Mentally Ill Make Up Half Of U.S. Smokers

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Boston, Ma.- Harvard medical researchers have concluded that Americans with mental illness are nearly twice as likely to smoke cigarettes as people with no mental illness. The study, appearing in today’s Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) (http://jama.ama-assn.org/), finds 41 percent of people with mental illness are smokers compared to 22.5 percent of people who have never been mentally ill. The article also states that the mentally ill smoke more heavily than others. Extrapolating their results to the U.S. population, the researchers estimate that people with diagnosable mental illness comprise nearly 45 percent of the total tobacco market in the U.S.

The study findings are based on analysis of data gathered for the congressionally mandated National Comorbidity Survey (NCS) of psychiatric disease (www.hcp.med.harvard.edu/ncs/index.htm) that was conducted between September 1990 and February 1992 and released to the public in 1998. The data is the most recent national information available to examine the association between type and severity of mental illness and the likelihood of smoking and smoking cessation.

The lead author is Dr. Karen Lasser, a post doctoral student at the Harvard School of Public Health and Harvard Medical School and a physician at Cambridge Hospital. She and her colleagues employed standard psychiatric definitions of mental illness that included major depression, bipolar disorder, agoraphobia, social and simple phobia, generalized anxiety disorder, alcohol abuse and dependence, antisocial personality, conduct disorder and nonaffective psychosis.

-- JLS in NW AZ (stalkingbull007@AOL.com), November 29, 2000

Answers

They make up about half the US voters too.

-- Joe (jcole@apha.com), November 29, 2000.

Joe:

In the entire U.S. or just in Florida? (Bearing in mind I pretty well grew up there.)

-- Ken S. in WC TN (scharabo@aol.com), November 29, 2000.


Does that mean smoking is going to be listed as a mental disability in need of a government subsidy check?

-- Laura (gsend@hotmail.com), November 29, 2000.

Makes perfect sense to me, who in their right "mind" would do something so detrimental to their overall health and well being, could have saved a whole bundle of money studing that theory, just ask anyone with a lick of common sense. Of course, it is an addictive behavior, which in of itself, is a symptom of mental illness additionally. Annie in SE OH.

-- Annie Miller (annie@1st.net), November 29, 2000.

AND it's a tax dollar (smoker) supported study.....by psychiatrists...maybe they are studying the wrong half of the mentally ill?

-- Doreen (animalwaitress@excite.com), November 29, 2000.


Addiction huh ? Eating food is an addiction. The body craves food than suffers withdrawl symptoms without it. Therefore everyone who eats food is mentally ill. However those who study mental illness are a little sicker than the the subjects of the study. Tobacco is a choice(possibly a bad one) but a choice just the same. Homesteading is a choice also. I should think that people who live in glass houses would be wary of rock throwing !

-- Joel Rosen (Joel681@webtv.net), November 30, 2000.

Yeah, food can be an addiction, but I'd like to see you try and survive without it. Humans survived for many many thousands of years before Sir Walter Raleigh stepped in.

It's not surprising that the mentally ill are smokers -- during WWII, Britian made very sure that it had an adequate supply of cigarettes to carry their population, even when they didn't have the food reserves, because tobacco smoking has a sedative effect. They didn't want the population going starkers, esp. if they got invaded.

-- Julie Froelich (firefly1@nnex.net), November 30, 2000.


Okay, now does anyone know if the mental illness came first, or the tobacco smoking? In other words, which causes which?

-- Kathleen Sanderson (stonycft@worldpath.net), November 30, 2000.

Oh no. I hope those Harvard folks did not read the last post. If they do, there goes more taxpayer money.

-- JLS in NW AZ (stalkingbull007@AOL.com), November 30, 2000.

Just my opinion, I don't think smoking is a very wise choice, but doesn't this defintion of mental illness semm pretty broad? Let's see-major depression,(doesn't say if the depression is current or occured in the past, as after a divorce or family death), social phobia (some would classify shyness as a social phobia), simple phobia ( like my being afraid of snakes?, or the Marine I knew who was afaid of nothing, except spiders?),anxiety disorder(ever had a panic attack?), antisocial personality( that would be us...),conduct disorder( now, what does that mean? not following the rest of the herd tamely?),and that is onlt a partial list of what they classified as mentally ill. My guess is that by their defintion, we're all sick, and in need of serious assistance from big brother. Sure gives me a new look at the assertation that most homeless are mentally ill!

