Smoking Rant

[bex1218]

I got Marlboros for cheaper than Pall Malls here. Bought 5 packs for 20 bucks. They were the Menthol Blacks and had an additional 50 cents off. Cheaper than the regular Marlboros here. My store is one of the cheapest in my area.

[blas87]

There are brands that I will NOT smoke no matter how poor I get.

I made the switch to Pall Malls because Marlboro and Camels are over $7 a pack here, and for bigger paychecks or special times. But, PMs really are not that bad and for some reason, don't smell as bad as Marlboros do.

[crashhelmet]

To get back to the smoking bit, I sometimes wonder how anyone could even afford to smoke, given how expensive cigarettes have gotten. If I were drawn to smoking, I would think that a cost alone would be enough to deter me.

Of course, if you're a light smoker, it probably wouldn't cost that much.

When my grandpa was still alive and living with my aunt and uncle (they all smoked), they'd sometimes go out and spend $400 or more on cigarettes. I guess it's their money to spend as they please, but still.

Of the friends and family I have that smoke, the ones that are truly addicted, the ones that NEED that cigarette, will buy whatever's the cheapest, regardless of how bad it smells. They'll have Generic A today and Generic B tomorrow.

The ones that don't smoke that often still splurge on the cost of a pack of the name brand.

[bex1218]

I used to bring snacks and a lunch to work. Going back to smoking again, made me lose my appetite greatly. The 5-10 bucks I spend on my smokes saves me a good 40 bucks on groceries.

[blas87]

Yeah, I eat on my breaks at work where I can't leave and smoke.

It's not all because of it, but I will easily blame 5 excess pounds I'm carrying on the fact that they banned smoking from my work, except for on our unpaid lunch breaks. When we could just walk right out the door and smoke on the benches, I hardly ate a thing at work, even if I worked 10-12 hours. On the longest break, I might have grabbed a simple sandwich or slice of pizza and that's it.

[Lace Neil Singer]

I budget my ciggs. Tho, I smoke the same amount each day during the work week (give or take 1 or 2), weekends are when I splurge, but I stick to the same rule of thumb and that's all I get.

Same here. Also, I used to spend far more on snacks, chocolate etc back when I was eating far too much; so in a way, smoking saves me money.

Yeah yeah, it's unhealthy, blah blah... but there's no ignoring the fact that overeating is also unhealthy and nicotine works as a very good appetite suppressant, not to mention giving me something to do rather than eat that doesn't add weight.

[blas87]

I budget my ciggs. Tho, I smoke the same amount each day during the work week (give or take 1 or 2), weekends are when I splurge, but I stick to the same rule of thumb and that's all I get.

[bex1218]

That bit depends on how I feel and how much my check was. Food and bills are more important for me than a cancer stick. But thats just me, plenty of people rather have the smokes.

[guywithashovel]

To get back to the smoking bit, I sometimes wonder how anyone could even afford to smoke, given how expensive cigarettes have gotten. If I were drawn to smoking, I would think that a cost alone would be enough to deter me.

Of course, if you're a light smoker, it probably wouldn't cost that much.

When my grandpa was still alive and living with my aunt and uncle (they all smoked), they'd sometimes go out and spend $400 or more on cigarettes. I guess it's their money to spend as they please, but still.

[bex1218]

Where I live, if you want a job, you have to get one a bit aways for walking. Though, the distance from my apartment to my job is the same distance I used to walk in New York when I lived there. Just a different feel. More practical to have a car. But if need be, a bicycle will do. Unfortunately mine got stolen .. Don't get me started on the transport here. I will not be riding a bus called "SCAT".

[AdminAssistant]

It doesn't make sense to me because in my area, there's little to no public transit and walking everywhere isn't practical.

Bingo. I learned how to drive when I was 13, and so did every other kid in my area. I lived 5 miles away from the closest town. Walking's not an option when you're that isolated. Not driving someplace is rather foreign to me. For most of this country, outside of a few large metro areas with lots of buses, trains, and subways, you have to drive. I've never lived in a place that I thought I could actually get around by walking or taking the bus. I support public transit and I think more places should implement it, but I will be driving.

[Greenday]

If it's so useful and practical how come I have been able to live all my life without a car and without driving? It IS possible to not drive. I walk or use public transport.

ETA: And of course that screws me over if i work somewhere where I have to "smoke in my car" cause I don't HAVE a fucking car to smoke in/leave my cell phone/etc. Luckily I don't work somewhere like that.

I don't know where you are from. I've met people from places where no one drives. It doesn't make sense to me because in my area, there's little to no public transit and walking everywhere isn't practical.

[telecom_goddess]

Except that's an apples to orange comparison. Driving is useful and practical. In bad weather, it's healthier than walking.

If it's so useful and practical how come I have been able to live all my life without a car and without driving? It IS possible to not drive. I walk or use public transport.

ETA: And of course that screws me over if i work somewhere where I have to "smoke in my car" cause I don't HAVE a fucking car to smoke in/leave my cell phone/etc. Luckily I don't work somewhere like that.

[AdminAssistant]

I probably look horrid pale, but I don't really care. Skin cancer isn't my idea of a good time. The pressure to tan is about to skyrocket, though, since I'm moving back to the Bible Belt in a month. I swear, you look at some of those people, it's like Jersey Shore with a Southern accent.

[Lace Neil Singer]

So is smoking! Do you know how many broken noses a cigarette has prevented?

Besides, not ALL driving is practical and useful.

Not the driving I used to see back when I rode a motorbike. Honestly, some of those drivers needed to get themselves to the nearest optician. -.-

Also, I walk in all weathers; rain, snow, hail, sun (rarely, this is England after all) and I can honestly say that I'm probably better off than people trying to drive in the snow. Also, driving probably costs more than smoking nowadays, what with the rising costs of insurance and fuel.