this post was submitted on 18 Aug 2025
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Inspired by another question on this community about "the first time you drank alcohol", so I was just feeling like I'm the odd one out here.

I personally have never smoked (neither tobacco nor weed), never drank any alcohol. (Parents also don't do smoking, or drinking, or gambling so I kinda got lucky with the environment I grew up in, I guess...) Is that unusual? Gen Z btw.

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[–] IWW4@lemmy.zip 3 points 1 week ago

I drink plenty of booze. My go to is Whiskey and diet coke.

[–] palordrolap@fedia.io 3 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Late Gen X, practically Millennial here.

My parents expressly forbade me from smoking despite being heavy smokers themselves. They also got that same forbidding from their parents, but I guess it didn't stick with them.

As such, I'm not sure whether that had any influence, or whether it was a natural aversion to the stink and filth of it but I've never smoked. Cost would have also been a big factor that prevented me from getting into it. I never had any money as a kid, and also had no smoker friends, let alone generous smoker friends, so getting a hold of anything to smoke was pretty much impossible.

Stealing from my parents might have been an option, I suppose, but I would not have wanted to face their wrath had I done that.

Alcohol and I do not get along. Too many bad experiences have come about through the combination, and it took far too long for me to learn lessons from it.

Even if I was not on medication that came with the heavy suggestion to avoid alcohol, I would not drink.

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[–] Nibodhika@lemmy.world 3 points 1 week ago

I don't smoke tobacco, tried it once when I was younger, not my thing, didn't liked the feeling on my lungs at all, and I've seen how difficult it is to deal with the addiction from both my parents, so I never wanted to start. Weed smoke is a bit less coarse on my lungs, but still I strongly dislike the feeling (dry herb vaporizer is much better in that regard).

Alcohol I don't usually have. I might drink a beer or a whiskey in social situations, but haven't been drunk in the past 20 years.

[–] Glytch@lemmy.world 3 points 1 week ago

No tobacco and no alcohol here. I used to binge drink in college but after a night of drinking ended up with a $6000 ER/ambulance bill (yes I am American how did you know?), I decided it was time to stop altogether because I can't control my intake when I drink.

[–] twice_hatch@midwest.social 3 points 1 week ago

Nah. Grew up in a non-smoking family. Never got the taste for alcohol even though I've tried it a few times. I'm a sugar fiend though

[–] miked@sh.itjust.works 3 points 1 week ago

Quit smoking 25 years ago. Still drink.

[–] ArsonButCute@lemmy.dbzer0.com 3 points 1 week ago

I firmly believe in moderation.

I roll my own cigarettes, I might go through two a day if I'm overusing. Vaping changed my relationship with Nicotine such that I have a much as I want, when I want it. Rolling my own allows me to bypass the markings on a cigarette that tell you "you're done smoking this one" giving me power over it, a chance to decide I've had enough without the smoke making that decision for me.

I also occasionally consume alcohol. My partner is a recovering alcoholic who also believes in my philosophy of moderation over abstainance, simply for the power over substance aspect. We occasionally pick up a four pack of session brews, every few weeks or so. Beer is tasty, but we never want to have more on us than we'll have in an evening, and we try not to make a habit of consuming.

Why? I enjoy my vices. I don't feel as though the way I partake in them has negatively affected my life, so I plan to continue partaking in them as I choose to.

[–] Zetta@mander.xyz 3 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

Drink occasionally, I vape cannabis flower often. I don't use all that much though, less than 0.35 grams a week usually.

I used to go fucking ham on the weed, but I quit at the beginning of this year, and had the most incredibly horrible withdrawals I could imagine. Literally didn't know you could get withdrawals from THC so bad. I had to take a week off of work. I was dizzy to the point of vomiting if I moved my head at all for two weeks, miserable fucking experience. Anywho now I try to indulge responsibly and take breaks often.

Never smoked tobacco, I would hit my friends nic vapes in high school mostly just try try their flavors, they made their own juice and were big dealers In the school selling it haha.

Why do I get high? Well I suppose I really enjoy the feeling of being in an altered state. It feels different, it feels good. It also helps me a decent bit with OCD symptoms most of the time, although I've read online it makes symptoms worse for some people.

[–] konalt@lemmy.world 3 points 1 week ago

Smoking no, alcohol occasionally. Parents are very lax about it so they buy it for me. It's pretty cool.

