[massons]

In my opinion and experience, the only bloody way towards tobacco cessation is to go "cold turkey," period. It sucks and it's hard as heck... but if one want's to stop, no amount of nicarette gum or nicotine patches is going to help. YOU have to put the foot down on yourself.

Having conveyed my opinion, do I smoke? Nope. But, I have been battling with a similar addiction which is almost arguably as bad... I "dip" Copenhagen snuff (chewing tobacco). Interestingly, some say that one receives more nicotine in the system with smokeless tobacco than they do with cigarettes. Go figure?

Anyway, I've been 'dipping' for more than 20 years... and have quit three times, only to start up again a few months later. It is my personal failure, but my experiences have well proven to me that cold turkey is the only way to go.

Oh yea... gee, guess what my New Years resolution was?

As a side note: I have always found it hugely amazing how some people, likely due to their genetic disposition, can smoke like chimneys and live long lives... while others can smoke for only a few years and develop lung cancer. Using smokeless tobacco has the same outcome; any deliterious affects are apparently solely attributable to one's physological disposition. But what an idiotic gamble, no?

[Qesomud]

So all this talk about these different substances puts a question in my head... just curious... and I know we would be the minority... but does anyone not smoke (whatever the product) and not drink and not do drugs... I am not judging anyone who does and saying they are bad, I am just curious...am I the only one?

Nope! I never did any of those things. Ever.

[Wr8dIAUk]

Abuse of any drug, even Tylenol can be bad, and even fatal.

I heard that in Japan one can get expensive vials of concentrated "sports drinks" (high in caffeine, sugar, and herbal extracts of various kinds). I also heard that some Kendo people might be using those kinds of stimulants to get "up" for a tournament, exam, etc. I sure hope we don't see an overstimulated Kendo person drop from a heart attack.

I wonder how many people habitually use Red Bull or some other mild stimulant drink before Kendo practice...

[domeffire]

Is weed an illegal drug there or not?

Well of course it is, but it shouldnt be, hehehe, just kidding.

I know the risks of smoking cigarettes and let me tell you that cigarettes are way more dangerous than weed, as the guys said.

I expected my post to bring up some controversy and it worked.
The whole point was to know all the points of view of every guy.

Now I know some facts like a LOT of sensei and sempai are currently smoking and practicing kendo.
Thanks to all you guys for replying my post.

Just as a fact, I've never practiced high... goes against the kendo principles and my own principles, I just get high when I go to the movies (have you ever seen Pulp Fiction while high, try it) or while listening music (specially Pink Floyd, its so great!) or simply when I'm with my friends.

Well I'm glad to know that I'm not the only smoker between all the kendokas.

[Extinimot]

I personally don't smoke anything, but I think kendo will help you quit. Once you get through a really, really hard practice session, you most likely will have to chose between one or the other because, frankly, I think smoking will drag down your stamina too much. Plus, if you start to believe in the whole spiritual acspect of kendo, you won't need the high anymore either.

[asharbiq]

I am clean.

[Konidurase]

Hi there,

I do not smoke either. However...

To play Devil's Advocate...

Weed is an illegal drug here. If you get caught with it, you will go to jail. I assume you are in Mexico by your flag. Well, if you come here to visit a dojo and you happen to bring some of it, you will be bringing an illegal drug into the country that can get you deported if you choose to bring it.(Not saying you would, but I thought you should know that in case you didn't realise that.)

Is weed an illegal drug there or not? If it is, then if I was you, I'd quit. I have heard jail there is really not the nicest place to be.

Getting high causes you to lose your judgement, too. If you got high before class, you could hurt someone in the dojo. I think doing drugs, if you'll excuse me, is very very stupid as it kills brain cells and impairs judegment. You don't need to get high to have fun. Even though you say you only smoke it occasionally, it is still a very bad idea to smoke it. A drug is a drug no matter how you put it.

No it doesn't. THC only retards your reflexes and gives you a small euphoric feeling. Alcohol makes you lose your judgement.

Also, if someone can check for me, to see for sure, but isn't it in the tournament rules that you can't be doing drugs of any kind?

Personally, I think it should be a requirement for students to sign a form saying they'll stay away from drugs while being a member of a club. Some religions, including Native American tribes use everything from Tobacco, Marijuana, and even Snake venom in their Religious practices...

About the smoking. You should keep trying to quit. You'll be able to, if you keep up the determinaton and persevere in your goal to quit. Rewarding yourself for going x days w/out smoking with something fun to do or buy a thing you want to have, is a really good idea. There's nothing like motivation! Have you ever known a smoker who tried to do this? They get really....really...cranky and mean after so many days, and tired, and depressed.

My sensei at my current dojo smokes and it makes me crazy to see him do that. I want sooo much to tell him to stop that. Both my Grandfather on my Dad's side and my Great Aunt(I knew her) smoked a lot and both died young from emphysema(Sp?) which is a disease of the lungs caused by smoking that you have a high risk of getting when you are older from smoking. You'll end up on an oxygen tank for sure if you get that disease, and then you'll die. I miss both of them.

As to the weed, kick that habit now. The motivation idea above can be used for the weed quitting. And, you'll be much happier when you discover you don't need a drug to make you happy. It will be healthier and safer for you in the end. Safer because you won't end up in Jail or hurt somebody or yourself by accident because you were too high to realise what the heck you were doing. Weed isn't addictive.

