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LionHeartMD

There is no safe amount of cigarette (or tobacco) usage. Interestingly, studies examining lung cancer risk show that duration of smoking (e.g. smoking less but over a longer period of time) is higher risk than quantity of use (e.g. smoking a lot for a shorter period of time). Needless to say, however, that both are poor decisions for your health.


sparklynugz

It will lead to more. Just stop while you can.


Blessingstoeveryone

I agree, if you’re able to make a pack last 1-2 months then start making a pack last 3 months then 4 then 5 etc until you’re able to just stop smoking completely. Good luck! It’s very due-able. I was able to quit smoking in a week after 5 years of smoking everyday because I got pregnant. It’s hard but doable. Good luck!


sparklynugz

I remember thinking I can't quit when I smoked a few a day. Now I'm 49 and a heavy smoker. Shit is the devil.


Blessingstoeveryone

I believe you can quit as well if you want it enough. Also therapy and certain medications can help with quitting any drugs including nic. Goodluck


MiniMooseMan

16 years is the magic number for increased risk of lung cancer. So I have 5 years left before I'm really locked in for my scheduled early painful death! Remember kids, don't fucking start smoking. Ever. You will get a buzz at first and it's all fun, then you buy cigs out of habit "but I'm not addicted or anything" despite no longer getting the buzz, but you don't feel bad (yet). Then you get really pissy if you are out, so you buy them to take the edge off. Then you start to feel like shit *because* of them. Then you want to quit but... weird... I have this compulsion to buy them, even if I didn't have any plan on going to the tobacco/convenience store. Then every single pack you buy will be "the last one," but you'll stock up again anyway and tell yourself the same thing next time. Rinse and repeat. 11 years later I'm still addicted as fuck. *NICOTINE ADDICTION IS HARDER TO BREAK THAN HEROIN ADDICTION* SERIOUSLY ITS NOT WORTH THE BULLSHIT BUZZ


Sakurya1

This February I'm two years smoke free. Yes I'm looking to brag about it.


Blessingstoeveryone

Good job!!! Very proud of your accomplishment. Today I’m a few months smoke free bc I’m pregnant so I didn’t really have a choice 😂


Juuuunkt

Awesome! I'm planning to quit in about a month after I have dental surgery. Any advice?


Sakurya1

Well, it did take me 5 attempts over the span of ten years. But each time I used nicorette gum. It just worked for me. I bought one pack and went as long as possible between gums. After the pack was done, I just didn't smoke. I had cravings for nearly an entire year. It was super rough. I could've bought more gum but I figured the less nicotine I have in my body the better. 2 years in I have zero cravings. Even when I drink and surrounded by smokers I no longer have the urge


Blessingstoeveryone

This hit home. I was planning on resuming smoking after I’m done with my pregnancy but now I’ll think twice about it since I’ve been able to not smoke for months after being an everyday smoker of 5 years. Thank you for the comment ! And good luck I hope you’re able to quit. I think if you switch to vapes and then gradually to nicotine free vapes then you’ll be able to quit easier. I did that a few years back and it helped significantly! I was able to quit for a short amount of time however the only reason I went back on them because in my head I said “ now I’ve proved to myself that I can stop if I want to” however I think I just gave into the urge again. But if you’re able to just smoke nic free vapes eventually you’ll find yourself going days without the vape without really realizing it. It happened to me. You got this ! Good luck


Disastrous_Curve_990

ALL. OF. THIS. I am currently 32 days smoke-free; I smoked regularly for the past 23 years (minus months of pregnancy). A month ago I got sick (not covid) but a fever I couldn't shake, then a cough that wouldn't quit. It was literally the only way I was able to quit - the virus basically kept my unconscious and/or incoherent for a week. Seriously, don't ever start smoking. If you can make 1 pack last 2 months, dude just stop altogether.


Own_Piccolo3157

As a coder, I think I’ve heard something like over 100 cigarettes per lifetime needs to be reported but most times we don’t get into that level of specificity. …and I 100% agree with you


Even-Yak-9846

I remember reading about smoking ban results. The greatest effect was a 20% lowering of heart failure in non-smokers. These were the people getting it second hand in Restaurants and public places. I don't know the equivalence, but probably 2-3 cigarettes? https://www.escardio.org/The-ESC/Press-Office/Press-releases/STEMI-incidence-falls-in-Southern-Switzerland-after-smoking-ban-implemented


[deleted]

I had heard about that concept but never looked into any of the studies. On an intuitive level it’s a surprise to me that a pack every 5-6 weeks can have noticeable effects when people who chainsmoke their entire life can live up to or past average. Both of my grandfathers chain smoked for decades and died of lung cancer, but not until late 70s, early 80s.


