5 ms·

> Like, why would you ever start when you know perfectly well it is both addictive and bad for you? Just because something is addictive doesn't necessarily mea

by diggan 3y ago

> Like, why would you ever start when you know perfectly well it is both addictive and bad for you? Just because something is addictive doesn't necessarily mean that my life overall would be better without it. I drink coffee daily, I smoke and have other vices too, and realize that they're harmful. But I think with moderation, it won't kill you too quickly, and if I really enjoy something, shouldn't I just enjoy it? Eventually I won't be able to enjoy anything as I'll be in the ground. But until then, I'll try to enjoy myself (in moderation of course).

mathgeek 3y ago
The main issue with smoking as “shouldn’t I just enjoy it” are the secondary effects on other people. There are ways to mitigate some of those (e.g. not smoking when anyone else is present) and others you have to choose to ignore or not consider worth worrying about (e.g. the potential costs to the health system if you do have major problems later). Not to pass judgement. We all do things that cause secondary effects to others. I just picked smoking here as an example because everyone knows what those are.
- diggan 3y ago
  Yeah, you're absolutely right, there are definitely drawbacks that are bigger than me (secondary smoke, giving money to a horrible industry, costing taxpayers more health-care and so on), but I'm pretty sure me driving a diesel car every day might have a even bigger effect. And if I travel to the other side of the planet in an airplane a year, I'll already done a lot of harm to the environment indirectly, probably way more than both me and my cigarettes could ever do. The only thing I can do is minimize the harm. I don't smoke next to others outside, I use tobacco made by smaller company with no additives, I never throw the fag-end on the streets and so on.
- deleted 3y ago
  [deleted]
cubefox 3y ago
What's even the advantage of smoking? Smokers don't even seem to get significantly "high" as with alcohol or marijuana.
- diggan 3y ago
  Well, the advantage of smoking if you like smoking is that you get to smoke. Nothing more than that :)
  - cubefox 3y ago
    That sounds pretty meager. Like being addicted to sugar that doesn't taste sweet.

by diggan 3y ago

mathgeek 3y ago

The main issue with smoking as “shouldn’t I just enjoy it” are the secondary effects on other people. There are ways to mitigate some of those (e.g. not smoking when anyone else is present) and others you have to choose to ignore or not consider worth worrying about (e.g. the potential costs to the health system if you do have major problems later). Not to pass judgement. We all do things that cause secondary effects to others. I just picked smoking here as an example because everyone knows what those are.

diggan 3y ago
Yeah, you're absolutely right, there are definitely drawbacks that are bigger than me (secondary smoke, giving money to a horrible industry, costing taxpayers more health-care and so on), but I'm pretty sure me driving a diesel car every day might have a even bigger effect. And if I travel to the other side of the planet in an airplane a year, I'll already done a lot of harm to the environment indirectly, probably way more than both me and my cigarettes could ever do. The only thing I can do is minimize the harm. I don't smoke next to others outside, I use tobacco made by smaller company with no additives, I never throw the fag-end on the streets and so on.
deleted 3y ago
[deleted]

cubefox 3y ago

What's even the advantage of smoking? Smokers don't even seem to get significantly "high" as with alcohol or marijuana.

diggan 3y ago
Well, the advantage of smoking if you like smoking is that you get to smoke. Nothing more than that :)
- cubefox 3y ago
  That sounds pretty meager. Like being addicted to sugar that doesn't taste sweet.