Im 15 me and my mate went into a cigirette shop and asked if we could buy some cigars. Since the owner is asian(not being racist) we assumed he would sell it too us. But he insisted that we had to be 18 to buy them. So he said would u like to buy some beedi. THey are alot cheaper than cigars 5 bux for like 30. The taste is good as, You get alot out of them for a small thing. The only thing i dont understand is why arent they illegal? According to wikipedia Beedi has 3 times more nicotine and carbon monoxide and also produces 5 times more tar than a normal cigirette yet kids are aloud to buy? Or was this asian guy just cutting us a sly deal. What are your thoughts?

5 bucks for 30 ! The guy is fleecing you !

Don't know about the legal age limit, but no one really seems to care here in INDIA (about who is smoking beedi).

BTW beedi smoking is considered hep in some circles.

Another thing, most brands of beedis don't carry the statutory warning.

I would suggest that you don't smoke in general, I'm sure you have heard all of the things before, but they do kill. I'm not trying to be a parent here, but I feel it neccessary to advise you to stop. Smoking WILL damage your body.

I'm not sure that this is really appropriate talk for a forum that contains younger users, and they can be persuaded that things like this are good if other people do them.

Smoking WILL damage your body.

That's not entirely true. While smoking does increase your risk of cancer, emphasema,etc. it is not a guarentee that you will get these diseases. Many smokers die of smoking related diseases but many also are uneffected and live long healthy lives. I personally believe people who want to smoke should have the right to smoke and things like age limits and smoking bans are idiotic and serve no real purpose. After all if prople want to smoke they will do so regardless of what the law says.

That's not entirely true.

Smoke that is inhaled drops into your lungs and damages them. Some signs are "smokers cough". Look at an xray of a healthy lung, and then look at an xray of a "smokers" lung. Regardless, there is a big chance that a person will come down with some kind of disease that can kill you if not under control. That is why I think that there should be laws against minors using tobacco or anything that contains nicotine (enough to get you addicted).

I feel the United States is insane for having a smoking law of 18 and 19 in some states since the average persons lungs dont stop delvoping at age 25 so basicly they should chnage the smoking law to 25-30 or just ban it alltogether

I feel the United States is insane for having a smoking law of 18 and 19 in some states since the average persons lungs dont stop delvoping at age 25 so basicly they should chnage the smoking law to 25-30 or just ban it alltogether


I don't see how a ban or raise in the legal age would help any. Lots of people smoke underage as it is now and I believe they would continue to to so. Many people also use illegal drugs even though there are laws prohibiting it and I believe smokers would do the same. No matter what laws are passed people will continue to smoke so I don't see the point of wasteing time and tax money createing and enforceing such laws.

I don't see how a ban or raise in the legal age would help any. Lots of people smoke underage as it is now and I believe they would continue to to so. Many people also use illegal drugs even though there are laws prohibiting it and I believe smokers would do the same. No matter what laws are passed people will continue to smoke so I don't see the point of wasteing time and tax money createing and enforceing such laws.

If they ban it, then you couldn't buy cigarettes. The only problem with that is the fact that many people would end up going to drug dealers for cigrarettes or a bootleg would go on (similar to that of the alcohol ban in the 1920's in the U.S.).

I have never heard of it, but I wouldn't recommend smoking in general. Smoking a cigar and not inhaling (or not inhaling every drag) is a bit less risky, but smoking cigs, its just better not to start.

WHats the differencce between Cigarettes and Cigars.

I heard that Cigars are stronger, but apart from that?

Many people do not inhale cigars, making them alot "better" (I use that term loosely) for your health.

But everyone inhales cigarettes, you dont buy them for the taste.

I believe Cigar smoke is basic while cigarette smoke is acidic, and that aids absorption of nicotine in the tissues of your mouth and throat. Cigarettes don't have as much nicotine getting absorbed by mouth and throat so it has to be inhaled. That may not be entirely correct, but I think its got some truth in it.

Also they won't ban cigarettes, can't afford the tax revenue loss.

Also they won't ban cigarettes, can't afford the tax revenue loss.

Took the words right out of my mouth!!! Thats the whole reason they done away with prohibition! The federal government was loosing billions on tax revenue!

