Is there any original usefullness of Tobacco smoking at all?

Question

Why is cigarette(Or cigar, or tobacco smoking) invented in the first place? We all know that smoking tobacco put your health at risks, but does it have any orginal usefulness? If there is no benefit to smoking at all, then why doesn't any country outlaw and get rid of it completely?

(Note: I'm a smoker myself.)

Answer 1

It feels good and is pleasurable.  And in many cases (especially in the past), there is a strong social element.

Answer 2

It has significant calming effects and therefore can help a lot with stress or anxiety, if you pay attention, that tends to be when people smoke most. It helps focus, concentration and alertness. It also has appetite supressing effects, some tribal peoples smoke tobacco to ease hunger pains when food is short.

Answer 3

Well from a cynical point of view, the governments of said countries make far too much money from cigarettes to outlaw it completely.

A document from a major tobacco company, made some point in the 80's i believe contained the following passage:

"Cigarette smoking can result in feeling of euphoria, increased alertness, rises in short term memory and can have a calming effect on nerves."

Answer 4

Its the chemicals in the cigarette that are dangerous like tar and nicotine...

Answer 5

Of course it's useful, it makes you feel good. But if you're looking for functional improvements, well, like other stimulants, it does seem to have intellect-boosting properties. It also increases focus and self-confidence and sociability and may boost creativity. And I guess that something that suppresses anger, hunger, pain, boredom, and anxiety could be said to be useful as well. And it's an antidepressant.

Answer 6

More or less the same reason people do drugs, it feels good. It doesn't do anything good for you, except, maybe to suppress your appetite, but it has been along for so long, it just can't be easily removed by the government. [For example, the Prohibition]. People are going to do what they like, so if it isn't immediately life threatening or risky for other people, I suppose the government has to let us feel like we have free will.

There is also a social component, for example, the whole cigarette break/bonding experience, and it is ingrained into the society as a "cool" or bad boy thing to do.