[SuperSmart101]

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

Most people in America are well aware of the pernicious effects of tobacco smoke on general health. The continued success of the tobacco companies has to do with the fact that their customers are specific groups in the population that smoke regularly. The two most prevalent groups I can think of off the top of my head are: 1. drug addicts and recovering drug addicts (rehab centers often dispense free cigarettes to patients as an effective means of staying clean) 2. college students (especially around exam times) Do you guys know of any other specific groups of the population that smoke regularly?

People who smoke generally are generally peer pressured into it, or simply do it for enjoyment. As for specific groups, most people pick up the habit of smoking in high school(sophmore-junior year) or college. Or stressed out people who don't know how to properly handle stress.

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

The issue of IQ and Smoking raises an interesting point. I'd say the ideal IQ for a human to have would be in the 110-125 range. If you are much below that, you will most likely end up as a "blue collar" worker, and in that case, the social influences and such probably increase the likelihood of smoking. On the other hand, if you are much above that, you are likely a nihlist (sp?), and use cigarettes to cope with the "weltschmerzen" and such. But an IQ in the 110-125 range is just about perfect. You are likely able to work a professional, high-paying, low-stress job, able to accept religion, and able to accept "common sense health mantras" (such as "take your vitamins", "don't smoke", etc).

I do believe their is a correlation between IQ and those who smoke. But there will always be exceptions to every generalization.

[MassHysteria]

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

The issue of IQ and Smoking raises an interesting point. I'd say the ideal IQ for a human to have would be in the 110-125 range. If you are much below that, you will most likely end up as a "blue collar" worker, and in that case, the social influences and such probably increase the likelihood of smoking. On the other hand, if you are much above that, you are likely a nihlist (sp?), and use cigarettes to cope with the "weltschmerzen" and such. But an IQ in the 110-125 range is just about perfect. You are likely able to work a professional, high-paying, low-stress job, able to accept religion, and able to accept "common sense health mantras" (such as "take your vitamins", "don't smoke", etc).

Wow. The pretentiousness literally radiates off of every word here.

First of all, do you know what a ''blue collar'' worker actually does for a living?

Second, why is blue collar work so far beneath that of an intelligent human being? What exactly are you thinking when you say that? Are we looking solely at toilet-scrubbers, vomit-moppers and litter-sweepers? And if so, who are you to imply that the people performing these duties are less intelligent and overall worth less than anyone else?

Thirdly, there is a correlation between being intelligent and being miserable because high intelligence comes with high levels of social ostracization. Not because everyone who thinks a lot eventually comes to the conclusion that life is meaningless.

Finally, guys, people smoke for hundreds of reasons. It's different for everyone. I'm not a smoker but the majority of my friends and family light up pretty regularly. Take it easy. It may not be the smartest habit in the world, but it's certainly not fair to try and lump everyone who enjoys a cigarette into herds for you to look down upon.

[BingeArtist]

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

Wow. The pretentiousness literally radiates off of every word here. First of all, do you know what a ''blue collar'' worker actually does for a living? Second, why is blue collar work so far beneath that of an intelligent human being? What exactly are you thinking when you say that? Are we looking solely at toilet-scrubbers, vomit-moppers and litter-sweepers? And if so, who are you to imply that the people performing these duties are less intelligent and overall worth less than anyone else?

I think you're missreading me here a bit. I'm saying that if your IQ is much below 110, you probably ain't gonna be a lawyer, doctor, actuary, college professor, etc. On the contrary, you'll probably end up doing blue collar work (I do heating & air). I didn't say it would necessarily be "menial labor" (unless your IQ were much, much below 110--then there wouldn't be much of a choice). Regardless, though, blue collar workers tend to smoke, and there's a lot of social pressure to do so. In fact, I'm the only guy in my crew of five who DOESN'T smoke (and I just quit a few months ago).

	Originally Posted by MassHysteria
	Thirdly, there is a correlation between being intelligent and being miserable because high intelligence comes with high levels of social ostracization. Not because everyone who thinks a lot eventually comes to the conclusion that life is meaningless.

