I don't want to ruffle any feathers here Seeker as I understand where you're coming from. I just think some of your comments were a bit harsh as lot of us have different lifestyles that contribute to our weaknesses be it addiction to smoking or some other substance.
No feathers ruffled Madison.
I can sometimes deliver my opinion a bit forcefully and it's common fact people do get bent out of shape when they are told they are wrong directly like that. I'll try to be a bit more tactful, although it's not my strong suit.
Unfortunately, some of us do succumb much easier to addiction than others due to our genetic makeup or some of us simply end up not caring enough about ourselves or our future. Its destructive and sad to see but I don't think all smokers out there are smoking out of ignorance. They've simply given up on themselves and don't care of the consequences of their actions that they've chosen to put upon themselves.
Regardless of what science likes to dribble, I do not and never will accept genetics as an excuse for bad behaviour and choices. People like to jump on genetics as the latest excuse in a long list of excuses for being unable to do something. I think the way we are raised has a much more profound impact on these things, and that is something that should be looked at closely. Regarding the self esteem issues of many people, I feel that is indeed an area for concern and they do definitely need help to overcome the issues holding them back in their lives. But they need true help, something that will break through the issues and actually deal with them so they can move on. Too often the "help" merely masks over the cause by treating the symptoms, hence the drug co's stranglehold on the health industry. This kind of treatment is pointless as the underlying issue(s) are still there and continue to come up throughout their entire lives. We really have to change how we as a society treat psychological issues.
I also HATE, let me say that again, HATE, how the media and society as a whole perpetuate being a victim as a good thing. You simply have to turn on a news or current affair program to see someone crying about something. Victims sell just as well as sex and the worse their plight the better. Please don't mistake this as me hating people who have problems. We all have problems and they do hurt and are hard to deal with. I understand that and I've been there myself many times. But what I hate is how instead of encouraging growth and overcoming of these things, society and the media prop the victim up and encourage them to stay a victim. It's much easier to feel good about yourself for feeling sorry for a victim then it is to help that victim overcome the cause of the problem. They know this, and they sell it to us for profit and ratings.
On the other hand, I'm certainly not saying that you or anyone else should be in any way subjected to it at all. I'm more of the mind that everybody deals with things differently be it addiction to calm themselves (not to say thats right) or some other form thats less detrimental to their health.
I think all addiction is a dangerous thing (true addiction that is). Smoking is one of the worse simply because of it's ability to affect everyone around you, having one or two beers won't usually cause bad effects to yourself or anyone around you, but a single cigarette 20 meters away and I can smell it. If I can smell it I'm breathing it. I believe we should have compassion for our fellow humans and I completely understand that addiction is a very hard thing to break, being trapped in one myself for over 2 years. However, I feel that too many people pass the buck these days. It seems to never be their own fault for anything that happens to them. If we are to believe what people say and do in general, then we are all adult sized children who can't help but do bad since we have no self control or will power and it's always someone else's fault that we did it anyway. To me that's a pathetic way to live and a total cop out. Sympathy for being a victim is more appealing for a lot of people then overcoming something, it's always much easier to just keep on doing the same rather then try to instigate true personal growth and change. Some good old fashioned personal responsibility wouldn't go astray.
