Why You Should Never Date A Smoker
Look, we all have our guilty pleasures. For some, it’s a midnight ice cream raid, others have a secret stash of trashy novels, or maybe you have an inexplicable soft spot for terrible reality TV shows.
Then there are habits that are not just guilty pleasures, but also come with potential health risks. Today, let’s talk about one of them – smoking.
Yes, I know, it’s a touchy subject. You might think, “Hey, it’s their life, their choices.” And you’re not wrong. But when you start sharing your life with them, their choices can become your concern too.
Let’s explore some of the reasons why you should probably swipe left on smokers.
10 reasons why you shouldn’t date a smoker
1. Say goodbye to fresh breath
You know that moment in the movies when two people lean in for a romantic kiss? Yeah, it’s less romantic when you’re kissing a smoker. Imagine a blend of stale coffee and an ashtray. Not exactly the kind of French kiss you were dreaming of, eh?
Smoker’s breath is a result of the tobacco smoke residue left behind in the mouth, which isn’t something a mint can simply erase.
2. The stench of stale smoke is a constant companion
That signature smoker’s smell doesn’t just cling to their breath, but also to their clothes, car, hair – basically everywhere. The stale smell of tobacco is pretty persistent and it’s often impossible to get rid of. Depending on how strong your stomach is, this could be a real turn-off.
3. Secondhand smoke is a real concern
Here’s where we get a bit science-y. Secondhand smoke, also known as passive smoking, isn’t just an annoyance – it’s a serious health risk. Being exposed to secondhand smoke can increase your risk of lung cancer, heart disease, and stroke. Not to mention, it can exacerbate asthma and lead to other respiratory issues.
So, when you date a smoker, you’re not just risking a smoky-smelling wardrobe, you’re also potentially harming your health.
4. Dating a smoker could limit your social activities
If your partner is a smoker, it may limit the places you can go together, especially as more and more public spaces are becoming smoke-free zones.
Fancy a night out at that cool new bar? Sorry, they don’t allow smoking. Want to chill at that cozy café? Oops, it’s a non-smoking area. That’ll get real old, real quick.
5. The constant worry about their health
When you love someone, you worry about them, it’s part of the package. Dating a smoker means there’s this extra layer of worry about their long-term health. From respiratory problems to an increased risk of cancer, the health effects of smoking are well-documented and significant.
These are things you may have to witness them suffer from, which won’t be fun.
6. It’s an expensive habit
Those packs of cigarettes aren’t cheap, and costs add up over time. When dating a smoker, their disposable income, which could have been spent on vacations, dinners out, or other shared experiences, is often funneled towards maintaining their habit.
Regular cigarette purchases are not a one-off expense, but rather an ongoing cost that keeps on depleting the wallet.
Let’s crunch some numbers, shall we? The average price of a pack of cigarettes can range anywhere from $5 to $14, depending on where you live. Now, if your partner smokes a pack a day, you’re looking at a cost of anywhere from $150 to $420 a month, and $1,800 to $5,040 a year!
That’s money that could have been stashed away for a rainy day, used to create beautiful memories, or invested in something beneficial for both of you – perhaps a down payment on a home, a dream vacation, or even a sweet, little nest egg for retirement.
7. It’s more than skin deep, but it affects that too
Beauty might be only skin deep, but smoking can damage that too. Regular smoking can speed up the aging process, leading to premature wrinkles, skin discoloration, and a dull complexion.
But it doesn’t stop there; it also discolors teeth, turning them yellow, and the same goes for the fingers that hold the cigarettes.
It’s one thing to date someone older, it’s another to date someone who looks older because of their smoking habits.
8. A puff today could lead to something stronger tomorrow
We can’t ignore the fact that nicotine is an addictive substance. And once someone has crossed that barrier, the jump to other addictive substances can seem less daunting.
This isn’t to say that every smoker will inevitably fall into harder substances, but the potential is there. It’s a concern worth considering.
9. You may just pick up the habit yourself
This one might surprise you, but bear with me. When you’re spending a lot of time with someone, their habits can start to rub off on you. Even if you swore you would never touch a cigarette, there’s a chance you might end up giving it a try if your significant other is a constant smoker.
And remember, it only takes one puff to potentially get hooked on nicotine.
10. Love stories shouldn’t have an early ending
Let’s get real for a moment. As mentioned previously, smoking has some serious, well-documented health implications. We’re talking lung cancer, heart disease, emphysema, the list goes on. Although we don’t like to think about it, the fact is, dating a smoker could mean facing an early loss. It’s a harsh truth, but one that’s necessary to consider.
Nobody wants their love story to have an early ending. We dream of growing old with our partners, sharing a lifetime of memories. When you date a smoker, you’re signing up for the risk of losing them sooner than you would want. And trust me, that’s a heartbreak no one wants to face.
Final word
Look, we’re not saying you need to ditch anyone who so much as looks at a cigarette. People aren’t defined by their habits, and they definitely have the capacity to change. But, it’s crucial that you know what you’re getting yourself into when dating a smoker.
You’re signing up for more than just shared Netflix accounts and Sunday morning pancakes. You might be also subscribing to secondhand smoke, frequent health concerns, unwanted scents, and an unhealthy dip into the wallet.
If your love interest can’t give up their love for nicotine, it might be a hint that you need to snuff out that budding romance. After all, you don’t want to be kissing an ashtray, or swapping movie nights for standing in the cold while they have a smoke.