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See the original image at chicagotribune.com

Is Quitting Enough?

chicagotribune.com — Both of this year's presidential candidates say they are ex-smokers, but recent research suggests that they may face increased health risks from cigarettes for years to come.

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  • sump22, on 07/08/2008, -2/+56The longer you smoke, the greater your health risk!? No Wai!!
    • fatjoe, on 07/09/2008, -4/+3I didn't actually know McCain / Obama were previously smokers.
      I'm quite suprised at Obama especially
      I can honestly say I don't see him in the same light anymore....
      • SimonTB, on 07/09/2008, -1/+3He shouldn't even be eligible to be president anymore!
    • wirelesshnic, on 07/09/2008, -1/+7OMG. First off we are demonized as the scum of the earth by non-smokers. Then we are outcast to our cars and parking lots. Not to mention everyone and there mom telling us everyday information that we already know. Now even if we quit smoking we still can’t get away!?!?

      I usually just ignore these articles when I see them but this one is too much. I enjoy smoking. Yes I know it is going to kill me. But right now I enjoy it. I will also deal with consequences of my actions with little to no bitching as I am very aware of them. I could stop if I liked and I may some day in the future. But right now I enjoy taking a break every so often. Socializing with people I would not otherwise socialize with. Going outside every once in a while and getting to enjoy just a small part of the sunshine and rain. I enjoy the relaxing feeling it provides for these brief moments and the calmness it can induce during times of stress. For more information on the effects of nicotine see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicotine So to all of the people who constantly harass me here is a big ***** YOU.
    • cdahlkvist, on 07/09/2008, -2/+4This just in: Stuff is bad for you. Stuff you did that was bad was bad enough to rasie your risk of bad stuff happening even if you stopped doing stuff.

      DON'T DO STUFF!
  • acmaurer, on 07/08/2008, -0/+19Obviously there's a greater health risk the longer you smoke, but some of these statistics are pretty incredible:
    "The risk of getting lung cancer for a person who has smoked for 30 years can be six times greater than the risk for someone who has smoked for 20 years."
    • DaDrake, on 07/09/2008, -0/+9And if you live 10 years without health issues, after you stop smoking, statistically.... your no worst off than a non-smoker.
    • Lukesed, on 07/09/2008, -0/+11Your risk *can* be six times greater? What does that mean? Did I miss a lesson in statistics?
  • BoonTobias, on 07/08/2008, -2/+12http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9O1Cv7wudU
  • SpeakMediaBlog, on 07/08/2008, -1/+9I always heard that when you quit, your lungs begin to rebuild themselves. Maybe that was just a myth? But, that was how they "sold" quitting to people who'd smoked for a long long time. those smokers would say, "the damage is done, nothing I can do" and the response was always "the moment you quit, you start healing." Hmmmmm.
    • numb, on 07/09/2008, -0/+10You feel the benefits from quitting smoking pretty quickly if you're active, no doubt in my mind about that The long term effects of quitting look pretty good as well.
    • Visual77, on 07/09/2008, -1/+7I quit smoking over a year ago, but still get winded walking up stairs while talking. It's slowly getting better, but it's taking a long time.
    • bratterscain, on 07/09/2008, -0/+3I'd say a lot depends on age since being young helps the recovery process, usually. Also, how long you smoked and how heavy a smoker you were. More smoking equals more scarring of the lungs.
    • DaDrake, on 07/09/2008, -0/+4What causes emphysema are alveoli bursting (alveoli are small air sacs inside the lungs that are the center of oxygen/carbon-dioxide diffusion). When the alveoli burst, there is less surface area and it becomes more difficult to breath.

      They do not heal themselfs.
    • Lukesed, on 07/09/2008, -0/+2Awesome:
      http://www.healthbolt.net/wp-content/uploads/2007/ ...
  • Panoptes, on 07/09/2008, -2/+31Quitting smoking has no affect on your risk of dying.
    • JamesJanega, on 07/09/2008, -1/+15Chance of dying somehow: 100 percent.

      On the other hand, I watched a friend -- a lifelong smoker -- die from it, and it ***** sucked. It was misery for him and his family.

