[testmasterflex]

I _think_ that as long as I’m working out, I’m in better health than an _inactive_ non smoker.

I bicycle everyday, a few gym sessions a week and smoke half a pack every weekend or so.

[martin_a]

> I _think_ that as long as I’m working out, I’m in better health than an _inactive_ non smoker.

Among the blind, the one-eyed man is king.

[onli]

Does not seem to be true. See https://news.cancerresearchuk.org/2012/08/15/is-being-inacti...

[testmasterflex]

Doesn’t mention how much smoking is worse.

[justinmarsan]

I wouldn't be so sure... Or rather I'm not sure it's that simple.

If you compare yourself with someone that's sedentary but also not eating right, than yeah, possibly you're even with an overweight non-smoker, overweight being linked to so many diseases... But if you compare yourself to someone sedentary that eats properly, or let's say as well as you do, for the sake of good comparaison... I wouldn't be so sure... The damage you do to your lungs and heart tissues are unlikely to be offset by the little time that you spend at the gym or on your bike...

This coming from an also fairly active smoker (now vaper).

[s1artibartfast]

Most of the data on smoking risk when I studied it was measured in packs per day, so I don't think there is a lot of hard data for your situation.

I was a long time chain smoker for decade until one day I quit cold turkey. Now Ill buy a pack of rolling tobacco once a year for camping and seem to be happy with that.

[zingababba]

I'd say switch to snus or snuff or something to mitigate lung damage. My only vice is snus, I don't touch caff/alc/weed/etc - my anecdata as someone who spent the majority of their life highly active and a non-tobacco user is it affects my tendon healing rate negatively. For ex. when I do lots of handstands or planche work my distal biceps tendon seems to take longer to become fresh again vs. when I was not using snus. However, snus vs. caffeine my sleep is miles better and I often wake up infinitely more refreshed than I do when I used caff, so I ultimately am choosing snus for now.

[delegate]

Quit smoking, gained 30+ kg of weight, was a cardiology patient, high bp, kidney issues, depression, etc. It was horrible. Restarted smoking, lost the kilos in several months, started hiking and biking. Ended up climbing lots of mountains and now practicing endurance sports and alpinism, doing things which were unimaginable 10 years ago. Haven't seen a doctor in years. Still 'pack a day' smoker. Not condoning or recommending, just my story for perspective.

[Fragmented_One]

I don't think it's about comparing yourself to other people with different habits, but to your future-self. I quit a long time ago and only after realized how motivated reasoning was influencing me as a smoker.