Advice on dating smokerIf you’re considering dating a smoker, there are some things you should know. There are both pros and cons to dating a smoker, and it’s important to be aware of both before you make a decision. In this article, we’ll go over some of the pros and cons of dating a smoker, to help you make an informed decision.So, what are the pros and cons of dating a smoker? Read on to find out.
You both might smoke, but you should be aware of the potential health risks involved
The fact is that even those who smoke, or who have smoked in the past, can significantly reduce the impact of tobacco on their health. If you are interested in a smoker, make sure to ask them about their level of nicotine dependency, as this can have an impact on the intensity of their withdrawal symptoms. If they are still smoking, they are putting their health at risk, and it is entirely within your power to help them to quit.
Heart disease
Heart disease is the leading cause of death among women and men in the U.S. If you smoke, you are at greater risk for coronary artery disease, which can cause heart attacks and sudden cardiac death. The good news is that it’s easier to reduce your risk of heart disease than it is to develop it. There are many ways to prevent heart disease, including: maintaining a healthy weight, eating a nutritious diet, regularly exercising, taking cholesterol-lowering drugs if needed, and refraining from smoking.
Lung cancer
If you smoke, one of the main risks you face is lung cancer. It’s the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and around 17 percent of all cancer deaths are caused by smoking. If you’re a smoker who hasn’t quit yet, your risk of developing lung cancer is between 20 and 30 percent in your lifetime.
Emphysema
People who smoke heavily are more likely to develop emphysema, which is a chronic lung disease. This condition causes breathing problems and shortness of breath, and it can be very dangerous if not treated. Other health conditions, such as asthma, heart disease, and bronchitis, can also make breathing more difficult for individuals who smoke.
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)
When you’re not getting enough oxygen during sleep, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) can cause daytime sleepiness, lightheadedness, and memory loss. It can also cause an increased risk of high blood pressure, stroke, and heart disease. People who are obese, have a large neck, or have a family history of sleep apnea are at higher risk for OSA.
Your sex life will likely improve, but not necessarily due to the sex-related benefits of nicotine
Nicotine is a stimulant that can heighten sexual arousal and help you last longer. However, nicotine does not increase sexual appetite or libido on its own and is not necessary to have a high-quality sex life. If you smoke or use nicotine for any reason, your sex life may not be as good as it could be.
Lower stress
Nicotine can be an effective stress relief for smokers, especially those who have anxiety or panic attacks. So, if you’re the type of person who worries about things that don’t need to be, a cigarette can help reduce those feelings of stress and anxiety. And, since smoking is now associated with feelings of confidence, you may find yourself less shy around people you date.
More energy
Stimulants can help increase your energy levels and alertness, making you feel more awake and capable of doing more activities. For example, they can also help increase sexual stamina and libido. However, these effects are not specific to nicotine—they work for any drug containing caffeine or amphetamines.
Better sleep
You may find that you are more likely to get a good night’s sleep due to the relaxing effects of nicotine. While this is generally not the case, having a smoke before bed can help you fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer. This means less tossing and turning and a more restful night’s sleep.
Increased libido
There are a few reasons why smoking may increase your libido. Firstly, nicotine is a natural stimulant of the nervous system that can increase alertness and energy levels. A side effect of this is increased sexual arousal. If a smoker is stressed or depressed, they may find self-medicating through cigarettes to alleviate their symptoms. Nicotine also increases the levels of testosterone and decreases levels of estrogen in the body, which can cause sexual arousal in women as well as increased sexual stamina in both sexes.
More patience
You know how stressful it can be to deal with a smoker. You might worry about them, you might spend more time worrying about them than you do about yourself. The combination of the two can make you short-tempered and irritable. A couple can spend hours fighting about why they’re not getting enough help with the dishes or why they can’t find the socks that match the ones that were there yesterday. Not to mention the difficulty in trying to plan a night out when one of you is anxious about where the other one is or what they’re doing. A smoker is going to have to work harder to get your attention and to focus their thoughts, and you’re going to have to do the same for them.
You might find yourself in a relationship with someone who doesn’t smoke
If you’re the type of person who seeks out only the best partners, consider yourself lucky to be dating someone who doesn’t smoke. There are tons of people who are willing to put up with cigarette smoke, and not many who are willing to put up with secondhand smoke. This means that you’re more likely to find a partner who values their health and puts an effort into taking care of themselves.
