Smokers - Finally A Day Of Recognition!
 

Found this on the American Council on Exercise Forum:

Sounds paradoxical but still there are plenty of weekend warriors and athletes alike that work out routinely and still smoke 4-5 cigarettes a day. I am writing an article about this phenomenon for the New York Times so if you know any smokers who exercise, or if you are a trainer who has helped a client quit smoking, I am looking for some additional interview subjects. Email me catsaintlouis@hotmail.com.

Catherine Saint Louis
New York Times

Why does a NYT reporter use hotmail?

freelancers don't get their own email account.

I'm not really sure that it's a good idea to suggest that it's okay to keep smoking.

it's actually not all that uncommon. i don't smoke, but i understand why some people would reach for a cigarette after a workout. it's similar to having a beer afterwards...lots of people do that.

I quit smoking recently after 42 years with the habit. Folks used to be amused that I'd stop on longer rides for a smoke or light one up as soon as we stopped for any reason. :)

I find it pretty irresponsible to report that it's ok to keep subjecting yourself to a dangerous (but legal) narcotic and suggest that you're still "healthy". Whatever is up with the New York Times, it doesn't sound good. I guess they're just trying to trump up something controversial so they can move some papers. Typical stupid American reporting. I'll drop her an email to think about.

Koffee

I also recently quit after more years than i care to count. The irony of smoking and cycling was what really got me to quit but it certainly wasn't the only reaspon. Even so, that obviously hasn't occurred to plenty of other people out there. I still see lots of cyclist-smokers particularly around one of the local sports centers.

4 or 5 cigarettes per day? Hell if I could have limited myself to only 4 or 5 I'd still be smoking.

Stacy

i don't see anywhere where she is saying it's okay to keep smoking. as far as i can tell, it's an article about people who smoke and exercise. i don't think she's advocating a position. am i missing something here?

Unless the reporter interviews doctors and tells smokers to stop, the article, intended or not, advocates. $5 says that the article concludes that it's better to smoke and exercise than just smoke. Tell me that's not a dangerous conclusion as opposed to STOP SMOKING!

You guys are crazy. If folks want to hit a couple ciggies a day or on the weekend or after the ride, so be it. Obviously it won't kill them, and it' s their choice. Why should reporters campaign against smoking? Why is reporting this fact so terrible. Geez, it's not PC to smoke, so what? You can be healthy and smoke a bit. One is probably healthier smoking a pack a month in, say, Monument, CO, than not smoking and riding a bike daily in downtown cleveland. Is it responsible for a reporter to suggest it is ok to drive your car daily? Not in my book. grumble grumble.


Talk about reactionary!

So you're saying that a significant number of smokers only smoke a pack a month?

nope, that I did not say.

I am unfamiliar with the stats, tho.

i don't want newspapers to advocate a position for me. i want them to report whats going on in the world and leave it up to me to decide for myself. the truth is that people do smoke and exercise. that is a fact. the article proposes to write about them. it's even mentioned that she is looking to talk to trainers that may have helped someone quit. i really cannot understand how this can be taken as a pro-smoking article.

No you aren't, IMHO.

I found no "advocating" in the wording of the reporter/writer, and wondered how others interpreted it that way.

Perhaps they can help us out here -

Why do you think she is advocating, rather than reporting?

No problems. I'll find out when I drop her an email. It'll answer all our questions.



Koffee

Very few can smoke 4 or 5 cigarettes a day, it's a lot harder than quiting. I would bet dollars to donuts this "jounalist" is backed by the tobacco industry. The mis-information that she is spreading is designed to trick new smokers into addiction. Good job Catherine! Denverfox, what were you smoking when you decided to share this crap with us!?

Read the first sentence, lots of athletes smoke cigarettes, ie. you can smoke cigarettes in moderation, it's normal, common thing to do, it's ok. This is what she is implying, what she wants you to believe. It is a lie!

Um, I have smoked in moderation, prior to quiting more or less.

wow. You must live a very sheltered life. There are people in this world who smoke cigarettes and also happen to be competitive amateur athletes. There's no doubt that they'd be better off without cigarettes, but that doesn't necessarily mean they lead sedentary lives and get winded walking a flight of stairs.

**********???

Are you nuts?

"See nothing, say nothing, hear nothing" My new motto!

Though it is far less glamourized now, smoking was nearly encouraged in the Army for most of my 20 years of service. A common refrain during breaks from exercise, or any activity, including combat was "Smoke 'em if ya got 'em." I can recall cigarettes on sale for 10 cents a pack. Nearly all of my Army associates would be considered physically fit and certainly physically active including the many smokers. They were likely, as was I, harming themselves or placing limits on their ability to perform, but were in fact, regular exercisers.