Do INTJs smoke?

[Guido]

I was contemplating this on my way to work today. A big reason why people start smoking is because of peer pressure, which I don't think INTJs would suffer alot from. Also, I would think we'd be able to rationlize 'this doesn't make sense' and stop. Just a theory :o

[Tarrick]

Agreed. INTJs do not commonly pick up habits out of peer pressure.

[lollercancer]

I smoke marijuana, and even I find tobacco to be silly :-p

[Jack]

It's obvious that I'm the minority in this one, I smoke marijuana and cigarettes too! "Trying to quit smoking cigarettes"...Really,...I am!...Marijuana is another topic.

[Jezebel]

It's obvious that I'm the minority in this one, I smoke marijuana and cigarettes too!
What was your reason for starting to smoke?

[Firelie]

A few months after my grandma died of cancer, my mom and I spent two whole days scrubbing the walls of grandma's bedroom. The amount of brown stuff that came off of them was enough to convince me that smoking was a stupid idea. [smiley=wreck.gif]

[Tarrick]

That's...bad. Sorry about any emotional connection you may have, but that's really gross.

[qwerty]

I do smoke too. The question as to why is simple - even addiction to substances effect intj's.

Why did I begin to smoke? Because there was a question as to why others smoke and a question of what side of life will I not capture if I exclude them from understanding, so in a sense yes it was peer pressure but nobody ever pushed me into it and for that matter nobody ever called me out on it I started because I wanted to know why people smoke. Even today people look at me and see me smoking and say "Qwerty, I didn't know you were a smoker"

[Jezebel]

I tried smoking when I was a teenager. I can honestly say that my reasons had nothing to do with peer pressure. I only did it alone and didn't tell anyone. I was curious, and I was sensitive to it... it felt good. I realized it was stupid of me though and I quit before my addiction got bad.

[StJimmy]

i smoke. been smoking for a long time now too. i have limited my habit, and have plans to quit, and reasons why i don't want to try until my work situation changes.

ever see the movie trainspotting? yeah. it won't be like "dead babies on the ceiling" but it is very likely that i won't be very pleasant to be around. i'll probably just stay stoned for a month. :suspicious:

[The Rose]

I have not smoked in 25 years, but I used to.
I went to college for one semester when I was 18.
I tried marijuana while I was there.
I ended up smoking it occasionally if it was offered to me.
(I didn't buy it.)
A couple of years later, someone offered me a cigarette and I accepted it.
It reminded me of the feeling I got from pot.
Within a week I was addicted.
I was smoking a pack a day at the end.
It took me about 30 tries,
but I finally quit after about 4 years of smoking.

[rwyatt365]

I smoked while in college; smoking and drinking (coffee in the AM, alcohol in the PM) were how I got through engineering school - intense pressure. I kept smoking until I broke up with my son's mother - that was 15 years later. I decided one day that I would quit, and haven't smoked since.

[lollercancer]

it said in the mb profile that intjs are driven to abuse certain substances when put under great amounts of pressure.
It's weird, because i never actually feel pressure. I won't say, "damn, i am NERVOUS," but, if i am writing something i realy care about, i'll drink and smoke weed much more heavily than normal for me until i am satisfied with my work. My thoughts become obsessive, too. It's crappy!

[rwyatt365]

it said in the mb profile that intjs are driven to abuse certain substances when put under great amounts of pressure.
It's weird, because i never actually feel pressure. *I won't say, "damn, i am NERVOUS," but, if i am writing something i realy care about, i'll drink and smoke weed much more heavily than normal for me until i am satisfied with my work. *My thoughts become obsessive, too. *It's crappy!

Yeah, abuse was imminent. I was in a co-dependant relationship with an alcoholic. It was only after she wrecked my car for the second time and her sister's boyfriend died at 35 from alcohol poisoning that the bell rang in my head and said, "Get out and dry up!"

[Firelie]

it said in the mb profile that intjs are driven to abuse certain substances when put under great amounts of pressure.

I don't have any substances that I'm willing to abuse, so I end up clenching my jaws in my sleep and getting insane migraines when I'm dealing with too much stress. lol Maybe I should take up drinking...it probably hurts less.

[Tarrick]

Alcohol is a chemical solution to a real problem, or so someone said. You can do what you want, but I prefer shooting zombies or something to work my frustrations out. Or writing sometimes works for me too. Not a journal, mind you. Fiction.

[lollercancer]

the problem comes in when writing is less for the love of it and more as a means to an end.

the goal is so far off :(

[Rei]

I do smoke too. The question as to why is simple - even addiction to substances effect intj's.

Why did I begin to smoke? Because there was a question as to why others smoke and a question of what side of life will I not capture if I exclude them from understanding, so in a sense yes it was peer pressure but nobody ever pushed me into it and for that matter nobody ever called me out on it I started because I wanted to know why people smoke. Even today people look at me and see me smoking and say "Qwerty, I didn't know you were a smoker"

Could I correctly say it was curiosity driven then?
And, your name is ACTUALLY Qwerty?

You can do what you want, but I prefer shooting zombies or something to work my frustrations out. Or writing sometimes works for me too. Not a journal, mind you. Fiction.
I agree with that one. *WHOOT HEAD SHOT! *WHOOT I SHOT YOU IN THE ASS!


I must say though... maybe it really depends on the generation.
Seems like the older folks of the forum has a higher smoker pop... (though it might just be because we're don't have that many older people here *:-/)
But there's definately a trend in society in general...


My dad was a smoker. He quit when my mother got pregnant.
Some friends I really care about are smokers and it bugs me all the time. In fact as Qwerty mentioned, it really makes me want to try it to see what's so great about smoking. Only thing stopping me is that I really REALLY hate smoking.

Drinking is another matter... alcohol for pleasure, I don't drink to get drunk.

[wolf]

I do not.

I never tried, nor did I have any inclination to do so. I didn't even try alcohol until I was fairly old, and even consuming that is rare.

[wedekit]

I smoked cigarettes my entire freshmen year in college, but quit after I saw a cancerous lung displayed at the Body World Exhibit at a nearby museum.

I do still smoke weed, though only to sleep. Not that I believe in excuses, but I basically do it because I have insomnia and the medicine I'm prescribed doesn't work as well as it should.

[Tarrick]

I do not.

I never tried, nor did I have any inclination to do so. I didn't even try alcohol until I was fairly old, and even consuming that is rare.

Whenever anyone asks me, I tell them I'm already too inebriated to drink anything...Just imagine what I would say if I lost my last shred of self-restraint.

Will I ever drink? Probably wine sometime, but so far I've never really wanted to.

[The Rose]

...And, your name is ACTUALLY Qwerty?...I actually almost chose this username for myself when I signed up!
It's just the first 6 letters across the top of the keyboard.

[Rei]

...And, your name is ACTUALLY Qwerty?...I actually almost chose this username for myself when I signed up!
It's just the first 6 letters across the top of the keyboard.


oh d'oh
*smacks forhead*
I knew I've seen that somewhere. :thinking:
Qwerty is fun to pronounce though.

[Rei]

I just wanted to add...
The girl sitting next to me in the lecture I was in just now had probably just finished a cigarette. And oh man... the smell was horrendous. I got this huge headache through the whole lecture and my nostrils are still burning.

[wolf]

I just wanted to add...
The girl sitting next to me in the lecture I was in just now had probably just finished a cigarette. And oh man... the smell was horrendous. I got this huge headache through the whole lecture and my nostrils are still burning.
You're in Canuckistan, right? They have some really harsh cigarettes up there. They're so bad that I'll have allergic reactions to the areas where they are smoked...outside. Horrible.

There are few things I hate more than inconsiderate smokers (every damned one of them) and Canadian cigarettes.

[Rei]

I just wanted to add...
The girl sitting next to me in the lecture I was in just now had probably just finished a cigarette. *And oh man... the smell was horrendous. *I got this huge headache through the whole lecture and my nostrils are still burning.
You're in Canuckistan, right? *They have some really harsh cigarettes up there. *They're so bad that I'll have allergic reactions to the areas where they are smoked...outside. *Horrible.

There are few things I hate more than inconsiderate smokers (every damned one of them) and Canadian cigarettes.


It was probably the Canadian cigarettes... or that the girl next to me is Canuckistanian....

[wolf]

It was probably the Canadian cigarettes... or that the girl next to me is Canuckistanian....
Oh, I react to US ones, just not quite as harshly and not for quite so long in places where it usually dissipates fairly quickly.

I have bad allergies.

[Rei]

I don't know what it is... maybe she's just an avid smoker so it was especially strong?

Because I know quite a bit of smokers, and they don't smell that strong. Some of them actually have a cologne/perfume that blends with the cigarette smell with a pretty good effect =/ (though I have no clue how).

The smell was like... attacking the walls of my nasal passage... eating away at it...

[TheFreeThinker]

I have smoked a few times just to try what was it like but did not like it. It just did not make any sense to me and it was a fake/addictive feeling of pleasure that I did not want to have. One of the primary reasons (besides health), which keeps me away from smoking is that I don’t want to have any kind of addiction (including addiction to energy drinks, smoking, coffee and/or alcohol but I try these occasionally).

[deicruxified]

i smoked out of curiosity... an experiment... i just want to know what makes people enjoy puffing. but i already quit coz i just wanted the experience.

quitters win too

[mikey]

I'm 25 presently and first smoked at age 12. Only during college was my habit excessive. Though I have to admit health issues have never phased me. The prospect of it killing me just doesn't matter.

[tundra]

Never ran in the family, never got around to it.

I still really don't understand why you'd want to...

[phoenix]

I'm in the 'this is stupid and just quit' category. Left my ex and quit smoking the same day. It was time to take back control of my life....

For the record, I started smoking in high school. I was a theatre geek and that's what they all did, so I did too. Always hated myself for giving in to peer pressure.

[ciphersort]

I smoke cigars occasionally and cigs once in a great while if I am out drinking with smokers.

[shellbelle]

I voted no, but I do smoke a clove whenever I chill with my clove-smoking friend. (It wasn't peer pressure.) And yeah, I smoke pot occasionally. (Also just dying to know the phenomenology of the state.) Seems like that might be the more interesting poll question...

[generalowk]

Nope. I find it to be one of my biggest turn-offs in other people too.

[Epicurus]

No, but I probably will smoke sometime later on in my life just to impress fourteen year old girls and maybe to have something for my hands when in public.

[grey]

I had a friend who once suggested shooting smokers and actually trying to claim it was self-defense.

Seriously, though, I've long felt that acquiring a gun and a bullet for the purpose of committing suicide would be, in the long run, significantly more efficient. Or even a length of rope. Or a sweater. Though hanging doesn't sound like much fun, there *has* to be a better way to kill yourself.

Yes, I know, it is rarely used primarily as a means to commit suicide.

[GOD]

When I was young I did that "I'll try to be a cool groupie" and within a week I realized at how crap it was... I got the whole packet of cigarettes and put them all in my mouth and lighted them all... sure was funny... but I wanted that to be my last memory of smoking... and it was...

I don't see smoking as positive, and I like to live in the positive.

[thegnat]

I have ridiculously strong will power when it comes to not falling into peer pressure. I don't smoke and I will never smoke.

If people try to peer pressure me into something sometimes I'll not do it out of spite - and it's normally to the detriment of them if they try peer pressuring me as it will have been a nice argument that I would have won.... And I don't feel good about myself if I do fall into peer pressure.

[vulcan]

I've tried cigarettes many times. I've never developed any sort of addiction. Smoking is always on my terms. Usually, I smoke when I'm drunk. They just go naturally with each other.

I see people who are addicted to smoking and don't understand it. If I want to quit, I quit. It isn't about peer pressure.

I find it generally bothersome to spend so much money on it, not to mention make special trips for it. Despite those considerations, I don't like smoking habits because a lot of losers do it. So I don't develop the habit. It isn't a moral argument or even a health argument. I just don't really care about chain-smoking or anything else that associates myself with people who are generally going nowhere in life.

I see a smoking habit as a crutch. I don't need crutches.

[vulcan]

This thread brings up the topic of habits in general. I know that whenever I wanted to stop any habit I had unconsciously developed, it was as easy as making the decision. I didn't have to get a book on it or a patch or anything. One day I wanted to stop biting my nails and I did.