To-may-toe, to-mah-toe. Both social ostrasization AND concluding life is meaningless are equally good reasons to take up smoking.

[stasis]

When smoking was fashionable it was widely associated with success, confidence, and intelligence. The common person on the street would speculate that the more intelligent a person was, the more likely they'd be to smoke.


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Now that smoking has become a ready source of political capital and is no longer fashionable, it is associated with filth, ignorance, and corporate greed. The common person speculates that the more intelligent a person is, the less likely they'd be to smoke.

Who smokes cigarettes? Today, whomever is addicted or not so readily swayed by the moral mood of the moment. And predominantly, I'd think, whomever is addicted - which wouldn't be anything new. That's about all. The health risks of smoking are real and verifiable, but so are the health risks of a great many things that are virtually ignored instead. There's nothing special about smoking. It's no great window into the qualities of a person, condescend as the fashionably cynical proletarian may.

[Nikita]

I know drug addicts who smoke, I know recovering drug addicts who smoke, I know prostitutes who smoke, I know lawyers who smoke, I know students who smoke, I know businessmen who smoke, I've seen actors and actresses smoke, I know teachers who smoke, I know soldiers who smoke, I know humanitarians who smoke, I know cops who smoke, I know elderly people who smoke, I know Muslims who smoke, I know Christians who smoke, etc.

People from all kinds of demographic backgrounds smoke.

Personally, I never have and never will, but many people in my family smoked while I was growing up. Some have quit, some have never been able to quit, but that's true of people the world over.

[BingeArtist]

	Originally Posted by Nikita To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	I know prostitutes who smoke

I've yet to meet one that doesn't.


I know you're trying to point out that people from all walks of life smoke, which is all well and good. But I'd say the key point here is that some groups are more likely than others.

[stasis]

	Originally Posted by BingeArtist To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	But I'd say the key point here is that some groups are more likely than others.

The key to what, I wonder.

[Nikita]

	Originally Posted by BingeArtist To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	I know you're trying to point out that people from all walks of life smoke, which is all well and good. But I'd say the key point here is that some groups are more likely than others.

Sure, humans are more likely to smoke than dogs, cats, monkeys, elephants, horses, etc. There's your accurate categorization.

[thod]

The problem with your argument is all relates to image. Image is a major concern of youth and the young but as you get older you learn to give two hoots about what others think. Smokers smoke for themselves, not to portray an image, they like the effects. It is exactly the same as liking the effects of caffeine in coffee, you don't drink coffee for image. Just as coffee drinkers do it when there is nobody to see them, so smokers smoke when alone.

It does not indicate weakness to smoke, if anything is indicates strength these days. Smokers have to put up with a constant tirade from anti-smokers which they must resist and give the finger back. The smokers are very much live and let live. The anti-smokers are a new form of religious zealot. Armed with their righteousness, they intend to purge the world of evil, an evil that exists only in their minds. The smokers are not of low-moral fibre, they are not stupid, they know full well what they do. They are adults and have made their choice. The zealots refuse to respect that decision, thus it is the zealots that are in the wrong. I am reminded of those objectionable people that go around beating up the homeless because they believe society will back them.

[ausguy96]

I think it's an issue of addiction and lacking the knowledge and drive to cope with addiction vs. IQ.

I think lower socio-economic groups tend to be less educated. Also true of developing countries. As a result, there is less awareness of the long-term negative consequences of smoking as well as ignorance regarding why one has the urge to smoke. In addition, less educated people tend to not have the coping mechanisms for overcoming what is essentially a chemical addiction. To look to Freud, ID EGO and SUPER EGO...the more educated you are the more likely your SUPER EGO will trump the ID. Smoking is down there on the ID level in my opinion.

Agree there is also a psychological component here among the mentall ill as smoking does stimulate certain neuro-transmitters that might help "balance" the mentally ill person.

[sircockburn]

	Originally Posted by BingeArtist To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	I've yet to meet one that doesn't.

Oh? Exactly what kind of binge were you on?

