Could you help me understand why people that are so intelligent smoke cigarettes?

Question

Their so intelligent but yet so ignorant why?

Answer 1

Because it's not up to the government or society to tell me what to do with my body, and I fully intend to enjoy the moments that take my breath away in this life, not simply live for the number of breaths I can take. Some things in life are enjoyable to me.. A fine cigar, a cigarette with my morning coffee, the smell of a rum and coke when you bring it to your lips.. And I would much rather die at 50 knowing I went out being a meteor than die at 90 a slow, sleepy planet.

Answer 2

That's a good question, and one that I will try to answer the best I can. Times have changed dramatically in the last couple decades. When I was growing up, you would turn on the television and see people smoking on talk shows. Airplanes and even hospitals had smoking rooms. In the eyes of a young man, smoking was just something that was looked at as being part of being an adult, all the cool adults smoked. I started smoking while in the military, and smoked for a long time after. Nicotine is so addictive, both physically and mentally, that it is extremely hard to break the habit. People have tried to quit, that is why nicotine gum and the nicotine patches are such big business, because people do want to quit. Don't judge someone unless you've walked a mile in their shoes.
I look forward to the day that cigarettes are illegal in the U.S., but that day will never come because of the tobacco lobby in Washington. Smoking bans are a great start. As an ex-smoker, I still deal with an occassional desire to have a cigarette even though I know that it would taste horrible (because my sense of smell is back to normal). Attitudes toward smoking are changing and the way it is presented to the younger generation will largely determine the attitudes passed down to their children.

Answer 3

You are assuming that if someone is intelligent then they fear illness or premature death. That's certainly not the case. Many people would think that the enjoyment received by smoking outweighs the potential displeasure from future illness. Only 1 in 3 smokers eventually succumb to an illness that was induced by smoking, so to some those odds are heavily in the smokers favour.
Maybe, in the dangerous world we live in at the moment, it is more intelligent to smoke if you enjoy it, because the chances of you living a full natural life are probably less than your chances of developing a smoking related illness.

Answer 4

I have lots of friends but only two real ones. Two friends that I want to help if they are in trouble, not those I feel I should help, or those who expect me to help. Just two, that ain't many.

When I buy a carton of cigarettes; I have, in my hands, 200 cylindrical friends. 200 entities that ask nothing of me save lighting a match.
They give me some peace, normally some quiet and almost always a break from a routine that I would prefer not being involved with in the first place.

Then of course we can play the blame game, but that accomplishes nothing and I do accept the responsibility for lighting up the first time. Perhaps if things had been different I might not have, but things weren't different. Now I accept that I am addicted. I quit for nearly 10 years only to want a cigarette at least three of four times everyday for those 10 years.

I finally went back; I bought that box of friends and returned to old habits.

Now you have read my comment. It is up to you to decide whether I am intelligent or educated enough to be included in your survey.

Good day.

Answer 5

I wonder this myself... the best answer I can come up with is denial that something will happen to them, or better yet, "the media has blown the effects of cigarettes and second-hand smoke out of proportion", that is something I hear quite a few smokers saying.

Answer 6

Perhaps because it takes quite a lot of good scotch and a bit of smoke in the eyes to wash down that politically correct world of ours down our throats. Now, your next question might be: Why do intelligent people drink alcohol? If you don't, you'll have answered your own question and killed two birds in one shot. So long, smart person.

Answer 7

Ignorance is a lack of knowledge. In this case it is you that lacks the knowledge of what it is to be addicted and/or beat an addiction, intelligence has nothing to do w. it. In this case also ignorance is bliss, remain smoke and drug free w. tolerance for those who don't, that is the real way to be cool/understanding.

Answer 8

They're intelligent enough to realize it's not how long you live, its how much you indulge and enjoy everything there is to enjoy about life. Whats the point of living a long life if all you do is worry about living a healthy one and prolonging this long, boring life. Have fun with this body and life that you have, if you enjoy something, do it! By the way, I'm not a smoker myself, that is just my point of view.

Answer 9

Nicotine is a very addictive drug, hardwired to the brain. Smoking is also about oral satisfaction (possibly weaned too early!) and it gives you something to do with your hands in social situations. It is also a relaxing ritual.Took me 3 tries before I quit (>10 yrs now), most people need multiple tries.

Answer 10

It's very hard to quit from what I've heard and seen. I try not to judge them. It's the cigarette company's I don't understand. Do they have a conscience? The cig's are designed to be addictive.