Do other INTJs find this typical?

[grey]

I certainly do value my willpower highly. I think my drive to be in control of myself is stronger than most of the habits that other people get hung up in. I don't think I would really get addicted to anything and have trouble quitting, as I don't think the physical withdrawal symptoms would really be nearly strong enough an argument for me to accept such a limitation of choice. Though I've got about zero interest in most of the things people typically become addicted to, and I don't feel a need to prove this to myself. And, of course, the habits I do have are things I'm happy with. I don't feel any particular dependence upon organization of my possessions and such.

[OFL]

I smoke Cannabis, It helps me relax. I have smoked cigs for a short period of time but gave it up and have never went back. They charged me up more than i already am, and gave me bad anxiety.

OFL ;D

[aelan]

cigaretts? never. I've tried pot a few times though, not out of peer pressure, but because I was curious as to what it would be like (I've never really been seriously peer pressured to do anything), and I had no intentions of making it a regular practice. It didn't really do much for me anyways; it mostly made me kind of spaced out and ungrounded, which is actually how I feel a lot of the time without drugs...

[TruorTupnm]

Yes, some I. N. T. J. types smoke, apparently. I don't. Wasn't even around a lot of peer pressure about anything. I was always waiting for people that I would consider to be cool peers to show up, then I could say, "Ack! Oh, no! Peer pressure!" then run from them humorously. oh well. ::) Never had the interest. Have talked to plenty of smokers and saw plenty of reasons to not become one. The best reason for not becoming one seems to be retaining decent senses of smell and taste. Towards any bad habits, I don't know if I've ever had any. *sniff*

[imoutofhere]

It makes sense that an INTJ would get curious about such habits as smoking and give it a try.
It also makes sense that an INTJ would get addicted to such habits if they allowed themselves to try it, as INTJs are supposed to like repetitive habits.
But, then it also makes sense that, yes, the INTJs are the ones least likely to get into it (even if curious), because they know better and don't feel peer pressure that strongly (if at all).
And, it makes sense that an INTJ who has gotten addicted to such a thing, would work on quitting.

Simply put, most INTJs are going to be virgin to such habits or people who did it in the past but have since quit.

And, younger INTJs, like me, who grow up with so much available information about such habits, will be even less likely to try it, and more likely to quit if fallen into it, since we already had the facts from elementary school on. It's a waste of money. It's a waste of energy. It's a waste of time. It lightly adds to the air pollution and therefore global warming, and it causes cancer. Not to mention, that it's nasty... And, yeah, smoker's houses do get pretty grimy and strongly scented of tobacco... Plus, it in itself is a poison. There are a lot poisons in cigarettes, which is why it causes cancer and other diseases. And, employees who smoke, tend to spend a lot of time on smoke breaks that would be better spent doing their job.

I personally do not smoke (at all), drink, or do any other kind of drug, not even drink coffee... My prefered bad habit is gaming.

[Figmentum]

I smoke cigarettes. Not because of peer pressure. I just get bored easily of a redundant thing, be it object or thought. Being neutral got boring, being antagonistic towards it got boring. Now I smoke. It's been getting boring though, and I've been having fewer and fewer cigarettes. I've never been one for peer pressure. Personally, it's rather disgusting. I've never been able to understand how one would allow others to push them into a decision. It's either, "You like me, or you don't." Simple thought, effective truth.

[cielo market]

Nope. Nope.

[Ijz]

At age 10 my dad shove a cigarette up my mouth and said "Well boy suck on this for a change", which definitely kept me uninterested for several years. Later in life some of my friends starting smoking and it was so obvious they disliked it (at first) but kept doing it because they wanted to be cool. This cured me from smoking forever.

Thinking about, I actually do smoke...
At new year I buy a pack of cigars to light the fireworks and smoke the rest with the family.
Its actually quite nice :wacky:

Talking about smoking I've noticed that here in the Netherlands more and more youngsters are smoking. Is this a global trend or something??? The government is taking all kinds of action to prevent people from smoking but it doesn't seem to help very much. Even the packs of cigarettes are labeled with lyrics such as "SMOKING WILL KILL YOU BEFORE YOU REACH 60" but to avail...

[ISeidh]

I do smoke. My parents and grandparents smoked (and have since all quit). I really started smoking to be able to take breaks at work when I was 17. Everyone at the restaurant I worked at smoked, and would all come in back to have a smoke break (yes, this is before every place became non-smoking). If I sat down to take a break, my boss would invariably come back and say "What are you doing? Get back to work!". So I started smoking a cigarette while sitting there, then she'd come back and see me smoking and not say anything, or sit down and burn one with me.

Since then, I've used it as an excuse to get away from people and have some time to myself. "If y'all will excuse me, I'm going to step outside for a smoke..." Occasionally, one or two people will tag along, but mostly not.

I quit for 6 months last year, and I have to say I missed the "smoking as excuse" a LOT. I started up again right before xmas due to a lot of stress in my life. Hope to quit again, but have to get that mindset in place for it to work.

[INTroJect]

I used to smoke for 5 years but then realized it was draining my $$$ so I quit, cold turkey. When I started reading MBTI thought that smoking might be a common thing for INTJs because of the repetitive sensate thing...like something to occupy the brain for a while?

[Paul V]

Noooooo! Smoking is baaaad. :P

Actually, I've realised from a very young age that smoking/doing drugs/drinking were prejuditial to my health (I've had an addictive personality since I was young). I just though the smartest thing to do was stay out of potentially addictive substances for as long as possible.

[Aoiluna]

I dont smoke cigarettes, they always made me sick when my mom smoked. I do however, smoke the hookah every once in a awhile while chilling with friends. It is relaxing, but I am very aware of it while im doing it. Its a rarity for me, actually. I did however, start drinking just recently, and am afraid that I may become slightly dependent on a weekly fix.

[rubbercorks]

I have never once tried smoking cigarettes. Not only do I think it is gross and foul, but a waste of money because it has no real effects...now marajauna on the other-hand :P...

[rubbercorks]

it said in the mb profile that intjs are driven to abuse certain substances when put under great amounts of pressure.

I don't have any substances that I'm willing to abuse, so I end up clenching my jaws in my sleep and getting insane migraines when I'm dealing with too much stress. lol Maybe I should take up drinking...it probably hurts less.


It does :)

[Nightelf]

I find smoking not only self-destructive but also too costly. Though others - including my roommates - in my close environment smoke day and night, I stay on the level of passive-smokers. :thumbsup:

[Max T]

I used to smoke from 17- 24yrs but was more extroverted back then- fully addicted.
Age 25 onwards I've become more Intoverted and, with crisp INTJ logic, stopped smoking by starting cycling to clean the lungs out quicker than the usual 10 yrs it takes after stopping.

Now it's just a cigar at Christmas.
Like Bill Clinton with pot, you can smoke cigars without inhaling. :thumbsup:

[Ryokurin]

By all means I should considering that a very large part of my mom's side of the family does, and for quite some time I was basically in front of a lit cigarette almost all day long (three people in the house, all of them smoking at least a pack and a half a day) I knew from a young age that it was bad, and while there were one or two times I did take a drag I never wanted to ever get hooked as I simply saw it as a big waste of money.

Now that I'm an adult, I can do it socially, and even then rarely. I may smoke one cigarette or cigar and not pick another up for like six months. I just don't get any feeling from it at all. The same from other drugs like weed. Its either was so minor its not worth it or I felt absolutely nothing from the experience, and for a while half the people I associated with were big weedheads. I would just sit back and watch them. Don't get me wrong, I'm not looking for something to feel, I just never understood it.

[PaulFrancis]

I smoke and have for the past ten or so years. *

I will probably quit though next week when I am off for the entire week.

I didn't start due to peer pressure. *It was more out of curiosity. *

That same motive also caused me to at least try weed (which was great), Tribulus (which is pretty cool actually, although mild), DHEA (also pretty cool, also pretty mild), nutmeg (nutmeg highs are pretty strong, but REALLY suck), and Yohimbe (which can lead to AWESOME multi orgasm, multi hour long sex, but, it also gets you really high in a way that kind of sucks).

[Wisewoman]

Alcohol is a chemical solution to a real problem, or so someone said. You can do what you want, but I prefer shooting zombies or something to work my frustrations out. Or writing sometimes works for me too. Not a journal, mind you. Fiction.

Ironically, I believe a "zombie" is the name of a drink, so "shooting zombies" could be interpreted as knocking back those drinks in one shot, thereby making this post somewhat nonsensical...

;)

[Wisewoman]

Oh, sorry, I'm a smoker, too. Since I was about 16, so almost 40 years. I didn't smoke for three years after I was unconscious for 10 days (I had a brain aneurysm and then a craniotomy) and woke up as a non-smoker. I had no urge at all to smoke; the physical addiction was completely gone. Thing was, I still thought of myself as a smoker, so after three years, I just settled back in to who I was.

[Charlie Mc.]

I smoke a pipe about once a month. I have a couple of friends who I get together with to smoke a pipe and sip some wiskey. I find this quite relaxing. In general I find cigarettes quite nasty. I tried smoking cigarettes and even dipping out of curiosity. Didn't like either one, so don't do em.

[Ian]

I thought about taking up passive smoking, just hanging around smokers and breathing in alot - you get all the benefits of lung cancer and smelly clothes but it doesn't cost you a penny!

[Figmentum]

Me buying cigarettes, is no worse on the money side, than a christian tithing. They feel good because jesus smiles down on them. I feel good because I have many chemicals running through me, that make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Christians around here bitch at me saying, "it's a sin, it's going to kill you!" But at their little gatherings, when they hear about somebody dying it turns into, "it's okay, god said it was time to go." Get off my ass (not saying all christians are like that, just the ones here). I smoke, and shorten my life span, you go to church and waste some of your life span... I'll stop before I get more offensive. Wow... I need a smoke now.

[Desfrei]

I have been smoking the past 2 years of my life and I find it worth every penny that it costs me. I get an excuse to get away from people who are begining to aggrevate me and I enjoy a nice calm after a hard day of putting up with people I hate. Though I respect others wish to not smoke so I will not try to tempt them; my only problem is with people who will go out of their way to impose on smokers when they are only enjoying themselves while minding their own business. If I encounter someone trying to do this they better expect a beating like no other before it.

[Rick]

I've been a smoker for 22 years but am edging toward quiting. There would be so many more interesting things to do with that $100+ I spend per month on cigarettes.

[PaulFrancis]

I am now in hour 55.75 of quiting smoking. Damn this is harder than I thought. I will win this one or die. I have never heard of any one dying from quiting smoking, so I guess my only option is to win.

Quiting smoking is kind of like a high, a very, very crappy high. Must control this very crappy high.

[Figmentum]

Smooooooooooooke.... I wouldn't dare go that long without a cigarette. If I ever get the nerve to even think about quitting, I just think about my favoite lyrics... "I'm a chainsaw smoker with a thirst for blood, and since we're on the subject can ya gimme some?"

[Rei]

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[Colette]

Alcohol is a chemical solution to a real problem, or so someone said. You can do what you want, but I prefer shooting zombies or something to work my frustrations out. Or writing sometimes works for me too. Not a journal, mind you. Fiction.

Hmm...I find comparing writing with smoking (in the same breath - no pun intended) to be somewhat absurd. Maybe it's just me :p

[RoqueBear]

I assume that this question is directed in the realm of recreational tobacco smoking. I participate and conduct some ceremonies that do involve smoking tobacco and I don't have a problem with that.

I don't go home and buy cigarettes to smoke in my free time though.

[Santana28]

i smoke (started at 22 - i resisted until then specifically in rebellion of peer pressure).

i love my grandma's logic on this one : its better to die young and able to enjoy life, than to suffer old age and wither away. enjoy the time you have while it lasts.

i'll probably quit at some point due to financial reasons, but i enjoy smoking (the routine more than the addiction) and until that routine is replaced, i'm sure i'll keep on doing it. i'll probably cut down though... i'm up to half a pack a day and i prefer to keep it to around 3 a day. i dont understand how people can smoke more than that...

[Caramel]

I don't smoke. Never tried it, never will.