-- Rebekah (daniel1@itss.net), November 30, 2000.


The psyhco community has a diagnosis for each and every one of us. Most of us would legally and medically qualify for more than one. The mental health community is the only area of health care that can create it's own pts, and NOBODY ever is "cured". There are so many BS diagnosis' it would make your head spin. There has been only one diagnosis dropped/thrown out of the catologue I know of - Homosexuality. Many are added or renamed.

The anti smoking Nazis are going to cut their own throats. All the smokers pay all those taxes and then die younger. Who's going to pay when everyone quits? Oh yeah, we are. John

-- John in S IN (jsmengel@hotmail.com), November 30, 2000.


OK,who on this post is a born again nonsmoker? I'm not but I was around when hubbie quit a 25 year habit.One of the hardest things he's done.How does that saying go abt. not judging a man until you've walked in his shoes?

I've been told nicotine addition is worse to kick than heroin.Tobacco is also much higher in nicotine than it used to be, thanks to breeding programs at Ag. universities like ours.Our farmers get "tobacco poisoning" just working in the fields,from the nicotine.

Sorry but this is a sore point for me, living in this big smoking and growing state,watching everyone and their brother get cancer.Being asthmatic with smoke a trigger,not being able to sit in a resturant and eat because of the smoke.Tobacco is another of the opiates for the masses,to keep them down and under the feudal lords' thumb.Now,don't get me started!!!!

-- sharon wt (wildflower@ekyol.com), December 01, 2000.


LMAO-I have just been classified as a fuedal Lord. That is funny ! Tobacco without the chemicals sprayed on it is harmless. I repeat, Harmless !

Anti tobacco, is basically, anti american or anti free enterprise. Tobacco built and payed for this country and continues to do so ! I understand that we need to quit smoking tobacco in it's present state of chemically treated leaf and I agree.

I just drop dead laughing to see a bunch of anti smokers huddled around a campfire discusing the dangers of secondary smoke. I remember a mother of asthmatic twins spraying a can of air freshener over the twins to cover a little smoke claiming smoke might trigger an attack. I don't know about the smoke but the air freshener nearly killed them both. I find no pleasure in mocking a sick persons lament but asthmatics riding in cars or cleaning an oven or living in a house with a wood stove is equally amusing. It ain't the ciggarette's folks, it's life itself ! You started dying the day you were conceived. Just go with the flow ! THANK YOU FOR HOLDING YOUR BREATH WHILE I SMOKE !!!!

-- Joel Rosen (Joel681@webtv.net), December 01, 2000.


Sharon, quit 2 years ago. Didn't want to end up sucking wind like so many of my pts. Don't personally care who smokes or not. Joel is right, it's a choice to be made by folks in a supposedly free country.

Nicotine is extremly addictive. Between the lawyers and Nafta the price gap is narrowing daily. Saw my old brand on sale for "only" 22.95 yesterday. Wow. I wonder where all that money is going to? It's no wonder the bar association fought so hard against tort reform.

Joel, the term coffin nails was first reported in print in 1890's. What is it that they do to it to makes it so bad? Heck I'd smoke in a heartbeat if I thought it wasn't going to hurt me. I enjoyed every one of 'em I ever had! John

-- John in S IN (jsmengel@hotmail.com), December 01, 2000.


Ex-smoker here, little over six years. Quitting smoking was even harder than quitting drinking. (No booze for 13 years!!! Good for me!!!) I would also classify myself with antisocial personality, and I am afraid of spiders and heights. One of the few social activities I enjoy is bowling, but I don't go because of all the cigarette smoke. I was very self-centered when I smoked. I really did not care if my smoke bothered the person next to me. Now I'm on the other side, and it stinks.

-- Cathy Horn in NY (hrnofplnty@yahoo.com), December 01, 2000.


I smoked for about 26 years. Did I enjoy it? At first no. You have to learn to smoke. Your lungs don't want any part of the smoke. After you become addicted you enjoy it for a few years and then you need it more than like it. The last few years I didn't like it at all. But getting off a drug like that is extreamly hard. It changes your personality in many small ways that you don't know. It makes you forget things like how many headaches you actually had this week. I went through all of this and the worse thing is the loss of breathing ability. You also smell so bad that any non smoker knowes when you enter an area without looking. Actually a skunk smells better. What you gain by quiting smoking is your ability to think, breathe, smell better, and be a lot healther. When I smoked I got colds and headaches on a regular basis. Since I quit I don't know what a cold is. And as the doctors told me, I hardly ever get headaches any more. You have the right to kill yourself, but you don't have the right to kill or make others sick by your habits. So smoke off by your self and give the rest of us a break. I haven't smoked for about 10 years and after getting some of my health back I can say that smoking is the dummest thing anyone can do.