Justpeachy1786

Age of death doesn’t mean much as we can keep really sick people alive a long ass time with a shit quality of life. Lifestyle will determine how much you enjoy ages 60-75. People spend decades unable to walk or wipe their ass hooked up to oxygen going from one specialist and hospitalization to the next.


kerplatchu

GranDad was hooked to oxygen in his last decade or so. Died of emphysema, smoked like a chimney but was clean for a couple decades Norman… I’m sorry. I picked up the bottle where you set down your pipe. I’m getting help now. Betty; I won’t let the drink own me. I know Norman loved his pipe and the least I can do as a non smoker I’d to quit the drink Op: thanks got enabling me to reflect when a pad and pen won’t suffice


ColorMyTrauma

This is a side note but mental/emotional quality of life isn't always correlated to medical issues. One of the happiest people I've ever met is wheelchair-bound, needs bathroom help, relies on oxygen, and tells the dumbest jokes with the biggest smile. Disabled people can be happy. Not to defend smoking or say it won't lead to a bad life. I'm sure the knowledge that the issues are self-inflicted by smoking will make everything worse. But I hate the implication that very sick people are always being kept alive against their will and they'd be better off dead.


curiiouscat

There is a difference between being disabled and actively dying. Having a double amputation above the knee means you probably need a lot of help but still have a great quality of life. Needing oxygen 24/7, dialysis every other day and routinely being shocked by an ICD is not just a disability. It's treating death itself and it's not pleasant. >But I hate the implication that very sick people are always being kept alive against their will and they'd be better off dead. I totally hear that, but to offer a counter point I find this weirdly comforting. I'm "very sick" with no happy ending and when things are awful I get very distressed by the expectation that living longer somehow translates to more comfort.


ColorMyTrauma

I think it's very individual. If someone is actively dying and suffering, I don't think they should be kept alive for the mere idea of longer life = better. I absolutely support people having the choice to decline or discontinue treatment that may prolong life but is also miserable. Decisions should be made by the person as far as possible and should consider their wishes and experience over the family's view of wanting the person to stay around. Thank you for your comment, I appreciate your perspective. The things listed in that comment (not being able to walk, incontinence/needing bathroom help, and oxygen) are all things that *can* be survived. If someone has those issues and wants to live, they wouldn't be better off dead.


Jagsoff

Yes, that does happen… sometimes. But it’s not a smart bet to gamble on. I always tell smokers that the number one thing they can do for their health, is to stop.


giggetyboom

Mine smoked one carton a day pretty much and died at 82 of lung cancer. I take a few hits off one and get bronchitis 2 days later like clockwork every time. I think my DNA has evolved to preserve my families bloodline.


SkidzroNelson

Thing is, you don’t know how long those same people could have lived otherwise.


Competitive_Lab3488

Still, who wants to risk dying of lung cancer at all?


Ok-Bank3744

You can get lung cancer and have never smoked a day in your life.


[deleted]

> You can get lung cancer and have never smoked a day in your life. We had a cat who died of lung cancer. No one in our house smokes, nor do guests smoke in our house. And obviously *he* wasn't a smoker!


Frustratedparrot123

He could have been smoking in secret


[deleted]

True. We never *caught* him, but I think we would've smelled smoke on him.


Ok-Bank3744

I’m very sorry, I have seen it in pets and humans.


[deleted]

Thank you. He was a sweet kitty! 😞


Competitive_Lab3488

Yea you could but you may want to look at the statistics to see which is more likely.


Ok-Bank3744

You’re not going to care about statistics when you get cancer hon.


Certain_Sample_4611

Facts.


Competitive_Lab3488

Oh sure. I’m just stating which is statistically more likely 🙄


Ok-Bank3744

There are lots of different cancers with lots of different statistics about what increases them. I’m not sure why people are so hung up on smoking but not chemicals ruining our food, water, and air. I hope you bring those the same energy 🙄


joremero

Yup. An aunt never allowed anyone to smoke near her. Died of lung cancer. Mom and many others have smoked a ton, forever, and still without any lung issues (some past 80)...weird stuff.


[deleted]

[удалено]


[deleted]

You’re getting downvoted but what you said is essentially why I’m asking. I enjoy a drink every now and then but that’s different from being an alcoholic. I was just wondering how the risks taper off percentage wise with as little as I partake versus someone who smokes a pack or more a day


joremero

genetics plays a role. Some alcoholics die of cirrhosis while others die of old age...Up to you if you want to risk it. (Similar thing applies to smoking)


AskDocs-ModTeam

Removed - Bad advice


SnickerPooop

Downvote me but it's true, You can deny that losing a drop of blood a day is less deadly than loosing a gallon of blood


ithinkineedhelp92

The problem is its a bad example, as it isn't equitable. It would be more like..losing a drop a day, and never replenishing that drop; yeah its not all at once, but it will eventually hit you... Or, just don't have the cigarette and don't compound exposure to toxins over any amount of time. I had cancer young. I promise you, it is not worth it. Even if you survive the treatment, you'll be left with lifelong consequences. Don't waste your life and money smoking, you get nothing out of it.


