Designated Smoking Topic.

[Scott84]

Hey Guys,

Who here smokes?

Who here is trying to quit?

I dont smoke.

I have smoked maybe 5 cigars in my life but thats about it.

U?

[Bones]

Smoke what?

[GameOver]

I quit cold turkey last November after a pack a day for 20 years.  Feelin' great!

Smoke what?

Haven't had that for a while either!!!   

[Bones]

I caught something on a current affair program within the last week. They were talking about pot and how it is different these days. They said that it is no longer the innocent hippie drug it used to be and were comparing it in the same category as the harder scarier drugs that encourage violence and prostitution.

Still seems hard to accept it is as bad as heroin and the likes but the program backed up its comments with some interesting chemical analysis that made their comments very plausible.

[RayB]

I caught something on a current affair program within the last week. They were talking about pot and how it is different these days. They said that it is no longer the innocent hippie drug it used to be and were comparing it in the same category as the harder scarier drugs that encourage violence and prostitution.

Still seems hard to accept it is as bad as heroin and the likes but the program backed up its comments with some interesting chemical analysis that made their comments very plausible.

yeah and you know what? I saw this other program that said that Video games can lead to real life violence! It was backed up with "experts" and sound bites and everything. 

I've heard the "it's 6x more potent than it was in the 60's" line too, but in the 30's they also said it would make you psychotic. I think this is the same thing. Part truth, part exagerration, and a whole lot of scare-mongering. There are people out there that are afraid of this kind of thing, so they will demonize it as best as they can to scare people into staying on the straight & narrow.

Personally, I have never seen or heard of a person being violent while stoned. I don't think it's even possible unless you're already prone to regularly violent behaviour. Pot makes you calm, and happy. On the other hand look at what alcohol does. It depresses people. Heard of the saying "Angry drunk"? Ever heard of the saying "angry stoner"?

I am not a user, though I have puffed a few at "special occasions". I wouldn't recommend anyone take it up as a regular habit (I've known people who feel a need to do it almost daily, but then it's no different than people who need to drink daily, or smoke a pack a day, or drink a large coffee every morning, etc.)  Done responsibly, occasionally, there's nothing wrong with it. Just be smart about what you put into your body.

[Bones]

I totally agree with you but this show was claiming that the THC content was in the order of 1000 times stronger than the 60's happy weed.

Actually, the show was very much directed at the growing concerns of young kids (10 years old!) taking up the habit with a brain that was not fully developed as opposed to the adult Friday night smoker. This was important info I failed to mention.

[DrewKaree]

Used to smoke when younger.  Haven't had a ciggy in 15+ years, but I enjoy a nice cigar now and again.  I probably average a cigar every three weeks, but it's really concentrated to 3-4 times out of the year.

[paigeoliver]

I have smoked off and on in the past. Unlike Drew I can't go near a cigar. I smoke one cigar and and I'll be smoking cigarettes again in under a month.

I have been smoke free for a while now.

[Bones]

But it's safe to assume you are completely smashed entertaining the desire to buy another scooter. 

[paigeoliver]

But it's safe to assume you are completely smashed entertaining the desire to buy another scooter. 

Nah, I never drink anymore either, it just makes me want to smoke.

A new scooter would not be a spur of the moment decision, remember I don't finance ANYTHING, so I would need to save up $9000 in cash (buying it, taxes, etc), which would take a little while.

[DaveMMR]

Yes, I smoke.  Yes, I'm trying to quit.  No, I'm not trying very hard.  Yes, I will have to give them up eventually. 

I caught something on a current affair program within the last week. They were talking about pot and how it is different these days. They said that it is no longer the innocent hippie drug it used to be and were comparing it in the same category as the harder scarier drugs that encourage violence and prostitution.

Still seems hard to accept it is as bad as heroin and the likes but the program backed up its comments with some interesting chemical analysis that made their comments very plausible.

Ah, A Current Affair sensationalizes everything.  The produces probably bought some bad weed and decided to do a story on it. 

[Bones]

No, I don't react to such propergander. I can say from experience that weed is different today than what it was just 10 years ago.

And by different I don't mean better.

[RayB]

Actually, the show was very much directed at the growing concerns of young kids (10 years old!) taking up the habit with a brain that was not fully developed as opposed to the adult Friday night smoker. This was important info I failed to mention.

HAHAHAHA  I find that so funny. If 10 year olds are smoking anything, be it even regular old cigarettes, I'd say that's a problem on so many levels, regardless of THC content.

I'd want to address why kids even have access to this stuff in the first place.

[Bones]

Seriously, when I was 11 this must have been the furtherest thing from my mind. I was playing my Atari 2600 and that was all the thrills I needed.

[missioncontrol]

Designated thread bah.............

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=39997.0

I quit about mid July around the 10^th it was very difficult at first but I had my mind made I was done with them and so far I'm winning 

[Jabba]

Congrats MC! I am planning on a quit date and put this nasty habit behind me once and for all. Like Paige, I think I'll have to quite the drink too because its always my Achiles Heel! I quit for 2 months in April, and started again. 

[missioncontrol]

read some of the links on my thread for encouragement also start your own thread and update us on your status....

it's easier when you got people backing with with moral support.....


you got to fight to win............

[daveg2000]

Never even tried a cigarette.
Lots of 2nd hand smoke, but thats about it.

I'd rather blow my money on things I can keep or use
than to just watch it go up in the air.

Drinking too... I dont know why, but if I just have one night out
for drinking a week - like @ bowling league or soemthing.. that is
enough for me.

I got buds that go out to the bar every night and are putting down
drinks and smokes and I just can't justify blowing $30 a night
a couple times a week on that stuff.

That is my incentive to not smoke.

