I’ve written about smoking several times in the past because “…a billion people will die this century from tobacco-related illnesses….” And everyone knows that smoking is bad for you, so why is it that smokers just don’t give a crap?

Sorry, but as a sidebar… I know this person who is a smoker and also a die-hard environmentalist. Can someone please tell me how you can complain about me driving a gas guzzling vehicle when the production of cigarettes is causing massive deforestation along with the production of waste from consumption (including paper and plastic packaging and cigarette butts)? I mean seriously, if you smoke you don’t give a damn.

Globally, tobacco curing requires 11.4 million tons of solid wood annually, according to Geist’s study. Adding insult to injury, tobacco plants may replace the trees cut down and leach large quantities of vital nutrients from the soil.

Worldwide, an estimated 5.5 trillion commercially produced cigarettes were consumed in 1995 (the last year for which statistics are available) and 83% of cigarettes were filter-tipped. Filters and plastic wrap from packages remain in the environment for long periods. Cigarette filters contain cellulose acetate, which persists under normal environmental conditions for 18 months or longer. Moreover, cigarette butts pose a health hazard to children and animals if they eat them.

Anyway, back to the point at hand. I’ve assembled a nice little collection of videos from around the Web that focus on the effects of cigarettes. If you’re a smoker, feel free to go ahead and ignore these. It’s always better not to know whats coming…

This first one uses a couple of water jugs to capture the smoke from just one cigarette. Yummy!

These sound like a collection of British or possibly Australian public service ads. Quite interesting the way they show the effects of smoking.

This is a very good video that someone did as a school project:

Smoking causes actual pain throughout the body due to hardening of the arteries.

Here is something completely disgusting. When you get cancer from smoking this is what they are going to do to try to keep you alive:

Finally, a little comedy to “lighten” things up.

And always remember folks…

Having a smoking area in a restaurant is like having a peeing section in a swimming pool.

And now, we truly have something for everyone…

Are you a fan of old time silent films? When actors were actors, and bartenders were… um, bartenders? Or are you a fan of the new special effects and eye candy delivered by Spielberg era cinematography?

Well, here for your viewing pleasure is Star Wars, the silent film version! Enjoy.

Of course… you guys did see the Star Wars ASCII version right?