Smoking, lungs, exercise and cleaning

I have had a pub argument with a smoker friend. He insists that smoking is not so bad if you take regular exercise as this will help clean the lungs.
Is he correct or does a person simply need healthy lungs with undamaged cilia to 'sweep' pollutants out of the airways? Does any one have any links to demonstrate the argument?

There are many good reasons to quit smoking. The fact that your friend chose to create some stupid debate is simply because your friend is a junky. You would probably get the same kind of bullshit arguments from alcoholics, heroin junkies, gambling addicts, etc.

As long as they, (junkies,) continue to justify their actions, in their own mind, they will never kick their addictions. If you friend wants to smoke, fuck it. Don't waste your time getting into petty arguments with the guy.
And, for the sake of it, watch this guy to see how he justifies (and therefore avoids fixing) other problems in his life.

About 4 years ago, I was having a similar conversation in a pub. There were three of us - all smokers. One theory was that links between smoking and disease are not really proven. I pointed out that, statistically, one of us would die from a smoking related illness within about 10 years of the conversation. I was a little optimistic - I am now the only one of the three left. Lung cancer and a Heart attack claimed the other two - both wihin 2 years of the conversation.

There are 50,000 studies that show that smoking is toxic.

When you get life insurance, they don't ask what kind of car you drive.
They don't ask if you wear your seatbelt. They don't ask if you're an alcoholic or a tightrope walker. They ask age, sex, and if you smoke.
Because smoking shortens lives.

Smoking causes cancer.
And a bunch of other stuff.

Any other story is junkie thinking.

I was a little optimistic - I am now the only one of

what other example does anybody need?

As an ex-smoker of many years I can honestly say that smoking not good for you.
Period! You can exercise as much as you want and it will not eliminate the damage being done by smoking.
I do understand the frustration of the authors of the many postings labeling your smoker friend and I would have done the same thing 7 years ago.
However, last year I was diagnosed with ADHD and apparently people with ADHD are lacking in 3 Neuro-chemicals; Norepinephrine, Serotonin & Dopamine.
The a part of the synapses in the brain of the ADHD victim use up these 3 neuro-chemicals and send out powerful hormonal impulses to seek out more.
They will engage in many activities to either get these neuro-chemicals, or to stimulate their bodies to produce more. The activities they engage in are over consumption of alcohol and drugs, overeating, thrill seeking, indulging in intense emotions through arguing or fighting, smoking, overcaffeinating and many other extreme and impulsive behaviours.
They cannot help themselves and really need to get professional help and unfortunately there are few Doctors capable of diagnosing ADHD, usually a Pediatric Psychiatrist.
There are other disorders that can cause this including Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Modern Medicine and Pharmacology is closing in very quickly now on the causes of smoking.

Peace/Shalom