[hsieh]

i wish they would make nicotine illegal the way they make cocain illegal. i work in a long term care facillity for the chronically mentally ill and so many of the residents have lung problems. we had to discharge a resident yesterday because he's be laying around smoking (he's motorly retarded - but not coginitively retarded) since he was 10 and now he's 41 and can't get an oxygen saturation level in the 90's without oxygen. with oxygen he only gets 96%. we're not allowed to have oxygen at our facillity. he's been told he'll die if he smokes but he doesn't care - all he cares about is his nicotine addiction. people who smoke are just that - addicts. no different than the crack head.

[cassioo]

they are addicted but I wouldn't say the same as a crackhead. Maybe the guy does care but has given up all hope so why quit now is that the only thing giving him any pleasure. I haven't quit eating all the junk I know I should. I'd like to but I just like it all too much. We all have our "addictions" I think. Some things are easier to quit then others.

[hsieh]

how is being addicted to nicotine not like being addicted to crack? i heard from a doctor that nicotine is actually more addicting than cocain. in fact it might be THE most addicting substance. it should be illeagal because it's a waste of money and kids have to breath in second hand smoke - they have no choice they're kids. when you tell somebody they're going to die because they're oxygen saturation is 80% without oxygen and they still refuse i don't see how they're different from a crackhead. the doctor told him he was going to die and he said "when?".

[hfergrn]

Since there is nothing healthy in the candy bar, and it is making our kids overweight, lets make that illegal too. All I am saying, is that we all have a choice. We can choose to eat the blizzard when we are already 100# overwieght, smoke the cigarette when already on O2, or drink when there are three DWI already under our belts.

If I am old, no longer able to do what I want, or can, I hope no one tells me I can't have a big bowl of icecream, cup of coffee, and a cigar if I choose to.....

[cougarnurse]

I am sure we remember what happened with Prohibition, and hfergen made several good points about obesity being the MAJOR problem. We all have a CHOICE. Being a School Lunch Survivor myself, I truly think that the school lunches WAAAY back left a bit to be desired.

IMHO, one can smoke and drive, and not be impaired. Drinking and driving? No contest. And I agree again with hfergren about when we are old....

I am glad to see this thread stay so 'level'.

'Cat'

[practicern]

Funny this topic came up on here, I was going to post about quitting smoking. I know I have to and really am scared of the withdrawal symptoms and the lifestyle change I will have to make. I know that in my clinicals next quarter the last 10 hours and I will not be able to smoke. I got the new drub prescription for Chantrix. Anyone have some insight on this new drug or any tips for me?

[nursinghumor]

While nicotine/smoking is not illegal, the antismoking lobbies have been chipping away at the tobacco industry's armor for quite some time and is starting to make headway.

I quit smoking round 1998 and to this day, I get the urge to smoke each time I see, smell or hear anything about smoking. Was tough to quit and difficult to stay that way.

Best I can say, is get as many people to quit as you can, and keep as many kids from starting as possible.

The city of Philadelphia is now largely smoke free, and if we keep pressuring our legislatures, store/restaurant owners, etc that we won't tolerate smoking where we eat, go to school and shop, we will continue to make headway.

Smoking has killed enough people and sickened even more, we'll be taking care of smokers for a very long time in our hospitals and nursing homes.

Enough is enough.

Andrew Lopez, RN
http://www.nursinga2z.com

[nurse1stik]

it is hard to say cigarettes are an "addictive" substance. But, for the smoker it "calms them down" when they smoke. But, it is legal as is alchohol. The States are cracking down. But, what I want to know is. With all that occurs to peoples well being. How can a big fat dude tell me to stop smoking. Or my pill popping brother... BTW- he has never smoked, drank or drugged and is 32. But, those vitamins and body building supplements are important to him. Funny is he doesen't even judge his big sister, he is a great guy.
It seems that people judge by what they learn from books rather than what they see in the eyes of another human being. Thanks for letting me a part of this forum

:luck:

[nursinghumor]

How do you figure it is hard to say? It's a fact documented a million times over.

Might want to check where you're getting your info from. Mine is from the American Lung, American Heart Association, Centers for Disease Control, etc.

Andrew Lopez, RN
http://www.4nursing.com

[nurse1stik]

It is hard (for me) to say that and make a difference is what I should have said. Because it is legal and it is hard (for me) to believe something as addictive as that is legal. It is hard (for me) to understand why alcohol is legal.. Hope that helps!
:luck: