[ishq]

I have not smoked since July. For the past 5 yrs, I have smoked only a 3-4 times per year.

I find it very relaxing usually around July 4th holidays and again during winter holidays, when I go to wild parties where there is a lot of drinking.

Also occasionally I have a smoke when I feel constipated, but again that's only a couple times a year at most.

I don't understand why people say smoking is addictive. In addition to the above, nicotine cigarettes, I also enjoy cloves cigarettes a couple times a year here and there.

I would be really sad if smoking is banned completely. Our native ancestors invented this way of appreciating certain herbs, and as long as they are not abused or become an addictions I don't see why all the red tape and stigma.

How often does one have to smoke to get addicted?

[slapshot_oi]

I buy a fresh pack on a Saturday, pretty much smoke all of it that night, and then I won't smoke another cigarette until next Saturday or longer. I smoke for the same reasons as you. I can smoke on and off, usually it's a seasonal thing, I smoke a lot in the summer and rarely during the cold months.

The people that I've known who are addicted to cigarettes are addicted to other things as well, be it video-games, Redbull, weed, porn or coffee. Really, it's just the person, hence addictive personality.

I hear you when it comes to the stigma, if you smoke in this country, you're evil, I've had enough of it.

[redhed35]

I'm a committed smoker... my hand is up?

I wonder if this would fall under the same umbrella as any other addiction..

For example... some people who recover from drug addiction can easily take cough medicine some of which contain codiene,and not feel compelled to go for a little bit more... where others would never chance any drug of any description going into their system again...

As well as the physical addiction there is also a mental addiction... where some people can enjoy a few drinks and leave it there,others cant...

Weather is comes down to the physical makeup of people or the mental, is thought for many a theorist.

[mudweiser]

Hi.

I smoke... smoked.. smoke sometimes?

I wouldn't say I'm addicted to it. I haven't had a cigarette in months, but I do go back to it when I feel like it.

Does that make sense?

I also have a 2 year old, if that makes a difference, so when I DO smoke I don't do it around her [ever]. Because let's face it guys, smoking kills, if I want to risk my health so be it but I won't risk my child's-- that'll be up to her when she's older.

Well that my two cents... maybe just a penny.

[smearcase]

The answer is different for each person. I think some people can have an occasional smoke without a problem. I think that one rumor that is not true is that--If you quit for years and then have one drag on a cigarettes you are back to a few packs per day. I think some people use that adage as a reason to start smoking again full bore.

[excon]

Is Smoking ALWAYS Addictive?

Hello ishq:

There isn't an ALWAYS about anything except death and taxes. SOME people can do like you do, and NEVER get addicted. Others can't. In fact, MOST people can't because nicotine IS a highly addictive substance.

I was addicted to cigarettes from the first puff. Well, maybe not the FIRST puff, because I coughed my lungs out a few times... I guess that was my body telling me that I was poisoning myself.

I used a lot of meth, and stopped when I decided to. Most people can't do that. I used a lot of cocaine and quit when I wanted. That's not supposed to happen. I did some heroine too, when I was young, and walked away.

People are different.

Oh yeah. I managed to quit cigarettes after 20 years. Even my father dying of lung cancer didn't stop me. It was, by far, the most addictive substance I've ever used. But, that's just me.

excon

[shihouzhuge]

I think somkers are everywhere in China.
For example, In my family, my elder brother and my father were completely somkers.
I somked when I was a freshman in my college. I found smoking really made me relaxed,but I wasn't addited to and haven't somked now. I mean, there's something I don't like but I would do, on the other hand, there's something I like but I wouldn't do. That's just life in my opinion.

Thanks!