[ Post a Response | The Sublime Desire of Cigarette Smoking ]
Posted by M G F & Marcus on April 8, 2007, 4:24 pm, in reply to "Changes To My Perspective Over The Years" The discussion above has been fascinating and there is little either of us can add to it. We both agree that every smoker is attracted to the Risk aspect of smoking and believe that it must have been an integral part of their initial attraction/temptation to it. While it is true that in previous ages there was less understanding of the harmful effects of smoking, no one could deny that it was bad for you. Yet people continued to start smoking, and now that we understand so much more and in much greater detail, people continue to start smoking. Whether voiced or not, every smoker is making a conscious decision to fill his or her lungs with smoke, to engage in “Deliberate, Premeditated Self-Destruction” with every cigarette he or she smokes. Every smoker knows it. It may be tempting and some, particularly those who are not smokers themselves, may be attracted to the “Her poor little addicted brain won’t let her say no” stance, every smoker also knows that his or her “poor addicted brain” could also make the deliberate premeditated decision to resist the physical craving and refrain from smoking. We agree that it is utterly impossible for a non-smoker to fully understand and appreciate the relationship a smoker has with his or her smoking and with his or her health; but believe that a non-smokers perspective is important to hear in order to more fully explore the pleasure we take from smoking and the Risk it involves. Some other thoughts. . . I smoke because I enjoy the act of placing a cigarette between my lips, drawing the smoke into my lungs, letting it linger, and then releasing it. I smoke because I enjoy the physical relief I get when I satisfy my addicted body’s need for nicotine. I smoke because I enjoy the activity’s relationship with other aspects of my life. I smoke because I enjoy the relationship it gives me with my body. Every time I fill my lungs with smoke and exhale, something remains; just as some tiny piece of my health goes away as quietly as the smoke drifting through the air. I smoke because I enjoy defiantly taking part in an activity that much of society scorns. I will do as I please with my body. I smoke because I enjoy the mystery of what will happen. I know it is bad for me, I can feel the effects even now; but the ultimate result remains to be seen. Just as gambler gets pleasure from risking his fortune on a hand of cards, I get pleasure risking my fate on a pack of cigarettes.
The two of us, speaking as one to avoid duplicated effort.
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