Why would you take up a habit that you know is self destructive, costs a whole lot of money and makes your house and clothes smell awefull in the process? Sounds very irrational to me.

[Antares]

I tried smoking when I was a teenager. I can honestly say that my reasons had nothing to do with peer pressure. I only did it alone and didn't tell anyone. I was curious, and I was sensitive to it... it felt good. I realized it was stupid of me though and I quit before my addiction got bad.

I've always wanted to try smoking, not out of social pressure, but out of pure curiosity, and my mother's always prevented me to (I know. I told her. Not very smart if you want to try something universally accepted as unhealthy). I think I won't want to try anymore from now on. Thanks for sharing :D





Camelopardalis added to this post, 6 minutes and 58 seconds later...

i love my grandma's logic on this one : its better to die young and able to enjoy life, than to suffer old age and wither away. enjoy the time you have while it lasts.


I don't agree with this one. Who says if you don't smoke, you will suffer old age? Is it not possible to enjoy old age? I'd want to spend my old age with my friends and family, doing what I love doing. If you never started smoking in the first place, you'd never have needed it to enjoy life. I'm enjoying life perfectly fine without smoking. There are loads more ways to enjoy life, and suffering from lung cancer in my last days because I smoked isn't my idea of fun.

Besides, longer life usually comes with a package of more time to enjoy life. For now, save up where you spent smoking, and have a blast when you have enough in your bank account. That's what I'd do. Travelling is my passion, and I'd never be bored of it.





Camelopardalis added to this post, 3 minutes and 19 seconds later...

Noooooo! Smoking is baaaad. :P

Actually, I've realised from a very young age that smoking/doing drugs/drinking were prejuditial to my health (I've had an addictive personality since I was young). I just though the smartest thing to do was stay out of potentially addictive substances for as long as possible.

You and I are very much alike ;) I've always had an addictive personality. First, I was addicted to Digimon, then Heroes, then fanfictions, then chatting on forums. Yikes.

[thod]

Dont start its not worth it. Here in the UK they cost $12 for a pack of 20.

The advantages are that you get to socialise more. The smokers huddle together and talk to each other when they go for a smoke. It means you get to meet people you wouldnt otherwise.

The other advantage is from the drug aspect. Nicotine ends up as adrenaline so you are more alert and think more clearly. I am sure you have been in natural fight or flight situations. You suddenly become much more aware of your surroundings and time seems to slow. Its nowhere near that intense but there is still an edge. When you quit its liking walking in a fog. It also protects the brain, alzhiemers and parkinsons are much lower in smokers, if you have to live that long ofc.

[AgentofGaming]

Well I never smoked and never will, I even feel somewhat repulsed to those who smoke (smell), and especially to those who smoke within my air radius (my health please...).

I admit there was a little curiosity about all the bad substances I encountered in life. However I have a strong aversion to any significant mind altering substance. I think any leisure shouldn't have to come down to your health, also being intoxicated isn't a sign of maturity either. Also my dad smokes and still does, I always stay the heck away from him whenever he does, probably I hate smokers because of him.

I think that smoking is a lose-lose situation, burning your health and wealth away for some leisure or even entertainment (there are a lot of better alternatives). It's even more lose when you hurt those around you with 2nd hand smoke. The addiction, residue and the dose of lethal toxins will leave wherever you smoke contaminated, you contaminated and those you love contaminated for a long long time. I don't think it's right to do that.

[thod]

Wherever I travel in the world and whatever I do the one thing I cant escape is myself.

The only way I know of changing that is intoxicants. Then I can see what I couldnt see before. I can walk a mile in the other guys shoes. I have insights onto problems that otherwise I wouldnt have.

People fear intoxicants because they fear losing themselves. Yet every experience has that effect. You dont lose anything you become stronger, you learn more about what you are.

Smokers may smell, and so does perfume, but they are smarter. Just as you are smarter after drinking a cup of coffee. They are stimulants. You dont even have to smoke to test out nictine. You can get the various nicotine products that help smokers quit.

I have tried most of the street drugs. I see those that havent as timid and priggish. All things in moderation, those who have never tried them have no knowledge and in the case of drugs, experience. Its like telling a guy that has been in a real war that you understand his experience from your armchair.

[Jenny Penny]

I started when I got to college and met my roommate. She and all her friends smoked, so I guess I was affected by the peer pressure of it all. Also, I think I was attracted to the oral fixation/hand movement of smoking. I am sort of high strung and have always had bad habits, such as nail biting and cheek biting. Smoking is a double edged sword, though, because it is also extremely physically addictive. Been trying to stop for ten years now.

[Colette]

I started when I got to college and met my roommate. She and all her friends smoked, so I guess I was affected by the peer pressure of it all. Also, I think I was attracted to the oral fixation/hand movement of smoking. I am sort of high strung and have always had bad habits, such as nail biting and cheek biting. Smoking is a double edged sword, though, because it is also extremely physically addictive. Been trying to stop for ten years now.

Yes, it has been proven that nicotine is in fact more addictive than Heroin. People who say they 'choose' to continue to smoke, because they enjoy it, are usually in denial, imo, about the addiction aspect. I think that deep down most smokers would prefer not to be addicted, but they fear the withdrawal associated with quitting, and therefore avoid or delay it.

[Gonzo]

Yes, it has been proven that nicotine is in fact more addictive than Heroin. People who say they 'choose' to continue to smoke, because they enjoy it, are usually in denial, imo, about the addiction aspect. I think that deep down most smokers would prefer not to be addicted, but they fear the withdrawal associated with quitting, and therefore avoid or delay it.

Please don't compare nicotine addiction to heroin addiction... Seriously. Because heroin beats nicotine any day of the week.
Thats not even open for debate lol.

Most (that means like 98%) "withdrawal's" that comes from nicotine are psychological. Very few people experience physical withdrawal's when they stop smoking. If someone claims to be physically addicted to nicotine, they most likely have a misunderstanding of what that means.
If your addicted to heroin (which is very physically addictive) your body simply wont work without heroin. Now I don't know if you ever seen a heroin addict that haven't gotten his/her "fix", but let me tell ya: It sure as hell beats a smoker that needs a cigarette! I have experienced both psychological withdrawal's and psychical, and there is no doubt in my mine which is worse.

Buuut I'm not gonna rant all day about this. Believe me I could :p. Seeing as it's slightly of topic and most likely boring to many I'll just rap it up.

My point anyhow is that who ever came to the conclusion that nicotine is more addictive then heroin, is just plane wrong ;).

Just to clarify:
Being stressed, anxious, "on edge", etc = psychological
Actually being sick like vomiting, feeling pain, etc = physical

[Colette]

Gonzo: In discussing the addictive aspects I am talking of the 'addictive' nature of nicotine, versus heroin, not the ultimate effects of both substances on the body.

Evidence has indeed shown that a person can addict more quickly, and fully, to nicotine, than they can to heroin. Sad, but true.

[Nightelf]

Smoking - no way, though heavy smokers live all around me in college. I decided I would not like to be a living ash-tray (I wish not to offend those who smoke) and I see no reason which could alter this decision.

[Bossy Mom]

I loathe the smell of cigarette smoke, but love the smell of good pipe tobacco. I used to smoke a pipe, but gave it up due to my asthma. When I drop my daughter off at her high school every morning, I am saddened by the sight of teens smoking outside the school. My aunt died of lung cancer due to smoking and she suffered a terrible death.

[susiegurl77]

I personally am not a fan of the cigarettes. However, I do smoke marijuana. I can honestly say I smoke pot cause I want to. It just gives you even more perspectives on any given subject. Anyways, thats the end of my confession. =)

[Harmony]

Meh, grew up with my dad smoking all the time... The guy I'm interested in smokes... Yet it doesn't do anything for me... I tried it for like three months and it didn't do much for me.

[Chronos]

I smoke occasionally when drunk, but I've never made a habit of it. Never smoke when sober. So, "No", I guess.

[Sesshoumaru]

Never have, never will. Same goes for alcohol.

Never saw the need/never had the desire to, I just find it wrong.

[Zombicide]

No, I do not smoke but I'm glad that other people do. Self inflicted lung cancer for the win, it amuses me actually. Plus it cuts down on the retirees who'll have to draw on social security when they get old.

It annoys me that my family seems relatively immune to cancer, I'd love to see all my smoking family members get cancer and die. If I smoked, I'd only feel this way more so.

When people die doing such a thing they love, it's always good, they wanted to die from it anyway and good for them, they found an enjoyable way they preferred to check out of Hell early.

[lamplighter]

I used to smoke, I first picked it up because of all the people constantly taking smoke breaks, I wanted my fair share of breaks like everybody else got, some of them used to take breaks so often that I deiced to add up how long they took during the course of a shift, and it turned out to be anywhere from 20 minutes to 45 minutes in smoke breaks. I eventually ended up smoking a pack a day when I was selling cars, but I only smoked at work still, and when I quit the job I quit smoking. I only smoked heavily selling cars because it allowed me to focus on something else other that theoretical situations to sell cars (when you make anywhere from $1,000 to $4,000 off of one car you make it a point to think about how to sell them). But I guess I just have really strong will power because I could never understand why people have such a hard time with quitting, for me it was as easy as the decision to stop.

[DazedDown]

smoked when i was younger, gave it up, i can't get addicted to anything.

[Quercusvelutina]

I've never smoked. I also never knew my maternal grandfather because he died of lung cancer at age 60, my one uncle had his first heart attack at age 44, my great aunt had a stroke in her sleep at age 68, and my one cousin is on blood pressure medicine at age 26. All smokers, and all their conditions are/were preventable.

Aside from annoying the hell out of me, smokers also cost us all becasue they clog up the healthcare system with preventable diseases.


Oh, and a fun fact: cigarette smokers have so much arsenic and cadmium in their systems that it is impossible to tell if they are getting any from their environment. They also have separate carboxyhemoglobin values from non-smokers becasue of the amount of carbon monoxide they inhale: smokes have constant, low level, CO poisoning.

[lamplighter]

I don't think smokers are the healthcare system's (US at least) problem by any stretch of the imagination.

[Quercusvelutina]

I don't think smokers are the healthcare system's (US at least) problem by any stretch of the imagination.

Really?

Both my parents (medical technician and IT interegration), my aunt (former head nurse, now nurse instructor), and my uncle's fiance (nurse) all work in the same hospital. I would always spend my afternoons at the hospital after school and know almost everyone there. So, for the sake of argument let's say that I at least have anecdotal evidence on my side.

Smoking predisposes people to all kinds of chronic health problems from cardiovascular disease to cancer. Smoking is also far more prevalent in poor people and minorities, who also happen to be the group of people who tend to have no health insurance. Hospitals and doctors are morally obligated to care for patients regardless of their ability to pay. So, when a person has a heart attack they can't afford, the hospital has to foot the bill. They then pass this cost onto those that CAN afford it (i.e. the insured), which makes everyone's premiums go up. You are paying for someone else's bad decisions.

I believe that there needs to be a major refocusing of healthcare priorities towards prevention so fewer people need critical care. Most hospitals are running at near capacity on a day to day basis, and it costs them a fortune when they fill up and go into "divert" mode (sending ER patients to neighboring hospitals). Again, these costs are passed on to the customers (the insured).

This is but one of the many reasons why I hate smokers. This is also the reason I'm worried about how fat the average American is getting and how prevalent diabetes is becoming.

[Olympics2010]

This IS a really, really good question. I've often wondered about it too. I fall into the second category, which probably applies to most INTJs with regards to smoking: I used to smoke, but soon in life I determined that it doesn't really make sense to kill myself off that way, and so I took the big INTJ step and just stopped. I wouldn't say that INTJs are not susceptible to peer pressure, especially early on in life. It's only as we age that some of us really start to understand, and to practice, our genuine independance. I know this is the way it is in my case, at least. Aside from this small point, I don't see why any INTJs smoke. Clearly, the poll reflects this, since most INTJs show up that they don't smoke. We are so rational, and so I just don't see how smoking can make any sense to any of us. We are also capable of making really strong decisions, no matter how badly they might feel, and no matter what the consequences, and so I don't see why we wouldn't have the WILL power to do so - INTJs are all about will power, I'd say. Also (and this is true for everyone to some extent), INTJs have a mind-dominated personality, and so if they smoke, smoke severly impacts our ability to function normally, or to the best of our abilities, because our minds are blocked by the psychological, and chemical effects of smoking.

