Frank Zappa wasn’t wrong when he said campaigns against smoking were a bunch of yuppies doing what these days we would call their WOKE campaigns. For a lot of liberals admitting to smoking anything is tantamount to treason, a poor soul hopelessly addicted to nicotine or THC, forever sentencing themselves to poor breathing, lung cancer, heart disease and death. You’re a sick puppy! You need help. You’re going to die. How sad!

It’s 2024, there is nobody who hasn’t seen the research and campaigns against smoking. They know the risks. They’re not stupid and most are not addicted – and even if they feel addicted there are all kinds of government and health insurance subsidized programs to overcome addiction. Many quite affordable especially compared to smoking. But we enjoy it.

Smoking tobacco and cannabis has its risks and rewards. People wouldn’t smoke if it wasn’t pleasurable. Tobacco smoke has a rich flavor, cannabis makes you feel relaxed, and engaged in the world around you. Both are enjoyable in the evening around a campfire with a cold beer. Harmful yes but you only have so much time in this world to seek enjoyment.

The research on the dangers of smoking anything are quite clear it’s the number of years smoked that is far greater concern than the amount smoked. That’s why cutting back or lite cigarettes don’t really have much health benefits but quiting for good does. So that’s something to consider before that occasional deep breath in. On the other hand, things like a healthy diet and exercise are far more important to a long quality life then an occasional smoke.

At least liberals don’t disapprove of cannabis, even if they are condemning of anyone smoking it with the carbon monoxide and tars coating the lungs. And I’m not sure I liberals are just as disapproving of the fact that I also burn plastic and paper trash, drive a big jacked up truck and own some guns but not nearly enough! Of course, conservatives probably think of me as some kind of perverted do nothing hippie for enjoying a few puffs up in the wilderness.