5 ms·

I just graduated from college and I was one of those kids who started smoking both cigarettes and pot in 6th grade because I hung out with older kids that I wan

I just graduated from college and I was one of those kids who started smoking both cigarettes and pot in 6th grade because I hung out with older kids that I wanted to be like. I quit cigarettes my freshman year of college and rarely smoke pot (I prefer drinking for socializing). What surprises me was how many of my friends started smoking cigarettes at college. While part of me understands that college is the first time many kids are let loose and free to make decisions about their bodies, I assumed that age, experience and knowledge would override the desire to smoke cigarettes at least. Not to mention this was a wealthier, liberal arts school, which seemed even more out-of-place, especially from my different environment growing up. Still, the frequency of pot smoking was much higher than cigarettes and bled over into the female circles, whereas cigarettes rarely did. Overall, the trend I witnessed is that, at a young age, people were more likely to smoke pot and cigarettes, in contradiction to when I was in college, where many more people smoked pot. Despite this being anecdotal, I am curious what factors (age, generational differences, education) have the strongest influence on this trend.

santaclaus 11y ago
> experience and knowledge would override the desire to smoke cigarettes at least. To get into our local mega-organic pesticide-free we-only-sell-kale health food market, one has to pass through a gauntlet of cigarette smoking 20- and 30-somethings. Don't underestimate the power of wanting to look cool.
- theorique 11y ago
  They are probably smoking American Spirits or similar "all-organic" tobacco that costs a couple bucks more per pack. Much healthier, of course.
  - ececconi 11y ago
    American Spirits are packed much tighter than the average cigarette though, a lot more tobacco per cigarette. Yes, it feels much different than even a light cigarette... so it maybe be healthier. But they would mess up my lungs pretty bad.
  - filoeleven 11y ago
    American Spirits may be pesticide-free or whatever, but they also spray liquid nicotine on their tobacco. Back when I smoked, I noticed that I was more jittery after smoking them than Camels; it made sense when I learned about the much higher nicotine content.
    - jsprogrammer 11y ago
      Wouldn't a higher nicotine content be preferable? You wouldn't need to burn and inhale as much plant matter to receive the same dose.
      - filoeleven 11y ago
        It probably depends on the smoker. I only had 3-4 cigs per day unless I was drinking, and just one American Spirit was enough to make me feel not-so-good for half an hour or so after smoking. A pack-a-day smoker might benefit, except that the habit is just as strong as the addiction so I suspect they'll just ingest more nicotine while smoking the same number of cigarettes. I remember reading that the nicotine levels were markedly higher, like an order of magnitude, but I'm not having any luck finding the numbers (or even the references) to substantiate it.
Cantremeber 11y ago
I've always thought people smoke cigarettes so they have something to do with their hands while talking.
ejcx 11y ago
I also found this totally strange that people pick up smoking cigarettes once they are old enough to know they are just horrible for you. A recall my first week of college not too long ago. One guy who lived in the same building as me was smoking a cigarette outdoors. I was surprised having not seen many people my age smoking cigarettes before. I asked him how long he had been smoking and his response was "4 days".
- jlarocco 11y ago
  > I also found this totally strange that people pick up smoking cigarettes once they are old enough to know they are just horrible for you. It doesn't surprise me very much. People choose to do a lot of things that are terrible for their body, like eating poorly or not getting exercise, and it's not clear to me that cigarettes are even the worst choice they can make. It would be interesting to see the long term effects of smoking 5 cigarettes a day versus being 50 pounds over weight.
jbob2000 11y ago
> Despite this being anecdotal, I am curious what factors (age, generational differences, education) have the strongest influence on this trend. Here's my anecdotal theory; prevalence of media and ease of media consumption. Let's be honest, media (games, movies, tv) is really great when you're stoned. You don't have to move much and it tickles your auditory and visual senses. The internet makes consuming media incredibly cheap and easy, and Universities often have good internet access (also local media sharing with DC++ is rife). For a student, cheapness is king. Weed is cheap, media is cheap, both are very rewarding when combined and much cheaper than sports, bars, parties, etc.
- jsprogrammer 11y ago
  Not necessarily; especially when watching lesser productions, where it is more difficult to maintain the illusion. The strange juxtaposition of the fantasy attempting to be created vs. the reality that it's just a bunch of people dressed up, trying to create the illusion of another reality can be particularly disconcerting.

santaclaus 11y ago

> experience and knowledge would override the desire to smoke cigarettes at least. To get into our local mega-organic pesticide-free we-only-sell-kale health food market, one has to pass through a gauntlet of cigarette smoking 20- and 30-somethings. Don't underestimate the power of wanting to look cool.

theorique 11y ago
They are probably smoking American Spirits or similar "all-organic" tobacco that costs a couple bucks more per pack. Much healthier, of course.
- ececconi 11y ago
  American Spirits are packed much tighter than the average cigarette though, a lot more tobacco per cigarette. Yes, it feels much different than even a light cigarette... so it maybe be healthier. But they would mess up my lungs pretty bad.
- filoeleven 11y ago
  American Spirits may be pesticide-free or whatever, but they also spray liquid nicotine on their tobacco. Back when I smoked, I noticed that I was more jittery after smoking them than Camels; it made sense when I learned about the much higher nicotine content.
  - jsprogrammer 11y ago
    Wouldn't a higher nicotine content be preferable? You wouldn't need to burn and inhale as much plant matter to receive the same dose.
    - filoeleven 11y ago
      It probably depends on the smoker. I only had 3-4 cigs per day unless I was drinking, and just one American Spirit was enough to make me feel not-so-good for half an hour or so after smoking. A pack-a-day smoker might benefit, except that the habit is just as strong as the addiction so I suspect they'll just ingest more nicotine while smoking the same number of cigarettes. I remember reading that the nicotine levels were markedly higher, like an order of magnitude, but I'm not having any luck finding the numbers (or even the references) to substantiate it.

Cantremeber 11y ago

I've always thought people smoke cigarettes so they have something to do with their hands while talking.

ejcx 11y ago

I also found this totally strange that people pick up smoking cigarettes once they are old enough to know they are just horrible for you. A recall my first week of college not too long ago. One guy who lived in the same building as me was smoking a cigarette outdoors. I was surprised having not seen many people my age smoking cigarettes before. I asked him how long he had been smoking and his response was "4 days".

jlarocco 11y ago
> I also found this totally strange that people pick up smoking cigarettes once they are old enough to know they are just horrible for you. It doesn't surprise me very much. People choose to do a lot of things that are terrible for their body, like eating poorly or not getting exercise, and it's not clear to me that cigarettes are even the worst choice they can make. It would be interesting to see the long term effects of smoking 5 cigarettes a day versus being 50 pounds over weight.

jbob2000 11y ago

> Despite this being anecdotal, I am curious what factors (age, generational differences, education) have the strongest influence on this trend. Here's my anecdotal theory; prevalence of media and ease of media consumption. Let's be honest, media (games, movies, tv) is really great when you're stoned. You don't have to move much and it tickles your auditory and visual senses. The internet makes consuming media incredibly cheap and easy, and Universities often have good internet access (also local media sharing with DC++ is rife). For a student, cheapness is king. Weed is cheap, media is cheap, both are very rewarding when combined and much cheaper than sports, bars, parties, etc.

jsprogrammer 11y ago
Not necessarily; especially when watching lesser productions, where it is more difficult to maintain the illusion. The strange juxtaposition of the fantasy attempting to be created vs. the reality that it's just a bunch of people dressed up, trying to create the illusion of another reality can be particularly disconcerting.