[–] Witchfire@lemmy.world 3 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

I used to drink more during my college years. That and right after was the hardest part of my life, aside from now, but I don't drink as much now.

Joints though, nothing beats the convenience of a nice joint. Good edibles are hard to find, drinks are nice but pricy and rarely less than 10MG, and my herbal vape (not a typical vape) is nice but feels weak. I need to break off of them. I also enjoy rolling them, it's therapeutic.

I'm allergic to cigarette smoke and hate tobacco, thankfully

[–] partial_accumen@lemmy.world 3 points 1 week ago

I don't drink alcohol or use tobacco/nicotine in any forms. As to why, I simply don't enjoy the experience of either. When I was a teenager I was offered and tried a cigarette. I hated the tobacco smoke flavor, it made my lungs hurt, and I didn't like headrush feeling. For alcohol, I drank a few times as a young adult and even got drunk a couple of times. I didn't particularly enjoy that mental and physical experience either. Even after that I drank beer a few times socially, but realized I wasn't doing it because I liked it, but to "fit in" or impress other people.

While still in my early 20's, I realized that if the only way those people would like me or associate with me was because I would drink, I didn't need them in my life. I stopped drinking entirely, and I'll admit at the beginning I did get socially pressured, but when I didn't relent, no one ever got upset with me nor did I ever lose any friendships because I didn't want to drink. I made it clear then, as I do today, that I don't care if anyone else wants to drink, even if that drinking is around me. I have no judgment on them for what they choose to consume (as long as they aren't hurting others in doing so). I will even buy alcohol for people I know that drink as gifts, because I know it is something they enjoy and thats what gifts are for. I have a decent collection of unopened bourbon bottles that I've never even tasted. I can get some uncommon bottles now and then. I've never had someone complain about getting a nice bottle of bourbon.

I will say I don't really like hanging out with smokers in confined spaces, but that has nothing to do with a judgment about their personal choices. I just don't like my clothing and hair smelling like cigarette smoke after hanging out with them.

GenX BTW.

[–] Goldholz@lemmy.blahaj.zone 3 points 1 week ago

Fellow older Gen Z here. Atleast in europe to not drink or smoke is quite unusual. But i am the same. I just dont see any appeal in it. For me smoking is throwing health and money out of the window. And i dislike the taste of alcohole plus what it does to a human

[–] Saleh@feddit.org 3 points 1 week ago

I used to. I have stopped. My life is much better without.

[–] captainlezbian@lemmy.world 3 points 1 week ago

I enjoy my whiskeys, wine, beer and various other alcoholic beverages. They taste good and when enjoyed properly are part of a certain type of fun evening.

I don't like tobacco all that much, but holy fuck do I crave the stuff. My lungs can't take it anymore and I was always a very sparing user (ie the jackass who bums a cig maybe once a year, but never buys her own pack), so it's been over a year since my last.

And yeah if my answer didn't make that clear, I'm a millennial

[–] Flames5123@sh.itjust.works 3 points 1 week ago

I can walk to 10 breweries in 15 mins from my house in Seattle. I love the taste of pretty much any alcohol. It’s a unique taste that’s an art in either beer or cocktails or liquor. I used to drink almost every day because of this. I’ve since stopped drinking most weekdays unless it’s a special occasion, like a beer release, friends over, etc. and I think it’s helping me. I’m not addicted, but it was a little bit different to quit because it was a way I’ve dealt with every day’s stress. My first drink was when I was 19 in Italy (am American) and enjoyed a few cocktails on my trip (not wine or beer at first).

I’ve only smoked cigarettes a handful of times with friends in very special occasions. I did cigars a couple times a year. I used to do taobacco pipe once or twice a month for a few years because I liked the taste with a scotch whiskey, but never enough to get a nicotine buzz. I only smoke weed nowadays, probably twice a month, but mostly vape pens.

My parents didn’t drink often growing up, but they smoked well before I was born. I’m a millennial so going to college it was kind of expected, and I grew to like it.

[–] ShadowStabber@lemmynsfw.com 3 points 1 week ago

Gen Y here. Born and raised in a rural European community.

I used to drink (sometimes heavily) when partying when I was younger. From age 16 to 30.

Sometimes I smoked a cig while partying as a teen and smoking flavoured tobacco from a water pipe was pretty trendy during that time to, which I took part in at social gatherings, but never made it a habit.

In my twenties I also drank some beer or wine every now and then on my own.

