You can't go without a fag. You need it for your hash."

Addiction ^ | Jan 2004 | Amanda Amos, Susan Wiltshire, Yvonne Bostock, Sally Haw & Ann McNeill

[qam1]

A qualitative exploration of smoking, cannabis and young people

Aims: To examine the relationship between smoking tobacco and cannabis use among smokers in their mid-to-late teens.

Design and participants: Two qualitative studies in Scotland. One study used semistructured paired interviews involving 99 16-19-year-old smokers, the other comprised eight focus groups involving 46 15-16-year-old smokers.

Measurement: The interviews and focus groups explored the role and meaning of smoking in the participants' lives, smoking histories and future cessation intentions and how these related to other aspects of their lives, particularly cannabis use.

Findings: Cannabis use was regarded as an important and enjoyable aspect of many of the participants' lives. Importantly, cannabis use and cigarette smoking were linked inextricably. Several reported how smoking joints had been a 'gateway' to smoking cigarettes. While most wanted to quit smoking cigarettes, cannabis use reinforced their cigarette smoking and few wanted to stop using cannabis.

Conclusion: National studies need to be conducted to examine how widespread the problem identified is and tobacco control initiatives and smoking cessation treatment services need to consider urgently how to overcome the barrier that a desire on the part of young people to continue cannabis smoking poses to achieving a reduction in tobacco use.

[Freebird Forever]

it is senseless to treat marijuana and cocoa plants as the scourge of society while embracing tobacco.

I've appreciated your logic & arguments on this thread. But I must rise in defense of my favorite addiction.

Is it possible that you meant coca instead of cocoa?

vs

[Cathryn Crawford]

You know, I'm never, ever going to live down that one little "yes", am I? LOL

[VermiciousKnid]

Where did you get the idea that smokers require "more and more cigs used more frequently?"

It has been my experience that smokers smoke EXACTLY the same amount every day. Some smokers smoke only a few cigs every day, some a pack, some 2, some 3...but a pack a day smoker will smoke a pack a day EVERY day. Not three cigs, not two packs...ONE pack every day, and they smoke that much for years and years and years...sometimes forever.

Take me for example: I have been smoking, oh...twenty years or so. I have smoked approximately ONE pack every day. Not a half pack, not three...ONE. For twenty years. The fact is, I do not "require more and more cigs used more frequently," and I never have. I feel confident saying that EVERY smoker I know mimics this behavior. (One exception: smokers MAY smoke more while attending social gatherings like parties, but other than that, the level of use is pretty steady.)

Regards,

[bc2]

In all my worldly travels I've only seen marijuana smoked straight in the USA, Mexico, Canada and Holland. Even in Amsterdam they sometimes mix it with tobacco as you said. In Mexico they don't get "strong" weed so they smoke it straight. However I've seen some Canadians mix marijuna and tobacco, they call it "poppers".

In Sweden they said that actual good marijuana like we find here in the States is very expensive and hard to come by. But the hash was plentiful. Most people smoked hash with tobacco, but a few smoked it straight in bongs. These were the kids who had been to America or Holland and were used to it straight. My Australian friends smoke hash and marijuana and either way they mix it with tobacco. Here in the States I've only seen hash a few times; it's mostly scarce compared to marijuana and people smoke their hash mixed with pot but hardly ever tobacco.

In 1999 and 2000 I was friends with a guy from Saudi Arabia and he smoked a lot of pot. I only saw him smoke it straight but never thought to ask him how they smoked it in the middle east. I imagine they get tons and tons of hash over in the middle east with some marijuana depending on where you're at. Who knows how they smoke it.

My Algerian friends smoke marijuana mixed with tobacco as well. They've introduced me to a Bosnian kid who I know smokes the herb, maybe next time I see him I'll tell him all about my cultural study and see what he says!

regards!

[bc2]

Another thing that I just thought of is that in general, there are way more European and Scandinavian people smoking cigarettes than here in the States.

[tacticalogic]

The only correct response to a loaded question is "tag and bag".

[TKDietz]

"Even in Amsterdam they sometimes mix it with tobacco as you said."

It's been eighteen years since I was in Holland. Things may have changed as I notice that you and another person are saying that now the Dutch aren't big into mixing pot and hash with tobacco. It's entirely possible that mixing it is falling out of fashion in the Netherlands. It's interesting to read the reports from studies in Europe and other places where most people mix the two drugs. It appears that it causes people to become dependent on marijuana because they are becoming addicted to tobacco. They feel cravings and associate the cravings with both drugs. It seems like a really bad idea to me. If people mix it because they are looking for a milder high, it would probably be better to just smoke a few smaller drags from a hash pipe or vaporizer and not hold it in very long. That would do the same thing without subjecting people to the risk of using another much more addictive unhealthy drug.

[bc2]

Yes I totally agree with you but as I said it is my opinion that more people in Europe and Scandenavia smoke cigarettes in general, so that might contribute to the health issue.

I agree that people should smoke less instead of mixing it with tobacco!

[Hillary's Folly]

Is it possible that you meant coca instead of cocoa?

It's not only possible, but probable. In fact, you're exactly right. I did that intentionally just to gauge the level of knowledge of those I've been debating. You're the first to notice.

But you know, there was another study once that linked the brain sensations one gets from smoking marijuana as similar to that of eating chocolate, so perhaps cocoa should be on the illegal list as well, after all it's the pursuit of pleasure that most prohibitionists find offensive.

[bk1000]

"Now pot is a gateway drug for nicotine? I always thought it was the other way around."

While in Europe, I noticed a trend of lacing tobacco cigarettes with hashish. Ruined both. Most American users shun this mixture, typically choosing the former or the latter, or the former just after the latter, but rarely together. BTW, there is no such thing as a 'gateway' drug.

[R. Scott]

I remember some GIs returning from Europe in the 70s doing it. I could never see the reason - except maybe to hide the smell of the hash?

[bk1000]

"except maybe to hide the smell"

Smell is not an issue in Amsterdam. I think that is just the way they do it. I went in to a 'coffee shop' there. Some specialize in weed, others in hash. When I was offered the latter, they presented it in this mixed manor. I didn't like it, either.

[Dane]

Sheesh this thread is truning into a NYT Sunday travel article about Amsterdam "coffee" shops.

You all should submit the latter part of this thread to the NYT and it would probably get printed by them, and then get fawned over by the demo/liberals, who base their whole world view on the NYT.

[Freebird Forever]

perhaps cocoa should be on the illegal list as well

If so, the list titled "From My Cold Dead Hands" will gain another entry.

[bk1000]

"and then get fawned over by the demo/liberals, "

Perhaps even coax a few of them into relocating. Good idea.

[R. Scott]

I can not imagine inhaling tobacco as deeply as hash. Those people must have a good layer of protective tar in their lungs.

[bk1000]

"Those people must have a good layer of protective tar in their lungs."

There may be some truth to that. I smoked cigarettes for 30 years, having quit this past August. Never had allergies in my life. Now I am constantly congested, surviving on Flonase and Tylenol allergy meds. If it doesn't pass soon, I may revert to smoking to protect my delicate mucous membranes!

[R. Scott]

I knew there was a reason I haven't quit yet!

[TigersEye]

... a surgeon who has just smoked a cigarette is much more preferable than a surgeon who had just smoked a joint.

That doesn't make sense to me. I just recently ended a 21 month spell without any pot and never had the least anxiety about it. I can go for an hour or so without a cigarette before thinking about who needs to be killed so I can have one. Tobacco addiction has far more power to distract the mind than a pot buzz.