Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: Notesfiles; site ea.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!floyd!vax135!houxz!houxm!ihnp4!inuxc!pur-ee!uiucdcs!ea!steve From: steve@ea.UUCP Newsgroups: net.misc Subject: Re: Re: Why Smoke? - (nf) Message-ID: <8200005@ea.UUCP> Date: Sun, 17-Jun-84 19:24:00 EDT Article-I.D.: ea.8200005 Posted: Sun Jun 17 19:24:00 1984 Date-Received: Thu, 21-Jun-84 06:09:33 EDT References: <251@tellab1.UUCP> Lines: 38 Nf-ID: #R:tellab1:-25100:ea:8200005:000:1986 Nf-From: ea!steve Jun 17 18:24:00 1984 #R:tellab1:-25100:ea:8200005:000:1986 ea!steve Jun 17 18:24:00 1984 I am another misguided individual who started the habit at only 12. Both of my parents were smokers. My Father had lost a lung by the time I was in the third grade. I do not however feel importantly threatened by the 'dangers of smoking' since I quit several years ago. I can vouch for several significant advantages to smoking. First, it offers a small measure of protection from freezing in extreme cold weather. Nicotine has varied effects depending upon the quantity ingested. In larger quantities it acts a peripheral vessel constrictor. To be specific it induces the involuntary contraction of muscles surrounding the blood vessels in the peripheral parts of the body, forcing most of the blood volume and body heat to the more sensitive internal organs. A deep puff of a strong cigarette can quite literally keep one warm in the winter. Second, in smaller quantities the converse effect occurs. The relaxation of muscles surrounding peripheral vessels results in increased heat transfer near the body surface. A light puff of a cigarette can cool the body in summer. These are physiologically documented facts. I cannot make any defence of a vice to which I fell victim. Hence I will state also that it is still an offensive habit that is uncomplimentary of its proponents. During the later part of the 19th century the habit of oral tobacco consumption became a problem of such magnitude many states passed laws against 'public spitting' to protect the public from the menace. Many states have not bothered to remove these laws even though much of the menace is now gone. It was not so long ago that smoking was restricted to 'smoking lounges' in public transportation. Steve Blasingame convex!ctvax!uokvax!ea!steve (begin flame) If you do not quit please spare the good people around you the disgusting odor and eye-burning haze and please,please don't impose on others by asking "mind if I smoke?". Many will be to polite to say yes but are still offended. (end flame)