7 Christmas Presents For Your Friends That Smoke

There are seven deadly sins, according to the Bible, old wives’ tales, and David Fincher. Although, when you think about it, you could probably throw a few more in there, too. I mean, I’ve done some things that…well, that’s for another day. But, let’s face it, if there is another modern sin to add, it is, without question, smoking. Think of the self-damage, the harm to others, and the really quite obnoxious smell

And although there is no direct mention of the actual act in the good book, there are plenty of allusions to the motives behind it. Now, we’re not suggesting that you’re going to go to hell for pulling on the occasional Marlboro. But if you’re a smoker who believes in such things, there’s a good chance you’ll get your chance sooner than then you are hoping. That’s your choice – and it’s one we all have open to us.

The trouble lies when it isn’t your choice. When you have a friend who, when they walk into a room, makes you think you understand what it must have been like in the smoggy years of Victorian London. The guy who sounds like he’s coughing up half of his lung every ten minutes. Or the girl with the yellow fingers. The smokers. Whether you enjoy a puff or not, we all understand the dangers that come with ‘the evil weed’.

So, this Christmas, why not give your friend a gift that could help them? The chances are they are planning on the last cigarette for New Year’s Eve, just like you are; if you’re a smoker. So give them something that will, hopefully, help them last a little longer than first thing on New Year’s Day. Here are seven ideas for you.

Photo by Lindsay Fox
Photo by Lindsay Fox

E-cigs

First up, let’s try e-cigs. They are expensive to buy in the shops, and the advertising can be a little misleading. ‘Equivalent to 200 cigarettes’, or so they say. Well, they aren’t anywhere close to that, and the hardened smoker will only get around 200 puffs – if the battery doesn’t run out first. But, the point is, they look like cigarettes, and some of them even taste like cigarettes. So it’s about as close to the real thing as a smoker can expect to get. So buy them some. In fact, forget that. Buy them a lot.

A vape kit

Those e-cigs will only last them a little while, though. So, to prevent a Day Two return to tarred lungs, think about getting a vape kit. There are plenty of styles available, but you might as well go for one of the fun ones. It can get technical, but what you are looking for is a temperature control box mod. Your smoking friend/family member will have a few pulls on one of those. And when they do, they won’t believe the plumes of vapour that come pouring out of their mouths. You won’t believe it’s healthy – and maybe it won’t be. But it’s certainly better than the alternative. And it smells a lot better.

Hookah

Perhaps your smoking friend is going to need some extra help to quit the habit. So, try introducing them to a hookah pipe. One quick point to make – they aren’t a healthy alternative and carry the same kind of medical risks as smoking cigarette smoke. But, it’s not something they can carry around with them, and – if you can somehow limit their use – it might just help them break the habit. Try going for a nicotine-free option and see how they get on.

Photo by Wonderlane
Photo by Wonderlane

A trip to the dentist

Another idea is to get your friend to head to the dentist, preferably within the first week of them kicking the habit. Let’s face it, a smoker’s’ teeth aren’t the prettiest in the world, and let’s not even start to talk about breath. But imagine them going for a checkup, and then a quick trip to the hygienist. They’ll look in the mirror afterward and see that their teeth are looking better than they have done in years. They might even crack a smile. Even if it’s just a few shades less yellow, your gift of a dentist visit might make them think twice about staining them again.

A year’s supply of greens

Now we’re getting desperate. And, let’s be honest here – there’s a very good chance that your efforts with your friend or relative are going to fail. They need to want to make that all-important step themselves. Plus, anyway, you have probably started on herb again yourself. So, now’s the time to start getting clever. It’s all about reduction, rather than enforcing stopping. Buy them a year’s supply of greens. Think we’re joking? We’re not. One of the major pulls of smoking is that it tastes great after a good steak. But after greens? It’s not quite so beautiful. So encourage healthy eating and your friend – and, perhaps you – might think twice before rolling one up after dinner.

A packet full of YouTube links

Now that your friend is really struggling, you’ll need to hammer home the idea. So, there is only one answer. Head over to YouTube and find the scariest, most eye-opening anti-smoking ads you can find, and send them the links. Every day. In fact, why not do it every hour? There’s this one from the 1980s. And this one from recent years. And there’s a lot in between. Annoy the hell out of them, and they might just last the next hour without reaching for a light. And if they do…

A broken Zippo

This is your failsafe. At some point, of course, your friend is going to sneak off somewhere and buy a 10-pack – ‘just this once’. And, no doubt, they will find somewhere nice and private to get a lungful. But if you had spent your New Year’s Eve party busting up their favourite Zippo lighter, you can nip their lack of willpower in the bud.

And that, gentlemen, is just about all you can do. Good luck!

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Jared

Jared writes lifestyle content for Unfinished Man with an edgy, provocative voice. His passion for tattoos informs his unique perspective shaped by self-expression. Jared's knack for storytelling and ability to connect with readers delivers entertaining takes on modern manhood.

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