[dogwoodlover]

I was contemplating this on my way to work today. A big reason why people start smoking is because of peer pressure, which I don't think INTJs would suffer alot from. Also, I would think we'd be able to rationlize 'this doesn't make sense' and stop. Just a theory :o

While INTJs are not immune to peer pressure (just less likely to succumb to it), I did not begin smoking for this reason. I worked at a high-stress job where all my co-workers and managers would go out on their breaks for a cigarette, and I began smoking with them because I found it relieving.

I've been smoking for about two and a half years now.

Also, it seems that the 20% of INTJs who smoke fit in with the statistics for the general population (its around 20-25% by most counts).

[Sesshoumaru]

Just goes to show INTJs aren't immune to being human ;x

[meiakrane]

I don't smoke, though yes I've been curiuos about and discovered that, not is not big deal, and not so great, and not worth to it. Conclusion, waste of moeny and worst time

[ClydeB]

Tried it when I was 18. Didn't get what the big deal was. Never tried it again.

[ethsar46]

I never got the idea of cigarettes. What the hell do they do for you? Other then cost you money and possibly give you cancer....

If it got you drunk or high or whatever I could understand why people do it, but it doesnt make sense to me.

[Dave C C]

I smoke because I like to smoke, the same reason I have been drinking Mountain Dew for the past 20 some years. Just because you do not smoke does not mean you will not die from cancer, perhaps an even worse one.

[AliTree]

don't remember if i replied to this yet, or not.
i'm a social cig smoker. only if i'm around people who are smoking at the time and i feel like it.

[Odin]

Gave up over a year ago- use to be 30 a day

[zibber]

I'd love to see all my smoking family members get cancer and die.

Oomph!

How about [insert any possibly lethal activity]? Where is the line drawn?

[lamplighter]

Really?

Both my parents (medical technician and IT interegration), my aunt (former head nurse, now nurse instructor), and my uncle's fiance (nurse) all work in the same hospital. I would always spend my afternoons at the hospital after school and know almost everyone there. So, for the sake of argument let's say that I at least have anecdotal evidence on my side.

Smoking predisposes people to all kinds of chronic health problems from cardiovascular disease to cancer. Smoking is also far more prevalent in poor people and minorities, who also happen to be the group of people who tend to have no health insurance. Hospitals and doctors are morally obligated to care for patients regardless of their ability to pay. So, when a person has a heart attack they can't afford, the hospital has to foot the bill. They then pass this cost onto those that CAN afford it (i.e. the insured), which makes everyone's premiums go up. You are paying for someone else's bad decisions.

I believe that there needs to be a major refocusing of healthcare priorities towards prevention so fewer people need critical care. Most hospitals are running at near capacity on a day to day basis, and it costs them a fortune when they fill up and go into "divert" mode (sending ER patients to neighboring hospitals). Again, these costs are passed on to the customers (the insured).

This is but one of the many reasons why I hate smokers. This is also the reason I'm worried about how fat the average American is getting and how prevalent diabetes is becoming.

I agree that smoking does worsen and cause health problems, and I fully agree with you on the fat American epidemic. However the major problem in American healthcare lies with our health insurance, we currently have a restricted market one in which either a free market or socialized medicine would be a major improvement, we are also one of the few industrial nations to not have socialized healthcare to. We also have the highest cost per person for healthcare than any other country in the world, twice as much as our neighbors the Canadians who come in second. Most of this is artificial inflation and the other part of this is that Americans don't seek preventive medicine like the rest of the industrialized world does, most Americans don't have a regular physician either. We also have the most medical errors, in part because of our archaic filing system and our splintered healthcare system, where other countries like the Netherlands have a 98% adoption rate of electronic filing resulting in fewer mistakes, and far fewer cases of doctors repeating the same tests already performed on a patient. 2/3rds of the rising costs in American healthcare is a result of chronic illness, in which Americans rank the highest because of the lack of a regular physician and the fact we have the highest out of pocket expense for regular medications. Now whilst the hospital your family works at may feel morally obligated to care for everyone that comes through the door, there are plenty of hospitals that will reject people who don't have health insurance or pay for the care upfront, and only provide whatever care it takes to get them back out the door without dying, whatever happens to the patient after they leave is their problem.

[Delarge]

Curiosity compelled me to experiment with tobacco, peer-pressure simply was not a factor.





Delarge added to this post, 21 minutes and 10 seconds later...

Really?

Both my parents (medical technician and IT interegration), my aunt (former head nurse, now nurse instructor), and my uncle's fiance (nurse) all work in the same hospital. I would always spend my afternoons at the hospital after school and know almost everyone there. So, for the sake of argument let's say that I at least have anecdotal evidence on my side.

Smoking predisposes people to all kinds of chronic health problems from cardiovascular disease to cancer. Smoking is also far more prevalent in poor people and minorities, who also happen to be the group of people who tend to have no health insurance. Hospitals and doctors are morally obligated to care for patients regardless of their ability to pay. So, when a person has a heart attack they can't afford, the hospital has to foot the bill. They then pass this cost onto those that CAN afford it (i.e. the insured), which makes everyone's premiums go up. You are paying for someone else's bad decisions.

I believe that there needs to be a major refocusing of healthcare priorities towards prevention so fewer people need critical care. Most hospitals are running at near capacity on a day to day basis, and it costs them a fortune when they fill up and go into "divert" mode (sending ER patients to neighboring hospitals). Again, these costs are passed on to the customers (the insured).

This is but one of the many reasons why I hate smokers. This is also the reason I'm worried about how fat the average American is getting and how prevalent diabetes is becoming.

Nonsense! Contrary to popular belief, cigarette smoking is one of the most healthful activities one can engage in. Not only does tobacco build character and increase lung-capacity, it also flushes toxins from the body. It just so happens that a disproportionate amount of smokers subject themselves to health-compromising substances (asbestos, saturated fats, et cetera), creating the illusion of causation.

Sadly, the scientific evidence supporting these indisputable facts has been suppressed by the pushers of tobacco-substitutes, namely the pharmaceutical companies.

[Zhen]

in a word: REPULSIVE.

Cigarette Smoking is absolutely disgusting-it's fine if it didn't impinge on the non-smoker's right to breathe in peace! But it just tends to waft and infiltrate where it's not wanted...and we all know the effects of passive smoking on health...and the smell gets all stuck in your hair and clothes and everything so even the smell of smokers makes me feel really sick!

Anyway I'm just extremely sensitive to the chemicals and get pretty sick from it so it's my no.1 Personal Peeve....and I wish part of the revenue from cigarettes would be given to me to compensate for all the money I've had to shell out in terms of passive smoking induced health bills!

[Ryokurin]

I've done it a few times socially but its definitely isn't a habit I would pick up. Too expensive, and rather pointless imho. Even the few times I've done it it was a cigar or cloves. and like a year between the events. It was purely a what the hell moment.

[ProgFusionRoman]

Never smoked.

Thought people who did would eventually have the Emporer (Star Wars 3) address them personally with "You have paid the price for your lack of vision"

[Mort45]

Recently quit smoking.

Logically it was silly, but at least now I've experienced addiction. I don't regret it. While you're a smoker smoking is sooo good.

IMO health and fitness are a much better vice than smoking.

[sardon]

There are more interesting ways to waste money.

[Autoptic]

Mother worked for Philip Morris. Though she didn't smoke, I did from about 15 to 24 and quit cold turkey. It was my only notable source of dopamine.

[TechnoSapien]

Don't smoke, don't drink alcohol, don't drink coffee, try to stay away from sweets, etc. etc. I try to stay as physically fit as my schedule allows.

[antisocial one]

Never even tried.

[Lantigua]

I don't smoke, although I might pick up the habit once I'm in my 70s or so. I always wondered what is it that people like about smoking or what exactly does people like about the taste of a cigar, etc.

But, I'm in no hurry to find out and/or put my life on the line for it, at least not now. :thinking:

[Deliberator]

I smoke cigars. If a cigar is sex, a cigarette is a hand job. Thus, chain smokers to me are like frequent masterbaters... poor shmoes have never even had a good smoke.

I admit part of the reason I picked up cigars is because it's not something women are expected to do. Go INTJness.





Deliberator added to this post, 2 minutes and 52 seconds later...

Nonsense! Contrary to popular belief, cigarette smoking is one of the most healthful activities one can engage in. Not only does tobacco build character and increase lung-capacity, it also flushes toxins from the body. It just so happens that a disproportionate amount of smokers subject themselves to health-compromising substances (asbestos, saturated fats, et cetera), creating the illusion of causation.

Sadly, the scientific evidence supporting these indisputable facts has been suppressed by the pushers of tobacco-substitutes, namely the pharmaceutical companies.

Saturated fat is not a "health-comprising substance".

[Chasse]

I grew up with smokers all around me (most of my relatives and friends) but never started myself - instead I've been exposed to great amounts of passive smoking for all of my life. I have tried smoking couple of times when I was a kid, out of curiosity.

Sometimes I think of 'learning it' for social purposes. I want to get past the point where the smoke doesn't make me cough my lungs out for the next 5 minutes, and I want to make being near smoke more endurable (I have to face it everyday anyways).
But then again I hate the smell - it gives me a headache - and I definitely wouldn't want to get addicted and spend more money on it than had intended (1-2 packs/year).

Nevertheless, if I ever pick up the habit I'm going to do it with a pipe (always the need to stand out!). But then again, if you're walking around smoking a pipe, how many passerbies would think there's tobacco in it? :I

[Foundationer]

Pipe smoker, Corncob churchwarden i fashioned myself, sweetcorn cob and a length of bamboo. Tobacco is Captain Black Gold.

[Zsych]

I've smoked a cigar, a cigarette, and marijuana - each once. The cigarette with alcohol was actually an interesting experience.

In theory, I could see cigarettes improving the productivity of INTJ under serious stress (the same as anyone else). Probably better off with the electric ones.

I'm mildly surprised no one has pushed the positive effects of smoking (in the media), I'm sure it can do decent amounts of good also in moderation. I wouldn't actually be surprised if it helped your recovery from illnesses where being positive helps you.

*Googles*


A meta-analysis just published in the journal Psychopharmacology reviewed the effects of nicotine and smoking on aspects of human performance (abstract here (To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.)). The lead author is Stephen Heishman, a scientist at the National Institute on Drug Abuse; he is joined by Bethea Kleykamp of Johns Hopkins University and Edward Singleton of Stevenson University. The study will not please anti-tobacco extremists.

Heishman et al. reviewed 15 years of published studies on the effects of nicotine and smoking on various measures of human performance. They had strict criteria for the studies they accepted; one of the most important was including only nonsmokers or smokers who had not been deprived, in order to eliminate the confounding effects of withdrawal on performance.

Heishman et al. found that nicotine and/or smoking produces positive effects involving fine motor skills, attention and memory. The investigators conclude: “The significant effects of nicotine on motor abilities, attention, and memory likely represent true performance enhancement because they are not confounded by withdrawal relief. The beneficial cognitive effects of nicotine have implications for initiation of smoking and maintenance of tobacco dependence.”

The linked article starts with RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVE for the study, and my first reaction to seeing those words was 'because if the masses believe something, it must obviously be wrong or missing something'

[GSOgymrat]

My mother was a chain smoker. As a child when your mother is sitting in her housecoat at the breakfast table blowing smoke in your face while you try to eat your Cheerios, smoking loses its allure.

[Dung]

Smoked a lot. Then one day I stopped.

[thod]

I'm mildly surprised no one has pushed the positive effects of smoking (in the media)

It is a nootropic, nicotine really does make you smarter. This information must be suppressed because it is contrary to the war against smoking. All information must be negative. One does not even have to smoke since nicotine can be obtained from various smoking cessation aids.

[Zsych]

It is a nootropic, nicotine really does make you smarter. This information must be suppressed because it is contrary to the war against smoking. All information must be negative. One does not even have to smoke since nicotine can be obtained from various smoking cessation aids.

