Smoking: Quitting is so hard

Re:Smoking: Quitting is so hard by igravious on Saturday July 11, 2015 @09:49AM (#9869751)

I'd unreservedly support banning the substance except that (1) organised crime would profit from it, and (2) nicotine itself is not the problem, but rather the combustion of tobacco leaves which is not the same thing at all. I think prohibition is not a great idea but I wouldn't be averse to some jurisdictions trying it out and analysing the outcomes of the long term, like 25 years or so.

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Re:Smoking: Quitting is so hard by kweinber on Saturday July 11, 2015 @10:10AM (#9869819)

"nicotine itself is not the problem"

Be careful with this... It is the vapor salesman's false pitch. Nicotine is a known neurotoxin, it increases inflammation, lowers your hdl, raises your ldl, and stresses your endocrine system (adrenal et al.). While ecigs may deliver fewer toxins than analogs, that doesn't erase the fact that you are much better off without nicotine.

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Re:Smoking: Quitting is so hard by Frozenlock on Saturday July 11, 2015 @11:24AM (#9870089)

Be careful with this... some think that it can help with Alzheimer and Parkinson.

Unless there's a demonstrable, important (life affecting) effect, I wouldn't care too much about nicotine. Maybe some people are even naturally balancing some of their brain chemistry with it.

I wouldn't surprised if in 30 years we 'discover' that nicotine was okay all along, just like eating fat.

By the way, what is your opinion on caffeine?

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Re:Smoking: Quitting is so hard by kweinber on Saturday July 11, 2015 @04:37PM (#9871470)

I support the right of folks to do either drug if they want, but I don't think it is fair for nicotine to be portrayed as safer than it is... it fairly well understood to be an addictive cardiac nightmare.

I miss the neurostimulant effect badly... if you are right about nicotine being exonerated, I'll jump for joy and pick some up that day.

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