Job Discussion Forums

[lall]

Me and my (far-fetched) theories about genetics, again. Apologies before-hand, once again, lest anybody should feel offended.

Though I've noticed leanings towards Ol' Lady Nicotine amongst certain races (not to mention political leanings and love of certain sport among sub-races among races), I've personally not come across any disposition among races towards alcohol, the stories I've heard about the Irish and the Russians, notwithstanding.

I've noticed a particular thing, though. The earlier one begins smoking or using baccy in any form, the harder it is to give up (as if nobody knew that!). However, I've seen die-hard smokers quitting after around the age of 40, without difficulty. These were the same ones who'd wake up a fellow-smoker or rouse the local tobacconist at 3 am in the morning for cigarettes. And, no, they didn't have any life-threatening issues that prompted them to stop.

Wonder if the body says enough is enough.

[Duffy]

I started smoking cigarettes at aged 14, gave it up at the second attempt in 2001 aged 56, that, after smoking two packs a day for at least 10 years.

Woke up one morning, coughed out my lungs and thought "there has to be something better than this". Threw away my cigarette pack and went cold turkey. It was HARD, but I know that had I not stopped then I would not be here to write this post. Simple fact.

I see my Omani students coughing and ask why? "Oh teacher my last cigarette made me do this" At this point I take out my Ventolin inhaler, take a deep draw and ask " do you want to be me in 20 years time?"

They seem to understand, whether it will stop them, I don't know.

Legislation against non-smoking appears to be non-existant here in the ME. Not too long ago whilst I was in Turkey the government of the time actually reduced the age of smoking to 12!!!

Duffy

[veiledsentiments]

I started in college and once I was in the workplace, I was quickly up to 3 packs a day. Everyone smoked back then... offices were the proverbial 'smoke-filled rooms.' I was sitting home sick with my third case of bronchitis for the winter... with a cigarette burning in my hand. I looked at it... as I wheezed and coughed... and thought... am I out of my f*ing mind?? I put it out and never lit another. This was in the late 70's, so I was about 30.

I think cold turkey is the only way to go.

VS

[RAHMA.Alfoori]

Smoking is a personal choice how awaful that is! It's forbidden in some schools of thought in Islam.

I like to speak in statistics but I don't have any at the moment! Generally speaking I believe that Omanis don't smoke as much as others. It remains a disorder to the norm in society even when it is becoming common like it has already become in western societies. Hokka or shisha is not as common as in African Arab countries.

Those who have realized that they are 'potentially' racists need not to apologize for being 'racists'! Since you are the selected people on earth you have always been granted the passport to degrade and insult people which shows to what extent you are devoid of human values! Keep it up, selected people!

[veiledsentiments]

Rahma

I agree with you. I thought of all the Arab countries that I lived and traveled in, Oman had the lowest number of cigarette smokers. In fact, I was struck by the fact... which may have been because I had just come from 3 years in Cairo where every male over 8 seems to have a cigarette in his hand.

Many Omanis told me that they did not smoke because it was 'haram' and I only wished that interpretation would be accepted by all the schools of Islam.

I am confused by your 'racism' comment. But, the reality is that we are all racist... every single one of us. The difference is whether we see it in ourselves and make an effort to intellectually overcome it. But, Lall was referring to genetics, which is a different issue. We know that some people are more easily addicted to substances - cigarettes, alcohol, drugs - than others. And it often runs in families... like brown eyes or curly hair - seeming genetic.

VS

[007]

[grahamb]

007 argues that the nasty West (ie the UK and the Great Satan) are responsible for tobacco consumption worldwide. They are responsible for the mechanised production and mass marketing of tobacco products, but the fact is that the Arabs (and others) have been getting stoned one way or another for centuries.
Originally tobacco was used by the Amerindians for religious purposes, as were certain hallucinogenic mushrooms. Similarly, alcohol was used by the ancient Greeks and Romans. Distilled alcohol originated in the Arab world - the word alcohol is of Arabic origin - and was later introduced into Europe. Using 007's logic, one might conceivably blame the Arabs for the problem of alcoholism in the West.
And then there's Khat... no, better not let that one out of the bag.

[007]

[veiledsentiments]

[grahamb]

007, I found some information on Wikipedia, but you can always try a general Google search. howstuffworks.com has some fascinating information about alcohol and its effects.
The lower recommended consumption limit for women is based on the differences between the male and female physique - something to do with the percentage of body fat if my memory serves me well.

[Stephen Jones]

The word 'alcohol' is from Arabic. That doesn't mean the substance is.

When I was at University we attended a talk by Joseph Needham, Master of Gonville and Caius College, and author of the widely acclaimed "Science and Civilization in China". As the free booze we'd turned up to the talk on the expectation of receiving wasn't given out until the end, I can still remember his main point. The distillation of alcohol probably came from China, and was discovered accidentally when fermented drinks were left out in the snow, and alcohol was distilled by the lower temperatures, not the higher ones.

[007]

[veiledsentiments]

Arrogant bull bippies 007... use your google... there is plenty of research, but I won't do your work for you. You can choose to remain ignorant if you wish.

VS

[007]

[bje]