[Iveyrockstar]

I live in the southern US, and down here it tends to be several different groups. College students that like to party and yes, who still think it is cool... Low income individuals... Construction workers... Teachers... Doctors... Lawyers... Law enforcement officers... Business men and women... And a good number of people over 50 years old who are still addicted from back in the day... There's even a good number of people down here who remember when you could smoke in an airplane, hospital, or any restaurant in town. Funny how there's so many different groups of people smoking here in the south. You'd think someone would have told them that it's bad for them. Bottom line- once you smoke enough cigarettes for long enough, you'll be addicted. Doesn't matter what side of town you grew up on or how smart you are or why you started. It's hard to stop. I am a smoker myself and there have been times when I felt as if I was slowly killing the pain of every bad life experience with each drag I took. Like a delayed deathwish or something. I smoke now because I like nicotine and the compulsory act of firing one up after the other while reading or engaging in stimulating activity. BTW, I'm the only one in my family that smokes and I catch hell for it at every family gathering. Sometimes that seems like enough to make me quit. But it's not. Only will power and Chantix can do that...

[Troll]

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

When smoking was fashionable it was widely associated with success, confidence, and intelligence. The common person on the street would speculate that the more intelligent a person was, the more likely they'd be to smoke. To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Now that smoking has become a ready source of political capital and is no longer fashionable, it is associated with filth, ignorance, and corporate greed. The common person speculates that the more intelligent a person is, the less likely they'd be to smoke. Who smokes cigarettes? Today, whomever is addicted or not so readily swayed by the moral mood of the moment. And predominantly, I'd think, whomever is addicted - which wouldn't be anything new. That's about all. The health risks of smoking are real and verifiable, but so are the health risks of a great many things that are virtually ignored instead. There's nothing special about smoking. It's no great window into the qualities of a person, condescend as the fashionably cynical proletarian may.

I smoked for about five years until one day I decided that I was going to stop. Take that Nicorette.

[Elwood92]

I tried to smoke cigarettes but it's just not my thing...
It doesn't even taste all that good, actually I didn't taste anything when I smoked.

[Booko]

	Originally Posted by stasis To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	When smoking was fashionable it was widely associated with success, confidence, and intelligence. The common person on the street would speculate that the more intelligent a person was, the more likely they'd be to smoke.

Which is one reason why smoking was so much more common in my parents' generation than my own.

Many of that generation have died or had to quit smoking for health reasons by now. Or they don't get out much so you don't see them smoking in public, but they certainly do.

The thing is, once people start smoking it's damned difficult to stop. Surgeon General Koop (back in the Reagan era) commissioned a study that eventually concluded that nicotine was more addictive than heroin.

As for some of the elitist crap written here so far, I suggest those of you who wrote it consider whether your life is so completely clean of bad habits before your glass houses start cracking from all those stones you're tossing about.

And no, I don't smoke. My parents smoked enough for both me and my brother. We weren't remotely interested.

[Danisty]

I'm amazed that you all believe this ridiculous idea that people aren't aware of the risks of smoking. It's impossible not to know at this point.

	Originally Posted by Iria To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	Generally the people who I see smoking are those that don't have a very good vocabulary (ie they swear a lot).

Are you trying to say that people who swear lack the vocabulary to express themselves in other ways? That's very much untrue.

[BlackOp]

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

The problem with your argument is all relates to image. Image is a major concern of youth and the young but as you get older you learn to give two hoots about what others think. Smokers smoke for themselves, not to portray an image, they like the effects. It is exactly the same as liking the effects of caffeine in coffee, you don't drink coffee for image. Just as coffee drinkers do it when there is nobody to see them, so smokers smoke when alone. It does not indicate weakness to smoke, if anything is indicates strength these days. Smokers have to put up with a constant tirade from anti-smokers which they must resist and give the finger back. The smokers are very much live and let live. The anti-smokers are a new form of religious zealot. Armed with their righteousness, they intend to purge the world of evil, an evil that exists only in their minds. The smokers are not of low-moral fibre, they are not stupid, they know full well what they do. They are adults and have made their choice. The zealots refuse to respect that decision, thus it is the zealots that are in the wrong. I am reminded of those objectionable people that go around beating up the homeless because they believe society will back them.

