Fetishes consist of a wide variety of behavior and desires that are not considered acceptable sexual behavior. However inappropriate these actions may seem, some have crossed the line of being taboo and unconventional to being an acceptable quirk of various people. Having a foot fetish is not seen as inappropriate as someone who enjoys sploshing because many have been open about their love for feet such as Quentin Tarantino. Having someone famous publicly announce his fetish and bring it to the mainstream empowers other fetishists to come forth and not feel like they are involved in inappropriate acts. 

It also enables the public to become open-minded about certain aspects of sexuality. Fetishes are a healthy and natural part of sexuality and even though they are perfectly acceptable, some are harmful and unhealthy. Like all behaviors, there are positive and negative aspects and, despite it being good to fulfill your desires, some fetishes are bad for your health, such as smoking and bug chasing.

There are numerous ad campaigns about the adverse affects smoking has on your health; some are as simple as “Don’t Smoke,” where others graphically show what smoking can do to your heart by squeezing out an artery on camera. Many people are aware of how dangerous this vice can be but regardless continue to smoke. A small population finds smoking to be more than a habit; some find it erotic and glamorous. Smoking and sex have always been connected; from a sexy starlet wrapping her red lips around the end of a cigarette holder to lighting up after having passionate sex, it is not uncommon to see cigarettes appear in sexual situations. 

As a result of the glamorization of smoking, it does not seem unusual to find one drawn to the habit, or those who indulge in it. Capnolagnia is the sexual arousal of watching others smoke and, much like feederism, it encourages another person to engage in unhealthy activities in the name of sex. Smoking is a very addictive habit that numerous people find hard to kick (due to the nicotine), so encouraging a partner to smoke because it is highly erotic is enabling, and pushing, them further into their addiction. The psychological aspects of smoking to appear sexy to your partner are similar to those altering their physical appearances to please their lover.

As in any healthy relationship, if one must modify their body to please their mate then it is neither worth it nor mutually satisfying. However, just because something is viewed as unhealthy does not mean there is not a healthy way to indulge in the fetish. For some, just the sight of their partner holding an unlit cigarette may be enough to fulfill the fetish, which contains none of the health risks. For those who find the sight of smoke escaping from his or partner’s lips sultry, there are prop cigarettes used for stage that couples can, which look similar to the real thing.

Some high-risk fetishes have no safe alternative. Edge play is a fetish that teeters on the rule of safe, sane and consensual. It is important when executing any fetish that each person abide by all rules. Though edge play acts may be consensual and you and your partner have gone over protocol right down to the safety word, they are usually unsafe no matter what precautions are taken.

Also, the thrill of exposing your partner to one another’s body fluid is not an uncommon act despite its health risks. Typically, fluid bonding takes place between two partners who have an understanding that both are free of any kind of STIs and STDS. However, some people are turned on by the risk of becoming infected. Bug chasers are the sexual storm chasers; they know what they are doing is dangerous and they understand the consequences. Bug chasers are mostly homosexual males who seek out other men who have HIV/AIDS and have unprotected sex with them.

There is a bug chasing counterpart: gift givers are those who want to give chasers what they crave and will willingly infect someone. More than sexual thrill seeking, HIV-negative homosexual males are putting themselves in front of the firing squad and enjoying it. HIV/AIDS is a deadly disease and the thought of a person intentionally infecting themselves is almost as criminal as a person who lies about their status to infect others, thus creating the ultimate taboo. 

The psychological aspect of chasing and giving are what make this trend among underground gay communities so dangerous. Some men feel it is only a matter of time before they get it so they do not bother to take precautions and play roulette with every partner they encounter, not knowing whether or not they have contracted the virus, whereas some men want the disease and will only have sex with those who are HIV positive. For them, there are men who are HIV positive who will only have sex with those who are HIV negative.

There are those who are HIV positive who have embraced their status, like many people with the disease; they have learned to have fully functioning normal lives including romantic relationships. While intentionally infecting someone with the virus is illegal in various countries, many still are determined to have their fetish fulfilled. Many sites to meet chasers and givers pop up and are taken down only to have privately ran forums appear, making it easier for someone to find what they are looking for. Once this fetish is fulfilled, it is hard to say where most men go from there; some become gift givers while others realize what they have done to themselves. Some will never get tested so they can continue to experience the thrill of the chase.

Since fetishes are viewed as unconventional; any bad press about them will create stereotypes that are long-lasting. Not all fetishes are healthy, just like not all relationships, foods, or jobs are good for a person. Every fetish is different; some have safer alternatives while others are considered extremely risky behavior. This does not mean they all should be thrown in one box and deemed as unacceptable.