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Think it's better not to smoke but have your exercise limited to walking from your car to your front door? Or be able to run a marathon but still light up a few times a week?

From the Los Angeles Times

Thank you for the article L.A. Times, I smoke and run regularly.

vcockrill @ 1:54 PM PDT, Aug 7, 2008
This is a completely irresponsible article. "Smokin' athletes! Who says cigarettes and sports don't mix?" Could you glorify smoking any more with that headline? You should be ashamed.

Jo @ 6:52 AM PDT, Aug 7, 2008
Dear L.A. Times, in case I didn't get the address of the 'Coalition For Fire Safe Cigarettes' blog correctly, it's http://nfpa.typepad.com/firesafecigarettes/ or simly google FSC cigarettes, the internet is starting to load up with the horror stories; yet it's still fairly secret. Thank you.

LEATHERNECK @ 2:37 AM PDT, Aug 7, 2008
What did Joe Namath (New York Jets), Frank Gifford (New York Giants), Kenny Stabler, George Blanda and Freddy Biletnikoff (Raiders), Vlade Devac (Lakers) + Steve Yeager (Dodgers) have in common? They were world class athletes who smoked cigarettes. However, their cigarettes were no where near as toxic, or as unpleasant smelling as our current cigarettes; Why? Because they weren't smoking the current, so called "Fire-Safe" (which they certianly are not) cigarettes now imposed on smokers by state law. I hope the L.A. Times runs an article on this. Please read blog: http://nfpa.typepad.com/firesafecigarettes/ It's all brands. Beware.

LEATHERNECK @ 2:02 AM PDT, Aug 7, 2008
Anecdotes: Merckx smoked a cigarette in the evening when he was competing in the Tour de France. It helped him sleep. A photo from the Tour ca. 1921 shows 3 riders smoking before a serious mountain stage. Kenny Moore at the '68 Olympics observed 20 American track athletes smoking under the Mexico City bleachers. Guy Drut, '72 Olympic gold hurdler, smoked. A study in the early 80's observed that living and training in Los Angeles was like smoking a pack a day. Several LA athletes made the Olympic team. Research suggests that pulmonary function is seldom the limiting factor in aerobic capacity.

mj @ 2:57 PM PDT, Aug 6, 2008
The question is not, "Am I the fastest?" It's "Am I MY fastest?" Would you surpass yourself if you didn't smoke? Are you cheating yourself out of greater achievement? Brag all you wan't, but it's not the same as reaching your potential. Drive a Ferrari on cheap gas, and you're not as fast, and the car won't last as long.

carg-oBee-p @ 1:08 PM PDT, Aug 6, 2008
"The interesting thing about most smokers is that they don't feel the need to stop other people from burning a hole in the ozone or polluting the water supply." That's like saying the interesting thing about tobacco companies is that they don't complain about other corporations that pollute the air and water. Of course you don't give a hoot about those who pollute. If you did, you wouldn't be one.

goodog @ 12:53 PM PDT, Aug 6, 2008
What is the point of this article anyway.. Go find some real news to report? What a waste of time!!!!

NOT A SMOKER FOR SURE @ 11:57 AM PDT, Aug 6, 2008
smoke & run

tom @ 8:21 AM PDT, Aug 6, 2008
Looking at these "athletes" none of them are in shape like Olympians. They all have that greyish tint to their faces and they all look a little older than their age. But what works for them works for them. Who are we to judge?

kent @ 7:47 AM PDT, Aug 6, 2008
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