I have read about smoking being a mortal sin on other forums, and it seems there is no clear answer to this question. Some believe that smoking in excess is a mortal sin because it would violate the 5th commandment "thou shall not kill". Other think that smoking in excess is a venial sin because the addictiveness of smoking would lessen the culpability.
I'm pretty sure that smoking in excess is at least a venial sin. The Church teaches that tobacco and alcohol should be used with temperance. If one was to use alcohol in excess I can see how that would be a mortal sin. It causes drunkeness and drunkards do not see the Kingdom of Heaven [1 Corinthians 6:9-11]. Cigarettes/Cigars on the other hand do not really alter an individual's state of mind nor do they cause someone to dive into other sins. Plus I don't really think that the intent of the smoker is to commit ѕυιcιdє which would fall under the 5th commandment. So if the intent of the smoker is not to kill then how could the smoker be charged with killing? It would be like accidentally killing someone and going to hell over it. I'm not sure it quite works that way. The intent of the person was not to kill hence it was an accident. Smoking may kill, but it may not kill as well. I highly doubt smokers are trying to kill themselves. I don't think smoking excessively falls under the 5th commandment. You might argue that it falls into gluttony though.
Topic: Is smoking a pack a day a mortal sin? (Read 6135 times)