If you’re in a committed relationship with a non-smoker, you have to deal with
If you’re in a committed relationship with a non-smoker, you have to deal with some of the pros and cons of living with a smoker. First, let’s talk about the pros. The fact that your partner doesn’t smoke can help you kick the habit. It can also help you keep your home smoke-free—or at least smoke-free when they’re not there. And it’s always easier to kick a habit if you’re not around the thing that triggers it, right?
the possibility of someone who doesn’t share your values
Being a smoker and a non-smoker are two different personalities. If you want to be with someone who doesn’t smoke, then you need to be prepared for your partner to have different beliefs and values than you do. Maybe they have no problem with it, and maybe they even think that it’s fine for you to smoke, but either way, they aren’t going to change their mind, so you need to be prepared to have a different lifestyle than you’re used to.
Talk openly about it
If you’re considering a relationship with a smoker, the best way to find out if it’s a good fit is to talk to them about their habits. Ask about their reasons for quitting or why they even started and what their experiences have been. If they’ve tried to quit but failed, talk about why that is and what they think of their cigarettes. Being honest and open can help you understand what kind of smoker your partner is, if they’re willing to quit, and if the relationship is something you want to pursue.
Be willing to compromise
It’s not easy for everyone to quit, whether for health or for lifestyle reasons. If you’re planning to date a smoker, be willing to compromise. You might find that you like the way they smell, or that you enjoy the rush they get from cigarettes—but that doesn’t mean you want to be around them. Make sure you’re honest about your feelings and don’t assume that because you like something about them that you have to like them as a whole.
Both of you might smoke more
One of you might smoke more because of the added stress of a new relationship. If you’re trying to break the habit, it’s easy to fall back into habits you picked up before you committed to your partner. Your partner also might not have as strong a reason to stop since they don’t want to disappoint you.
Many couples smoke for different reasons
If you smoke for social reasons, it could help you bond with your partner more easily. However, if you smoke for health reasons, it might be a good idea to quit. Not only are you putting yourself at risk for lung cancer (and other health issues), but you are also putting your partner at risk for heart disease and cancer. If you are interested in trying to quit, check out the American Cancer Society for helpful information and support.
You might smoke more than your partner
While it’s true that both people might smoke more when they’re in a romantic relationship, this doesn’t mean it’s a good idea. You don’t want to smoke more than your partner because it will lead to a bad habit and both of you might end up developing other addictions. As a result, you will suffer more health problems, which in the long run will lead to a break in your relationship. So if you’re a smoker, make sure you stop smoking before you start a relationship.
You might smoke less than your partner
If you’re a smoker and your significant other is a non-smoker, you might be afraid that your partner will be irritated by cigarette smoke, which can have negative consequences on your relationship. However, the fact that they don’t smoke can actually be an advantage to you. They might be more likely to suggest that you try quitting. And who knows, maybe you’ll both be happier and healthier for it!
You might smoke more because of your partner
You might smoke more because of how much your partner craves nicotine, or because of your partner’s pressure to be a smoker. You might even feel more comfortable around smokers because you have something in common. But if you want to be intimate with a smoker, you might have to learn to accept this new habit and not feel personally hurt or rejected.
You’ll have to deal with secondhand smoke
While the health risks of cigarette smoke are well documented, even short exposure to secondhand smoke can have negative effects on your health, such as making asthma symptoms worse, increasing your risk of coronary heart disease and decreasing your life expectancy. Even if you’re dating someone who doesn’t smoke cigarettes, you may be exposed to their other sources of secondhand smoke such as vaping or incense. If you’re looking to connect with a smoker, check out our guide to dating a smoker.
Breathing in secondhand smoke can cause respiratory irritation, cancer, and other health effects
Most smokers develop a chronic cough, shortness of breath, or chest pain, and these symptoms can be a warning sign of something more serious. The American Lung Association estimates that smoking costs the U.S. more than $300 billion annually in direct medical costs, and approximately $50 billion in decreased productivity.
Secondhand smoke exposure can affect children most
In the United States, one in four children are exposed to secondhand smoke in their homes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Children who are exposed to tobacco smoke before they are born are at increased risk for developing health problems, such as asthma, cancer, and heart disease. In addition, secondhand smoke exposure is linked to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), the leading cause of death in babies under one year old.
Some secondhand smoke can be absorbed through the skin
Not all secondhand smoke is bad. In fact, some smoke may be quite healthy. It can cause the lungs to develop a resistance to harmful germs, and it may even reduce the risk of asthma in some children. However, the chemicals and carcinogens found in cigarette smoke can lead to irritation of the airways and lungs, causing an increased risk of respiratory infections.
Inhaling secondhand smoke can cause irritation to the eyes, nose, and throat
Some people believe that the health effects of passive smoking are overstated. However, if you’re worried about the effects of secondhand smoke on your health, it’s wise to limit your exposure to it as much as possible. You can do this in three ways:
In conclusion, if you are dating a smoker, you should weigh the pros and cons carefully before deciding whether or not to continue the relationship. If you do decide to stay with your smoker partner, be sure to communicate openly about your concerns and be supportive of their efforts to quit.
