Consumption of tobacco is a calculated risk, as are so many other enjoyable/stimulating things like alcohol, caffeine, sky-diving, ocean kayaking, auto racing, and crossing a busy street.
Some of us engage in these habits and remain relatively unscathed - others succumb to the inherent dangers.
Regardless of the circumstances of his death, I feel privileged to have enjoyed Mr. Nimoy's contribution to our culture and his craft. He is a vibrant example of humanity in its most positive and creative form.
I don't agree,that cigarette smoking is a "calculated" risk.As I see it,engaging in cigarette smoking,is a compulsory act,caused by the innate desire to fit in socially(to be part of a group) and as such,that feeling of being accepted...along with the acquired addiction to nicotine,overrides one's ability to even assess the ill effects,of smoking....at first,that is.
Anyone who is new to smoking,despises the odor & taste of cigarettes initially and yet,most people persist in this activity and consequently,the only real enjoyment,is the illusion of being a part of a social construct & satisfying the lust for your next nicotine fix.
For most people,cigarettes are a daily part of their life and the reality is,that the cigarette companies are the socially acceptable drug dealers and the cigarette consumers are the socially acceptable drug addicts.
Whereas with caffeine,it is largely a healthy habit(even on a daily basis),provided that it comes from a natural source(namely coffee) and the amounts of consumption are small,to moderate.
Coffee actually promotes healthy liver function and prevents Alzheimer's disease.Even energy drinks are healthy(provided that the ingredients are organic & the caffeine content,is at a healthy level).
As for alcohol,I would say that(like caffeine),alcohol is another good example of what is actually a calculated risk,because in small amounts...beverages like beer & wine are healthy,in that they are replete with anti-oxidants & can be consumed on a somewhat regular basis,without any ill effects.
Comparing smoking to something like crossing a busy street,is erroneous and just plain silly,in my opinion.Reason being,is that crossing a busy street(to get to work,for example),is an absolute necessity and is relatively safe,provided that the street is crossed with caution and that everyone is in compliance with the traffic laws(in which case,such an act is completely safe).
In the case of the cigarette,there is no real necessity for it whatsoever and absolutely no health benefits to speak of and for virtually everyone that smokes in the long term,will suffer any number of diseases from it and for every single smoker out there,their lives will inevitably be shortened...to some degree.
I am as well,very grateful that Nimoy has been around as long as he has & I will forever be marveled at his accomplishments over the years past,but I can't express enough,how much I abhor smoking,because it's one of the resultant dangers of conformity.
To put it another way,so many people are willing to destroy their health & shorten their lives,just to try and avoid the subdivisions of society...while also inflicting the ill effects of secondhand smoke on other people and the government does nothing to outlaw what I consider to be,the most useless and one of the most troublesome substances out there.
Alcohol certainly has it's fair share of destructive capabilities,but with much more stringent laws in place,I think alcohol could be relatively safe...if effectively moderated on a large scale.