Please give that serious thought. You don't want to ruin your chances at having a good life.

Kaoru Yeap.

And no I don't smoke weed or cigarettes, I only know the facts.

[kiosokkn]

I suppose one could argue that cigarettes are worse than weed, or weed is better than alcohol, etc., etc., but it just comes down to it that all of these substances are really not good for you. All these arguments about how one is worse or better than another sounds like rationalizations to me.

And I won't argue if weed is addictive or not, but it sure can ruin people's lives. I know some people in marijuna anonymous who can attest to that.

[ashleyjoseph]

I agree with Reikon. I can happily say that during my Uni days, THC rocked - but most people smoke it with nasty, nasty tobacco (which I also smoked heavily for a while).

Alcohol is FAR more dangerous than THC - but as it is legal (and therefore taxable) it is deemed OK.

I cannot believe people still believe all of the cow poop about the horrific dangers of Cannabis - THC is very, very safe - and not (physically) addictive - It was banned to keep very rich tobacco and cotton farmers happy - not because it is dangerous!

As to the "You don't want to ruin your chances at having a good life" comment by Kaoru; what is the difference between going to a pub, having a few beers and a laugh and going to a Cafe in Amsterdam, having a few spliffs and a laugh?

[spravka.ua]

It's really easy to quit smoking, I've done it 30 times...

Now seriously, I used to smoke (tobacco) and quit when I started training... not really very good for stamina, much less with bogu on...

Who knows, maybe I'm now a keikoholic... *gulp* At least it's a vice which helps to *increase* stamina...

[sandyphoebetvmaa]

Skip the weed, but if you ever come to practice high, you know someone is gonna kick your butt for putting others safety at risk.

As for smoking tobacco, yeah tons of kendo people do it. There was a really old sensei I learned from in Japan at one particular place and he would leave randomly DURING practice to go and smoke, probably because he was so addicted to it. We'd be doing a drill, sensei would disappear, and one day someone realized he took smoking breaks. Interesting...

How have you tried to quit? I think success in quitting depends on your method, and that is what you need to look into. Get a support group as well, I hear that helps incredible. Or make a promise to your kid. Maybe you will start to cut back, before promising you will quit, but you don't want to lie to your kid right, so you would HAVE to keep on track. Find a good motivator and I bet you can do it.

And if you lapse and fall a few steps backward... 1000 suburi for you!!! (although I don't think kendo should be used as a punishment)

[Efonukmp]

I suppose one could argue that cigarettes are worse than weed, or weed is better than alcohol, etc., etc., but it just comes down to it that all of these substances are really not good for you. All these arguments about how one is worse or better than another sounds like rationalizations to me.

And I won't argue if weed is addictive or not, but it sure can ruin people's lives. I know some people in marijuna anonymous who can attest to that.

Abuse of any drug, even Tylenol can be bad, and even fatal.

[Spisivavona]

I used to smoke almost a pack a day, smoked for several years.But as soon as I started taking Kendo, I just stopped "cold turkey". I have found sinced I quit, my stamina has increased Dramitcally. I still think about grabbing a cigarette once inawhile, but thinking about how I used to feel (like dying) during ji keiko...has been my incentive not to smoke. I don't ever want to feel that way again.

[largonioulurI]

Why do people smoke in the first place? Cigs smell real bad!

[BoBoMasterDesign]

well each cig takes a minute off your life.. however the good news is that it's the LAST minute

Kendo has helped me quit smoking.. not once but 3 times now each time a little longer than before

smoking and hayasuburi simply don't mix in my case /sigh

personally I notice that I do better in class during one of my non-smoking phases compared to when I'm smoking

[Haremporblape]

To your point, it may not be. But people with addictive personalities can make anything addictive. Example, endorphin ruses are not addicitve however, i cannot get enough of them. Intercourse is not scientifically "addidictive", yet many people are addicited.

Aristotle put it best, take everything in moderation. As long as you are not causing any detriment to yourself or others, do what you need to.

And although smoking cuases cancer etc, so does breathing our polluted air.

But that's not everyone who smokes it, unlike cigarettes. What I meant, basically was, there are no additives (like Nicotine in cigs) that make it addictive to the majority, or make you dependant. Masturbation, intercourse, Pornography, cleaning, bathing, brushing (hair), shopping I mean you name it...can be addicting with certain people, however it's not for the majority of people...and it's kind of rare..

[CKDIWEQ]

Weed isn't addictive.
.

To your point, it may not be. But people with addictive personalities can make anything addictive. Example, endorphin ruses are not addicitve however, i cannot get enough of them. Intercourse is not scientifically "addidictive", yet many people are addicited.

Aristotle put it best, take everything in moderation. As long as you are not causing any detriment to yourself or others, do what you need to.

And although smoking cuases cancer etc, so does breathing our polluted air.

[tramadolwithall]

i smoke occasionally

i'm gonna die someday,

just like everyone else

might just be more painful for me

[CHEAPSOFTOEMONLINE]

ya I agree smoking is lame !! I never smoked and never will.

---

A lot of japanese people have very bad smoking habits but hey they eat much better than most americans.......and well they actually live longer and are in better shape!!

[Nglvayhp]

it can be done.