-- Nick (wildheart@ekyol.com), December 01, 2000.

Cathy, your story sounds just like mine. I quit smoking about 10 years ago and it sure wasn't easy. I still want a cigarette sometimes but I've never given in to the urge. Haven't touched one in 10 years. About 15 years ago I cut down from about a pack-and-a-half a day to about six cigarettes a day then quit five years later. I tell everybody I just tapered off. LOL I can't stand to be around somebody who is smoking and I have left cafes where people are smoking. I just can't stand it. I like being able to smell flowers and tast food again. Not to mention being able to breathe.

-- Joe (jcole@apha.com), December 01, 2000.

I started smoking at 13. Quit at 21. Started again at 21. Finally quit 20 years ago and never look back. My father had cancer of the larynx. My mom is still dealing with bladder cancer (linked to smoking.) I however, was very defiant whenever anyone suggested that I quit.

Now I really can't stand the smell of tobacco on people. They literally reek. I don't mind the occasional whiff of tobacco smoke (that is whiff, not a direct hit!) but I cannot sit in close proximity to someone who has that bad stale odor on them. I nearly gag. Since I don't find other smells particularly offensive (I live with farm animals!)I don't think I'm being particularly fussy. It just is smelly!

I know that smoking impairs one's sense of smell, so I don't really think people know how awful they smell and how awful it is to be around them when they do. I guess if you smoke, maybe make sure you are airing out your clothes, washing them, drycleaning them or whatever, frequently. Especially if people start moving away from you a bit more than once!

-- sheepish (rborgo@gte.net), December 01, 2000.


I quit buying cigarettes 8 years ago. I would like to say I quit, but it is a strong addiction. Now, if you're going to smoke around me, you have to share.

I used to only smoke 6-8 non-additive cigarettes a day, outside. I must admit, my health was better BEFORE I stopped. Now I have high blood pressure. I didn't quit for health reasons, I quit for social reasons.

I miss the cigarette butt tea I spray on the bugs on my roses and the ashes for the slugs. The last time I priced tobacco to worm my animals, I about croaked. Maybe I quit buying for financial reasons.

-- Laura (gsend@hotmail.com), December 01, 2000.


I quit smoking and drinking alcohol at age 21, yes, good for me! After helping bury way too many immediate family members of the detrimental effects of each of these "bad" habits, I grew up fast, and tried to take more of a positive charge, or responsibilty, in my life. Much of the good luck in your life you make yourself, very little is simply "fate". I choose to keep the odds in my favor in what I can control about life as much as possible. I also object to other people who pollute my air space, and strenuously avoid smoking areas of anything, anywhere.

I do agree that those who smoke have every right to do so, but not at the expense of other's health and comfort. The rights of one should not infringe on the rights of others. It can be a real delimma at times. Annie in SE OH.

-- Annie Miller (annie@1st.net), December 01, 2000.


Hear hear Annie,etc. Having had to try and find a hospital for a friend who was going into asthmatic shock from the yabbo whose 'right' it was to smoke was just BUTTLOADS of fun, not knowing where the hospital was in a strange city and whether she'd die from it. Funny, the sign said 'Restaurant', not 'Smoking Room'.

Tobacco is a crop that depletes soil, it gives nothing back. Ultimately, it impoverishes, not builds. This country was also economically 'built' if you want to use that term, on the human slave trade, on genocide of the indigenous people, and the opium trade, taking up where the English left off in pushing drugs on the poorer classes in China. This is no 'heritage' to brag about.

-- Julie Froelich (firefly1@nnex.net), December 02, 2000.


Whoa Joel-back that horse up.I didn't know you were a multinational tobacco corperation.I thought you were a little old tobacco farmer like the rest of us here on tobacco road. But then, you already knew that was what I was talking about,and just used it to get a flamboyant rant in.That's OK.

Reading your post was like deja vus...hubbie said same things abt 15 years ago, when he was grasping at straws for a reason to keep sucking on his cancer sticks,even knowing what they were doing to him.Sounds like the rumblings of any addict.

