So sorta semi-TIL post. For men, smoking cigarettes causes epigenetic changes which means (as I understand it) that the DNA damage caused by smoking is passed on to their children. The male sperm is damaged from the effects of smoking. There is a ‘significant’ chance of it causing “developmental disorders” which includes autism, ADHD and intellectual disability.
Honestly, search for the articles yourself, there are many and it’s an interesting rabbit hole. I do question how long this has been known to the cigarette companies who conduct their own research.
The UK has banned smoking cigarettes for under 16s for a reason. Making such a huge policy change like that must be for a very damaging reason. NZ did too, but pussied out - presumably from the lobbying.
So I just wanted to touch base and ask who has a father who smokes / used to smoke regardless of whether you’ve been officially diagnosed or think you may be autistic?
EDIT: I actually expected lots of downvotes for this post. There’s a great film called “Thank you for smoking” which everyone should watch.
I smoked for 11 years on and off, stopped for 1 again (I’ve stopped before) so far, and still get an urge now and then. Maybe it’s lifelong or takes decades to never feel it again, never looked into it.
Easy to start smoking. Just live a life where you want to die every day for awhile and have somebody offer you a smoke during a break at work. Oooh, overly specific! I’m in a better place these days. Pretty easy to stop honestly the withdrawal isn’t particularly powerful. Buuut it’s persistently there waiting for a day of weakness. Much much harder to stay quit.