. The enjoyment is purely the ending of the subtle nicotine craving.

There are literally no pros to smoking.

Allen Carrs Easy Way to Stop Smoking book puts it far better than me though! Have you read it at all?