Now, if you grow an heirloom tobacco, in an organic way, smoke a few roll your own a day, and don't inflict your pleasure on others who don't share your enthusiam, then buddy, have at it.I'd agree wholeheartly with you right and privilege to do so,any day.But remember, your right to smoke ends where my right to breath begins.Come on Joel,how big a strain is it to step out on to the porch and sit a spell, when you feel the need to light one up? Hell, I sit out on the porch for the pure enjoyment and relaxation of it, sans cigarette.

Pollute the air around little kids do you? That was the last straw for me, seeing how hubbie"s habit affected his kid.Mothers are ferocious beasts, even stepmothers. The kid's lungs are developing, they need good air to breath.Why not just send them down the coalmine?

-- sharon wt (wildflower@ekyol.com), December 02, 2000.


Whoa Joel-back that horse up.I didn't know you were a multinational tobacco corperation.I thought you were a little old tobacco farmer like the rest of us here on tobacco road. But then, you already knew that was what I was talking about,and just used it to get a flamboyant rant in.That's OK.

Reading your post was like deja vus...hubbie said same things abt 15 years ago, when he was grasping at straws for a reason to keep sucking on his cancer sticks,even knowing what they were doing to him.Sounds like the rumblings of any addict.

Now, if you grow an heirloom tobacco, in an organic way, smoke a few roll your own a day, and don't inflict your pleasure on others who don't share your enthusiam, then buddy, have at it.I'd agree wholeheartly with you right and privilege to do so,any day.But remember, your right to smoke ends where my right to breath begins.Come on Joel,how big a strain is it to step out on to the porch and sit a spell, when you feel the need to light one up? Hell, I sit out on the porch for the pure enjoyment and relaxation of it, sans cigarette.

Pollute the air around little kids do you? That was the last straw for me, seeing how hubbie"s habit affected his kid.Mothers are ferocious beasts, even stepmothers. The kid's lungs are developing, they need good air to breath.Why not just send them down the coalmine?

Cathy Horn was correct.Addicts don't care if their addiction is bothering anyone else.Hubbie was a 2+ pack a day smoker and boy was he an addict.Made life miserable for anyone that tried to get between him and his habit.Had me in tears, but I held my ground and didn't get him any ciggies.He Would quit then pick a fight to have an excuse to start smoking again. Hid cigarettes down in a stump for when he "Took a walk" even tho he swore he'd never be one to do anything that stupid.Yeah buddy, that's addiction.

By the way, Joel,Hubbie said he was way more agressive when he smoked. That was one of the effects on him.Might want to think about that.I mean it in the kindest way.

-- sharon wt (wildflower@ekyol.com), December 02, 2000.


I did it all, drinking, drugging, cigarettes, quite them all but the cigarettes were the very worse. I have been 18 years with out a drink, 17 without a drug, 10 without a cigarette. When I get in a tight spot today and want to change how I feel, cigarettes are the first thing I think of. If that is not addiction, what is it? It does not matter to me if it was mental illness that made me do all those things, or all those things made me mentally ill. I was mentally ill none the less. Today I chose sanity, and follow the one who could restore me to it. The psych people have been trying to figure things out for a long time and I sure don't see them getting anywhere or really curing anyone.

As far as the mentally ill homeless, a lot of people think not being willing to play the game is mental illness. There are those type of homeless. There are also a big bunch of mentally ill that were thrown out of the institutions because the health care system didn't want to do it any more and every now and then someone was there that didn't belong there. Those people really need our help. Joel, I am willing to have less government, sounds like if we stopped collecting taxes on tobacco we could have less government???? diane

-- Diane Green (gardiacaprines@yahoo.com), December 02, 2000.


okay , big step for me...I smoke and so does hs,would I like to stop sure,did every time i was having a baby.Went back the day I stopped nursing them. I do not smoke in the car or house either does hs.Am I mentaly ill? guess I must be ,ask my in-laws and they will agree. {haha}. Any one know a good way to stop? We have tried a hundred of them.

-- renee oneill{md.} (oneillsr@home.com), December 02, 2000.

== Saw my old brand on sale for "only" 22.95 yesterday. Wow. John in IN ==

When the prices spiked, I started making my own. No, not the lick/spit method, the stuffing method. I order my supplies from an outfit in South Carolina. The tubes (filtered or not and different choices) fit on a little machine and the tobacco (several choices) is stuffed into the tube. The first thing I noticed is they smell different (like tobacco!!) and that I smoke when I want to, not 'cause I HAVE to. Don't have the nicotine fits I did on the store bought. I suspect the tobacco companies use all kinds of fillers, including stuff to up the addiction. It costs me $7/carton. I make my cigs during phone calls and answering e-mail! If you watch tv, that's also a good time!