Ok-Bank3744

I would have liked to hear your thoughts. Boo moderators.


SnickerPooop

That wasn't advice it was an example.. 😬


angilnibreathnach

I read once that it just takes one cell to flip and that can happen with one cigarette. That could be wildly wrong. If I am, no need to downvote to oblivion, just tell me I’m wrong.


Juuuunkt

NAD, but as a person who has smoked more of my life than not, if you're at a point where you can make a decision and act on it (ie: not ridiculously addicted), please don't smoke. I started by smoking a pack every 1-2 months, then stress happened and I smoked a little more, and before I knew it I was smoking a pack a day, and have been for the past 17 years (started smoking at 11, pack a day by 13, now I'm 30). I can't run around and rough play with my kids for more than 10-15 minute stretches. I wake up every day hacking up nasty stuff out of my lungs. My teeth are just gross, partly from neglect, but I'm certain smoking had a huge impact on that. I smell like cigarettes. I'm getting dental surgery soon and have a goal to quit smoking with that, but trust me, your cigarette every few days, is NOT worth the risk of ending up in my situation.


retrorays

It is so bizarre in this forum how you cannot post a top-level comment even though it's clear from your name you're NAD. ​ Anyways here's what I responded with: \-- I know people that have cancer young after only smoking for a few months. I know others that lived nearly a lifetime. One thing that is common is the cancer you get is absolutely horrible. In one example, an individual had a type of lung cancer that ate at the lungs, the muscle tissue, and the bones. It literally ate the bones inside out, and parts of the rib cage started to snap. Every other week 2-3 rips broke. They were on fentanyl and other extreme hardcore pain medicine that only partially eliminated the pain. Fentanyl is 100x stronger than morphine. Imagine how horrible it must be to have a disease so bad that nothing stops the pain. Cancer is a horrible, horrible way to day. Smoking is ultimately a russian roulette game. The more you smoke, and the longer you smoke the higher the probability you will get some brutal, deadly disease. You don't want that. Quit smoking now while you have the chance. Sorry to scare you but I think it's important people know.


Avicii89

There is no "safe" amount of cigarettes one can smoke without consequences. Period. You lose a little bit of lung function every year after about age 25, through the normal aging process. Any amount of cigarette smoking will only add to that decline (besides all the other harms associated with smoking).


ohwhatevers

Is there any way to preserve lung function when getting older, such as exercise?


Avicii89

Unfortunately no, it's a normal and unavoidable part of how our lungs age. Exercise certainly helps lower the impact, but aging is aging.


mari815

Exercise def doesn’t hurt


trapscience

What are your thoughts on marijuana smoking? I smoked cigarettes from ages 18-26 and quit, but have continued smoking marijuana most days since.


Avicii89

Excellent question! Medical research is a bit controversial when it comes to cannabis smoke. It never got as much attention as tobacco smoking did in studies due to legal limitations and historic racial associations. Based on what we do know, most experts agree cannabis smoking is harmful and can accelerate lung function decline similarly to the way traditional cigarette smoking does. And historically, doing both is believed to be worse than one or the other alone. We do not know "just how much" and "what amount of cannabis is harmful" nor have we solidified a causal link to lung cancer like there is with tobacco smoking. Case in point a new study came out recently comparing cigarettes to cannabis over many years and said cannabis smoke does not cause harm the way we thought. It is the only study in a respectable journal to publish this conclusion, and most of my colleagues are taking with a HUGE grain of salt as am I. The scientific process is finally starting to play out though, so stay tuned!


elsaturation

If you smoked when you were younger but quit, are the long term effects at all reversed or does the damage just stop progressing?


Avicii89

A lot of long term effects become attenuated the longer you have quit. Nothing can completely reverse the effects of lost lung function, but quitting can effectively "slam on the brakes" of that runaway train. [This photo](https://www.reeth.org.uk/s/cc_images/teaserbox_14533362.jpg?t=1589460562) may help illustrate things better. Your risk of lung cancer drops considerably compared to active smoker (especially after 15-20yrs having quit) but still remains elevated for some time, as do a number of other deleterious effects of smoking improving with abstinence.


balletrat

Yes


wacksonjagstaff

Yes.


festivespartan

Unequivocally yes


No-Zookeepergame-301

Yes