Should smoking be......

[dcentity2000]

Yes.

It'll happen, just not for quite a while.

Smoking boils down to paying to poison yourself (harming those who love you by this merit alone), make you look a bit mank (yellow teeth and tongue, anyone?), smell awful, very possibly form an addiction, be antisocial ("I gotta go have a smoke...") and harm others, even if you try reeeeaaall hard not to.

Remember, second hand smoke is recognised to be a serious threat.

Taken from the US National Library of Med:

Estimated annual deaths from passive smoking: 35,000 from Ischemic Heart Disease; 3,000 from Lung Cancers; 1,900 from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.

Estimated annual casualties from passive smoking: 9,700 suffer Low Birthweight Births; 400,000 suffer Asthma Exacerbation in Children; 150,000 suffer Acute Lower Respiratory Illness (Children < 18 mo.); 700,000 suffer Otitis Media in Children.

So why the HELL should my brothers and I have to suffer because of your drug addiction?

Just so you can feel a little more relaxed compared to what that stuff does to you when you don't breathe it? Just because you prefer to smoke? You would do this knowing that you could be harming others and yourself just because of a preference which you can overcome?

As the NHS says: Put it out. Right out.

There are already bans being instated accross parts of the UK which have been very successful. There are murmurs of possible lawsuits for battery or technical assault based on passive smoking. According to a November 2001 report issued by the National Cancer Institute, there are 69 known or probable carcinogens in cigarette smoke. According to the IARC, “involuntary smoking (exposure to secondhand or 'environmental' tobacco smoke) is carcinogenic to humans. In its groundbreaking report, the EPA concluded that, for adults, “ETS [environmental tobacco smoke] is a human lung carcinogen, responsible for approximately 3,000 lung cancer deaths annually in U.S. nonsmokers”. A 1997 British Medical Journal meta-analysis of 19 published studies found that "Breathing other people's smoke is an important and avoidable cause of ischaemic heart disease, increasing a person's risk by a quarter." The list is endless.

My Grandmother died a few years back from cancer due to smoking. My little brother developed asthma from passive smoking due to the friends he used to keep. My parents were once addicted and my father still has to fight it, day in, day out.

And all this, just because of that little stick that you put in your mouth?

This is one narcotic drug that is going to die.



Rich::

 

[Tasha+Scott]

This is somewhat OT but I think it may add something worthwhile to the discussion. My wife used to belong to the Curves gym down the street from our house. After several months, she finally had to stop going because they always used those plug-in air fresheners and the place always reeked. By mid-way through a workout, she was having trouble breathing and needing to use her asthma inhaler. Not a very healthy environment for exercise. She asked the owners several times to stop using them and they would unplug them while she was there but it didn't make a difference since the air was so saturated.

She has spent the last couple of weeks checking out every Curves in the area, all of which are less conveniently located. Today, she finally found one where the owner said, "Why would we possibly use air fresheners? There are too many people who are sensitive or allergic to them. That is no way to workout. In fact, we make all members sign a no perfume policy when they join." My wife signed up immediately and is looking forward to being able to get back to her exercise routine.

What's the point? I guess it is consideration for others. If something you are doing has a negative impact on those around you, you should stop doing it. Its a good personal decision and, in a case like the gym, may be a good business decision. Many restaurant owners in states with smoking bans complained that the ban would ruin their business. In fact, some restaurants in those states did see an initial drop but ultimately business is thriving because the people who smoke still come and those who don't smoke and used to stay away now come also.

ITA. What a way to get your point across...and politely too!

 

[eeyore0062]

Well, I think so, because I am majorly allergic and hate walking out of the building into a huge cloud of 2nd hand smoke.

That being said, the tobacco industry is too weathy and powerful, so it will never happen.

 

[totalia]

illegal?

On the other thread about banning smoking, people stated that it has no benefit and it costs taxpayers money and it should be banned pretty much everywhere.

Why not just go the extra step and make it illegal instead of banning it everywhere?

YES.

I can't emphasize enough. YES!!!

My mother died from lung cancer caused by cigarette smoke. The rest of my family still smokes.

I'd love if it were illegal. Maybe some lives will be saved. And trust me, no one wants to die that way. If not smoking will give you a better chance, then all the better.

 

[C.Ann]

It would probably make it easier for many smokers to quit if it did become illegal, but it will never happen.. States are totally dependent on the revenues from tobacco taxes - the federal government benefits enormously from the tobacco industry - and neither is going to "shoot themselves in the foot" just to satisfy non-smokers..