Some of the tobacco stores in town have started carrying the supplies, but the company I order from is a better bargain for me.

-- ~Rogo (rogo2020@yahoo.com), December 02, 2000.


I smoked for many years. I did the quitting and going back. The last time I made a promise to myself I wouldn't. Someone asked a good way to quit, my husband just quit eight days ago, and he is doing great, I thought he would be hateful and mean, but he has not. He has been using the equate (walmart brand) nicotine patches. He had to start at the highest level, 21mg. He is doing great. He has smoked for 24 yrs. I am so happy for him. He was kind enough to have smoked outside since I first got pregnant 13 yrs ago. It takes alot of self-control to quit smoking. I hope all will try and quit. Just trying to quit shows your smarts.

-- Judy (allsmile@ctnet.net), December 03, 2000.

My youngest sister is a chain smoker. I made her an offer if she quit smoking for five years I would give her $1,000 per year (if she lasted the full year), plus a $5,000 kicker at the end of the five years. She lasted less than a week.

Even noted she was more than doubling her money by not buying cigarettes. That didn't work either.

At least she doesn't chew tobocco. God, what a disgusting habit.

-- Ken S. in WC TN (scharabo@aol.com), December 03, 2000.


I checked with my fuedal Lord aka Phillip Morris and I am not alowed to publish the chemicals I use to grow tobacco since they pay for them. I can say that I use over 300 gallons on a 15 acre allotment of insecticides, pesticides and non-organic fertilizers. Not to mention--there are sealed areas of cigarette manufacturing company that chemically wash and treat tobacco. Hope that answers your question John, without answering it. I would have liked to !

Sharon, you indirectly hit the nail on the head. Rights ! You see that is how this mess started. Smokers gave concession to a few people that actualy smoking bothered by allowing smoking areas. Than every John, Dick, and Harry jumped on the band wagon when actualy it really didn't bother them. Than all the lies started about secondary smoke. It is the height of hypocracy to bad mouth smoking and own an automobile. I'll make you a deal--you surrender every object you own that produces vapor or consumes fuel and I'll respect your right to speak about tobacco smoke. I do step outside to smoke in other peoples homes. I always ask if you are bothered by smoke at a dinner table in my own home. However I'll here no more lies by hypocrites about tobacco while they double pollute the air driving their cars, cooking and heating their homes.

Has anyone noticed that since the government has received their big tobbaco payday that they are no longer interested in non-smokers rights. Now, you will be the forgotten. Even the local hospital has allowed smoking inside the rooms again. Your beloved government has lessoned the restrictions put on tobacco farmers and fuedal Lords. They have to get that MONEY, don't you know !!!!!

-- Joel Rosen (Joel681@webtv.net), December 03, 2000.


I quit smoking...then I started up again. I never have WANTED to quit, just felt like I should because of the fact that it is certainly giving a heck of a lot of money to my enemy and it also is a control issue. When I wasn't smoking there was never a time when cigarettes smelled bad to me. Am I mentally ill? I'd bet some of you would say that I was, but even with just a little rudimentary psychology, you can pretty much peg ANYONE as being mentally disturbed in some fashion. The study is bunk.

Smoking is harder to quit than heroin. I know people whom have quit both and they say it is twice as hard to quit smoking. However, smoking a cigarette doesn't change your personality nor does it cause you to beat your wife or lose your job. There are numerous studies that show that smoking actually increases brain function and helps to raise the IQ by as much as 10 points in smokers and non smokers alike. Probably not the asthmatics! I think that it is probably like coffee in some regards, where it has some benefits and is actually good for a few people and bad for others. By the way,I am addicted to coffee as well. So now I'm sure I 'm mentally ill.

I have ordered an herbal program to help quit and it is supposed to be guarantesd to work in 7 days or you get your money back. I actually want to quit now. I will let you know if it works, Renee. I just don't want to become all out of breath for no real reason and I don't want to be a slave to tobacco anymore.

It is a choice. If we look to the government to try to MAKE us be healthy, we can look forward to even more stupidity like the rationing of cheesecake and cholesterol and insulin checks before you can order food in a restaurant. Why should we expect the government to do anything to make us healthy? Life is fatal, and we make choices. if I want to kill myself through overeating or or smoking, it's really none of their business.

-- Doreen (animalwaitresss@excite.com), December 03, 2000.


