# Positive effects of smoking cigarettes **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 30, 2003, 8:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/positive-effects-of-smoking-cigarettes/198598 "2003-08-30T08:14:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Bromley](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4da419/32.png) [@Bromley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bromley)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2003, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/positive-effects-of-smoking-cigarettes/198598/41 "2003-09-02T20:28:02Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Qadgop the Mercotan \* > \*\*Nicotine has a few uses. It may be beneficial in treating the symptoms of certain bowel diseases, like Ulcerative Colitis or Crohn’s Disease. Whether it slows the progression of these disease, or prevents their development, is not at all clear. QtM, MD \*\* I don’t think the Crohn’s part is right. I remember researching Crohn’s/UC when my brother’s Crohn’s flared up a couple of years ago. The consensus seemed to be that it was good for UC but was actually a trigger for Crohn’s in your average Caucasian[li]. Spooky, because he got his first symptom the day after his first cigarette.[/li] Anyway, no cite, but the submission by Anonymous in the [Cecil article](http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a5_096.html) supports this and the data that Cecil reviewed mentions UC but not Crohn’s. I know, but there really did seem to be a difference in the disease between traditional races. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2003, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/positive-effects-of-smoking-cigarettes/198598/42 "2003-09-02T21:51:38Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Turpentine \* > \*\*I saw a show on TDC that pointed out how many people with Tourette’s smoked cigarettes. I can’t remember the number or percentage, but I think it was a lot. \*\* **F** K YOU, A **HOLE!!** 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Apoptosis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ba9def/32.png) [@Apoptosis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Apoptosis)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2003, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/positive-effects-of-smoking-cigarettes/198598/43 "2003-09-02T23:31:22Z")
Hey **Bromley** , You are correct, and **Qadgop the Mercotan** is wrong. All too often, UC and Crohn’s get lumped together as “IBD.” This downplays the significant differences between the two diseases. [Interesting link.](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12077086&dopt=Abstract) -Apoptosis ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2003, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/positive-effects-of-smoking-cigarettes/198598/44 "2003-09-02T23:51:23Z")
\*\*Qadgop the Mercotan \*\* is a licensed and practising physician. ---
**Author:** ![Xema](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/9de053/32.png) [@Xema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xema)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2003, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/positive-effects-of-smoking-cigarettes/198598/45 "2003-09-03T00:10:18Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by spingears \* > It makes money for: > > 1. Tobacco farmers, a nearly extinct breed in US. > 2. Cigarette companies. > 3. The dental and allied suppliers of whitening products. > 4. Advertising companies. And tax revenues from smokers exceed the money made by all the above. ---
**Author:** ![moriah](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b2d939/32.png) [@moriah](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/moriah)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2003, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/positive-effects-of-smoking-cigarettes/198598/46 "2003-09-03T01:06:49Z")
Well, it does keep the kind of people who think smoking is cool, not harmful, and not damned inconsiderate quiet for a moment or two. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2003, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/positive-effects-of-smoking-cigarettes/198598/47 "2003-09-03T02:12:28Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Bosda Di’Chi of Tricor \* > \*\*\*\*Qadgop the Mercotan \*\* is a licensed and practising physician. \*\* True, I am. But I can still be wrong. There is conflicting data about nicotine and Crohn’s disease. Some studies indicate it may help, others indicate it doesn’t help, still others indicate it may aggravate the condition. Statistically speaking, there’s more evidence it harms rather than helps. But not a conclusive amount. Which is why I said _may be beneficial_ in my initial reply. We lack definitive answers. My original point stands. Nicotine _may_ be useful for certain medical conditions. But delivering it to the body via smoking is a terribly bad way to take it. ---
**Author:** ![Apoptosia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/49beb7/32.png) [@Apoptosia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Apoptosia)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2003, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/positive-effects-of-smoking-cigarettes/198598/48 "2003-09-03T04:10:38Z")
Yes - but it is commonly taught and most research indicates an association between non-smoking and UC and smoking with Crohn’s disease There is also evidence that smoking has a negative effect on the course of CD, whereas it ‘may’ have a positive or protective effect on UC. How useful these observations are in terms of therapeutic strategies is unclear. It is only an assumption that it is the ‘nicotine’ is the causal agent, this has not been proven. And yes Apop number 2 - you are right - the differences between the two conditions are often underplayed. Apop ---
