Exhibits, Shows and Displays

Does anyone else think there's a link between the decline in smoking and rise in obesity?

Smoking suppresses your appetite and weakens your sense of taste. As a result, smokers are generally thinner than nonsmokers. That said, who thinks it's any coincidence that as our nation smokes less our people get fatter? I'm sure there are plenty of other contributing factors, but I think anti-smoking campaigns play a larger role than most people would like to admit. This correlation can be found in reverse, too. Take France for example. They smoke like chimneys and are much thinner than Americans. While I know that correlation isn't necessarily causation, it does seem to make sense in this case. I'm not endorsing smoking. I think it is bad for your health and well being. I'm just saying whenever we force another's hand "for their own good," we often unleash a whole slew of negative butterfly effects we didn't foresee. Maybe instead of trying to control others, we should exhibit self-control and let others dig their own graves.

Public Comments

1. "They smoke like chimneys and are much thinner than Americans." most people are HA!
2. I've seen really fat smokers. I think the obesity rate is from the availability of fast food and the lack of exercise. Also, people tend to pursue more sedentary interests and don't have to work as hard to do house or yard work.
3. Your thinking is backwards.You are not taking into consideration fast fried foods or bad nutrition.
4. You bring up a really interesting question, something I've never thought about before. Honestly I really don't know the answer, or where to find it, but most of what you say is true. I think there may be some connection, it makes sense.
5. There may be some correlation between cessation of smoking and weight gain, although stopping smoking may not lead to obesity. Obesity generally comes from eating more calories than one uses. Often, this is due to overeating. I understand stopping smoking may be a contributing factor; however, I think not a predominant one. In my own case, I overate for the last nine years and added 400 pounds to be 620 now and never was a smoker. My gain was due to a conscious choice to overeat and grow large. I love my size. I would say overeating and lack of activity is the predominant factor causing obesity. Although I still walk and swim, I am less active now than before. I find that as my weight increased I simply could not move as well or as much. My swimming is good and my walking is a slow waddle because of my size.