Personally I smoke. Its my decision. I do not condone it, I do not smoke in my house. Nor do I smoke in my truck when someone is with me that doesnt smoke. Its just common curteousy. But banning it wont stop people from doing it! The only reason the government wont legalize pot is because they cant collect taxes on it, they know that everyone would be growing there own. Besides....my back yard is not big enough to grow tobacco! :D

BTW beedi smoking is considered hep in some circles.
LOL. No really LOL.

WHats the differencce between Cigarettes and Cigars.

I heard that Cigars are stronger, but apart from that?
in general, you don't inhale cigar smoke deliberately. It is enjoyed for taste and aroma.

I am a cigar smoker and once in a blue moon a cigaratte - although cigs are boring and don't do anything for me.

I am totally opposed to the anti-smoking nazi craze going on. In some areas you can't even smoke outside anymore. This is nuts and a violation of my rights. IT's bad enough you can't smoke in bars and restaurants anymore. That's why I seldom eat out any more.

This BS that second hand smoke kills is a real joke. There are far more dangerous things to worry about - like asbestos and mold in the house.

And BTW I am 37 years old and in excellent health. I work out and have been a soldier for 16 years.

smoking anything is bad for you no matter what your age is. you might not get cancer or anything, but smoking sure doesn't make you any healthier. personally, i choose not to smoke tobacco because my lungs have a more important job than getting me a little nicotine buzz...keeping me alive.

I've smoked beedies (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bidi) before. I don't think the guy should have sold them to you, they are a tobacco product.

well! first of all BNX, you shouldn't have gone to buy cigs, it is breaking the law. you shouldn't have encouraged the asian shop owner to break the law, criminals don't need much to encourage them. you shouldn't be smoking. never mind what peoples views are on what illness you will get and may get or not proved to get. never mind what someones view is on how much they should cost you.
you are 90% GUARANTEED to die with an illness related to smoking of any sort.

come on BNX, show how adult you really are and don't follow fools!!
it's no longer cool to smoke

Agreed. I'm sick of seeing people baked outside my school. They smoke every kind of nasty drug, and they're all really screwed up. Now I know the things that have been mentioned in this thread won't do anything as bad as getting you baked or high or anything, but I'm just sick of seeing people (especially minors) smoke this garbage when it is so unhealthy. I can't think of a reason to smoke anything, nor will I let someone smoke near me. If they're an adult and they say they have authority over me, I just tell them I don't care because I don't want to get sick because of someone else's stupid habits.

I was stuck starting to smoke at the age of 15 due to my g/f at the time smoking and also high school pressures! I like the taste of smoking but now i'm 27 and wanna quit! Help ME!

Agreed. I'm sick of seeing people baked outside my school. They smoke every kind of nasty drug, and they're all really screwed up. Now I know the things that have been mentioned in this thread won't do anything as bad as getting you baked or high or anything, but I'm just sick of seeing people (especially minors) smoke this garbage when it is so unhealthy. I can't think of a reason to smoke anything, nor will I let someone smoke near me. If they're an adult and they say they have authority over me, I just tell them I don't care because I don't want to get sick because of someone else's stupid habits.

I totally agree. I see a lot of high school students smoking cigarettes on the street and all I can wonder is how much are they going to hate themselves for starting when they are seniors and have lung problems.

I was stuck starting to smoke at the age of 15 due to my g/f at the time smoking and also high school pressures! I like the taste of smoking but now i'm 27 and wanna quit! Help ME!

I started when I was 19, smoked till 3 years ago when I was 47. I had tried several times to quit. I would wake up coughing so hard I couldn't catch my breath and tears would run down my face. I still notice the damage I did to my lungs. Nicorette Gum worked best for me. Not grat tasting but it gives you nicotine while you break the hand thing with cigarettes. Eventually you drop down to a weaker gum for a couple weeks and then you just get tired of chewing it and quit the gum too. Patches irritated my skin and caused muscle aches. The best time to quit is RIGHT NOW!

nicotine is perhaps the most intense drug known to man - one drop on your skin could kill you from an overdose. i knew a girl who smoked 3 packs a day, and she tried to quit. she went one whole day without smoking a cigarette. the next day she was rushed to the hospital, after going into shock from nicotine withdrawals. nothing that does that to a person can be good for you.