... there's that too. I'm surprised that the tobacco companies never ran serious ad campaigns on this side of things to change public opinion. And I really think it must have other health benefits than this... mostly because a better mental attitude is just generally better for your health... that kind of stuff usually comes out in stupid statistics like 'decreases chances of this disease by 10%'

I'm rather of the opinion that if you're a chain smoker, you likely need to be, which means you likely have bigger issues that you're not dealing with than chain smoking (and mental issues also help you on your way to being sick by themselves)

Edit: Aha (To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.)... PTSD, or serious stress has a correlation with breast cancer by itself. Smokers might just be trying to deal with a problem that may be likely to kill them anyway (and maybe adding somewhat to the chance that it'll kill them by smoking)

[theiceman]

Nope, never cared to and never want to. I usually stay away from things that I could possibly get addicted to and this is just another case of that.

[JasonINTJ]

It is a nootropic, nicotine really does make you smarter. This information must be suppressed because it is contrary to the war against smoking. All information must be negative. One does not even have to smoke since nicotine can be obtained from various smoking cessation aids.

I can focus better and I feel more in touch with myself or something when I smoke sometimes. It can chill me out. It can also kinda make me feel a little sad, though. I'm not a regular smoker, but, for the past few years, I've smoked occasionally. I recently smoked a whole pack. But I'll have like 1 to 3 cigarettes per day.

I've reasoned with myself a lot, realizing that it's not good for me, that it's disgusting, tastes bad, I don't enjoy the taste, etc. But there's something about smoking. It feels good to have one. It does sharpen the mind some. It's a bizarre comfort. When I haven't had one in awhile and I start puffing, I'll immediately feel relaxed and good all over. I've literally lit up in the cold and suddenly I'm all warm and toasty and chill. I'm not as antsy -- I'm somewhat sedated.

[davai]

I smoke about 5 a day (perhaps more if i'm drinking), and reduced my pot intake to a couple of evenings a week.

[Sniped Soul]

I tried smoking once but it just hurt my throat, made me cough a lot, and gave me a headache.

I used to vaporize weed. I hated smoking it.

[Tito]

Don't smoke, but I'm still wondering if I'll pick up the habit when I'm older (70 and above). If I do, it will be the enjoy cigars.

[Sk8ordude]

I smoke weed when I'm away from home, since a vape is paraphernalia. I dont use tobacco.

[Rationality]

On a rare occasion when it's socially expected I'll use a bong. The vast majority of time I bake with cannabutter instead. Old-fashioned stoners probably think I'm quirky, but cancer runs in my family amongst the chain smokers.

[mllebrie]

No. Smoked hookah a couple times, but no cigarettes, no pot. I get that people want to look "cool" and smoke when they're younger, but old smokers are just gross. The grayish pallor, the "smokers lines" around their mouths, the yellow fingers. Ick.

I particularly love the folks who come to the pharmacy for their Spiriva for their copd, their morphine for their lung cancer, and get the government to pay for it all. (Some of those respiratory meds are pretty pricey.) Especially since they still smell like ashtrays and have gross smoker-fingers. What the hell?

[thehammer]

My friends and I started smoking hookah and weed when we were 18 and cigarettes when we were 20. The hookah phase only lasted about 2 years. Quit smoking weed shortly after that, too. Quit smoking cigarettes a few years ago. My friends still smoke. I don't see the point anymore.

[teraczy]

I saw the title of this thread on the front page and I nearly laughed out loud. Seriously? Haha...hmm, yes the smoking habit is exclusive only to those of the other MBTI archetypes.. Hahaha.

I smoke here in there...not much, I have very good control over my vices...with the exception of coffee, in which I am a slave to my addiction.

[Commissar]

I smoke hookah every now and then, cigars on 'special' occasions, and have smoked weed in the past, though none of these are regular behaviors for me.

[Nagnot]

I smoke cigarettes, nothing else.

When i started, it was not from peer pressure as none of my friends smoked. It was during a stressful period in life that i saw a family member smoking and thought "It must do something to help with the stress or they wouldn't keep smoking".


Now it frustrates me to no end that i smoke. Because my logical brain says to me "you are a bloody idiot" and i agree. But there is something that has just hooked in that i am yet to "unhook" so to speak.

So not peer pressure, just a young, logical, naive brain.

[masterpeach]

A few months after my grandma died of cancer, my mom and I spent two whole days scrubbing the walls of grandma's bedroom. The amount of brown stuff that came off of them was enough to convince me that smoking was a stupid idea. [smiley=wreck.gif]

Something similar happened to me when I was 8. I've never met my mother's mother, but I had to accompany my parents when they cleaned her apartment after she had died. In the last days of her lung cancer, she couldn't even clean up her vomit.
I got some of her furniture - despite thorough cleaning, it smelled like tobacco for a very long time.

So, no - I will do anything it takes to prevent my body from developing such a disease (I know there are lots of other factors of which we don't know yet, but smoking is a proven one).

I tried smoking once but it just hurt my throat, made me cough a lot, and gave me a headache.

The same happened to me. I am probably too stupid to smoke properly.
I once tried smoking cigarettes - I don't understand what people like about it - its taste was disgusting.

---------- Post added 01-08-2012 at 01:23 PM ----------

I saw the title of this thread on the front page and I nearly laughed out loud. Seriously? Haha...hmm, yes the smoking habit is exclusive only to those of the other MBTI archetypes..

I do think that a certain health consciousness is more prevalent in NT types (long term thinking, control issues, perfectionism - diseases make you weak and dependent of others; smoking has visible effects, too - see below).

---------- Post added 01-08-2012 at 01:26 PM ----------

The grayish pallor, the "smokers lines" around their mouths, the yellow fingers. Ick.
Especially since they still smell like ashtrays and have gross smoker-fingers.

:yuck:

[Yannick]

I've used it as an excuse to get away from people and have some time to myself. "If y'all will excuse me, I'm going to step outside for a smoke..." Occasionally, one or two people will tag along, but mostly not.

I quit for 6 months last year, and I have to say I missed the "smoking as excuse" a LOT. I started up again right before xmas due to a lot of stress in my life. Hope to quit again, but have to get that mindset in place for it to work.

ISeidh,
I fully agree with the get-away point, same goes for me. The point here is to somehow recollect myself after getting socialized for a (rather) long time.
One question indeed : what other convenient excuse would use *instead of* getting outside to smoke ?
Not so sure there is a socially admitted equivalent... besides getting to the toilets :)

[SeverusSin]

I smoke marijuana, and even I find tobacco to be silly :-p

Same here, I find smoking cigarettes completely nonsensical but then addiction is not rational.

[Aklis]

An occasional (once every year, max) cigar, maybe. Never cigarettes.

[scorpiomover]

After almost 300 votes (295), the percentage of INTJs who are smokers, is 22.37%. That's pretty much the same ratio as for non-INTJs in America and for non-INTJs in the UK.

[davai]

After almost 300 votes (295), the percentage of INTJs who are smokers, is 22.37%. That's pretty much the same ratio as for non-INTJs in America and for non-INTJs in the UK.

Bear in mind probably not all who voted are self typed as INTJ, and even some of those who are have probably mistyped. Not that it would significantly affect the statistics though i'm guessing.

[JackCY]

bleh, never

Never tried never will.
Tried just that waterpipe thingy shisha, almost no taste, often bleh taste because of the fire, can feel the damn thing the next day still in my mouth eeek. So no I'm not going to try inhaling any smoke no matter what is burning.
And I can smell a smoker on the street around 10m away and more with wind, makes me go even more far from them so I don't have to breathe that ugly polluted air. Yes I don't see the smokers often I just smell them from far away... then look where they are, based on from where the smell is coming, to get away from them.

[scorpiomover]

bleh, never

Never tried never will.
Tried just that waterpipe thingy shisha, almost no taste, often bleh taste because of the fire, can feel the damn thing the next day still in my mouth eeek. So no I'm not going to try inhaling any smoke no matter what is burning.
And I can smell a smoker on the street around 10m away and more with wind, makes me go even more far from them so I don't have to breathe that ugly polluted air. Yes I don't see the smokers often I just smell them from far away... then look where they are, based on from where the smell is coming, to get away from them.Spoken like a true believer of Miasma Theory (To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.).

[The Frozen One]

Every blue moon I enjoy a good cigar. Not the cheap ones... but the more expensive ones that are infused with rum or something of that ilk. I don't do so regularly as I know it is a bad habit especially if you like to be athletic. It's definitely not good to be a heavy smoker playing hockey. So I may smoke one cigar every two months up to once a year.

I really enjoy a Cohiba Extra Vigoroso. It's an excellent smoke. They run about $10 to $12 bucks a cigar.

Other than that... I don't mess with tobacco.

[Dambo]

I used to smoke 20 cigs a day, but i quit because it's not a rewarding habit, the only reason you feel pleasure from nicotine is because it removes the self-imposed crawings.

[Sethis]

Hookah occasionally and rarely a cigarette or two. I don't consider myself a smoker though.

[JackCY]

Spoken like a true believer of Miasma Theory (To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.).
Haha no. But if somebody is smoking in the public it's annoying, I like fresh air not smoke.
If they can be smelt even without smoking at the moment then I go away too, it's disgusting.
So pubs etc. filled with smoke are not exactly my favorite places. Some countries are wise and ban smoking or require special ventilated places, or some pubs/clubs are that good maybe, but very rare.

I don't mind people that smoke, but they have to realize some people don't like it as much as they do and do not bother with it others.

[scorpiomover]

Haha no. But if somebody is smoking in the public it's annoying, I like fresh air not smoke.
If they can be smelt even without smoking at the moment then I go away too, it's disgusting.
So pubs etc. filled with smoke are not exactly my favorite places. Some countries are wise and ban smoking or require special ventilated places, or some pubs/clubs are that good maybe, but very rare.

I don't mind people that smoke, but they have to realize some people don't like it as much as they do and do not bother with it others.Fair enough.

But bear a few things in mind:

1) The smoking ban in the UK, went without a hitch. It could have gone very, very different, if smokers hadn't been so accommodating. It's had the highest success rate of compliance of any policy that I've ever seen in the UK. That is only down to the smokers. So, quite clearly, non-smokers are being accommodated for, and smokers are being accommodating, far more than any other group in the whole of human history.

2) I found that not all brands of smoking tobacco have the same effect. A few years ago, I changed to a brand of rolling tobacco that contains no additives. People who don't smoke, and haven't seen me smoke, think I don't smoke. That's happened enough times, with enough brands, to assure me that it simply can't be that people don't like the smell of smoke. They don't like the smell of the additives in cigarettes. But they think that the problem lies elsewhere.

3) I have the same problem with perfume, alcohol and junk foods. If a woman comes near me, and she's been splashing on the perfume like it's water, as many women do, it's choking me. If I am on a bus, and someone gets on with a MacDs, it reeks so bad, that I have to force myself to hold back the vomit. Alcohol stinks almost as bad as junk food. But alcohol is worse, because you can still smell it on the person's clothes.

Yet, none of them are banned.

4) I've come across 3 different ways that pubs, clubs, and restaurants, could be made to be smoke-free. One was in a perfume factory, which I worked at. So you can understand that that method HAD to work brilliantly, and it did. Each of these methods were pretty cheap to implement, protected non-smokers from active and passive smoke, still gave smokers the same opportunities to smoke as they had before, and required no smoking ban, and consequently, no expensive changes in legislation. Yet, none of them were considered as a possible way to handle the problem. It was as if someone had discovered that open electric wires were very dangerous, people came up with 3 different cheap methods of insulating electric wires, and the politicians still said "Nah. Let's just ban electricity in every home." and everyone went along with it.

5) Just before the smoking ban came in here, I found myself talking about it with a few people. One was from Ireland, where the smoking ban had come in a few years before. I was informed that half the bars had closed, because half the pub-goers in Ireland were smokers, and when the smoking ban came in, a lot didn't go anymore, and neither did the non-smokers. I looked around, and realised that half the people in pubs were smokers. I considered this might be a problem, if smokers stay away, and non-smokers don't come in in large numbers. Then the smoking ban came in. Lots of smokers stayed away. But the non-smokers stayed in small numbers. Within 2 weeks, I went to a bar/club, which I had gone to many times before. They had an expensive ashtray stand, and a very nice VIP rope, cordoning off a side of the outside wall of the building specifically for smokers. It was a Saturday night, and in the past, it was always packed to the rafters. That time, and every time since, the place itself was half empty.

