If he knew..

[elronds_daughter]

Originally Posted by Eruanna

Surely a sign that smoking too much weed is detrimental to one's health?

As to 'anti-smoking propoganda' in the movies (such as the afore-mentioned scene), there is (in the RotK EE) a scene where Gandalf is smoking and coughing. The same scene, I might add, is in the theatrical version as well, but the cough is absent.

Originally Posted by dwarfguard

Maybe the reason you never here elves smoke is because mortals might of originated the practice.

Hobbits claim to have originated the 'art' of smoking (see Merry's statement to Theoden, LotR, book III, chapter IX).


All right, enough references, now for my opinion. Or do I have an opinion?... I'll have to think that over.

[Lalwendë]

Originally Posted by Eruanna

Also, in the scene where Pippin goes off to Minas Tirith with Gandalf, Merry is very concerned that Pip is smoking too much. Surely a sign that smoking too much weed is detrimental to one's health?

Originally Posted by elronds_daughter

As to 'anti-smoking propoganda' in the movies (such as the afore-mentioned scene), there is (in the RotK EE) a scene where Gandalf is smoking and coughing. The same scene, I might add, is in the theatrical version as well, but the cough is absent.

All this time I've been thinking about how pleasantly surprised I was that the references to smoking weren't cut from the films, and it turns out that there were sneaky anti-smoking references in there! I'm genuinely disappointed.

As a smoker, and one who tries to be considerate, I find some refuge in LotR, where there is a world where tobacco can be smoked in peace and comfort, and where it seemingly does no harm (the holy grail of smokers must be non-harmful tobacco ). I suppose it is to be expected that the films had to include something about the harmful effects of smoking, but all the same I'm disappointed.

'Weed' is still a word used for tobacco, though it isn't as common as it once was, possibly due to the drug references. I have never thought the Hobbits smoked anything worse than tobacco, but it's not surprising this got picked up on as LotR grew so strongly in popularity in the late 60's and the fabled (exaggerated?) hippy drug culture. But isn't this a later slang term? I believe it would have gone under the name 'pot' back then.

Originally Posted by Makar

Although I do like Gandalf's "before you knock it, try it first" (to paraphrase) line to Saruman in UT.

But kids, don't take Gandalf's words too literally...

[Eruanna]

Originally posted by Lalwendë

I find some refuge in LotR, where there is a world where tobacco can be smoked in peace and comfort, and where it seemingly does no harm

This is part of the rustic charm of the Hobbits. When we read about pipe smoking now, knowing the risks as we do, we can give a wry smile at it being described as an art. Pipes have always been seen as the choice of the elderly or the less sophisticated. Right up to the 1970s cigarette smoking was seen as the height of sophistication and grown-up glamour. Remember the glamorous film stars who seemed to chain smoke through a film?

I wonder why PJ decided to include those scenes which seem to be against smoking. I have read about some of the film production companies refusing to include smoking scenes in films. Perhaps he had to do so in order to negate any criticism that he was advocating pipe smoking.