which do you think is worse for your health

[chiroptera]

I'm relying on personal anecdotes here, not actual data.

My mother still smokes. She is 82 and does yoga daily. Plus runs a business and hikes.
My father quit smoking at 39, and died age 64.

I have many overweight friends, not surprising since I live in one of the "fattest" states.
Almost everyone I know in my age range (50s) is diabetic or has had orthopedic surgeries or is somehow affected by weight-related issues. Many have permenantly-disabling conditions (diabetic retinothapy, Charcots foot, knee and back surgeries, diabetic neuropathy, heart problems, kidney problems, generally mobility issues.) I do not know a single overweight person who is healthy, or who does not take meds for some issue or another.

I also know many people who are smokers, in the same age range. None of them, that I know of, is dealing with significant or chronic health problems. Including my mother. They are active, healthy older adults. Including an 85-year-old guy who is still in business installing hardwood floors (this is HARD physical work) and his 60-something year old daughter who works for him.

I know smoking is bad. I quit smoking because of this. Smoking = BAD. I am a non-smoker.
But my personal experience, which I understand is not data, leads me to consider that being overweight is horrible, and smoking isn't so bad.

[Patton360]

To me it seems like asking, "Which will kill me? My car slamming into a concrete barrier or having a large boulder land on me?"

[brushrunner]

Ok from a Guy that smoked 3 packs a day for years and Loved them. I'm saying Cigarettes.

brushrunner