But I don't do any of that anymore. Very rarely do I drink a bit of alcohol, but since it triggers my depression and I feel really shitty the next day, I've stopped doing it. Just not worth it.

Non-alcoholic beer is a godsend though. I really enjoy beer for its taste and this stuff lets me have a glimpse of that without the drawbacks.

[–] Appoxo@lemmy.dbzer0.com 3 points 1 week ago

Tobacco: No. Hopefully never

Alcohol: Only if it tastes good. No good taste = I don't want it.
Example: I dislike beer. Sake on the other hand has a pleasant taste.

[–] roserose56@lemmy.ca 3 points 1 week ago

I drink time to time, not always. Beer and wine mainly to taste and enjoy, and some raki too.

No. Never smoked. Alcohol tried pretty hard to get me, so I quit. Wasn’t fun anymore. Never really gambled other than pocket change, whatever I had on me was used and when it was gone it was gone. Rarely more than $5.

[–] Aggravationstation@feddit.uk 3 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

I drink occasionally. Three times so far this year, been drunk once.

I smoked tobacco for 10 years and quit for 2 years. Then started again, switched to vaping a few months later and vaped on/ off for 9 years (currently on). I did occasionally smoke cigars (when drinking) but I can't stomach them anymore.

Hallucinogenics are my preferred drugs but I live in a country where all of them, even weed, are illegal and I get tested at work. If they were legal and I had a reliable source of clean product I'd smoke weed maybe 10 - 15 days out of the year and do acid once in the summer and shrooms once around the autumn/ winter.

[–] bitjunkie@lemmy.world 3 points 1 week ago

I use vapes because it's how I quit smoking and there's still something comforting/de-stressing about the ritual. I use pretty strong juice but I don't get nic fits if I go a while without it like I did when I smoked, which leads me to believe nicotine isn't the only addictive thing the latter.

I drink alcohol because caffeinated programmer needs to stop going brrr at some point, not the healthiest life decision but who the hell cares it's not like I'm ever going to have enough money to retire

[–] Brotha_Jaufrey@lemmy.world 3 points 1 week ago

I don’t because I like money, and I don’t think my life would get any better from smoking and drinking.

[–] SoftestSapphic@lemmy.world 3 points 1 week ago

Both

I take what small pleasures I can from this life.

Based on the way the world is going, I will probably be shot way before lung cancer ever develops.

[–] urheber@discuss.tchncs.de 3 points 1 week ago

I drink since I'm 12, at least once a week (not quite till blackout ...) because, it's the only legal drug I can take.... Except for Weird stuff from pharmacies, but that's too expensive, and you only trip for 4 hours

[–] Showroom7561@lemmy.ca 3 points 1 week ago

I no longer willingly consume cancer-causing substances.

Health is something you only need to lose once, and you're life is forever changed for the worse.

And neither alcohol or tobacco products bring even an ounce of benefits that could outweigh their risks.

Plus, tobacco products cause you to smell like absolute shit, and alcohol turns people into idiots or lunatics.

And I also couldn't imagine pissing away money on something so unnecessary.

FWIW, I was a pack-a-day smoker and drank alcohol, so I know both sides. I regret it in hindsight, but teens so stupid things, and that was my stupid thing.

[–] Treczoks@lemmy.world 3 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

I don't drink alcohol, as i have medical issues with alcohol breakdown products.

I don't smoke, as i have seen relatives dying of lung cancer.

I don't do other recreational drugs, as during the age where people get hooked to that shit I could barely afford food and had no money to waste, and now I'm to old to start such a stupid shit.

I only take the drugs prescribed by my doc, and that is more than enough.

I'm on the Gen Z/Millennial border for reference.

I've done a few puffs of cigars at big celebrations with friends/family, but I've never smoked a whole cigar or used any other tobacco. Never really cared much for the idea, and the little bit I did try didn't make me want to do more.

I'll drink when I'm at a social gathering, but it's rarely ever enough to get drunk. I don't like beer, which is frequently the only alcohol offered, so there are quite a few times where I don't drink anything. I never really drank outside of social situations before, but I've recently started to appreciate the taste of good bourbon, so I'll occasionally pour some at home.

[–] captain_aggravated@sh.itjust.works 3 points 1 week ago (1 children)

I stopped smoking. I drink beer and whiskey.