One of the main reasons that people who suffer with a mental illness smoke, besides the addiction, is that one of the effects that the drug nicotine has on the brain is that it releases a chemical called dopamine. This chemical along with another called seratonin are in short supply in the brain for those who suffer with mental illnesses. It's a chemical imbalance not unlike diabetes, thyroid problems, or others, they just happen to be in the brain, instead of other organs in the body. Dopamine and seratonin are responsible for mood levels; too little, and depression sets in, which can get severe enough to cause death in itself. Therefore the mentally ill have a rougher time kicking the habit. Not only do they suffer the same anxiety that others go through, but it causes their chemical levels to drop severely, bringing on worse cases of anxiety and stress, not to mention mood levels dropping to dangerous levels. It's a catch 22 situation for them, as if they don't have enough to deal with just coping with living!

Uncle Jake

-- Uncle Jake (lulafred@cs.com), December 03, 2000.


Joel, Thanx. I was going crazy waiting for your reply! ;-} John

-- John in S IN (jsmengel@hotmail.com), December 03, 2000.

Oh, Doreen, if we start talking about coffee, I will have to check into the Betty Ford Clinic for sure. THAT I started drinking at age 4! (Good old Scandinavian-heritage "mental illness" for sure!!) I drink a whole pot before I go to school in the morning. But if around others, and if pressed, I'll go outside to drink it !

-- sheepish (rborgo@gte.net), December 03, 2000.

If you have ounce of brains to attack the cigarette issue, then you would be enthralled to visit the sites which speak about the hazards of Fluoride (a waste product), your trusted dentist puts on your teeth. Then you should also do a search on Canoli Oil, which the birds will not eat, yet, it is on your grocery shelf, for human consumption. Bible says, "watch what the birds eat", then you will know it is safe for humans. Don't recall too many birds smoking, but it has been done for hundreds of years. By my Fore Fathers, most of whom, lived to an old age. Guess it pretty much comes down to belief and investigation. By the way, have you actually read the Fluoride warning on your stupid tooth paste? It sez, you should not swallow it. For fear of death. Cripes sake, I ate the damn stuff for breath control. And yet, I live, for tonight anyway. I do wish for those in a human position, to promote the truth of anything they have first hand knowledge. But realizing, the ultimate truth, is in Gods' hands.

-- Light up another (belieftakes@gumption.com), December 04, 2000.

My,My,MY all the old excuses and tricks to make something bad seem a little bit good or at least acceptable. I used most of the things I see going on here. I knew what I was doing and that it was a first class cop out. I like the one that states I have relatives that smoked all their lives and are still living. That is called using the exception to fool people. But the real good one is like the Tobacco companies used. Just say there is nothing wrong with it. It's a lie but what the hell. Then you can switch to some other product and use it as a comparison. This will make some people thing you may know a little on the subject. The truth is you are an addict trying to save your candy even if it kills or makes everyone else sick. I've been there and I'll admit to it. I pity those that can't. They are still controlled by the addiction. You speak of money as if tobacco is a money god helping all. The taxes on tobacco does not come close to paying for the illness and destruction of property that takes place.I watch the poor slobs raising the weed and having a smoking habit. They spend most of their profits on ciggs and health problems. But as long as they can light up it's ok. Remember one thing. Smoking is a personal habit and their are no rights connected with bad habits.

-- Nick (wildheart@ekyol.com), December 04, 2000.

I am surprised it is only twice every time i have see a mental hospital i am surprised at the smoking everywhere i think the people are self medicating and many people outside self medicate with different drugs prozac is only the beginning of drugs to come "FIX' people everyone has a right to be stupid jkg

-- jkg (godseyj@mail.ips.k12.in.us), December 05, 2000.

I will not even begin to claim that I have carefully read each of the previous posts. However, I began smoking when a very young pup, about 15. Pipe. Quit on and off for years. Smoked cigarettes from about 16. I'm now approaching 60, and haven't smoked REGULARLY for 20 years. But I occassionally like a good hand-rolled cigarette (tobacco, folks, tobacco) and buy a package. It's been several months since I've had one, but I may decide tomorrow to buy another package. I don't think I'm addicted, but every now and then, a cigarette really tastes good, as does a sip of good bourbon. Enjoy! Remember, some people are addicted to Algore, and you know they do that without ever experiencing pleasure. Go away, masochists!

-- Brad (homefixer@SacoRiver.net), December 05, 2000.

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