Then it was reported, that after the smoking ban came in, that there were pubs closing every week, due to lack of profits. This was blamed on a poor economy. However, this was in 2007, when the British economy was still strong, before the Credit Crunch.

The pub closes were happening on a REGULAR basis, something that I'd NEVER seen before.

Then after the Credit Crunch came in, the pub closes were blamed on the poor economy. However, the pub closures didn't explode astronomically after the Credit Crunch hit. They just continued as before.

These days, most clubs seem to be shutting down. Most pubs seem to be converting into restaurants. Many non-smokers believe this is to accommodate them and their kids. However, the major sales of pubs and restaurants are from alcohol. A pub that switches to focussing on food, is slitting its throat in terms of profits. The only reason to do that, is if they weren't making ANY money from the alcohol, because the smokers won't go, and the non-smokers won't go, and won't spend on alcohol.

However, the restaurants weren't getting trade either. They were also closing. The pubs were only offering cheap lunchtime meals, and that was what non-smokers were going for.

All in all, the smokers were no longer going to pubs to drink. The non-smokers weren't going to pubs to drink. Then non-smokers weren't going to the restaurants to drink. The non-smokers AND smokers were only going to the pubs for lunchtime meals, because their meals were CHEAP.

The result was that the intended effect of the smoking ban, never really happened. It almost totally demolished the pub industry. The only pubs to survive, are offering CHEAP meals. It's not helped any other industry. People are going out LESS after the smoking ban, than before.

So economically, it's been a disaster.

6) As far as smokers go, my experiences were thus: I USED to go to pubs, partly to drink, and partly to smoke, so I wouldn't have to smoke at home. But when the smoking ban came in, I'd go to the pub, have a drink, then want a smoke with my drink, so go outside, smoke in the cold, and then go back in to get warm, have a drink, and repeat the pattern all over again. Very unpleasant.

Then, about 6 months after the smoking ban came in, I suddenly noticed that I hadn't been to ANY pub for ages. I realised that subconsciously, the difficulties of smoking around pubs, hadn't put me off smoking. But it had put me off going to pubs.

I realised that the problems could have been sorted, with any one of 3 ways, that would have not inconvenienced anyone. But they weren't done, and the only result, was to put smokers off going to pubs.

One could point out that smokers still wanted a drink. But with the much cheaper prices of alcohol in off-licences and supermarkets, you could drink at home for much cheaper, in the warm. So that's probably what most smokers do.

8) Smokers used to spend their time in pubs, because their wives and kids who didn't smoke, didn't like them smoking at home. But now, smokers don't like going to the pub. So, they smoke at home. It sits in the house. So when the wives and kids who don't smoke, come home, now, they get loaded with way more passive smoke than they ever did before. So do you, every time you visit their homes.

The only way to avoid that, is to never enter a home where at least one person smokes. Around 1/4 of people smoke in USA and the UK, and that's going to be a substantial number of homes. So the only way for you to avoid smoke, realistically, is to only stay home, or to only visit consumer establishments.

The internet and the media provide endless entertainment for you at home. But then you never get to meet anyone.

Consumer establishments now have cut back on the free services they used to offer, in a major way, and are charging higher and higher prices. So you NOW have to pay through the nose for genuine human contact.

7) I recently watched a vid clip on the internet. The guy on it was giving a lecture to scientists. He announced himself as the scientist that was at the head of the scientists who were in charge of reducing smoking. He said that they had already tried health warnings, and all manner of public information. But it didn't stop people smoking. Then they decided to abandon educational techniques, and decided to promote the idea that smoking was anti-social. The results did lower smoking levels. Information didn't work. So scientists used psychological manipulation and social pressure, to make people not smoke.

8) The results are that all of your problems simply don't exist, in real terms. There were other solutions to your problem than a ban on smoking in public places. They weren't done. The cost was losing of the few profitable industries left. People like smoking less. But they think it's because tobacco smells, when it's the additives that cause the noxious smell. The additives are still there, in your perfumes, your convenience foods, even in your alcohol. But they aren't banned. So the noxious smells that your brain is screaming to you are killing you, are still there, and you don't notice anymore, because you have been part of a mass social manipulation, to convince you that it's something else that is the problem.

I understand your feelings. Most of my friends don't let me smoke in their house, and I respect that. But really, your feelings have been manipulated, by scientists, with the best of intentions, to lose you money, and screw up your health.

You see it the way you want to. To me, it's been as much of an unmitigated disaster, as most other government policies, which are usually abysmal disasters, and just cause more problems than they are worth.

You were convinced that the smoking ban was in your benefit. Your emotions were played on, and that stopped your normally good-quality rational thinking from noticing that the ban had serious flaws. You, and all the other non-smokers, lost out big, as a result.

It's not been good for ANYONE. It could have been, if people hadn't been gung-ho to socially stigmatise smokers, because the solutions that would have worked, required you to treat smokers as human beings with rights equal to your own.

[MiasmaResonance]

Odd wording. Of course some smoke, and some do not. Their reasons will vary, so perhaps you should rephrase your question.

[xavier3961]

I recently started smoking cigars (never smoked a cig) not b/c of pressure, but b/c I am interested in learning about the culture and why Gurkha's "His Majesty’s Reserve" cost $750 each.

[Paul Siraisi]

1) Peer pressure in the form of my first girlfriend.

2) I quit 12 years ago after smoking over a pack a day for 17 years. You didn't have an option for that.

[Karatekel]

Perhaps people start smoking (along with any other action that gives pleasure) due to a neglected Fi?

[Axion004]

I have never participated in any sort of smoking. Similar to drinking, I have no desire to do so.

[KelvinDjangoTeo]

I'm an INTJ. I do not smoke.
I tried smoking tobacco out of curiosity. The "small buzz" you get isn't worth the health risks you get in return.

[s4nder]

A very expensive way of destroying one's health. Only weak willed idiots smoke. Several of my friends do and I've said it to their faces. Apparently the addiction is stronger than reason or self-preservation.

[thod]

Only weak willed idiots smoke

Can you prove that smokers lack willpower? or that they are idiots?

It seems to me that the mental enhancements that come through smoking can outweigh the physical disadvantages. After all, who needs physical fitness these days. All the higher jobs are based on mental attributes.

[Beer4Lunch]

Can you prove that smokers lack willpower? or that they are idiots?

It seems to me that the mental enhancements that come through smoking can outweigh the physical disadvantages. After all, who needs physical fitness these days. All the higher jobs are based on mental attributes.
Not saying that all smokers are idiots, but it seems that paying vast sums of money for long term addictive self poisoning would be, shall we say, statistically more prevalent among those of lower intellect.

[davai]

Not saying that all smokers are idiots, but it seems that paying vast sums of money for long term addictive self poisoning would be, shall we say, statistically more prevalent among those of lower intellect.

You could say the same about spending loads of money on a 52" plasma TV, which arguably over the years does more damage than smoking.

[Beer4Lunch]

Errrr.... then my statement equally applies to anyone who uses 52" plasma TV's in such a way as to incur greater self harm than smoking.

[thod]

Nicotine appears to enhance concentration[40] and memory due to the increase of acetylcholine.[citation needed] It also appears to enhance alertness due to the increases of acetylcholine and norepinephrine.[citation needed] Arousal is increased by the increase of norepinephrine.[citation needed] Pain is reduced by the increases of acetylcholine and beta-endorphin. Anxiety is reduced by the increase of beta-endorphin. Nicotine also extends the duration of positive effects of dopamine[41] and increases sensitivity in brain reward systems.

Thus there is a trade off, enhanced cognition for diminished health.

It takes will power to stop smoking. It takes no will power at all to not begin smoking. Thus ex-smokers understand will power. People who have never smoked are not demonstrating their will power by not starting. Not all smokers wish to stop.

[JasonINTJ]

I smoked a cigarette last night and after a few puffs and noticing the mental changeover, I suddenly thought of something that I should do (regarding a recent problem) and it was very, very good that I thought of it. Not sure if I would have thought of it sooner without the cigarette or not, but it felt like the cigarette helped me come up with that idea.

[Calisto]

Nope. I never have but I would do it if I had the desire.

[Courage]

I have no desire to smoke a cigarette. I have smoked a hooka at a Greek restaurant.

[Xyz]

Used to smoke in school, now I'm in college and I smoke every now and then.

[Chameleon]

I have just started smoking a pipe (tobacco) for experimentation purposes, and have found (to my delight) that it dulls my intuition to the point that I no longer hear the chatter in my head from it. Peaceful. And as I have stopped fearing death (long ago) I find it an acceptable trade. Though, I only do it at home, I will not impose my smoke onto others.

[scorpiomover]

A very expensive way of destroying one's health. Only weak willed idiots smoke.Let's examine that Ni hypothesis using Ti and Ne. What does it mean to be weak-willed? Are most smokers heroin addicts, who have never achieved anything in their entire lives? Are most non-smokers incredible high-achievers, who've all written 4 best-selling novels, independently came up with perfect ToEs of Physics, all won Nobel Prizes, convinced people to end civil wars? Are there ANY correlations of things that indicate strong will-power to non-smokers, other than "well, he doesn't smoke, so he MUST have strong will-power. After all, smoking is for losers"?

Apparently the addiction is stronger than reason or self-preservation.I saw a clip on this. The head scientist of the scientists against smoking, spoke in a conference to scientists, on how to deal with the obesity crisis. He said that they told everyone all the health reasons against smoking. But no-one changed. So they decided to promote the idea of smoking being anti-social instead. It worked tremendously.

[tPau]

I used to be what I'd call a "social smoker" - if somebody offered me a cigarette and I felt like having one, I would. Never really craved them on my own time, though, even when I bought them for myself. Eventually I just fell out of the habit altogether. I do, however, smoke cannabis.

[darniem]

I tried smoking out of curiosity, not peer pressure. I didn't have a tobacco product until college when a friend helped me pick out a cigar. I found the cigar to be initially pleasant (it was an Onyx Reserve), but the feeling of nausea that followed immediately after smoking it I did not like! Apparently the darker cigars are the most powerful, and as someone who never smoked before, not the best for beginners!

Since then I have learned to enjoy the value of the occasional bit of pipe tobacco, but I don't consider myself a smoker because this isn't something I do often at all.

Marijuana on the other hand...I like very much! Again, tried it out of curiosity and found it far more benign than all the hype suggested. I don't let is rule me and it is not a top priority in my life, but I take it when I can get it!

[Aboni]

----No.

[Quito]

Never saw the point... The pleasure was negligible and the cost icky, but putting tobacco in your bong bowl is a whole different ball game. Gives it a lovely taste, smoothness and headrush. Mm, mm. But I've stopped smoking weed and tobacco now so it's all good.

[IronKnight]

No, smoking is an irrational decision that creates huge costs.

[Typhon]

Sure do smoke. Smoke cigarettes, cigarillos, cigars, hookahs, pipe tobacco...the whole gambit. I am neutral towards weed though, since I feel like it takes my edge off. I like to smoke just enough to make me more comfortable around others but not so much to diminish my scathing wit.

As for health and tobacco, I'll let Twain take of that for me.

Answers To Correspondents
Author: Mark Twain [More Titles by Twain]
[Written about 1865.]

