gcreptile 10,978 Posted September 5, 2015 That list of smokers is very interesting, from a statistical perspective. Helmut Schmidt's smoking habit has two special factors though: He likes to smoke menthol cigarettes, and his favorite (only?) brand is Roth-Händle, an ancient german product only being smoked by old people. I suspect, that this brand is so old, it might not contain all these carcinogenic additives that are meant to improve the taste. But the latter is just my theory... 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Deathray 2,940 Posted September 5, 2015 Is Schmidt the oldest living current celebrity smoker?The only others over 70 I can think of are: June Brown 88 Stuart Hall 85 Antony Booth 83 Lionel Blair 83 Willie Nelson 82 (weed only now) Glenda Jackson 79 Vanessa Redgrave 78 Jack Nicholson 78 David Hockney 78 Tommy Chong 77 (weed) Al Pacino 75 Queen Magrethe II 75 Ken Clarke 75 (cigars) Julie Goodyear 73 Penny Marshall 71 Joni Mitchell 71 -until stroke at least Keith Richards 71 -Tobacco and weed and everything else probably. Laila Morse 70 Howard Marks 70-weed 90-year old Prince Philip might be a secret smoker. This sounds a bit dubious. He does not smoke having stubbed out his last cigarette shortly before his wedding to the Queen in 1947, giving up virtually overnight. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/theroyalfamily/8976754/The-Duke-of-Edinburgh-has-enjoyed-good-health-for-much-of-his-life.html I thought Jean Alexander, 89 was also a smoker unless she's given up? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Mad Hatter 1,092 Posted September 5, 2015 Is Schmidt the oldest living current celebrity smoker?The only others over 70 I can think of are: June Brown 88 Stuart Hall 85 Antony Booth 83 Lionel Blair 83 Willie Nelson 82 (weed only now) Glenda Jackson 79 Vanessa Redgrave 78 Jack Nicholson 78 David Hockney 78 Tommy Chong 77 (weed) Al Pacino 75 Queen Magrethe II 75 Ken Clarke 75 (cigars) Julie Goodyear 73 Penny Marshall 71 Joni Mitchell 71 -until stroke at least Keith Richards 71 -Tobacco and weed and everything else probably. Laila Morse 70 Howard Marks 70-weed will schmidt reach the age of 100. He will be close but no cigar Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gcreptile 10,978 Posted September 10, 2015 Schmidt's heart surgeon says that Schmidt hasn't smoked for ten days now: http://www.sueddeutsche.de/panorama/altkanzler-im-krankenhaus-helmut-schmidt-laesst-das-rauchen-sein-1.2643255(link in german) The article implies that his smoking caused the blood clot in his leg, the second time after 2011 this has happened. He uses a nicotine patch though. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Magere Hein 1,400 Posted September 10, 2015 Schmidt's heart surgeon says that Schmidt hasn't smoked for ten days now: http://www.sueddeutsche.de/panorama/altkanzler-im-krankenhaus-helmut-schmidt-laesst-das-rauchen-sein-1.2643255(link in german) The article implies that his smoking caused the blood clot in his leg, the second time after 2011 this has happened. He uses a nicotine patch though. I've been told those things work quite well, provided you stick 'm on your mouth. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sean 6,330 Posted September 10, 2015 Schmidt's heart surgeon says that Schmidt hasn't smoked for ten days now: http://www.sueddeutsche.de/panorama/altkanzler-im-krankenhaus-helmut-schmidt-laesst-das-rauchen-sein-1.2643255(link in german) The article implies that his smoking caused the blood clot in his leg, the second time after 2011 this has happened. He uses a nicotine patch though. I don`t know how exactly they know that smoking caused it.Even if it did though if I was 96 I don`t think I would give a shit about quitting.I knew a lady who was similar to Schmidt she quit at 92 and died at 94.At that age any damage from smoking will have been done and you are likely to die soon from old age anyway. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gcreptile 10,978 Posted September 17, 2015 He has left the hospital today, i.e. a little later than it was expected: http://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/helmut-schmidt-aus-klinik-entlassen-a-1053358.html(link in german) It was his own wish to leave (so the doctors would have liked to keep him there). After the surgery had restored the bloodflow in his leg, it declined again but has been 'mostly compensated'. His doctors discussed another operation with him, but "with concern regarding his compromised general well-being" it has been delayed for now. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Guest Posted September 17, 2015 Schmidt's heart surgeon says that Schmidt hasn't smoked for ten days now: http://www.sueddeutsche.de/panorama/altkanzler-im-krankenhaus-helmut-schmidt-laesst-das-rauchen-sein-1.2643255(link in german) The article implies that his smoking caused the blood clot in his leg, the second time after 2011 this has happened. He uses a nicotine patch though. looks like before long the only smoking he'll be doing is from the crematorium chimney ! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sean 6,330 Posted September 25, 2015 Is Schmidt the oldest living current celebrity smoker?The only others over 70 I can think of are: June Brown 88 Stuart Hall 85 Antony Booth 83 Lionel Blair 83 Willie Nelson 82 (weed only now) Glenda Jackson 79 Vanessa Redgrave 78 Jack Nicholson 78 David Hockney 78 Tommy Chong 77 (weed) Al Pacino 75 Queen Magrethe II 75 Ken Clarke 75 (cigars) Julie Goodyear 73 Penny Marshall 71 Joni Mitchell 71 -until stroke at least Keith Richards 71 -Tobacco and weed and everything else probably. Laila Morse 70 Howard Marks 70-weed 90-year old Prince Philip might be a secret smoker. This sounds a bit dubious. He does not smoke having stubbed out his last cigarette shortly before his wedding to the Queen in 1947, giving up virtually overnight. