• WoahWoah@lemmy.world
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    3 months ago

    People barely smoke anymore. What is it, like 5% of people with a college degree smoke and 5% of people under the age of 30 smoke?

    Smokers these days are mostly composed of uneducated, poor, older people. Not to say that is good, but uneducated poor people do a lot of stuff that is killing them. Given the massive decline overall in this generation, I think smoking is going to be much lower on the list of lifestyle risks for uneducated poor people. Obesity is arguably a bigger concern I would say.

    I don’t remember the last time I saw someone in their 20s legit smoking a cigarette that wasn’t at a party or something.

    • twig@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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      3 months ago

      What about vaping? It may be somewhat “less” dangerous but likely shares most of the same risks.

      • WoahWoah@lemmy.world
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        3 months ago

        Vaping isn’t great, but three things: 1) based on comprehensive, independent reviews of the scientific evidence by both Public Health England (the English Government Public Health agency), the Tobacco Advisory Committee, and other agencies, it’s understood to be 95% safer than smoking. 2) second-hand vape is 99% safer than second-hand cigarette smoke, and 3) vaping doesn’t stink in the same way and it doesn’t linger as long.

        That being said, the fastest growing nicotine intake method is nicotine pouches like Zyn, which are even safer than vaping, have no second-hand effects, and don’t have any noticeable odor. They also have much less waste and most of it (the fabric pouch and shredded fibers) are biodegradable. Other than nicotine gum and lozenges, I consider that to be the best ideal substitute for smoking by far.

        At that point, it’s barely much of a concern at all. Nicotine pouches are safer than alcohol, and I don’t care if people enjoy nicotine. I just don’t like the parts of smoking that affect other people: health burden, second-hand health burden, and smell.