What's worse: smoking or alcohol abuse?

Alchol is worse in the long run more people die of drinkin den smokin in a year in uk

They are both very bad for you.

Both are of course bad...But its the time line that matters.

People smoke for 20-30 yrs before they develop cancer or other serious illnesses related to smoking. Of course, a smoker will never be as fit as a non-smoker(if they are eating right, exercising regularly, etc). There are other smokers who probably die of unrelated diseases, which is why no doctor will ever tell you that smoking withh cause cancer 100%.

On the other hand, over-consumption of alcohol will show effects pretty soon. The liver is a delicate organ and it will develop jaundice or some other liver disease soon enough.

On the flip side, I feel that recovering from alcohol abuse is easier than quitting smoking.

So take your pick!

correct me if i'm wrong but I do believe when you smoke, if you do indeed decide to quit your lungs can repair themselves over YEARS of time..i'm not saying you can smoke 20 years and quit 1 and expect your lungs to be the way they were 20 years ago..but i think very slowly the lungs can repair themselves if i remember correctly..however if you are an alcoholic you can get cirrhosis of the liver and if your liver can no longer function you will die..and the liver cannot repair itself...however...neither is good for you and youre asking for health problems

Alcoholism generally has more of an impact on mental health- family problems, abuse, etc.

they are both bad but i'd rather other people smoke than drink so i don't have to worry about them killing me or my family with their car. alcohol abuse also leads or contributes to other abuses like sexual abuse, domestic violence, suicide, homicide, assault, vandalism, homelessness, etc. I kinda wish alcohol had never been invented. Smoking, on the other hand, is bad for your health, but you can still drive a car and know right from wrong when you smoke a cigarette. I think the world could do without both but I'd have to say alcohol abuse is worse.

I’m a smoker and I don’t think I‘ll live long enough for my lungs to repair themselves. But the damage that’s been done to my self esteem by drinkers (my ex-husband was an alcoholic) will probably never be repaired either. I don’t smoke near my child and I refuse to smoke in a non-smokers house, even if for instance the husband smokes and the wife does not. It’s my filthy habit - not theirs.

i also agree with whoever brought up the point about alcohol effecting others, smoking harms only yourself, alcohol changes some people and can cause physical/emotional harm to others around that person

If I go on a chain smoking spree and drive somewhere afterwards, my ability to operate the vehicle isn't compromised. If I do the same after going on a drinking binge I put everyone on and around the road in danger. I think it's a no-brainer.

The witch hunt against smokers these days has people convinced that someone lighting up across the street from them is more dangerous than a serial killer. It's gotten out of hand and the animosity people have for smokers is often unprovoked.

Example: I go outside and move far away from anyone else to light up. A nonsmoker across the parking lot sees me smoking and deliberately moves in and starts with the staged coughing and rude comments. I didn't invade their space, I went out of my way to keep my habit off of them...but their hatred for smokers has them on a jihad.

Aggression against someone deserving of it is fine but nowadays all it takes is possession of tobacco to be treated like a subhuman.

its nice that you have that sort of respect to go out of your way to avoid non smokers...not alot of people have that same respect and that more than likely why you get that evil eye...I remember when smoking was still allowed in some restaurants and honestly...it did irritate me...i'm trying to sit there and enjoy my meal and thats the worst thing you could do is light up right across from me...can't you wait until after the meal when you can go out and smoke without bothering others...or go to the bar even...i love how some restaurants now have a "smoking" and "non smoking" section divided by an invisible wall...smoke does travel...I respect the fact that you do go out of your way to not effect others, but those that will light up just about anywhere are the reason you still get those dirty looks

I agree. I respect it when smokers make attempts to be considerate of others, but a lot of times when I'm leaving a store or restaurant, I walk right into a cloud of smoke because there's a smoker doing his/her thing RIGHT outside the door. I definitely don't appreciate it, especially when I have my two year old daughter with me who also has to pass through that disgusting cloud. I'm not ashamed of giving those people dirty looks, but only because I think they deserve it.

Good for you for being considerate, Darkmoon.