I've always thought it would be a matter of time. I smoke but very few. Probably not even five a day. I should give up but still get the cravings. Going to the pub is the issue - I might smoke ten - twenty then.
I've always said make it too expensive. It's not banned then. Make it 40-50 a packet. And give free alternatives. I've noticed a massive reduction in "real" smokers anyway. Obviously, some dead - as happens, others given up.
But vaping - that looks here to stay. More should be researched about that. I doubt it's that harmless but wouldn't know.

a condition called Popcorn lung.

....and on that subject. It turns out that burnt popcorn, and especially microwave popcorn....very carcinogenic.

i heard some expert saying something like ''obesity is the new smoking".........meaning, everybody is doing obesity an few fully understand just how deadly it is. And again, very addictive.

most Muslim countries have excellent statistics for the incidence of Cancer. UK & Ireland ? abysmal.

the Fasting, of Ramadan, is an excellent protection against obesity.....it fights against insulin-resistance. Intermittent-fasting in all but name.

Not sure about smoking. Every muslim village i ever visited has a ton of lads hanging out at the cafe, drinking mint tea, many smoking various things. And not boozing alcohol. Often playing dominoes, chess, cards, or other pursuits.

Edited by PalazioVecchio (05 Oct 2023 1.34pm)

A study quoted in the BMJ

We studied mortality, paid income and tobacco taxes, and the cumulative costs due to pensions and medical care among tobacco smoking and non-smoking individuals in a 27-year prospective cohort study of 1976 men from Eastern Finland. These individuals were 54–60 years old at the beginning of the follow-up

Smoking was associated with a greater mean annual healthcare cost of €1600 per living individual during follow-up. However, due to a shorter lifespan of 8.6 years, smokers’ mean total healthcare costs during the entire study period were actually €4700 lower than for non-smokers. For the same reason, each smoker missed 7.3 years (€126 850) of pension. Overall, smokers’ average net contribution to the public finance balance was €133 800 greater per individual compared with non-smokers. However, if each lost quality adjusted life year is considered to be worth €22 200, the net effect is reversed to be €70 200 (€71.600 when adjusted with propensity score) per individual in favour of non-smoking.

My sister died suddenly two months ago from lung and stomach cancer due to smoking. I wish she had lived the extra 8.6 years.

Edited by Mapletree (04 Oct 2023 11.55pm)