**Author:** ![Apoptosis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ba9def/32.png) [@Apoptosis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Apoptosis)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2003, 7:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/positive-effects-of-smoking-cigarettes/198598/49 "2003-09-03T07:19:35Z")
Hey **Qadgop the Mercotan** , > [@](#): > > Which is why I said _may_ be beneficial in my initial reply. We lack definitive answers. Agreed. There is also evidence to suggest that cigarette smoke may aggravate UC. However, the bulk of the evidence suggests that smoking is beneficial for UC patients and detrimental for CD patients. I found the link I posted above to be fairly persuasive. **Apoptosia** , > [@](#): > > It is only an assumption that it is the ‘nicotine’ is the causal agent, this has not been proven. Nicotine may not be the _only_ component in cigarette smoke to modulate IBD. However, nicotine has been shown to directly affect [UC.](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12072594&dopt=Abstract) **Bosda Di’Chi of Tricor** , > [@](#): > > **Qadgop the Mercotan** is a licensed and practising physician. I’m afraid your point has sailed over my head. With absolutely no disrespect to **Qadgop the Mercotan** , I am probably more familiar with the molecular pathology of UC and CD than he is. -Apoptosis ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2003, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/positive-effects-of-smoking-cigarettes/198598/50 "2003-09-03T14:13:22Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by Apoptosis \* > \*\* With absolutely no disrespect to **Qadgop the Mercotan** , I am probably more familiar with the molecular pathology of UC and CD than he is._\* I would certainly expect so! While I am aware of the principles of programmed cell death, my depth of knowledge about it rivals that of a shallow mud puddle. My knowledge of it is about as clear as said puddle also! But my original point remains: **Smoking is a STUPID way to get nicotine, even if one needs nicotine**. ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2003, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/positive-effects-of-smoking-cigarettes/198598/51 "2003-09-03T14:23:53Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Dogface \* > \*\*Typical response of a cultist. I cite real science. The cultist throws up a bunch of absurd historical curiousities to somehow discredit the real science by association. > > I thought SD was to dispel ignorance, not maintain it. \*\* Typical response of someone whose irony filter is waaaay past its “best before” date. ---
**Author:** ![trabi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecae2f/32.png) [@trabi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/trabi)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2003, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/positive-effects-of-smoking-cigarettes/198598/52 "2003-09-03T14:38:22Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by Qadgop the Mercotan_ > > Smoking is a STUPID way to get nicotine, even if one needs nicotine… …but PERFECT if your doctor has in fact prescribed you a combination of: Benzene, 2-Napthylamine, 4-Aminobiphenyl, Nickel Polonium 210 (radioactive), Nitrogen oxides, N-Nitrosodimethylamine, N-Nitrosodiethylamine N-Nitrosopyrrolidine, 1,3-Butadiene, Analine, Formaldehyde, Hydrazine, N-Nitrodiethanolamine, Cadmium, Benzo[a]pyrene, Benz[a]anthracene, Y-Butyrolactone, Particulate matter, N-Nitrosonornicotine, NNK, Carbon monoxide, Carbon dioxide, Carbonyl sulfide, Toluene, Acrolein, Acetone, Pyridine, 3-Methylpyridine, 3-Vinylpyridine, Hydrogen cyanide, Ammonia, Methylamine, Dimethylamine, Nicotine, Anatabine, Phenol, Catechol, Hydorquinone, Cholesterol, Quinoline, Harman, Zinc, Benzoic acid, Lactic acid, Glycolic acid, Succinic acit, PCDDs and PCDFs (Dioxins, Dibenzofurans), Formic acid, Acetic acid, Methyl chloride… 😉 Source: [gasp](http://www.gasp.org/chemicals.html) ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2003, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/positive-effects-of-smoking-cigarettes/198598/53 "2003-09-03T14:47:03Z")
LOL, **trabi**. Any doc who prescribed those chemicals in real life would get his license yanked real quick! Even moreso if he prescribed them in super-heated gas form. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2003, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/positive-effects-of-smoking-cigarettes/198598/54 "2003-09-03T16:16:25Z")
My doctor says that I’m not getting enough tar (thank you Steve Martin). That is why I still smoke. I must admit that I am looking at picking up some Zyban. My stepmothers sister has recently fought lung cancer and just had a stroke - most likely due to smoking. That is enough of a wakeup call to move me to quit once and for all. ---
**Author:** ![BMalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@BMalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMalion)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2003, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/positive-effects-of-smoking-cigarettes/198598/55 "2003-09-04T13:49:56Z")
[Captain Blackadder] “I only smoke after sex, so back home, I’m a twenty-a-day man.” [/Captain Blackadder] ---
**Author:** ![noamsmom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/dfb087/32.png) [@noamsmom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/noamsmom)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2003, 11:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/positive-effects-of-smoking-cigarettes/198598/56 "2003-09-05T11:13:45Z")
Nicotine has a salutory effect on female parts as well, as it may prevent preeclampsia, endometriosis, and uterine cancer (http://www.napa.ufl.edu/99news/babysmok.htm]link). As the article points out, all are lousy reasons to take up smoking. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/positive-effects-of-smoking-cigarettes/198598.md?page=2)