I never said I dont like....

And call it what it is. An addiction.

Smoking cigars/pipes isn't strictly an addiction, it's done for enjoyment.

If that is an addiction so is nookie

Exactly. My post-dinner-cigarette-scenario/argument could just as well have "brandy" swapped in place for "cigarette" if drinking brandy in a public place were made illegal.

So just to be sure you've all understood me correctly, I'll spell it out :

I've not been challenging the nature of smoking, (biochemical, social or otherwise) I've been challenging the nonsense that was/is the blanket ban and the effect it has had on personal choice, smokers and non-smokers alike.

Well that's a rather vague issue. There is a distinct body of evidence that along with the biochemical addiction (i.e. the high a drug might give you) there is also a psychological process whereby the act of taking whatever it is is reinforced by the hit and therefore becomes a psychological addiction, or a compulsion if you will. Drug users will still report a positive subjective effect even if given a placebo as long as they have to go through the same process to take it.

Essentially, you become addicted to the ritual of taking whatever it is, just as much as the chemical effect of it.


That's more of a genetic imperative . Although Sigmund Freud did refer to masturbation as 'the perfect reinforcer'. But then he was a bit weird.

Jon

Only if you intend to concieve each and every time surely? I thought it was established we're one of the lucky few species that gets to enjoy the carnal act?

If you were an alcoholic yes

As soon as the revenue they generate from tobacco and the money the NHS pay out in care bills meet, I can imagine they'll ban it entirely. In 20 years it's gone from 1 in 3 who smoke to 1 in 5 smoking is in decline so it's just a matter of time before the cost's just don't add up.

I think that it will depend on the numbers involved. In many ways smokers die off quickly so do not cost too much on pensions. In that respect with smokers governments might have to raise the pension age to closer to 80 to have neutral effect on government finances.

Aye? Being able to enjoy a Brandy does not make you an alcoholic.

For some people no, but for others then yes. Addiction has very little to do with amount or frequency of consumption.

Smoking's for chavs.

No it doesnt but being a smoker most likely means you're addicted.

So Roman Catholics who regularly attend & accept the blood & body of Christ at Communion are addicts as it's habitually eating wafers and drinking wine... got it

Addiction and habit are different things.

indeed. You could say habit is a behaviour reinforced by repetition. Whereas addiction is a behaviour reinforced by biochemical agent. Much more powerful.