[artificialLimbs]

>> It's hard to find any benefit to smoking...

Ritualistically, as an exercise in getting out of one's 'normal' consciousness, it can present useful information for self study. In habitual form, it is of course very destructive.

[groby_b]

So the "getting out of consciousness" that is the relaxation experience many "habitual" smokers have is worthless, while changing your state for ritualistic purposes is helpful?

Both are very tiny self-reported effects that are close to non-observable for outsiders. Why would one outweigh the other, if you allow self-reported epsilon effects at all?

[artificialLimbs]

>> getting out of consciousness

You mean sleep (as in, night time bed activity)? I'm not talking about sleep. I am discussing getting out of normative modes of being but not going to sleep.

>> that is the relaxation experience

This is not the only experience resulting from tobacco use. There are more subtle effects as well.

>> worthless

I haven't declared a value judgment against the habit. I am saying it is destructive to the body. Do you believe that to not be a fact?

>> helpful

Again, I'm not presenting value judgments here. I am saying it can present useful information. It sounds to me like you have taken offense somewhere for some reason. I am not putting weight on one or the other.

*edit: clarity