Re: OT; A question about vampires and breathing

["thoth" <thoth183@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

>From a physiological point of view, I would assume that the nicotine inthe smoke might diffuse through the lung tissues by osmotic pressure and from there to the rest of the vampires body by the same means. Since vampires presumably have no blood circulation due to lack of a heartbeat (vamps don't bleed, they leak), there would be no other way for the chemicals to reach the body tissues. Of course all this is pretty much moot, anyway, as I see no way for a chemical like nicotine to affect a non-living brain. Maybe Spike smokes 'cause he's a bad guy, and the bad guys always smoke, dontcha know. Or maybe he just wants to look cool (in his own mind, at least). 
BTW, I would also assume that vampires can breathe at will if for no other reason than it's the only way they can get their vocal cords to work. No air in the lungs means no air across the cords which means no sound. Makes it difficult to talk. 
I think it comes under suspension of belief.

thoth (who smokes, but is not a bad guy. Really. Just stupid)