for all the people that wished they never smoked.
giving up isn't easy, but its not impossible. there is no easy way to give up smoking. you will be crave, you will get angry, you will ache, you will sweat, you will not sleep, you may develop a cough, a sore throat, but heh! its only for a couple of days. just think of a child in an abusive family, to them its forever, they have no choice!!

to say i can't, means wont! use whatever crutch you need to get through it. a person that has never smoked are the luckiest people, because they had the sense not to start and the courage to say no to their peers. but they are often not the best person to help, as they rarely understand that need and want. but don't knock them for helping!

after the first few days, look at the colour of your teeth. look at the colour of your skin, it becomes fresher because of the better level of oxygen in your blood

may i wish anyone that intends to stop smoking, SUCCESS!

nicotine is perhaps the most intense drug known to man - one drop on your skin could kill you from an overdose. i knew a girl who smoked 3 packs a day, and she tried to quit. she went one whole day without smoking a cigarette. the next day she was rushed to the hospital, after going into shock from nicotine withdrawals. nothing that does that to a person can be good for you.

It is pretty bad what happens to people, yes, but there is still a prevelence of smoking in youth, trust me, I am their age. Many people think that it's cool and fun, but it only leads to terrible things. Thank God that the "coolness" of smoking has seemed to go down from when my parents were my age (from what I hear).

You know. Weed isn't bad for you. Infact tests prove that even heavy weed smokers don't lose lung health.

The most dangerous thing abou weed is getting caught with it.

It's still a recreational drug that can get you "high", which can lead to accidents and/or death from an accident.

It's still a recreational drug that can get you "high", which can lead to accidents and/or death from an accident.
but so is drinking, i have alot of friends that smoke weed , and to tell you the truth i would rather be around a stoner than a drunk, stoner's are less prone to aggressive behavior to their addiction than drunks are

I know, that is the flaw. I feel that alcohol is a terrible thing. The only reason that we have it is due to the bootlegging issues with the mafia during prohibition.

You know. Weed isn't bad for you. Infact tests prove that even heavy weed smokers don't lose lung health.

The most dangerous thing abou weed is getting caught with it.

where on earth did you get that information from.
apart from having to use tobacco with it, go seek out information on mental health problems, driving under the influence, violence and sexual assaults.
the only good weed does, is to give relief of pain to sufferers of MS and alike. its no wonder why kids are drawn to drugs with remarks like that.
couldn't disagree with you and your like more!

Yeah, marijuana smoking helps patients with terminal cancer with their pain too. But this is a debatable topic and according to my professor, research proves that legalizing it wouldn't make teens etc. worse off at all. In fact, it would have little, if any, effect on this strata of society. I don't know what to believe so I leave it to you to make up your mind and do your own research.

Just for my 2 cents though, I believe it shouldn't be made legal, coz teens (like Tom said), just need a reason to smoke it. I should know, I'm friends with some of those puffers-of-white-death-sticks!

just a few points hi-lighted.

RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH MEDICAL USE OF MARIJUANA

Marijuana is not a completely benign substance. Marijuana is a powerful drug with a variety of effects. However, except for the harms associated with smoking, the adverse effects of marijuana use are within the range of effects tolerated for other medications. The harmful effects to individuals from the perspective of possible medical use of marijuana are not necessarily the same as the harmful physical effects of drug abuse. When interpreting studies purporting to show the harmful effects of marijuana, it is important to keep in mind that the majority of those studies are based on smoked marijuana, and cannabinoid effects cannot be separated from the effects of inhaling smoke from burning plant material and contaminants.

For most people the primary adverse effect of acute marijuana use is diminished psychomotor performance. It is, therefore, inadvisable to operate any vehicle or potentially dangerous equipment while under the influence of marijuana, THC (delta-9 tetrahydrocannibinol), or any cannabinoid drug with comparable effects. In addition, a minority of marijuana users experience dysphoria, or unpleasant feelings. Finally, the short-term immunosuppressive effects are not well established but, if they exist, are not likely great enough to preclude a legitimate medical use.

The chronic effects of marijuana are of greater concern for medical use and fall into two categories: the effects of chronic smoking and the effects of THC. Marijuana smoking is associated with abnormalities of cells lining the human respiratory tract. Marijuana smoke, like tobacco smoke, is associated with increased risk of cancer, lung damage, and poor pregnancy outcomes. Although cellular, genetic, and human studies all suggest that marijuana smoke is an important risk factor for the development of respiratory cancer, proof that habitual marijuana smoking does or does not cause cancer awaits the results of well-designed studies.

