What a disappointment

[Blitz]

Like I wrote on another board, my thoughts, which are sure to offend some people are pretty clear-cut. Smoking is retarded, period. No one even try to argue that point, 'cause you'll only look even more retarded. How do I know? Been there, done that, am suffering the health consequences of smoking in my younger and not so younger days.

I applaud GUE for pushing the point.

It isn't rocket science, or even all that difficult to quit. Again, been there, done that. A smidgen of will power will do it. Lying about smoking to get into the GUE program - well, it isn't GUE you're cheating, but yourself.

BTW, nothing offends me more than cigarette smoke at a dive site - divers smoking right before or after a dive show a distinct lack of intelligence, and I hate hanging around idiots. Instructors smoking at a dive site, especially in front of stuents, need to have their heads smashed into the nearest concrete wall.

Make of the above what you want. Just remember - smoking is retarded. And if you try to argue personal choice with me on this, I choose to consider you a retard.

:light:
Someone get him a smoke...... he appears to be grouchy.

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

:light:
Someone get him a smoke...... he appears to be grouchy.

Either that or he's been reading too many GI3 rants ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[TSandM]

Or he works somewhere where he has to take care of patients with end-stage lung disease, heart disease, lung cancer, bladder cancer or any of the other ghastly health problems that come with long-term smoking . . . I'd put a smilie on this to take the sting out of it, but as it turns out, I meant every word.

 

[Soggy]

Or he works somewhere where he has to take care of patients with end-stage lung disease, heart disease, lung cancer, bladder cancer or any of the other ghastly health problems that come with long-term smoking . . . I'd put a smilie on this to take the sting out of it, but as it turns out, I meant every word.

Having watched my mother quit because her 5 yr old son (me) harassed her about it and father quit when he ended up with bladder cancer, I concur with you and tektom. I respect that some people don't have the strength of will to quit, but smoking is pretty foolish. I also applaud those that have quit. I know it is incredibly difficult.

 

[Adobo]

Having watched my mother quit because her 5 yr old son (me) harassed her about it and father quit when he ended up with bladder cancer, I concur with you and tektom. I respect that some people don't have the strength of will to quit, but smoking is pretty foolish. I also applaud those that have quit. I know it is incredibly difficult.

Quitting isn't hard. I did it dozens of times. Staying quit is another story.

I've never been a heroine addict so I can't say how hard that is but I can tell you that after 5 years of not smoking, I still think about it from time to time. It's amazing in that once it has a hold of you, it does not want to let go.

I told my wife that on my 75th birthday, I am going down to the convenience store and buying a carton of cigarettes...

 

[LG Diver]

I've seen both sides of this. My grandfather was diagnosed with colon cancer in his 80's. The doctor told him he needed to quit immediately... so he did. After smoking since he was 12 he just quit. He lived to be 94. My father, on the other hand, has quit too many times to count. He recently underwent surgery for an aneurysm in his thoracic aorta. He is in complete denial about the fact that smoking is a primary cause of aneurysm, and he believes that he has quit smoking since he has switched from cigarrettes to cigars. :shakehead It's a most frustrating and infuriating situation to want to help someone so badly and yet they refuse to acknowledge that they need help or have a problem.

 

[Soggy]

Yeah, my aunt has emphysema in both lungs and just underwent surgery to remove a malignant tumor from her lung....she will never quit.

 

[lamont]

Yeah, this stereotype that DIR divers only dive with DIR divers just won't die . . . Even though it is quite untrue.

hmm... i just did a scooter dive to 120 fsw yesterday with a non-DIR diver and didn't die...

 

[MBH]

Ok, we all know that smoking is bad for you. GUE requirements stipulate that GUE-F applicants must be non smokers. I can think of many, many, reasons for that particular GUE requirement but the one I see that sticks out like a sore thumb is- a smoker comes to the table with a deliberate, self inflicted handicap that most likely will affect (in a negative way) all who dive with him or her.

Why should a GUE instructor devote 100% to a student who isn't willing to give 100% in return?

Yes I know that nicotine addiction can be a real mother, but just about all addictions can be held in check with recovery if the individual is willing to do the footwork.

 

[The Mushroom King]

My 2 cents then I'm ducking for cover!

It sucks when a smoker lights up on the dive boat just before or after a dive and I get the fun and joy of inhaling his smoke as well. I choose not to smoke and I appreciate it when my diving buddys respect that choice and don't inadvertantly make me inhale smoke. Sure if your buddy drinks that can impact your safety, but hes not making you drink.

sorry, I'm just bitter as the city I live in is a smokers paradise and escape is really really hard!