In article  sobriquet  writes:
>On 28 jul, 00:24, Blah  wrote:
>> Dr John Watson wrote:

>> > Here's a large study that proves conclusively that cannabis doesn't cause
>> > cancers (because THC kills tumours as they develop):
>>
>> >http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=large-study-finds-no...
>>
>> >http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/04/070417193338.htm

>> What about:http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080123104017.htm
>>
>> Marijuana Smokers Face Rapid Lung Destruction -- As Much As 20 Years
>> Ahead Of Tobacco Smokers
>>
>> http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/05/070521145539.htm
>>
>> Marijuana worsens breathing problems in current smokers with chronic
>> obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), according to a new study.

>If you look for studies that confirm your assumptions that's not so
>hard.
>If you overlook all the studies and see which ones stand up to
>scientific scrutiny, there is not much left to make a case for the
>harmfulness of cannabis.
>
>http://www.pdxnorml.org/Exposing_index_1095.html

Try http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090413180523.htm

    Marijuana Smoking Increases Risk Of COPD For Tobacco Smokers

    ScienceDaily (Apr. 18, 2009) - Smoking both tobacco and marijuana
    increases the risk of respiratory symptoms and chronic obstructive
    pulmonary disease (COPD), found a study in the _Canadian_Medical_
    _Association_Journal_.  Smoking only marijuana, however, was not
    associated with increased risks.

Note the last sentence.  Although marijuana is bad for tobacco smokers, it
doesn't seem to be bad for non-tobacco smokers.

So don't smoke tobacco.

I looked at the story about "Rapid Lung Destruction" and it looked suspect
because there were no details about the study.  According to the abstract,
this conclusion was based on 10 patients who already had respiratory symptoms
and admitted to smoking marijuana.

It's not a study, it's a faulty conclusion based on non-random data.

The abstract can be found at:

http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/bsc/res/2008/00000013/00000001/art00018

-Pete Zakel
 (phz@seeheader.nospam)

"Under any conditions, anywhere, whatever you are doing, there is some
 ordinance under which you can be booked."
						-Robert D. Sprecht (Rand Corp)

Noticed at Mon, 27 Jul 2009 21:14:02 -0800: Pete nospam Zakel informed us:

> Smoking only marijuana, however, was not
>     associated with increased risks.

Thanks, Pete, I didn't notice that!

I don't smoke tobacco and only occasionally marijuana.

-- 
Dr John Watson
Baker Street

sobriquet wrote:

>> - Tekst uit oorspronkelijk bericht weergeven -
> 
> Well, I'm glad anyway that I quit tobacco over 10 years go thanks to
> cannabis (smoking cannabis as a substitute instead of tobacco).
> Nicotine craving sure sucks.
> 

Nicotine addiction is a illusion - you missed your *habit*..


I gave my 40 a day 'addiction' after one session with a hypnotist whose 
message was 'its a habit not an addiction, break the habit by doing x y z'

Been off 5 years now without a relapse after 20 years of years of 'on', 
month or to 'off'

In article  Blah  writes:
>sobriquet wrote:

>>> - Tekst uit oorspronkelijk bericht weergeven -

>> Well, I'm glad anyway that I quit tobacco over 10 years go thanks to
>> cannabis (smoking cannabis as a substitute instead of tobacco).
>> Nicotine craving sure sucks.

>Nicotine addiction is a illusion - you missed your *habit*..

Sorry, but nicotine addiction is a real problem.  Not everyone gets addicted,
though.  However, a higher percentage of tobacco users become addicted than
heroin users.

I assume you do believe heroin is addictive, no?  However, the majority of
GIs who used heroin in Viet Nam during that war kicked with no problem when
returning to the states.  A large minority, however, did remain addicted.

>I gave my 40 a day 'addiction' after one session with a hypnotist whose 
>message was 'its a habit not an addiction, break the habit by doing x y z'

Well good for you.  However, that doesn't prove it is not addicting to
others.  I smoked cigarettes (and other forms of tobacco) for several years
in my late teens and early twenties.  However, I could never get myself to
smoke more than half-a-pack a week, and when I started coughing more than I
liked I quit.  But I don't assume from my experience that everyone else is
the same.  My dad tried to quit many times during his adult life and was
never successful.

>Been off 5 years now without a relapse after 20 years of years of 'on', 
>month or to 'off'

Been off for over thirty years but I still get cravings for a cigarette when
playing poker.

-Pete Zakel
 (phz@seeheader.nospam)

"Heuristics are bug ridden by definition.  If they didn't have bugs,
 then they'd be algorithms."

Pete nospam Zakel wrote:
> In article  Blah  writes:
>> sobriquet wrote:
> 
>>>> - Tekst uit oorspronkelijk bericht weergeven -
> 
>>> Well, I'm glad anyway that I quit tobacco over 10 years go thanks to
>>> cannabis (smoking cannabis as a substitute instead of tobacco).
>>> Nicotine craving sure sucks.
> 
>> Nicotine addiction is a illusion - you missed your *habit*..
> 
> Sorry, but nicotine addiction is a real problem.  Not everyone gets addicted,
> though.  However, a higher percentage of tobacco users become addicted than
> heroin users.

As the hypnotist pointed out, in the days of smokey pubs - barstaff were 
exposed to high levels of nicotine filled air - yet none ever felt the 
need to TAKE UP smoking nor go into work on their day off for a hit.

So whilst the drug has a small addictive effect - for most people 
completely gone within 3 weeks - mostly its the habit that keeps one 
plugging away - having the first fag of the day, a fag with a coffee, 
crashing fags with friends and the most important two things he spoke of 
- the magic wand effect - something to hold in front of your face when 
talking to someone, to 'hide' your feelings/lies. And secondly, the '10 
second' pause - when someone asks you an awkwards question, a long drag 
on a fag before answering gives you 10 seconds to consider the question 
and plan the best response.
Also, MANY people who take nicotine replacement therapies still cheat 
and have a crafty fag when with mates or in the situations above - why - 
if purely a chemical addiction?

He came out with a lot of stuff like that, concentrating on the reasons 
'why' and how to fix, rather than on breaking any chemical effect.

> 
> I assume you do believe heroin is addictive, no?  However, the majority of
> GIs who used heroin in Viet Nam during that war kicked with no problem when
> returning to the states.  A large minority, however, did remain addicted.

No, heroin as I understand can be kicked in a week.



> 
>> I gave my 40 a day 'addiction' after one session with a hypnotist whose 
>> message was 'its a habit not an addiction, break the habit by doing x y z'
> 
> Well good for you.  However, that doesn't prove it is not addicting to
> others.  I smoked cigarettes (and other forms of tobacco) for several years
> in my late teens and early twenties.  However, I could never get myself to
> smoke more than half-a-pack a week, and when I started coughing more than I
> liked I quit.  But I don't assume from my experience that everyone else is
> the same.  My dad tried to quit many times during his adult life and was
> never successful.
> 
>> Been off 5 years now without a relapse after 20 years of years of 'on', 
>> month or to 'off'
> 
> Been off for over thirty years but I still get cravings for a cigarette when
> playing poker.
> 
That's the habit...not a need.