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[–] destructdisc@lemmy.world 3 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

Millennial here. I like not being a public nuisance and having functional lungs, a liver, and what little of my mental faculties I haven't lost to mental illness, so no I don't partake

[–] Geodad@lemmy.world 3 points 1 week ago

I watched 2 grandparents die of lung cancer. My mom has COPD, and has never smoked. I have had breathing problems since I was young.

It's all because my grandparents smoked.

I have never and will never smoke.

Alcohol has too many calories.

[–] Photuris@lemmy.ml 2 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Tried it, didn’t like it.

Cigarettes are gross, and alcohol leaves me with a headache and upset stomach.

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[–] lightnsfw@reddthat.com 2 points 1 week ago

No tobacco. I hate the smell of it. I drink probably too much but life sucks. What can you do.

[–] Mac@mander.xyz 2 points 1 week ago

I've tried stuff. Don't like it. Shit's nasty. Some alcohol tastes fine but then there are the cognitive effects--no thank you.

[–] Katana314@lemmy.world 2 points 1 week ago (1 children)

I enjoy alcohol now, but I avoided it for a long time due to hating the taste. I still don’t like most beer, and I’ve never drank long enough to get fully drunk. The only thing that got me into it was finding drinks with a sweet taste that I liked.

I want to say that it shouldn’t matter with a good group of friends. But, I’ll admit a lot of the better social parties I’ve been to have involved drinking. It’s hard to say where the balance lies.

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[–] kinther@lemmy.world 2 points 1 week ago

I smoked tobacco from 15-25. Tried several times to quit and finally did. I had to convince myself I hated the taste, so I would only buy the shittiest tobacco possible. Sometimes I'd buy the pouches to force myself to roll my own without a filter, which is fucking gross.

I didn't drink (much if at all) until my late 20s. Having a drink socially is fine and can be a great way to meet new people, so long as you don't overdo it and make an ass of yourself. I still drink and am trying to do something similar to what I did with tobacco - basically only drink the lowest ABV option available, or wine with dinner.

Cannabis is a mixed bag for me. I started young around 13 and smoked heavily until my mid 20s, quit mostly, and now smoke again (but far less than when I was younger). I quit for weeks at a time and may smoke a bit before playing video games or when I complete a big project.

I consider cannabis the least harmful since it isn't very addictive, elevates my mood, and I don't ever "smoke too much".

[–] MrBungle@lemmy.ca 2 points 1 week ago

You mentioned your generation so ill put myself as xennial.

I dont use tobacco at all. Never seen the appeal of it myself.

I have a beer on occasion and sometimes use wine in cooking.

I use weed regularly for sleep and shoulder pain

[–] Lizardking13@lemmy.world 2 points 1 week ago

I drink, but do not smoke (tobacco). I enjoy drinking, I enjoy socializing while drinking. I enjoy drinks with meals.

I know it's not good for me, so I do so with some level of moderation - as I've grown older, the moderation has increased.

[–] Kissaki@feddit.org 2 points 1 week ago

No smoking. Pretty much only schnapps after meals with my grandma - doing it for her.

[–] dukeofdummies@lemmy.world 2 points 1 week ago

I drink with friends, I don't smoke but I do hang out in the smoking areas though.

I wouldn't say it's unusual. Can't say there was much peer pressure to get me to start drinking. It just was an easy conversation starter. "Whatcha drinking?"

I think it's also one of the reasons smoking starts so easily. It's a really easy conversation starter. Gotta light?

It's not bad that the next generations are doing it less, but it does suck that they haven't been replaced with a new conversation starter.

[–] kSPvhmTOlwvMd7Y7E@lemmy.world 2 points 1 week ago

I dunno if I am lucky, but I never got addicted to smoking , but I do smoke occasionally and drink (I do buy alcoholic drinks but I never buy cigarettes). I never smoke nor drank alcohol before 18

[–] CanadaPlus@lemmy.sdf.org 2 points 1 week ago

Nope. In both cases it's expensive and bad for you, and it can be hard to stop once you start.

Smoking makes you gross to everyone on top of it, and school was pretty good at explaining all this at length. When I see or hear about someone in our generation who's a smoker I wonder WTF their reasoning was.

[–] serenissi@lemmy.world 2 points 1 week ago

no

I hate the tobacco smell (stink?) and 'hard' alcohol makes me nauseated, even just a glass. I do sometimes drink small amount of wine in social settings, not enough to get drunk. beer disgusts me though.

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