Numerous studies suggest that marijuana smoke is an important risk factor in the development of respiratory disease.

Patterns in progression of drug use from adolescence to adulthood are strikingly regular. Because it is the most widely used illicit drug, marijuana is predictably the first illicit medicament most people encounter. Not surprisingly, most users of other illicit drugs have used marijuana first. In fact, most medicament users begin with alcohol and nicotine before marijuana-usually before they are of legal age.

In the sense that marijuana use typically precedes rather than follows initiation of other illicit drug use, it is indeed a "gateway" drug. But because underage smoking and alcohol use typically precede marijuana use, marijuana is not the most common, and is rarely the first, "gateway" to illicit drug use. There is no conclusive evidence that the drug effects of marijuana are causally linked to the subsequent abuse of other illicit drugs. An important caution is that data on drug use progression cannot be assumed to apply to the use of drugs for medical purposes. It does not follow from those data that if marijuana were available by prescription for medical use, the pattern of drug use would remain the same as seen in illicit use.

Finally, there is a broad social concern that sanctioning the medical use of marijuana might increase its use among the general population. At this point there are no convincing data to support this concern. The existing data are consistent with the idea that this would not be a problem if the medical use of marijuana were as closely regulated as other medications with abuse potential.

Present data on drug use progression neither support nor refute the suggestion that medical availability would increase drug abuse. However, this question is beyond the issues normally considered for medical uses of medicaments and should not be a factor in evaluating the therapeutic potential of marijuana or cannabinoids.

http://www.herbs2000.com/herbs/herbs_marijuana.htm

http://www.katinkahesselink.net/health/canabis.html NEW STUDY

In the sense that marijuana use typically precedes rather than follows initiation of other illicit drug use, it is indeed a "gateway" drug. But because underage smoking and alcohol use typically precede marijuana use, marijuana is not the most common, and is rarely the first, "gateway" to illicit drug use.
Is it just me or do those two statements seem to contradict each other?

it think that it is because of the selection of hi-light. it needs to be viewed as a whole picture.

High school pressures ? Sheesh !
All it takes to quit is the will to do so, and the recognition that you are not really quit until three years have passed... and any smoking at any time afterwards in your life puts you back on the slippery slope. Quitting is a lifetime committment. Nothing less.

High school pressures ? Sheesh !
All it takes to quit is the will to do so, and the recognition that you are not really quit until three years have passed... and any smoking at any time afterwards in your life puts you back on the slippery slope. Quitting is a lifetime committment. Nothing less.

my grandma used to be a heavy smoker and she gave up on pure willpower, not a single cigarette while she was quitting, now she only has 1 to be sociable but only very rarely, i'm really proud of her :)
anywho, i think that if people want to smoke, they should be able to, but if it harms other people it should be stopped, smoking only areas are fine because people don't have to go in them

The smoking only areas are now diminishing, making smokers mad, and revolting at congress. I have no idea how you are able to sell something that kills your clients and have a clean conscious.

The smoking only areas are now diminishing, making smokers mad, and revolting at congress. I have no idea how you are able to sell something that kills your clients and have a clean conscious.
Well that's what makers of "fine spirits" like Johnny Walker do. That's why movies like The Insider are made.

Personally i think all drugs should be legal to posses. If someone really wants to do drugs, they will do them anyway whether there illegal or not. The only difference is, when there illegal, alot of people get hurt in the process of them trying to get those drugs. Of course they would be more available if they were legal, but if your stupid enough to do them in the first place, what would it matter if they were legal or illegal? It wouldn't. So why get in their way?

If someone decides to use drugs..I could care less. When someone decides to use drugs, and harm or effect another person in anyway, thats when i care.