"MORAL STATISTICIAN."--I don't want any of your statistics; I took your whole batch and lit my pipe with it. I hate your kind of people. You are always ciphering out how much a man's health is injured, and how much his intellect is impaired, and how many pitiful dollars and cents he wastes in the course of ninety-two years' indulgence in the fatal practice of smoking; and in the equally fatal practice of drinking coffee; and in playing billiards occasionally; and in taking a glass of wine at dinner, etc., etc., etc. And you are always figuring out how many women have been burned to death because of the dangerous fashion of wearing expansive hoops, etc., etc., etc. You never see more than one side of the question. You are blind to the fact that most old men in America smoke and drink coffee, although, according to your theory, they ought to have died young; and that hearty old Englishmen drink wine and survive it, and portly old Dutchmen both drink and smoke freely, and yet grow older and fatter all the time. And you never by to find out how much solid comfort, relaxation, and enjoyment a man derives from smoking in the course of a lifetime (which is worth ten times the money he would save by letting it alone), nor the appalling aggregate of happiness lost in a lifetime your kind of people from not smoking. Of course you can save money by denying yourself all the little vicious enjoyments for fifty years; but then what can you do with it? What use can you put it to? Money can't save your infinitesimal soul. All the use that money can be put to is to purchase comfort and enjoyment in this life; therefore, as you are an enemy to comfort and enjoyment, where is the use of accumulating cash? It won't do for you say that you can use it to better purpose in furnishing a good table, and in charities, and in supporting tract societies, because you know yourself that you people who have no petty vices are never known to give away a cent, and that you stint yourselves so in the matter of food that you are always feeble and hungry. And you never dare to laugh in the daytime for fear some poor wretch, seeing you in a good humor, will try to borrow a dollar of you; and in church you are always down on your knees, with your eyes buried in the cushion, when the contribution-box comes around; and you never give the revenue officer: full statement of your income. Now you know these things yourself, don't you? Very well, then what is the use of your stringing out your miserable lives to a lean and withered old age? What is the use of your saving money that is so utterly worthless to you? In a word, why don't you go off somewhere and die, and not be always trying to seduce people into becoming as "ornery" and unlovable as you are yourselves, by your villainous "moral statistics"? Now I don't approve of dissipation, and I don't indulge in it, either; but I haven't a particle of confidence in a man who has no redeeming petty vices, and so I don't want to hear from you any more. I think you are the very same man who read me a long lecture last week about the degrading vice of smoking cigars, and then came back, in my absence, with your reprehensible fireproof gloves on, and carried off my beautiful parlor stove.

[intjistp]

I quit smoking 2007 but I do it occasionally (once a month). I like the flavour ...

[Selene]

Yup I do. But life has become increasingly hostile for smokers. They now cost $12 a pop.

We're prohibited from entering, leaving, being seen at most private and public property except our own. And we endure dirty looks from passers by even when gathered at designated smoking zones.

I shall quit when smoking is banned on my own property.

[EuroINTJ]

I don't. It's unhealthy and a waste of money.

[Suzumiya]

I'm open to it, but I don't see a point to it aside from social acceptance.
I do not care for social acceptance.

[robertpuant]

I don't smoke because it provides no buzz, but I drink like an old Irish man.

[master j]

it was really tough to start smoking, and not that hard to stop (multiple times) :D

[Banannalou]

Nope. It's gross.

[poophead]

i'm indifferent to smoking in myself and in other people. nothing really caused me to do it aside from "oh hey this thing emits smoke what would that feel like to breath" i like the sensation of it, but don't do it often and don't have an addiction. in that way i don't feel like i'm doing anything horribly irrational.

[Miryr]

I tried it merely out of curiosity and I've never tried it since. To be honest, I don't see what the fuss is about before you start getting the addiction.

[Zolo]

I used to smoke cigs, but it wasn't out of peer pressure. I probably still would if they didn't make cloves illegal.

[Aboni]

I never smoke nor take drug.

[Ephesus]

I never much saw the point in smoking cigs. Exposing your body to copious amounts of carcinogens and chemicals is unnecessary and wasteful. Cannabis is a different story, however, as it is not empirically proven to be harmful to our lungs. It amplifies my Ni very strongly, and I use it to seek new perspectives and write music.

[skullknight]

no, i've tried it a few times it wasn't for me that and the bad taste it had.

[davai]

Cannabis is a different story, however, as it is not empirically proven to be harmful to our lungs.

I don't think we need empirical research to figure that out. When smoking anything you're burning stuff, that and the tar gets into your lungs. I have heard before that weed contains more tar than tobacco, not sure about that one myself though.

[Glass Chameleon]

I'm pretty anti-drug. When I was a child, I remember my dad talking to me one night about smoking cigarettes and drinking. He was an alcoholic and heavy smoker. He asked me to promise him that I would never drink or smoke, and I did. He died from cancer in 2001; It was caused by the smoking, and the doctors said his brain was so destroyed from alcohol that he had no chance of surviving chemotherapy.

I watched those drugs destroy his life and rob me of my father from a young age, and I never forgot how sincere he was when he explained how horrible his addictions were that night. I've never considered smoking, but I have had some casual drinks... mostly because when you turn 21 everyone wants to take you out drinking, but I've never even had enough to be tipsy. To be honest I'd rather just have a glass of lemonade than alcohol.

[MintOreo]

I smoke a pipe, on average twice a week (half a bowl, med. size bowl) and at least once a month. I love the taste and the nicotine high is a secondary enjoyment. I tried several types of cigarettes when I was 18 and hated the taste.
I started when a 'friend' of mine introduced me to pipe tobacco and as I had only had cigs before I inhaled and just about died... He showed me how to smoke it and I loved the taste from then on. I don't consider myself addicted because of how often I do it, and I don't plan on either quitting or smoking more often.
I've found that where cigs stick around and smell nasty, most pipe tobaccos stick around more like incense in my opinion. (Although there are several really strong, nasty pipe tobaccos out there.)

[charleigh121]

I'm really into hookah, but I only smoke that when I'm home during the holidays. I do it because I enjoy the flavors. (And it reminds me of the incredibly interesting summer I had before I went to college.)

[123456789]

I was contemplating this on my way to work today. A big reason why people start smoking is because of peer pressure, which I don't think INTJs would suffer alot from. Also, I would think we'd be able to rationlize 'this doesn't make sense' and stop. Just a theory :o

Agreed. Peer pressure when one is without peer?

[Jesseh]

Medicinal marijuana doesn't count. Every E' I know or I/E blend I know smokes. It's weird.

[Ferbguy101]

Agreed. INTJs do not commonly pick up habits out of peer pressure.

but they will out of curiousity

[MyotisLucifugus]

I used to smoke cigs, but it wasn't out of peer pressure. I probably still would if they didn't make cloves illegal.

Pipe tobacco, fresh ground cloves in a 3/1 ratio, an injector machine and some tubes are all you need to make your own. I've been trying to replicate the taste of a Sampoerna Menthol Mild and I think I've finally hit on something similar, possibly even better.

I do smoke, but I refuse to spend tons of money for brand name cigarettes. Playing around with tobacco cuts and flavors and customizing them with different tubes has become a strange hobby of mine. Once I finally kick the habit, someone close to me's going to really benefit from my equipment/supplies donation.

[Hymn]

The first time I had a cigarette I was just curious, and didn't continue for some years.
I started smoking more frequently primarily because I was bored and depressed, and he nicotine got me through the day.

I probably allowed myself to get addicted due to the feeling of being young and invincible, defying death and, well, going against the norm (my family and friends at the time don't smoke.) I never really considered the consequences to be relevant, so the decision to smoke wasn't that irrational to me; I didn't really see any point of being healthy, saving money, smelling good and whatnot, forever and ever.

I enjoy it enough to not quit, and when I do I don't think I'd regret I ever started. But that's hard to say, of course. Might just be the addiction talking.

[sed0007]

I used to be able to keep a pack in the glovebox, and only smoke when I visited a tavern for a drink or two.

This went out the window when I met my ex-wife. I regard it as a behavioral symptom of the post-traumatic-stress-syndrome which resulted from that debacle.

I do need to quit, though, as I already don't smoke in my house; have mused that it may not be the tobacco, but the menthol which addicts me; and I have started back to weight-lifting.

I was surprised at the poll result thus far....I just hope the stimulation we seem to crave as INTJ's is not being obtained by addictions other than nicotine.

[Ricardo Diaz]

It's not peer pressure, it feels good. But there is a thin line between addiction and recreational smoking when it comes to tobacco. I make it a point to enjoy each cigarette and not make it a mindless habit. I smoke only after meals and with my wake-up coffee, which keeps it strictly under 5 a day. However, if I go partying and get drunk I can go through a pack or more in a single day, in which I will take at least a 3 day break and eat a lot of apples and swim extra laps till my lungs start clearing (coughing is a good sign).

Why wouldn't you want to smoke unless you're a professional athlete who needs 100% stamina, do you plan on living forever? :rolleyes:

[HarleyQuinn]

No and have never tried it in part due to several reasons...

#1: Mom was a smoker but quit when she gave birth to me.
#2: Was born premature and struggled with Asthma more early in my life so I figured, why screw up my lungs any more than they already are.

[Darri]

I don't think we need empirical research to figure that out. When smoking anything you're burning stuff, that and the tar gets into your lungs. I have heard before that weed contains more tar than tobacco, not sure about that one myself though.


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A 20 year study has shown that smoking marijuana in moderation will not harm ones lungs.


That said, I'm not unbiased, I smoke marijuana. As for being a smoker, I find it hard to say no because I do occasionally, once a month or so smoke a cigarette, and I find myself sometimes putting tobacco in with my weed; but to say that I'm a smoker gives the impression that I habitually smoke whereas I do not.

[Deceit]

I smoke weed, and the occasional bowl of tobacco. I started out of self medication for ADHD. I found that the dopamine enhancing effects of THC lasted in trace amounts for a few days. Helped me with a lot. Tobacco is more of a social thing. I don't ever find myself craving either which is nice.

[krisl]

I've never smoked or wanted to. I really dislike the way it smells. Of course, there's the health concern too.

[Dryer]

I'll usually smoke a cigar when I'm drinking something stronger than beer. Never really liked cigarettes.

[Eyedears]

I just wanted to add...
The girl sitting next to me in the lecture I was in just now had probably just finished a cigarette. And oh man... the smell was horrendous. I got this huge headache through the whole lecture and my nostrils are still burning.That's one of the reasons I decided when I was about 5 that I'd never smoke (this was before the anti-smoking campaign started in '65): the stench makes you gag. It contaminates everything: your hair, skin, clothes, curtains, carpets, beds... It's ghastly.

I often wonder who it was that first invented a cigarette: what pervert could've come up with something so obnoxious?

BTW, someone railed against Canadian cigarettes here on this thread somewhere: well, how 'bout them "Gauloises," which smell like dried cow dung wrapped in carrion. :yuck: :yuck:

[Thinker]

Only when I don't use appropriate lubrication

[Aro]

When i was 13 I decided to try smoking simply for the experience. When my mother had left the house, i found a pack, took one and lit it. I smoked about half of it just to be sure, but when i was done i knew that it wasn't for me. I felt awkward doing it, and it in no way effected me. To this day i have not thought about trying again.

When i was 16 a few of my friends were in my room playing games with me smoking pot. I had grown up in a place where this was a very common sight, kids were even openly selling pot in school hallways. I had sometimes thought about trying it for the same reasons, but until that day, it had never seemed right. I told them to pass me the bong and took a few hits with them.
After awhile, i went downstairs and sat on the couch to think about how i felt. The only way i had been effected was that i could think clearly for the first time in my life, i was more focused. I sat for an hour or so thinking about my life and my friends, and ultimately decided that the risk simply wasn't worth what the drug did for me. If it was ever to become legal, i may try it again when a focus boost would be useful, but i have yet to want it again.

[JoBoDo]

I have smoked, and I'm not completely against it.

I started smoking because.. I wanted to try it, I understand it's bad for you but hey I want to experience most of lifes ventures.

That being said I'm not a smoker and since I first had a cigarette 4 years ago I've stayed casual and barely smoke atall anymore, mostly because my main circle of friends has changed and the option isn't there without me going out and buying them for myself, and I don't care enough for smoking to do so.

[Nyan]

Having a major control need on myself I've never gotten drunk even.
During my major depression during college times I was offered anti-depressants, which equals personality altering drugs in my mind which got me highly paranoid and I refused. Smoking is just common knowledge these days that it's bad for you physically and triggers addiction so I've never even touched a cigarette and can only recall ever holding a pocket lighter, toying with it at the age of 10 or when lighting candles for christmas at school.

When someone calls me addicted, it's an implication that I don't have control over what I enjoy to do, which is far from the truth as I can go several days or weeks without negative experience from being without what I usually like to do.

