Should cigarettes be banned?
- Thread starter acronym
- Start date
The odd thing is, and I believe this can be backed up with stats, smokers use less of the health and welfare system than healthy people do due to the shortened life span... that was the argument the cigarette companies used to introduce cigarettes to the socialist Eastern European nations a few decades ago...
We just buried a guy with lung cancer last year... he was pretty healthy otherwise and probably would have been drawing SSI for another 15 years had he not croaked. He was well insured and got the best medical care available but had he not been privately insured, no doctor would have prescribed chemo and radiation at his age, they don't for anybody over 60 for the most part, so he would have been entitled to a stay in a Convalescent/Hospice place for a couple months on Medicare most likely... the cost would be way less than his SSI...
So essentially, regarding my rights, I like the smell of tobacco smoke when the smokers are outdoors, it really is a pleasant smell to me but a stanky horrible indoors environment created by smokers... forget it, I'll trample your rights in a heartbeat...
We just buried a guy with lung cancer last year... he was pretty healthy otherwise and probably would have been drawing SSI for another 15 years had he not croaked. He was well insured and got the best medical care available but had he not been privately insured, no doctor would have prescribed chemo and radiation at his age, they don't for anybody over 60 for the most part, so he would have been entitled to a stay in a Convalescent/Hospice place for a couple months on Medicare most likely... the cost would be way less than his SSI...
So essentially, regarding my rights, I like the smell of tobacco smoke when the smokers are outdoors, it really is a pleasant smell to me but a stanky horrible indoors environment created by smokers... forget it, I'll trample your rights in a heartbeat...
Me? Yes, mostly.
But, as a chain smoking alcoholic, i thought it worthwhile to post this poll.
Cognac and cigars is a long way from inhaling, imo, and a fine choice if it suits you.
Pipes maybe arent truly dreadfull either, bizarrely, we have a teenage iowa cornfarmer saying chewing the stuff is great, and a new to the ciggie habit guy, suddenly realising , this is bad shit!!!
Never said it wasnt, but you dont inhale, generally, cigar smoke, right?
I could claim various drugs have saved my life too, with no word of a lie.
Here in oz,(and europe, i gather) tobacco products are sold with appallingly graphic images of smoking related illness, i dont think it caught on the states so much.
And considering the unexplored psychological phenomenon of target fixation, who knows, everyone could quit and possibly have higher related illness rates.
The result of all this, is people who are addicted and can afford it the least, (see nutmegs post about 'instant underclass'also good reading, the history of gin in england) )are paying VAST premiums for the privelege of smoking, to see health conscious governments-advertise how bad it is, to them specifically, without offering so much as a carrot.
Its an all-guilt trip-stick approach, when they do quite well off the deal thanks for asking.
Hello?
Smokers dont need this SHIT, they cough up good reasons to quit everyday.
But CAN you quit, is the issue.
For causal arguers, consider, alcohol and cigarettes go hand in glove, tobacco could well be argued to be "THE" gateway drug.
Not marijuana, certainly given a vast majority of pot smokers mix it with tobacco.
A coincidence, they turn to ciggies? I think not.
Good points all, i suppose i could have made the poll options more defined, im a little baffled there are like two votes for the last option, i must have worded it badly.
Likely, due to "cost effective" quitting being undefined, any doofus could tell you scare tactic advertising wont work.
Quote from stock777:
To all you smokers who used to be allowed to pollute good peoples air in public.
This is Govt at it's very best, controlling the urges and bad judgment of retards.
Now crawl into your casket.
tsk tsk. One day you may be in the hospital and need a catheter, it may be one of the "retards" that is assigned the task. It won't be pleasant.
The carrot part is a better chance at a healthier life. What bigger carrot is there?
Scare tactic advertising may or may not work among smokers, but it hopefully has a meaningful effect on at least thinking young people who have not yet begun. As for the rest, well, I wonder what Darwin would say.
i have a theory that i've held for some time. i believe that many people take up smoking because it gives them something to do when they are with their friends doing nothing. Allow me to elaborate.. you're hanging with your friends doing nothing in particular just hanging out and BS'ing. Smoking provides an activity, something to occupy your hands. Otherwise you have to stand there awkwardly 'motionless', with your arms folded over your chest. Or hands in the pockets. Or hands clasped behind your back. and so on..WTF do you do with those damned hands??
Smoking provides the illusion of purposeful activity, reduces the awkwardness of lack of motion. And, equally significant, makes less unpleasant those uncomfortable silent periods that invariably occur during conversation, afterall you're taking a drag so you can't be expected to speak. Smoking fills in the gaps during conversation and gives you something to do with those damned 'useless' but obvious ARMS&HANDS.
that's my theory in a nutshell, what do you think of it??
Smoking provides the illusion of purposeful activity, reduces the awkwardness of lack of motion. And, equally significant, makes less unpleasant those uncomfortable silent periods that invariably occur during conversation, afterall you're taking a drag so you can't be expected to speak. Smoking fills in the gaps during conversation and gives you something to do with those damned 'useless' but obvious ARMS&HANDS.
that's my theory in a nutshell, what do you think of it??
Good theory. Truck drivers smoke for the same reason, something to do.
Here's my theory. Republicans got po'd at the Dems getting all the tobacco money from the tobacco growing states. Attack the industry.
Secondly, Modern medicine hasn't cured anything since polio, CDC/surgeon general to justify their existence let's focus on lifestyle.
Thirdly, science is able to measure >parts per billion. Now that they are able measure in ppb they have no clue what to do with this information.
Few of my theories.
Here's my theory. Republicans got po'd at the Dems getting all the tobacco money from the tobacco growing states. Attack the industry.
Secondly, Modern medicine hasn't cured anything since polio, CDC/surgeon general to justify their existence let's focus on lifestyle.
Thirdly, science is able to measure >parts per billion. Now that they are able measure in ppb they have no clue what to do with this information.
Few of my theories.
the cure lies in your lifestyle, don't expect organized medicine to always fix what you so irresponsibly break. take responsibility for your behaviour. and thank your lucky stars IF they can occasionally fix your chronic f^ckup.you take care of your car better than you do your body.
keep in mind, YOU WERE BORN HEALTHY. Since then your stupid choices and addictions have screwed you up. Ill healtyh just doesn't happen you have to work at it!
I don't understand the comparison between cigs and cheeseburgers. I love big macs and french fries with cheese on them. I'm perfectly healthy and very athletic. Can the same be said for a smoker? No. You people have black lungs.
I can't say for sure but I bet there is no more than 1 death annually resulting from someone else's eating habits. A fat obese mother dies while feasting on cheese fries and cannot take care of her infant child, resulting in the infant's death. Compare this with second hand smoke.
I can't say for sure but I bet there is no more than 1 death annually resulting from someone else's eating habits. A fat obese mother dies while feasting on cheese fries and cannot take care of her infant child, resulting in the infant's death. Compare this with second hand smoke.