That is my opinion.

hummmm....Both alcohol and "weed" are proven to be bad for you. We all can agree. Why was alcohol illegal, and prohibition created? Because the government couldn't tax it. They found a way to tax it, now its legal. Reason weed is not legal? The government can't find a way to tax it. Because they know it they legalize it, we will stop growing tomatoes in our gardens and replace it with good 'ole weed. That is the bottom line here folks! Take moonshine for instance. It was and is illegal to make it, but there is a distillery in Virginia. That makes shine legal!!! It must not be under 98 and not over 100 proof. And why they can make it? Because the government says they can as long as they keep paying the tax on it!

hummmm....Both alcohol and "weed" are proven to be bad for you. We all can agree. Why was alcohol illegal, and prohibition created? Because the government couldn't tax it. They found a way to tax it, now its legal. Reason weed is not legal? The government can't find a way to tax it. Because they know it they legalize it, we will stop growing tomatoes in our gardens and replace it with good 'ole weed. That is the bottom line here folks! Take moonshine for instance. It was and is illegal to make it, but there is a distillery in Virginia. That makes shine legal!!! It must not be under 98 and not over 100 proof. And why they can make it? Because the government says they can as long as they keep paying the tax on it!

exactly, as long as the government can make money off it they don't care, hell they let people go nuts with stuff they can tax, like alcohol when you see someone staggering down the street on a weekend screaming and shouting, then getting arrested <_<

hummmm....Both alcohol and "weed" are proven to be bad for you. We all can agree. Why was alcohol illegal, and prohibition created? Because the government couldn't tax it. They found a way to tax it, now its legal. Reason weed is not legal? The government can't find a way to tax it. Because they know it they legalize it, we will stop growing tomatoes in our gardens and replace it with good 'ole weed. That is the bottom line here folks! Take moonshine for instance. It was and is illegal to make it, but there is a distillery in Virginia. That makes shine legal!!! It must not be under 98 and not over 100 proof. And why they can make it? Because the government says they can as long as they keep paying the tax on it!

Here is an interesting read why weed is illegal, it has very little to do with taxes. http://blogs.salon.com/0002762/stories/2003/12/22/whyIsMarijuanaIllegal.html

My viewpoint on drugs are that if you can keep it in moderation, there is nothing wrong with it. If you smoke to much cigs, drink to much beer, eat to much food its all going to be bad for you.

Yeah that was rather interesting. The second paragraph I think explains really what my point was. :D

Why was alcohol illegal, and prohibition created? Because the government couldn't tax it. They found a way to tax it, now its legal.alcohol was taxed before prohibition. prohibition was a moronic attempt to stop people from drinking in a day and age when marijuana and opium were legal and generally used.My viewpoint on drugs are that if you can keep it in moderation, there is nothing wrong with it.i agree, for "natural" drugs (cannabis, psychoactive mushrooms). good link, BTW

most people don't realize just how much money the federal government spends on marijuana law enforcement. cannabis and hemp are naturally occurring plants that commonly grow in certain parts of the country, and the DEA spends millions of taxpayers money on finding and destroying these wild plants, which grow in remote areas and are not cultivated for human use. in my opinion, the government should use these resources fighting dangerous drugs, such as heroin and amphetamines.

hummmm....Both alcohol and "weed" are proven to be bad for you. We all can agree

Alcohol, yes, weed, no. Trust me, i have seen living examples.

most people don't realize just how much money the federal government spends on marijuana law enforcement. cannabis and hemp are naturally occurring plants that commonly grow in certain parts of the country, and the DEA spends millions of taxpayers money on finding and destroying these wild plants, which grow in remote areas and are not cultivated for human use. in my opinion, the government should use these resources fighting dangerous drugs, such as heroin and amphetamines.

Exactly, they spend all this money, and get almost NOTHING done. Either way those who wish, are still going to do what they wish.

As a underage college student i can tell you it is MUCH easier to get weed than it is alcohol. A guy in the dorm across the way is growing his own shrooms. If you want drugs you can get them.

Drug control is a joke.

Drugs are for losers and Hypnosis is for Losers with Big eye brows! ;)

Well anyways, I dont think i'd do drugs or smoke cigs or drink alcohol because it's pretty lame... I mean if I smoked weed or drank some alcohol i'll end up deleting some **** on my computer that is required to boot or something :haha:

Thats what I thought until I was 20 TimeParadoX, well except for thinking I'd screw up my computer. Then at 20 I discovered how fun it was to drink. Although now I don't drink anymore...

Still, it's just a waste of money... $4 for a pack of cigs is alot

$4? At least cigs are that heavily taxed there. Here, you can get a pack of Dunhill Fine Cut (which, according to my fellow "puffers" is the "connoiseur's choice", whatever that means) for only Dhs. 7.50, which is around $2. (considering the exchange rate of Dhs. 3.65 for $1)