      Die in bed surrounded by grandchildren, smiling. That's a good death. Or in a ballooning accident.
      • friendlyman, on 07/09/2008, -0/+4No... you're right, JamesJanega . A parachute not opening... that's a way to die. Getting caught in the gears of a combine... having your nuts bit off by a Laplander, that's the way I wanna go.
      • pagno, on 07/09/2008, -0/+4Chances increase 1000% if youre smoking in the balloon.
      • bratterscain, on 07/09/2008, -0/+5Chances increase 1000% if youre smoking in a fireworks factory.
      • apophenic, on 07/09/2008, -1/+7You can die from lung cancer in bed, surrounded by grandchildren.

        There is no "good death." Death is death.
      • moktail, on 07/09/2008, -0/+3Chances increase 1000% if youre smoking covered in gasoline.

        (I had to misspell you're to keep it going. Or should I have kept it going? Oh well, too late, the damage is done.)
      • alach11, on 07/09/2008, -3/+1Chances decrease dramatically if the fireworks factory is in the baloon.
      • dstz, on 07/09/2008, -0/+4"Die in bed surrounded by grandchildren"

        does death by old age ever happen nowadays? all I see is people having cancers, Parkinson or Alzheimer's. None of those seems a peaceful way to go, even with grandchildren around. I'd really prefer to die from an heart attack while doing something fun, like some individual sport.
      • JamesJanega, on 07/10/2008, -0/+1The moral of this thread is: DON'T take your grandchildren up into your fireworks balloon while smoking covered in gasoline. But lung cancer and/or emphysema is a terrible way to go. Even in a balloon.

        Though any Laplander-related death is automatically funny. Except to Laplanders, those dour humorless reindeer-huggers.
    • Lukesed, on 07/09/2008, -4/+3It certainly increases your life expectancy.
    • AquaOSX, on 07/09/2008, -0/+10It's true. Imminent Death Syndrome is a terminal disease that plagues many Americans. Sadly, I have heard that both Obama and McCain suffer from IDS.
      • nextyoyoma, on 07/09/2008, -0/+3but the good news is, so does Bush!!
      • Jargonaut06, on 07/09/2008, -0/+2Of course, McCain suffers from Imminenter Death Syndrome
  • chayadina, on 07/09/2008, -3/+15With the help of Chantix 18 months ago, my mother at age 72 really quit smoking for the first time in more than 50 years. No doubt that the damage is done, but for the most part many of her chronic ailments have diminished...smoker's cough, blood pressure, heartburn. We are so proud of her that this time it has really worked and even though she continues to dream about smoking in her sleep, she also continues to persevere with this new, healthier lifestyle in the light of day.
    • encrypteduser, on 07/09/2008, -0/+4Same here... Chantix helped me, my brother, my dad, and my grandfather quit... over 80 years of smoking between all of us! This month is my 1 year anniversary. :)
  • Fourbin, on 07/09/2008, -4/+35Uh McCain is like 80 years old. He's going to die way before Barack so what's the point of even assessing their health risks from smoking?
  • 801NvizioN, on 07/09/2008, -2/+5Does race play any affect on cancerous lungs?
    • NomortaL1, on 07/09/2008, -4/+3no, but certain diseases due
      • NomortaL1, on 07/09/2008, -0/+2why am i getting modded down? its the truth...

        Sickle Cell Anemia
      • Enderpanda, on 07/09/2008, -2/+1You're getting downmodded because people think you're being racist.

        Sickle cell is a disease that seems to affect many more African Americans than other American people of other races, reportedly due to the horrible conditions and nutrition they suffered under slavery.

        *'the more you know' star goes across the screen*
    • NomortaL1, on 07/09/2008, -3/+2wow. did i just mispell do? sad times when living abroad affects your english...
  • intellecks, on 07/09/2008, -4/+18What a silly article.. who cares.
  • tedrock, on 07/09/2008, -3/+16This isn't even news.
  • cheeseron, on 07/09/2008, -5/+4yeah but it makes me look tough :[
  • sadsadrobot, on 07/09/2008, -4/+16Front page? Really?
  • Zlorp, on 07/09/2008, -3/+7so what they're saying is that... i should just not quit at all!
  • Mysticcal, on 07/09/2008, -11/+1I still blame my parents for ***** up my lungs every time I look back on it. Walking pneumonia, having shortness of breath.