 

[totalia]

Thats why there is such a massive movement to non-smoking. If you notice, non-smokers now outnumber the smokers. I hope that trend continues.

 

[DisneyAddict_M]

Even if it's illegal, if someone wants to smoke, they'll find a way. Just ask my neighbors across the hall who smoke (and not cigarettes either. ) I'm allergic to cigarette smoke and have never even tried it, but it doesn't bother me as long as they smoke in the great outdoors.

 

[SC Minnie]

I don't smoke- never have, never will- but making it illegal will not stop people from doing it. Does anyone remember prohibition?

 

[totalia]

let them find a way then. I can still sue them for it if I want or have them arrested if its illegal.

In my city, smoking anywhere except outside in the open or in your own home is banned by law. I love it. I think they should go further.

 

[Squem]

illegal?

On the other thread about banning smoking, people stated that it has no benefit and it costs taxpayers money and it should be banned pretty much everywhere.

Why not just go the extra step and make it illegal instead of banning it everywhere?

 

[HollyJoy]

That's a tough one. I doubt it will ever happen. I do, however, feel that it should be banned in public places. I'd like to take my kids out to dinner without leaving smelling like smoke, or have to smell it as I'm eating.. it's just gross.

 

[C.Ann]

Thats why there is such a massive movement to non-smoking. If you notice, non-smokers now outnumber the smokers. I hope that trend continues.

---------------------

It doesn't matter.. Money talks - and the government needs/wants as much money as they can get their hands on.. Do some research on what the tobacco revenues pay for in various states and you'll see why it will never happen..

 

[chadfromdallas]

Hell, the government needs all the money it can get these days. Unless you want to pay for what they are, I'd advise you not to favor a ban.

 

[shatzjsl]

With everything we know today about the dangers of smoking, anyone who tells me they love their kids and then smokes in the car with them or right next to them-I don't believe them.

That's one of the funniest things I have read in this post. So if someone smokes around their children they don't love them?

Both of my parents smoked with us in the car and I never once felt they didn't love me because of it. They smoke around my daughter and I have no doubt in my mind that they love her. Sorry, don't see how smoking reduces ones love for their children.

 

[Bobbles]

I am a smoker and don't mind any bans on smoking but making it illegal is a bit extreme.

Perhaps anything that "irritates" us in any way should also be banned.

Peanuts, fatty foods, wheat, perfume, alchohol, bad drivers, irritating people, gassy people, etc.

And just what causes colon cancer, liver cancer, brain cancer?

 

[Ronda93]

Originally Posted by PatriciaH
With everything we know today about the dangers of smoking, anyone who tells me they love their kids and then smokes in the car with them or right next to them-I don't believe them.



That's one of the funniest things I have read in this post. So if someone smokes around their children they don't love them?

Both of my parents smoked with us in the car and I never once felt they didn't love me because of it. They smoke around my daughter and I have no doubt in my mind that they love her. Sorry, don't see how smoking reduces ones love for their children.

Consistent behavior that puts another's health in danger creates room for doubt. What if your parents drove you around a little tipsy... probably nothing will ever happen... what about your daughter?

I think it's the willingness to take the chance that creates doubt for PatriciaH.

 

[bimshire]

I pulled up to a Walgreens recently with my 10 yr. old and out came an employee who lit up a cigarette. It was very cold outside. I said to my son, you see her that woman smoking there, she is addicted and cannot get through her work day with breaking to smoke. The cigarette is very small and it controls her. You don't want to ever smoke or you too will be at the mercy of a cigarette.

I was at an eyecare office when the old man came in. He sat next to me and started a conversation about sports. Seem to be a nice guy but he reeked of tobacco. I was glad when the assistant called me for the exam because I had to get away from the stench.

 

[dturner]

Hell no.

It shouldn't be illegal and neither should marijuana(thats a whole nother debate).

AMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[slo]

I haven't read all the posts - so I don't know what anybody has said. But I am just against making smoking illegal. I am against it because it would never work, just like Prohibition didn't work.

I am not a smoker - I just think people have the right to smoke if they want.

 

[disneysteve]

To anyone still following this thread, come on over to the "Product Safety" thread I started today. I approached the tobacco problem from a somewhat different angle and I'd be happy to hear your thoughts.