Tzippi –
I’m with you. Your friend is better off 30 lbs heariver, than a size 2 and a smoker.
Bike riding can be harmful to men in their older years (if the rides are 50+ miles a day) but the health benefits outway the risk by far.
Plus, with the proper fitting, cycling will bring little harm, while the lack of excercise will bring lots of harm.
AJ – 85% will stop smoking once they get married? Even if your numbers are right (which I doubt) the relapse rate of the 85% is probaly 99%, once those bochurim start feeling the heat of life’s stress (Job, kids, mortgage, ect).
I will agree with you on one point; If the bocher has a smoker in is immediate family (like his father, for example) is pretty much a sure thing he will smoke too.
As someone who is young enough to remeber my yeshiva days, coolness is what gets most boys (and girls) started. And once your in Bais Medrash, you can come out in the open.
Bottom line, smoking is a vile habit. It stinks in the short term. And yes, I know there are a number of people that smoke into their 80’s, but not being able to walk 2 flights of steps without wheezing, or not being able to keep up with your grandchildren in the park.. is that called living?
Thats called existing. Not living.