    ***** Cigarettes IMO. douchebag smokers ruin electronics and make everything smell like *****. Hope it's outlawed soon. I don't mind people smoking, if it didn't give off nasty smelling lung congesting particles of fire.
    • KaiSe7eN, on 07/09/2008, -4/+4You're a ***** idiot.

      You act like ALL smokers just WANT to smoke. It's called addiction numb nuts...and it's VERY, VERY, VERY hard to quit smoking.

      Sorry if smokers ruin your precious days.
      • Mysticcal, on 07/09/2008, -3/+2and thus, the smokers retailiate.

        give it up man, it's only an addiction.
      • moktail, on 07/09/2008, -2/+1Too many weak people. What about the people starving? They have an addiction to hunger.
    • dellegazze, on 07/09/2008, -3/+1It's hard because they WANT to smoke. That's what an addiction is.
    • HigherLogic, on 07/09/2008, -0/+4Yeah, let's outlaw it...that'll get people to stop smoking *rolleyes*

      The rule of prohibition applies to any substance, whether it's cocaine, marijuana, tobacco, alcohol, or sugar.
    • Zakalwe2, on 07/09/2008, -1/+2Yeah, you're right about smoking slaughtering electronics. For the life of me I couldn't figure out how Sony and Microsoft could sell me such ***** game machines. Then I quit smoking and TA-DA! I've had the same XBOX for years. I don't agree with outlawing smoking, but I'm pretty happy you've got to go outdoors to smoke where I live.
    • apophenic, on 07/09/2008, -0/+5"Hope it's outlawed soon. I don't mind people smoking"
  • popstation, on 07/09/2008, -5/+12Quitting is for losers, if you are going to start something then finish it! my dad always used to say that... of course he died from lung cancer.
  • pagno, on 07/09/2008, -4/+21Buried as trivial *****.
  • filmbandit, on 07/09/2008, -2/+5i wonder if either of them pick at their scabs?

    picking at scabs is a bad deal.
  • patpl22391, on 07/09/2008, -4/+6Barack Obama fell off the wagon.
    • masterm1nd, on 07/09/2008, -0/+3I'm picturing a bandwagon falling off a bandwagon right now.
  • tuskerton, on 07/09/2008, -1/+3Is quitting enough...dumb title...not like you can go back in time. The earlier you quit, the more of your life you have not smoking (duh), plus younger bodies probably heal better/faster than older ones...i'm workin on it...sorta....
  • palmy523, on 07/09/2008, -1/+11Have a cigarette if you want, your going to die in a horrible car accident anyways before you die of lung cancer.
    • apophenic, on 07/09/2008, -1/+5i'm amazed that i survived, an airbag saved my life

      he's right, cars extremely ***** dangerous and we all forget that
  • brightshadow525, on 07/09/2008, -3/+3Smoking does bad things to your body? Really? I woulda never thunk it. Buried.
  • sub1, on 07/09/2008, -0/+9Whats everyone wearing?
  • FelixDrylock, on 07/09/2008, -0/+7No, quitting is NOT enough. That's boring. He should PRETEND to quit and then when the press catches him taking a puff of a menthol cigarette it'll be all over the news, and I can throw on a bag of popcorn while I watch Faux news ALL NIGHT LONG! YEHAAAAAAAAA !!!!!!
  • Kanele, on 07/09/2008, -1/+3but obama is safe, he inhaled cannabis :V
  • NomortaL1, on 07/09/2008, -3/+3smoking is bad!
    news at 11
  • DaDrake, on 07/09/2008, -0/+4The fact is, if you can live 10 years after quitting without health issues.... no doctor will be able to distinguish you from a non-smoker.
  • flockqqa2, on 07/09/2008, -3/+2rteterterterterte
  • Somedude2137, on 07/09/2008, -2/+6why the ***** did this get dugg up so much in the first place???? cmon people do your job and bury,bury,bury the ***** out of the front page

  • understudy, on 07/09/2008, -0/+6There are more than two candidates. Granted, there are only two major party candidates, but the Chicago Tribune should make the distinction---however minor it may seem.