Something I want to do is better than doing nothing which is better than doing something I don't want to do, I'd rather be doing nothing than going around knocking door and selling vaccum cleaners and I would rather be playing my favourite games over doing nothing.

If I wanted to quit playing my favourite games, then I'd simply quit and do something else I enjoy doing. That is excluding when one has "important" things to do however which usually get reluctantly done in one way or another around when doing nothing.

My father who smokes advised me himself to never start smoking, so it's an experience I learned from others.

[Bunker Man]

In my mind, keeping some cigarettes or cigars around for occasional use would be something I would do in theory. It's just that I can never actually rationalize paying for them with real money, when they have next to no practical purpose. They do next to nothing for me. And even when I do, they generally sit around unused, and get thrown away after awhile.

[Coralaisly]

Off and on.. I don't really care too much for it, but it's something to do sometimes when the hours drag on and there's quite literally NOTHING else to do when I'm at work.

[Fujimoto]

I just passed my five-year smoke-free milestone.

Smoking was enjoyable at first. After a while, you feel slightly shitty from time to time, and a cigarette helps with that. Then you realize you're *really* looking forward to your next cigarette. Then you realize if you don't get that cigarette, you start becoming irritable, anxious, and downright mean.

That's when I quit.

[JimmysMind]

I smoke but i find it really stupid. Theres no benifits except maybe a way to bond woith others and an excuse to get away for a few minutes. An addiction is an addiction

[HavocUnit]

The first time I had a cigarette I was just curious, and didn't continue for some years.
I started smoking more frequently primarily because I was bored and depressed, and he nicotine got me through the day.

I probably allowed myself to get addicted due to the feeling of being young and invincible, defying death and, well, going against the norm (my family and friends at the time don't smoke.) I never really considered the consequences to be relevant, so the decision to smoke wasn't that irrational to me; I didn't really see any point of being healthy, saving money, smelling good and whatnot, forever and ever.

I enjoy it enough to not quit, and when I do I don't think I'd regret I ever started. But that's hard to say, of course. Might just be the addiction talking.

My experience was almost exactly the same. I smoked out of curiosity, when I was 15 maybe. Took the habit at 17, because I was depressed, didn't eat much either.

There was no peer pressure. My family and friends were always anti-tobacco. I think the peer pressure could have been stronger for past generations, but my generation (20 somethings)? Not really, there's pressure to quit smoking instead, which I don't take into account either.

[anticlimatic]

Most of the INTJs I know do.

[magnum]

Question should be more specific - do you use nicotine?
Smoking is just one way to get the nicotine and "be social & cool".

I use nicotine, because I need to "reboot" myself once in a month or so. I think too much and nicotine helps me to focus only on one thing (or less). I get nicotine from various formats: cigars, snus, snuff and water pipe.

I used to be very anti-nicotine person, but after I realized, that most of the important business talks and networking is done during smoking breaks, I wanted join in.

[Overture]

I smoke weed and cigarettes. I still can't say I'm addicted to either. I've never bought a pack of cigarettes, only once for the occasion of having an acid trip. I only smoke them socially, it's the only time I enjoy them. When I'm by myself I can't smoke, or else I feel absolutely disgusting. The only time I smoke by myself is when I have some dank.

[istvan]

Question should be more specific - do you use nicotine?
Smoking is just one way to get the nicotine and "be social & cool".

I use nicotine, because I need to "reboot" myself once in a month or so. I think too much and nicotine helps me to focus only on one thing (or less). I get nicotine from various formats: cigars, snus, snuff and water pipe.

I used to be very anti-nicotine person, but after I realized, that most of the important business talks and networking is done during smoking breaks, I wanted join in.

Ahhh....this!

I smoke, because as a social smoker I can get close to both smokers and non-smokers. Smoking is obviously important in networking with smoking bosses/supervisors.

I smoke, because it feels good and it's an easy excuse to get out of awkward situations. Awkward moments of silence at a social gathering? "Oh sorry I need my cigar break!"

I smoke, to prove that I can master nicotine. Hahaha I will stop if I EVER feel that I really NEED to smoke.

---------- Post added 02-23-2012 at 06:29 PM ----------

I smoke but i find it really stupid. Theres no benifits except maybe a way to bond woith others and an excuse to get away for a few minutes. An addiction is an addiction

A way to bond?

An excuse to get out of sticky situations?

What else would you ask for :p

[Invulgo]

I don't smoke, rarely drink alcohol :)

[kazzamunga]

Do INTJs smoke?

Do humans have brown hair?

[Bronze]

Question should be more specific - do you use nicotine?


Or rather, it should be less specific...... ;)

I used snus for a long time, and thoroughly enjoyed it. Never really cared for smoking cigarettes, but I appreciate the odd cigar if the the opportunity presents itself.

[mjlafrance]

Fortunately, I guess…Watching my Grandmother slowly die from small cell cancer helped cement my disdain for cigarettes. So no, I don't and never will.

[Gunsmith]

I smoke because it helps me calm down the urge to commit homicide.

[AlfredSchnittke]

Maybe INTJ's just don't need it, but to all the people wondering why people smoke, it surely began as a main way to get nicotine, which, it turns out, is a pretty awesome chemical:

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[Strange Moon]

I know 4 INTJs in person (myself included), two of them smoke.
I don't. Never have.

[Nameless]

No. I kinda have a holier than thou attitude towards anybody who does. Smoking is nothing but a waste of time, money, and health. Anybody who chooses to start in today's age with the dangers known is stupid and I look down upon them. The only ones redeemable are ones trying to stop. Smoking just hits a ridiculous "efficiency" nerve inside me.

[Reizu]

Not me. I was never really interested. It was sort of a pros vs cons situation, and the only pros I could work out were only in effect if one was already addicted.

---------- Post added 04-07-2012 at 02:06 PM ----------

Besides, I am extraordinarily sensitive to cigarette smoke, and I can't stand being in the same room with someone who had been exposed to it within the past 24 hours.

[Atamagahen]

No, I don't smoke, nor have I ever had the urge to.

[PlungingHornets]

Visit a designated smoking area at a hospital. It will be full of MDs and nurses. Smart people do dumb shit and cigarettes are highly addictive.

I don't smoke.

[SAAj]

I don't smoke, drink, or experiment with drugs, nor have I ever had the urge. There are certainly many intelligent people who do (INTJs among them), but the tendency is a lot stronger among sensation-seeking SPs than it is among knowledge-seeking NTs.

Edited for a misplaced parenthesis.

[extollere]

I don't.
I loathe being in the proximity of people who do, I can smell them from a mile away.

[nath]

No, no no!!!
It's stupidity to ruin your health! ;P

[MrFlaneur]

Maybe INTJ's just don't need it, but to all the people wondering why people smoke, it surely began as a main way to get nicotine, which, it turns out, is a pretty awesome chemical:

To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

It was a stoopid article similar to that, that got me smoking in the first place. In my experience, smoking has a calamitous effect on the brain - especially memory.

[DrCiao]

I do smoke, regularly. I've cut down however because my ENTJ girlfriend wants me to be healthier. She doesn't smoke at all and is allergic, although she says sometimes she likes the scent of my cigars.

[Ely]

Nope, I don't smoke, I would start with cannabis on an occasional basis if I could though.

[DiscipleOfJesus]

No, no no!!!
It's stupidity to ruin your health! ;P

I think exactly the same way. Always try to improve, not downgrade yourself.

[AlfredSchnittke]

How is it stupid to ruin your health exactly? Do you suffer from the delusion that you can escape death by only doing healthy things?...

I am highly perplexed by this view.

[epox]

I already have stress and unhealthy food to deal with ,I don`t need to add smoking.

[Disbroc]

I used to smoke tobacco pipes, which was pretty fun. Everyone just looked at me like I was crazy since I was in my early 20's.

I smoke cigarettes a lot more than I should now. I enjoy smoking; it gives me something to do, fiddle with and to help me focus when I need it.

I'll have to give it up sooner or later though :)

I would like to add that I have quit smoking cigarettes at various points and dropped it pretty easy. The first couple days are the worst for me as it feels like it has become a habit. I've never had bad withdraw symptoms when quitting. At times I have quit for over a year, but restarted because of stress and desiring something that will help me focus and not feel so scattered while I deal with things and it does help me relax.

[Malar]

I do smoke too. The question as to why is simple - even addiction to substances effect intj's.

Why did I begin to smoke? Because there was a question as to why others smoke and a question of what side of life will I not capture if I exclude them from understanding, so in a sense yes it was peer pressure but nobody ever pushed me into it and for that matter nobody ever called me out on it I started because I wanted to know why people smoke. Even today people look at me and see me smoking and say "Qwerty, I didn't know you were a smoker"

Same answer.
Wanted to know what was so special about it that so many people where addicted to it.
Well now I have the answer...

[nath]

How is it stupid to ruin your health exactly? Do you suffer from the delusion that you can escape death by only doing healthy things?...

I am highly perplexed by this view.

¬¬
lol, do I really need to answer this? LOL
If someone ruins his/her health only because death is inescapable, then I advice them to jump from a bridge at once.lol xD

[Archaic Smile]

I've worked with quite a few women who admitted that they started smoking in their teens because it suppressed their appetites. Seems like a rather drastic way of keeping a few extra pounds off. Then again why go through all the effort of maintaining a healthy diet and doing 30 minutes of heart pumping exercise a day when you can skip all that for 30 to 40 bucks a carton and a little lung disease?

[drswitchoff]

Malcolm Gladwell wrote about a theory that performers and hedonists engage in destructive behaviors like smoking as a demonstration. My understanding is that spending any of your life trying to prolong your life is an egregious waste and behaviors like smoking can keep a person from falling into that trap. Like a person would wake up and think damn i want a smoke but it will hurt me later. Oh yeah...fuck it. Don't check my facts. It could have been from Freakanomics and maybe it was artists and socialites.

[Harmony]

I don't smoke, drink, or experiment with drugs, nor have I ever had the urge. There are certainly many intelligent people who do (INTJs among them), but the tendency is a lot stronger among sensation-seeking SPs than it is among knowledge-seeking NTs.

Edited for a misplaced parenthesis.

Ironic considering smoking can kill sensations (taste buds over time)... :laugh:

The majority of smokers I know are NTs. They say they do it because it's the only way that they can relieve their stress... And it's not that they deny that it's bad for their health, they just really don't seem to care. :( The way they look at it, they are going to die someday anyway, so how they die doesn't really concern them.

I used to drink, and I can understand how that could be a SP sensation-seeking thing more than an NT. Drinking lost it's appeal to me years ago though. Now my sensation-seeking involves more active things (exercise, hiking, etc).

[Malar]

Malcolm Gladwell wrote about a theory that performers and hedonists engage in destructive behaviors like smoking as a demonstration. My understanding is that spending any of your life trying to prolong your life is an egregious waste and behaviors like smoking can keep a person from falling into that trap. Like a person would wake up and think damn i want a smoke but it will hurt me later. Oh yeah...fuck it. Don't check my facts. It could have been from Freakanomics and maybe it was artists and socialites.

It would be true If smoking provokes sudden death. But it won't.

[Selene]

Smoking much like any other vice, is an extremely unhealthy, and destructive habit. Those who indulge in it are just plain silly.

[Disbroc]

The majority of smokers I know are NTs. They say they do it because it's the only way that they can relieve their stress... And it's not that they deny that it's bad for their health, they just really don't seem to care. :( The way they look at it, they are going to die someday anyway, so how they die doesn't really concern them.
).

Sounds similar to my own thoughts on the topic. Although I do not think there is a point to living your life without pleasure for the sake of prolonging it, I see no reason to needlessly throw yourself into harms way with unhealthy habits. Everything is about balance, trade-off's and knowing when to drop something.

[EdR]

Smoking is just about my last remaining vice and I've been doing it for a little more than 40 years.

A few years ago I read about the most extensive medical study ever conducted. The study looked at every single American born between 1776 and 1876 and compared smokers with non-smokers. The study concluded that everyone in both groups was dead.

[samanthaeli]

I smoke, but only rarely. I like maintaining control over something people often lose control of. It makes me feel powerful. Petty, right? :)