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/theroyalfamily/8976754/The-Duke-of-Edinburgh-has-enjoyed-good-health-for-much-of-his-life.html I thought Jean Alexander, 89 was also a smoker unless she's given up? I know Jean Alexander smoked in Coronation Street as Hilda but I don`t know whether she smoked outside of the role.I know for example that Sheila Reid who plays Madge in Benidoem,Katherine Kelly who played Becky in Coronation Street and David Threlfall who played Frank in Shameless were all non-smokers despite being seen almost constantly smoking on screen. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cat O'Falk 3,290 Posted September 25, 2015 William Simons (who played Alf Ventress in Heartbeat) is a non-smoker. He was given herbal cigarettes to smoke on the set. I remember reading somewhere, nowadays Coronation Street characters portrayed as smokers have to be played by an actor who smokes in real life. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sean 6,330 Posted September 25, 2015 William Simons (who played Alf Ventress in Heartbeat) is a non-smoker. He was given herbal cigarettes to smoke on the set. I remember reading somewhere, nowadays Coronation Street characters portrayed as smokers have to be played by an actor who smokes in real life. That surprises me as his skin is awful and he has always looked older than he is.I believe Sue Johnston used herbal cigarettes in the Royal family. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gcreptile 10,978 Posted September 26, 2015 Helmut Schmidt smokes again: http://www.tagesspiegel.de/weltspiegel/altkanzler-helmut-schmidt-raucht-wieder/12373224.html (link in german) His doctor says that his state has improved considerably and that 'he has good genes'. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cat O'Falk 3,290 Posted September 26, 2015 Helmut Schmidt smokes again: http://www.tagesspiegel.de/weltspiegel/altkanzler-helmut-schmidt-raucht-wieder/12373224.html (link in german) His doctor says that his state has improved considerably and that 'he has good genes'. Sends a shiver down my spine. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Magere Hein 1,400 Posted September 26, 2015 Helmut Schmidt smokes again: http://www.tagesspiegel.de/weltspiegel/altkanzler-helmut-schmidt-raucht-wieder/12373224.html (link in german) His doctor says that his state has improved considerably and that 'he has good genes'. Sends a shiver down my spine. Herr Doctor Mückenspucker, zey are perfekt! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gcreptile 10,978 Posted September 28, 2015 To expand a little on the "good genes", here is an interesting BBC article on smoking: http://www.bbc.com/news/health-34360865 Some people's DNA protects them against the ill effects of smoking, like bronchitis, COPD and emphysema. So Helmut Schmidt likely has the 'good genes' and Vanessa Redgrave doesn't... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Magere Hein 1,400 Posted September 28, 2015 To expand a little on the "good genes", here is an interesting BBC article on smoking: http://www.bbc.com/news/health-34360865 Some people's DNA protects them against the ill effects of smoking, like bronchitis, COPD and emphysema. So Helmut Schmidt likely has the 'good genes' and Vanessa Redgrave doesn't... Possible, but I doubt it't be so straightforwart. Genetics rarely isss. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gcreptile 10,978 Posted October 6, 2015 Helmut Schmidt dissolves his long-running discussion group, basically a political salon at his home named Langenhorner Freitagsgesellschaft (Langenhorn's friday society) after 30 years: http://www.abendblatt.de/hamburg/hamburg-nord/article205974393/Das-Ende-der-Langenhorner-Freitagsgesellschaft.html(link in german) This salon met every Friday according to a stable ritual. First there was a 'warm-up' at the local pub, while Schmidt's wife Loki prepared the meal. After her death, the food was provided by catering. Then they went into Schmidt's dining room to discuss the political topics of the day. His guests mostly consisted of local personalities of politics and art, like writer Siegfried Lenz or former mayor of Hamburg, Henning Voscherau. The reason for the dissolution is Schmidt's health. The group tried to find an internal successor, but failed. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gcreptile 10,978 Posted November 9, 2015 His general condition has declined "dramatically": http://www.sueddeutsche.de/politik/altkanzler-helmut-schmidt-soll-es-sehr-schlecht-gehen-1.2728355(german link) His daughter has traveled to Hamburg (from Great Britain) and friends "fear for the worst". This newspaper is one of Germany's best. So it looks like it's going to be the end, fairly soon. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Magere Hein 1,400 Posted November 9, 2015 His general condition has declined "dramatically": http://www.sueddeutsche.de/politik/altkanzler-helmut-schmidt-soll-es-sehr-schlecht-gehen-1.2728355(german link) His daughter has traveled to Hamburg (from Great Britain) and friends "fear for the worst". This newspaper is one of Germany's best. So it looks like it's going to be the end, fairly soon. The Süddeutsche Zeitung is a quality newspaper. They quote the Hamburger Abendblatt, of which I know nothing. The article there is behind a pay wall. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RadGuy 1,614 Posted November 9, 2015 Sweepstakes? I'll go for December 9, 2015. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bibliogryphon 9,586 Posted November 9, 2015 If she has already gone to Germany I think sooner. 18th November Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gcreptile 10,978 Posted November 9, 2015 Tomorrow, November 10th. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sir Creep 7,070 Posted November 9, 2015 He will b the first of the '12 Days of Christmas': December 14, 2015: 5:45am local. SC Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Mad Hatter 1,092 Posted November 9, 2015 I predict he'll be dead on Saturday Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
paulh85 101 Posted November 9, 2015 3rd January 2016 - first hit of the new year. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites