Please. Nonplused means "surprise and confuse someone so much that they don't know how to react." I've thrown in the towel on believing anyone knows enough about philosophy to stop use "begging the question" appropriately. But nonplused is sucvh a good word, perhaps the editors of Salon, at least, can stop contributing to the demise of good words.

I smoked for 16 years and finally quit almost 6 years ago. I was one of those people who loved smoking (it has been nice to read similar comments from other former smokers, especially since so many people loathe everything smoking-related once they quit). I quit because I wanted a family and do not want to die an early death (of my own doing) if I can help it. When I was in my 20s, I drank, smoked and "partied all the time". Now, I'm in my late 30s, I don't drink anymore, don't smoke (well, except on vacation (LOVE my vacation smokes)), drink a ton of water and I exercise regularly - and eat healthier ... and my health is nowhere near what it was when I smoked! I agree with the idea that much of it is age-related ... but I gotta tell you, it sometimes makes me feel like I might as well smoke (thank God for my children, though, because there is no way I'll ever be a smoker again).

The person who answered happyfaghag's call for evidence about second hand smoke's deleterious effects could not have actually read the findings posted on one of the sites. The site at http://www.davehitt.com/facts/who.html describes The WHO's attempt to reorganize a study because the first attempt didn't yield the expect results, i.e. conclusive results linking second hand smoke with increased risk of cancer. The revamped second study did manage to find some data of note -- that children raised in homes where they were exposed to second hand smoke were 22% LESS likely to develop lung cancer. The 16-17% increased risk associated with living or working with a smoker was deemed by the WHO itself as statistically insignificant.

I am not saying that this proves there is no risk associated with second hand smoke, but when trying to make a point, one should make sure whatever they've just googled actually supports their contention. Otherwise you'll support the snippy smokers' claims that you're an ill-informed scapegoater who adds little more to the debate than the sparking of desire for a retaliatory smoke.

I quit 10 years ago after smoking for 29 years. I was 47 years old and had been running for 11 years.

My motivation for quitting was weariness with the chronic bronchitis that had been making me feel like crap for a couple of years prior to quitting. My running had also started to suffer, and I told myself that when it came time to choose between running and smoking I'd choose running.

Well, after I quit, I experienced many of the physical reaction Rebecca described. I pretty much felt like crap the first year or so after I quit. My running did not improve, either. I was pretty competitive when I smoked, but my times increased about 1 minute per mile. (I had my best marathon time when I smoked 2 packs a day.) When the nurses and docs asked me, "Now, don't you feel better since you quit?" and I would bark, "NO!", they looked at me as if I had just waxed rhapsodic on the benefits of sheep fondling. One day another doc told me to hang in there, that his dad had quit and had felt pretty lousy for a year also and to just hang in there. I can really sympathize with Rebecca. While there are many times I still miss it, I'm finally glad that I quit

I loved smoking, also, until I realized my body was telling me it really didn't enjoy it after the first 1 or 2 cigarettes. I do not condemn people who smoke and, from time to time, I've indulged without starting the habit again. Everyone's experiences with smoking/quitting smoking are unique. I think the key is focusing on why YOU made the choice, not meeting someone else's expectation.

massive amounts of data exist which directly answer this question and the answer is an unequivocal NO the benefits to the functioning of the body are in fact almost incalculable. Heroin addicts feel horrible when they stop too.

They say the "Mad Russian" does wonders. I believe he might be out in Brookline. Some sort of hypnosis type deal.

Haven't had a smoke all day. (I already have IBD, so that's no added concern. But what's with all the gall bladder removals?) We'll see how it goes.

Scanning the letters, they appear to be from former smokers for the most part. Anyone reading this who is interested in quitting might consider trying hypnosis. I had a two and half packs a day, fifteen year old habit. I had tried unsuccessfully many times to quit. I saw a doctor who hypnotized me and told me I would feel better and continue feeling better every moment from my last cigarette. This was in a single session. It was like falling off a log. No cravings, no bitchiness. And I did feel better and better! He did emphasize that he could make it easy to quit, but it was up to me to stay from cigarettes; he couldn't hypnotize me for that. I haven't had a cigarette in over 19 years. The same doctor successfully treated my mother, aunt and several friends.

Congrats to the quitters out there and good luck to those trying!

Please pare your prose style down. You're not in command of most of the high-falutin' words that you use.

I miss my cigs too.

Your article made me think-what exactly WAS it again, in cigs that cause cancer?

Was it not determined that it was the addititives that were carcinogenic? Or was it the tobacco?

Keep tryin to pacify myself with stuff like, "well the Indians smoked it-and they were excellent herbalist".

Would an additive-free cig be a little safer? This saintly life is taking a while to get used to.

bethincary