    _
  • BrokenCircle, on 07/09/2008, -0/+9So even if I quit smoking I am still going to die from it? Then why the hell should I quit?

    Also non-smokers still die the same as smokers.
  • iamsmooth, on 07/09/2008, -0/+9So what if people choose to smoke? Smokers who want to quit should be able to quit at their own rate. The smear campaigns on Obama got so bad, that it forced him to quit smoking right on the spot--no it's not a coincidence.
  • maz2331, on 07/09/2008, -0/+8Of all the possible things to look at in a Presidential candidate, whether or not they currently or ever did smoke tobacco has to be about the stupidest and least relevant criteria of all. The damn things are legal and about 20% of the adult population uses them daily.

    Plus, isn't that why we have Vice Presidents?

  • sexydarin, on 07/09/2008, -3/+3Bunch of bull *****. Junks science bull *****. Smokers outlive non smokers. Health nazis go to hell.
  • encrypteduser, on 07/09/2008, -0/+3Chantix FTW!
  • knifesideleft, on 07/09/2008, -0/+3Can anyone find that calculator they posted the link to in the article as mskcc.org/mskcc/html/12463.cfm
    it didn't work for me and I was really interested.
  • luiyuming, on 07/09/2008, -1/+4Thank goodness I quit when I was in my mid-20s. Cigarettes are evil.
  • shauncorleone, on 07/09/2008, -0/+6"On a long enough timeline, the survival rate for everyone is zero."
  • truck87bp, on 07/09/2008, -0/+2Thank GOD my mother quit when she was 62, she will be 84 tomorrow. 42 years was enough.
    P.S. She's a feisty little thing that could probably kick your ass. Enough with the cigarette crap.
  • gkiltz, on 07/09/2008, -0/+2It will prevent additional damage!
    Depending on how long you've smoked, and how much, only some of the damage is reversible, and it can take a decade or more for your body to reverse as much of the damage as it can, but you start healing the day you quit, and within a year 90% of the healing process is complete!
    So just stop making excuses and quit! Immediately!
  • jnisme, on 07/09/2008, -3/+1How did this get so many diggs? Slow news day.

    /Buried as lame.
    //Obama still smokes, so it's also misleading.
  • scottperezfox, on 07/09/2008, -0/+2I think it's healthier to quit than to keep smoking. Leave 'em alone.
  • johnyquest, on 07/09/2008, -3/+1Buried as who gives a rats ass? ::grabs a newport::
  • vesendak, on 07/09/2008, -0/+2Having a wide stance in a bathroom stall is bad for you too but that hasn't stopped the republicans.
  • sodade, on 07/09/2008, -0/+3I smoked a pack of camels a day from 12 to 22. When I quit, I took up cycling and have become quite athletic in the last 18 years. I think that my lungs have recovered fine, but the impact on my physical development from smoking so much during the growing years (and being inactive) has left me permanently at a disadvantage as I try to be more athletically competitive. Man, if I could pull a "back to the future," I'd be kicking my 12yr old ass for being so ***** dumb.
  • deviationer, on 07/09/2008, -0/+3yeah ***** this article. If someone wants to kill themselves slowly, then so be it. It's their ***** choice.

    Also, STOP outlawing smoking in bars.
  • burketo, on 07/09/2008, -0/+4in my experience, quitting is never enough. to be a non-smoker after being a smoker you also have to:

    a) be incapable of just saying "no" if someone offers you a cigarette and instead spend 10 mins telling that person how you used to smoke, but gave them up cause you "just hated feeling unhealthy".

    b) become holier then though about how "it's not THAT hard" even though when you were going through the withdrawl you would have literally beaten a hobo to death with your own severed limb for a pull on his rolly.

    c) suddenly not understand how someone can like the taste.

    d) smoke like a trooper whenever you've had more then 3 pints.
  • dasklaun, on 07/09/2008, -0/+4But when you start smoking, you start looking cool immediately.
  • flockqqa2, on 07/10/2008, -0/+0nice one test ....
  •  

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