this post was submitted on 19 May 2024
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Unpopular Opinion

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-23
Nicotine addiction isn't that bad - tobacco companies encourage the belief that it's more severe to keep people smoking (feddit.uk)
submitted 6 months ago by Aggravationstation@feddit.uk to c/unpopularopinion@lemmy.world
48 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

Tobacco companies had to own up to the fact that smoking is harmful in the 1960s when undeniable evidence came out. People struggled to quit because it is somewhat addictive, but mainly because they enjoyed it.

Those companies then encouraged the rhetoric about it being more addictive than heroin. It isn't. In my experience it's less addictive than caffeine.

Here's my history with nicotine:

  • Smoked cigarettes from 15 - 26.
  • Quit totally for 14 months
  • My friend who smoked moved back to town and I smoked when I was with them.
  • Switched to vaping 8 years ago.
  • Quit vaping in January this year (2024).

I bought 30 cigars at the start of last month (April 2024) and have smoked 9 of them so far. I normally just have 1 a week if I'm having a beer at home but I went out drinking 2 nights in a row at the start of this month and smoked 6 over that weekend.

Am I addicted? Maybe, but I haven't had any nicotine this week and don't plan on having any next week either.

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[–] guyrocket@kbin.social 1 points 6 months ago

This is pretty complicated, I think much more so than what you've said reflects.

First, if you can stop DO IT NOW. Any benefit you think you're getting is a rationalized illusion and the risks FAR outweigh any possible benefits. It is irrational, foolish, and truly dangerous to continue smoking, especially if you can stop. If you need to remind yourself of the downsides and risks of tobacco use google some images and read some first hand accounts. It is NOT a joke that tobacco KILLS. STOP playing Russian roulette if you can.

I smoked and/or chewed tobacco for most of my adult life and feel fortunate that I was able to quit a little over 10 years ago. It was not easy for me to quit. I had tried to quit many times over the years. I took a class about quitting and finally did. I hope for good.

I do believe that some people are more affected and/or addicted to nicotine than others. I had girlfriends that would smoke at the bar and nowhere else, which really pissed me off because I COULD NOT do that. BUT, there is no good understanding about this. Maybe these people are not far enough into the habit to be addicted. It seems unclear if some are really resistant to nicotine addiction and I have NO doubt that it is not worth trying to find out.

I'll stop here. But anyone can feel free to ask questions.