I laugh at all the hypocrisy...people want you to stand 15 feet away from a door entrance. They then sit in bumper to bumper for a hour and a half everyday....driving their SUVs. Sucking in exhaust fumes with their frappachinos...yummy. Bicycle helmets, swine flu masks, padded playgrounds, prescriptions for every fear-riddled illness you can "imagine"....chumps and push button objects. *Lights cigarette and watches the match burn.*

[Jackie]

Thinking of cigarettes makes me think of other forms of tobacco, such as cigars and pipe tobacco. Which those thoughts instantly make me smell it. Crazy psychology stuff.

[TypeINTP]

Confessions of a previous smoker:

1- I can't deny the curiosity factor, things like "why do people smoke?" & "I wonder what it's like?" always hunted me.

2- Being socially awkward also had a big part, what's really weird is that smoking actually made me more sociable and approachable (being part of the group), and actually a was introduced to a couple of my current friends through "offering a smoke".

3- As for the confidence issue, well ..... it's more like what George Carlin once called "d**k fear", yea ....... it actually helped me feel more Manly and Macho which provided me with the "confidence" i needed in situations.

4- Aside from all the previous, there is still the issue of tobacco being a drug, after a while you feel in "need" to it, you feel faint without it, can't think straight & and even can't control your temper, You may actually come to the conclusion the smoking makes you smarter & more focused (stupid i know, but it's reality :S).

5- For me, it took a couple of medical documentaries to see what smoking really does (Autopsy-Life & Death - tumors), also one of my friends pointed out to the physical downgrades I've been going through, like loss of stamina, metabolism .... etc., all of this hit me at once concluding that it's just NOT WORTH ITTTT !

6- Been a smoker for 4 years, i quit around 4 month ago, as I'm still re-gaining my physical privileges, i can't deny the loss of the social power, sometimes i feel left out when all the group smokes & i don't, and also there is nothing in my hand that i can hold and throw aggressively on the ground to make people see that I'm a bad-ass.

In the end (if you wanna quit) it'll just take you some serious mental power to reject the "easy way out" of smoking, I'll have to be honest about the REAL reasons of why you are a smoker and come to peace with them, and it WILL NOT be easy, the first month was like hell to me, but i did it in the end ............. thanks to a certain person's NAGGING (You know who you are :X).

And that's it guys, I tried to be as honest as i can be, hope this might help someone a little
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[Danisty]

	Originally Posted by TypeINTP To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	2- Being socially awkward also had a big part, what's really weird is that smoking actually made me more sociable and approachable (being part of the group), and actually a was introduced to a couple of my current friends through "offering a smoke".

This is a huge factor for me. Without cigarettes I really don't know how to socialize. That might sound stupid to non-smokers, but being a smoker automatically gives you a place to meet other people. It's a place you fit in and conversation seems so much easier to start and maintain. In the last 10 years, almost every friend I've made, I've made through smoking.

[TypeINTP]

	Originally Posted by Danisty To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	This is a huge factor for me. Without cigarettes I really don't know how to socialize. That might sound stupid to non-smokers, but being a smoker automatically gives you a place to meet other people. It's a place you fit in and conversation seems so much easier to start and maintain. In the last 10 years, almost every friend I've made, I've made through smoking.

As i said before, you have to resist the "easy way" that smoking offers you.
Actually what's funny is that you'll find many friends that you made through smoking are not even real friends, you may share some "smoking stories" but THAT IS IT
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A real friend is when you find the person who likes the same things and thinks as you, with or without smoking, as i once said, the real ones will find you
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btw, if you're trying to quit i REALLY understand how hard it is on you, but just be strong and think of the things that really matter in the end, believe me it won't be "okay" to smoke when you hear "lung cancer" from your doctor <------ sorry for the brutal honesty !