Do you smoke?

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A curious thought, I wonder if there is a difference in the number of AS smokers to the general average (of which I don't currently have the statistics in front of my) also knowing this is in no way a scientific inquiry... just curiosity.

Please vote even if you don't comment.

Used to smoke about 10 a day. Now I only smoke weed between 1-3 times a week. I try not to put any tabacco in the joint either unless I'm low on money

No, I have never smoked. I have never even tried to smoke.

Smoke dissipated topic

I quit nearly 30 years ago.

It can be done. And if you have never smoked, never start. Be like Gilder 18.

I used to have a cigar every now and then.

But weed's more my thing.

Unfortunately, I've always been too aware of the health hazard and the dumbassness of smoking cigarettes.

No, if I wanted to kill myself, I'd make it fast and painless, thanks.

A fact (& of significant research interest) that those with Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are notably far less likely to smoke.

I've never smoked and never wanted to smoke.

No, Never. Unless you count the 18 years I lived with my chain smoking father.

Listening to him hack up a lung every morning was a pretty good deterrant.

Interesting, can you provide a cite for that? I am wondering if people with ASD are less likely to smoke due to the differences between ASD and NT physiology or for other reasons.

Never have either, never plan too. Terrible stuff they are.

Me too. I quit about 2 years ago! I´m so happy! That smell was awful!

No, because it hurts to breathe when I am around smokers and because it is one of the worst smells.

I absolutely hate smoking and I feel myself becoming violent around people who do it.

Yup, I've been doing it for so long it's become somewhat of a stim to have something of cigarette size between my index and middle finger or in my mouth.

A link (of others, I know) - you could try PubMed as well:
http://www.psy-journal.com/article/S0165-1781(03)00123-9/abstract

(Please note that Asperger's Syndrome (AS) is an autistic spectrum disorder, of course)! In any case, that ASD individuals are non-smokers is a "known" and research significant (plus for clinical, I'd imagine). I've written about this quite a bit on the Wrong Planet already.....but, to re-state, in sum: ASD individuals (that's us) have nicotinic receptors that are literally saturated already; for us, to smoke cigarettes (or the equivalent) would be akin to a flood for our nictonic receptors - indeed, there is plenty of pharmacological research about this very aspect of the autistic brain (you might wish to check out my profile here).

Imagine, for an analogy: Suppose a (normal) person were offered a piece of cheesecake - yum! Who doesn't love cheesecake? And most all of us would be tempted. Now, suppose this same person though were offered cheesecake....but they had just eaten a BIG meal, complete with a side dish; in essence, they're stuffed full, maybe even uncomfortably so. Then, that cheesecake is not appealing.
For an ASD individual, it's as if we're stuffed full after that big rich meal - - then, that cigarette (by analogy) is not appealiing, at all (maybe even nauseating).

Next, another big factor: ASD individuals (yes, us Aspies too) notoriously do NOT take those social cues or care to fit into their peer group (note here that plenty of smokers start when they are teens/young adults - because their friends do it). In essence, we can be rather impassive, or "immune" to peer pressure. That, coupled with our satured nictonic receptors, is a big factor is our not smoking behaviour.

A factoid: Neuro/psych disorders (the whole range) notoriously have a much higher than "normal" rate of smoking - especially those with schizophrenia (and related). Yes, schizophrenia is considered the opposite disorder than autism. Nicotinic receptors are a big factor. Autistics notably do not smoke. Sure, there's exceptions (but not too many). There are (or have been) some Aspies who smoke a little (like a cigar every now & again). Further, we tend to have far less addictive disorders - same rationale.