If you are a 'social smoker' and only smoke at weekends what the chances of getting smoking related diseases?

Answer 1

I highly doubt it's just as high as someone who smokes 20 a day. It seems a lot of people who believe this are anti smoking anyway, so it's not a surprise they would say such a thing.

My GP also put me down as a trivial smoker and informed me that I have a reduced risk than a regular smoker.

Personally I don't see any reason to quit, just because I suposedly don't need the nicotene. I do on some levels, because it makes me happy at the time. Just because I chose not to give in to a craving during the week, doesn't mean I want it any less.

I believe it's all personal choice. We know the risks, we don't need jumped up little kids telling us we're bad. If we told them to stop drinking, do you think they would?

Also, the social smoker thing. It'd not allways as clear cut as "I'm with people who smoke, so I'll smoke" I do it because I ENJOY it. My partner doesn't smoke yet I do even when it's just us two. It's nothing to do with looking good, or joining in for me. So no, I won't just quit. It's my body, I enjoy smoking and I am not going to quit, unless I want to.

I refuse to feel bad for somthing I do that doesn't affect anyone else. People drink like mad, cause trouble and then point the finger at smoking. How many people you know throw up, start fights and generally cause trouble after a chain smoking session?

Answer 2

I don't understand the whole social smoker thing. If you are only smoking because you are with other people that do, and your body is not craving the nicotine, PLEASE give up - have you seen the adverts on tv showing you what is in cigarettes? If you do decide to give up, good luck with it you will feel so much better in yourself. I'd say the chances of getting smoking related diseases are really high, as all that black stuff is going into your lungs and your bloodstream whether it is just at the weekend or all the time.

Answer 3

As a smoker, I would agree with most people that it is stupid, but it is not ignorant. It's ignorant to assume that. (Does the first two even know what ignorant means?) I started smoking because I used to be a very depressed, suicidal kid in high school. I was hospitalized a few times for it. Smoking was a release for me because, in my mind, it's still killing myself, but it's slower and because my parents can have me around longer. I should say that I'm no longer as depressed as I used to be and definitely not suicdal anymore. So, in a way, smoking has saved my life. Now...the challenge of quitting is a different story...

Answer 4

I asked my GP about this as I am in a similar position. He put me down in his records under the 'trivial smoker' category they reserve for weekend-only smokers. There is still a risk of developing a smoking-related illness, but it is significantly reduced compared to those smoking 20 a day.

The CancerBackUp site says the same thing. From the link below: "The risk of getting lung cancer increases with the number of cigarettes smoked. So someone who smokes 20 cigarettes a day is about 20 times more likely to get lung cancer than a non-smoker, whilst someone who smokes 30 cigarettes a day is about 30 times more likely to get the disease than someone who has never smoked."

That said, you clearly don't need the nicotine so would be advised to give up. I'm hoping to do so when the smoking ban comes in as I only smoke in pubs.

Answer 5

If you smoke alone - well.. you still stand a chance, but it's not as significant as a daily smoker/heavy smoker.

If you smoke with a social group of other smokers - your chances are higher than that of a heavy smoker because not only are you polluting your body with your own nicotine and tar, but you are taking in second hand smoke (which is more lethal than the smoke you inhale from your own cig).

George Burns smoked a cigar everyday till nearly the day of his death. He lived a very long time. Does this mean you will to because you don't smoke everyday? No. Each body reacts to toxins in a different way. Where one person takes exstacy every night and lives to see the light of day, another first time user who takes the same amount dies almost immediately after. It's a gamble you take with your own life. Claiming addicition is just as bad as procrastination in peeing. Eventually you involuntarily pee yourself because your body decides what's best for you, and that is to evacuate your bladder of it's impurities. And eventually, your body will reject your abuse and simply quit working ... (smoking).

You decide.

Answer 6

Weekend Smoker

Answer 7

Extremely high. My mother only smoked 4 cigarettes a day and died with a smoking related disease at the age of 67. She was otherwise a healthy individual.

Answer 8

Hi, You will have the same chances as any other smoke who smokes. and im sure you will be inhaling everyone elses unfiltered smoke and inhaled smoke blown out because they will all be smoking around you so this will increase your chances as well. Why dont you get a book and read about the effects of smoking it will tell you all you need to know.
May I ask the point of social smoking, it doesnt make any sense to me. I dont think it is big or clever just pathetic that people think that they look gud with a pack of cigarettees and a drink in there hand, and just because everyone else does it. lol

Answer 9

What is social about smoking? 1 in 4 people do it, stats tell us it's antisocial. Why smoke at weekends if you don't have a craving? Just do what you want, and if people don't accept you for not smoking then they're no great loss.

Answer 10

Juat about the same if you were a 'full time smoker' but I personally think there is no 'social' or 'fulltime' smokers. You either smoke or you don't. End of!