[Harry Potter]

Been smoking for 1 year, stopped 3 times. Will quit after the AFL (Australian Rules Football for the uninformed) Grand Final. At least I'll try really really hard. 

[Stingray]

I think I quit smoking in 1992. I was a very heavy smoker previous to that. I really can't even stand the smell of them anymore. On a rare occasion here and there I will still get a craving though.

-S

[Minwah]

I smoke weed every day.  I love it 

That said it does concern me a bit of how strong it is (I believe the comparison to 60's weed is true).  All you can get now is super skunk, which has been engineered to be as strong as poss.

I also heard that years ago they thought weed make people 'go mad and kill nurses' or something.  Obviously bollocks.  If everyone on the planet smoked/eat weed, the world would be a much better place for sure.

[fredster]

I smoke all the time, have since I was 16.

I like smoking.  I like blowing smoke rings.  I give cigarettes to kids because one day I may need to bum one from somebody.

[ChadTower]

I quit cold turkey.

I've never smoked a cigarette in my life.

But damn that cold turkey had a hold on me.  Especially on wheat bread with a bit of gravy.  Or hot open faced turkey sandwiches, gravy and fries. 

Dammit, I'm going to relapse.

[Stingray]

I quit participating in these forums. It lasted long enough for me to go to the bathroom, make a quick stop at the soda machine, and sit back down at my desk.

-S

[ChadTower]

Empty the tank and pick up your next load of fuel.  Efficiency.

[Stingray]

I'm all about productivity.

-S

[DrewKaree]

Been smoking for 1 year, stopped 3 times.

I think you've got your words all mixed up.  That's not called "stopping".  That's called "pausing".

[tommy]

I saw a study on the tube that said MOSTLY high school dropouts smoke more then college grads... basically noneducated folks end up smoking more then educated folks.

I don't buy that theory.

[ChadTower]

Studies also show that poor people smoke more than middle class and up, as well.  So, you've got the poor, uneducated people addicted to an expensive habit that's going to kill them.

Kind of sucks for them, though I can't imagine anyone in the US over the age of 5 at this point that doesn't understand that smoking is bad.

[Dartful Dodger]

Chicago has this campaign going to stop smoking in all public places. Daley tried to pull a fast one like what they did in Ireland a few years back.

[ChadTower]

Bars and restaurants here are smoke free by law.

[tommy]

If we keep letting these people tell us what we are allowed to do the world will end up like the movie "Demolition man" and we will all be forced to use the 3 sea shell method.

[ChadTower]

Demolition Man is a great pin.

[Zero_Hour]

Been smoking since I was 25, right before I started Grad school, a little over 11 years now.

Can't stand domestic cigs - my brand of choice is Sampoerna - cloves and tobacco. Smoke anywhere from 1/2 to 1 full pack a day (except for my wedding day when I managed to smoke 3 packs  )

I enjoy the taste. I enjoy the act of smoking. I admire those who decide to quit and achieve that goal. I despise "Reformed Smokers" who can do nothing except proselytize about the negatives of the habit. I'm pretty well aware of the potential risks of the habit, but as an adult, choose to accept those risks.

One thing I'd love to see a study on:
The decline in adult smoking in the US, as compared to the rise in adult obesity over the same period. I can't help but think there is at least a minimal correlation between the two.

I believe that smoking in bars and restaurants should be at the discretion of the owner of said establishment.

[Bones]

I smoke weed every day.

[Franco]

Smoked on and off for 8 years or so. Quit for two and stupidly started again. I mainly smoke drum light rollies with menthol filters (yum

[AceTKK]

I've been smoking since I was 14, so I guess that makes 11 years now.  I've never really tried to quit, I still like it too much.  I quit smoking pot in college; that stuff just erases my motivation.

-Ace-

[jbox]

I can't wait for Minwah to come to Australia and visit me.

Why, are you a baggage handler at the airport? 

[Bones]

I can't wait for Minwah to come to Australia and visit me.

Why, are you a baggage handler at the airport? 

I know a cheap Shappelle innuendo when I hear one.

[Minwah]

I can't wait for Minwah to come to Australia and visit me.

You missed it, I was there from March - June.  Where abouts are you?  I could've used some local knowledge at times...

I obtained some nice stuff at Port Fairy Folk Festival 

[Bones]

I can't wait for Minwah to come to Australia and visit me.

You missed it, I was there from March - June.  Where abouts are you?  I could've used some local knowledge at times...

I obtained some nice stuff at Port Fairy Folk Festival 

Sydney. Western Sydney. Home of the Westy.

[JoyMonkey]

I quit smoking cigarettes in January. I had one cigarette at my brother-in-law's bachelor party a couple of months ago and I was really looking forward to it, but it tasted like shlt and I couldn't even smoke half of it! This must mean I'm cured! I still feel like smoking when I'm stressed out at work, but not enough to cave in and bum one.

[Minwah]

Sydney. Western Sydney. Home of the Westy.

I was there twice...met Sez from the MameWorld boards there a couple of times.  Went to the Ship Inn and the Fortune of War (among others).

To be honest I didn't like Sydney the first time I went, and the weather was awful.  The second time I stayed in Kings Cross and liked it a lot more...the weather was much better too.

Played a good few games in the arcades on George Street...they had a 50-in-one retrogame thing in a Japanese cab.

[Dartful Dodger]

I quit smoking cigarettes in January. I had one cigarette at my brother-in-law's bachelor party a couple of months ago and I was really looking forward to it, but it tasted like shlt and I couldn't even smoke half of it! This must mean I'm cured! I still feel like smoking when I'm stressed out at work, but not enough to cave in and bum one.

I like that you need to point out that you quit smoking cigarettes.

[Stingray]

He might have quit smoking cigarettes, but still smokes bannana peels and oregano.

-S

[ChadTower]

And the bologna pony.