Posted by Meri-Tuuli on October 30, 2006, at 3:17:24
In reply to Re: vices debate: cigarrettes VS alcohol » Jost, posted by laima on October 29, 2006, at 22:50:03
Hey!
This is something I have given coniderable thought to.
I'm actually in line with that woman who you saw talk. Yes, I live in Europe, so that might colour my opinions!
I honestly don't see the major harm in say, smoking 2 cigarettes 3 times a week. In fact, I used to do that, but with maybe one cigarette. I personally think that the level of pollutants you'll receive from the atmosphere alone, if you live in a city like New York or London, would equal one or two cigarettes a day at least. And the same thing with drink. In fact, isn't moderate red wine drinking supposed to be encouraged?
Look at the Mediterranean countries. They have some of the longest life expectancies around -- they regularly drink, smoke, drink expressos, etc. But, its all in moderation, and they are generally lean, exercise in their daily habits, and eat plenty of fruit and vegatables.
Plus, there's lots of things which are even more important to your health, such as exercise and and eating lots of fruit and vegetables. As in, not many people make a fuss over the fact that eating fruit and vegeatables are a very good way of warding off cancer for example...but its all skewed to 'don't smoke, don't drink'.
I mean, you hear about how smoking is bad for you, and you're treated like a social leper, but being morbidly obese is probably assocaited with just as many negative health consequences as smoking or drinking in moderation are, but there's less emphasis on that. Or if you eat alot of chargrilled red meat - thats supposed to be extremely carciogenic.
Cancers related to smoking are easy to prove - however, cancers related to other factors (such a s the chargrilled red meat thing) aren't. So they get less emphasis. And how can eating something like red meat be unhealthy right? Its hard to change people's opinions.
Anyway, there are studies that show that a 'healthy brace of toxicity' is what the body needs, to help keep the systems sharp that do process waste.
Moderation is key.
Kind regards
Meri
poster:Meri-Tuuli
thread:698744
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/subs/20060727/msgs/698949.html