<p>Ahh yes, you are right about this. The curvy look was popular before the rail look. Marilyn smoked also, but was depressed when she was getting … curvier, as was Elizabeth Taylor, who then smoked more to help her lose. There may be a trend now, with J Lopez and Scarlotte Johannson etc. to get back to the curvier look, let’s hope so!</p>
<p>Tons of people at my college smoke, which has always suprised me. However, pot smoking is even more popular here, and I know tons of singers who smoke up on a regular basis. I am wondering what kind of havoc pot smoking will wreck on their voices. Any ideas?</p>
<p>Smoking is smoking: it’s bad for your vocal folds. And some new research just came out to show that consistently smoking marijuana over time does cause your cognitive system to be compromised. In other words, it damages your brain. So pot smoking singers can end up dumb and with no voices.</p>
<p>According to the ear, nose and throat doctors I have spoken to, pot smoking is worse becasue it is hotter than tobacco so you are litterally “burning” the vocal chords!! If you do make the decision to smoke I strongly recomend having a sip of water before and after each puff. Of course, my best recomendation is to not smoke at all.</p>
<p>The vocal chords are only about 1/2 " long and they need to last you for your entire career and life. It is not like a violin, if a violin breaks you can buy another one. Not so with vocal chords. Your entire body is your instrument. You don’t see pianist burning part of their piano and expecting it to work properly. </p>
<p>As in everything it is about disipline and passion. If you want to stop you will find a way to do it. You have to want to sing and speak more than you want a puff on a cigarette</p>
<p>Good luck</p>
<p>I know this thread is almost two years old, haha, but I just have to set the record straight that Idina Menzel does NOT smoke. She cares way too much about her voice and her career to do that. She has publicly denied the claims too, along with rumors that she has asthma…</p>
<p>At one event (She Rocks Broadway I believe) she even said “I don’t smoke. I’m on BROADWAY, 8 shows a week…” or something to that extent. </p>
<p>Anyway, that’s all! Don’t smoke. :P</p>
<p>I think many people may have assumed she either smoked or had asthma because of the way she sometimes gasps when she sings - and the raspy quality to her voice.</p>
<p>Well you know what happens when you assume ;P</p>
<p>i have asthma and it has never caused a raspyness in my voice (unless i’m dancing like crazy or running around while singing) but my asthma has kept me from smoking (i can’t even be around the smell of it, it makes me hack up a lung) i feel bad hacking up a lung when people smoke around me, but then again they are causing me health problems, so they deserve the embarasment they recieve when someone coughs really crazy like around them while they are smoking. i do have to say that as a high school senior, pot smoking isn’t as popular in my area, but drinking seems to have a higher rate.</p>
<p>Some people are talking about how allowing kids to have alchohol at home is breaking the law. I actually learned the other day that it isn’t! The drinking age of 18 is when you are legally allowed to purchase alchohol, not ot drink it. Drinking at home is perfectly legal, and parents introducing it to their kids follows the European philosophy of teahing children moderation in all things. I’m not advocating underage drinking at all, just thought that was an interesting tidbit.</p>
<p>The laws controlling alcohol vary from state to state. It is not legal for a minor to consume alcohol, even with parents, in all states.</p>
<p>In some states a parent can give alcohol to minors at home, while in other states it is a crime for them to do so.</p>
<p>Not only is it illegal in many places, some states VIGOROUSLY prosecute parents who have allowed underage drinking in their homes. Heavy fines and/or jail terms can result.</p>
<p>Serving alcohol to minors at a party is different than allowing your own children to have a glass of wine with dinner. I have never heard of any prosecution in that situation.</p>
<p>Technically it is NOT different. In some states you can be prosecuted for serving wine to your children. Of course, it’s unlikely that the police will be lurking outside your home at dinnertime! However, I’m a little paranoid about this issue, because I am the owner of a beer distributorship in Pennsylvania. In this state, I can theoretically be fined for selling beer to an adult who subsequently gives it to a minor.</p>
<p>Idina fans represent! And another quote from She Rocks Broadway was “What? I have asthma?” I think that smoking is absolutely disgusting. I don’t tell other people to not smoke because I am not going to tell them how to live their lives, but I certainly would never do it. Especially in a career like musical theatre where your voice is so precious and can make or break you.</p>
<p>onstage, technically it may NOT be different in SOME states but, in reality, it is not something that people should be concerned with, regardless of what state they live in. Have you ever seen anyone be charged, let alone convicted, of an alcohol offense in this situation? Unlikely. This is the situation to which Patsygirl was referring.</p>