Should smoking be......

[Tasha+Scott]

Nothing to add really. I am just surprised that this thread is still going strong after all of this time.

 

[totalia]

Coach, No. I've just stated how I feel just like everyone else has. The use of that smiley though was the implication that I was just whining. Thats why it bothered me.

If you think I've been nasty, thats your own perception. I've explained what I lost and how I feel about it just like everyone else. And yes, I've felt that I've had to defend myself against the smokers. If I really was that horribly nasty, I'd have received a message from the mods by now about it and I would have stopped posting in this topic.

Just like you, I've felt that people have been nasty to me in this thread. It's all about perception.

And yes jgm, thats exactly it. Just because they both cause health problems does not mean they are the same and they do not fit in an analogy. Cigarettes are also not the same as alcohol (another comparison I see often).

 

[coach4448]

Coach, No. I've just stated how I feel just like everyone else has. The use of that smiley though was the implication that I was just whining. Thats why it bothered me.

If you think I've been nasty, thats your own perception. I've explained what I lost and how I feel about it just like everyone else. And yes, I've felt that I've had to defend myself against the smokers. If I really was that horribly nasty, I'd have received a message from the mods by now about it and I would have stopped posting in this topic.

Just like you, I've felt that people have been nasty to me in this thread. It's all about perception.

And yes jgm, thats exactly it. Just because they both cause health problems does not mean they are the same and they do not fit in an analogy. Cigarettes are also not the same as alcohol (another comparison I see often).

Point taken. I agree with you on the perception factor.
I've apologized to you for the use of the violin smiley.
You have your thoughts on smoking, I have mine. You feel you need to defend yourself against smokers, I feel the I need to defend myself against non-smokers.
I agree to disagree and will leave it at that.

 

[totalia]

Thank you and I agree to disagree as well. I'd much rather have peace than not and I don't want a battle.

 

[coach4448]

Thank you and I agree to disagree as well. I'd much rather have peace than not and I don't want a battle.

Thank you also.

 

[MHopkins2]

No, I don't think they should be illegal. But then, I think heroin should be legal, too, so maybe I'm the wrong person to ask?

 

[EltonJohn]

Nope. If one doesn't like smoking one can always move to Bhutan.

 

[totalia]

I've never heard of Bhutan. Huh?

And just as the smoker has the right to smoke, I have a right to live in my home country without being subjected to smoking.

 

[Charade]

But then, I think heroin should be legal, too, so maybe I'm the wrong person to ask?

Good Lord!! Why??

 

[totalia]

Alot of people think all drugs should be legal with their rational being that then you could tax it. I don't agree.

 

[Ronda93]

Prohibition of anything breeds crime... people died over trucks of liquor in the 30's. I think making drugs legal would reduce crime. Regulate it and tax it just like cigs. Take the tax proceeds and fund treatment programs for those who want to end their addiction. If it's legal the criminal element loses control and the mystique may wear off, too.

People are going to smoke just as people are going to do other drugs. Smoker are merely addicts with good lobbyists. The effects of the addiction are the same as heroin, meth and cocaine. For many it's a physical craving that won't just stop.


Keep it all legal.

 

[Immelman]

I can't tell you how cool it is to live in a state that they don't ask you that disgusting question in a restaurant. "smoking or non"?

 

[disneysteve]

I asked in another smoking thread what non-smokers did before it became so politically INcorrect to smoke. I don't believe I got an answer to that one either.

I'll be happy to answer that one. When smoking in public was much more prevalent, my wife and I were much more limited in where we could go. We couldn't go to many restaurants because they didn't have real non-smoking sections. In fact, that is still a problem today. There are some very good restaurants in our area that we can't eat at because of the smoking situation. We hope NJ joins the indoor smoking ban soon.

In the past, we often left affairs like weddings and bar mitzvahs early because smoking was permitted in the banquet hall. At some events, like ball games, we often had to change our seats because someone near us lit up a cigarette.

And sometimes we were just stuck in a bad situation and suffered the consequences, often being ill by the time we got home. A few years ago we went to Las Vegas for the first time. We had a great trip but my wife was sick with a bad sinus infection by the 3rd day due to the heavy smoke exposure both indoors and outdoors. We keep wanting to return to Vegas but have hesitated because of the smoking situation. Its pretty bad when there are whole cities we are excluded from because of smoking.

We've taken 2 cruises, both on Carnival Paradise, which until September was the only 100% smoke-free ship in the world. Unfortunately, Carnival moved it to California and it is no longer smoke-free. We're taking a cruise in March and are extremely anxious about what we will encounter smoke-wise. It was so great not to have to worry about that on our last 2 cruises.

So yes, we've always hated and been sickened by smoke and we've always done our best to avoid it but sometimes it just wasn't possible. We're glad that it has gotten gradually better in most places. Philadelphia just proposed an indoor ban again. God willing it will pass this time. We live just across the bridge from Philly and will very happily travel there much more often to eat out once a ban goes into effect.

 

[MHopkins2]

Good Lord!! Why??

All the reasons Ronda gave a few posts back. Plus, I think if consenting adults want to be incredibly stupid and try to kill themselves with drugs, they shouldn't be legally prevented from doing so. (With disclaimers for DUI and such.) Same reason I think mandatory seatbelt laws are assinine.

 

[totalia]

I'll be happy to answer that one. When smoking in public was much more prevalent, my wife and I were much more limited in where we could go. We couldn't go to many restaurants because they didn't have real non-smoking sections. In fact, that is still a problem today. There are some very good restaurants in our area that we can't eat at because of the smoking situation. We hope NJ joins the indoor smoking ban soon.

In the past, we often left affairs like weddings and bar mitzvahs early because smoking was permitted in the banquet hall. At some events, like ball games, we often had to change our seats because someone near us lit up a cigarette.

And sometimes we were just stuck in a bad situation and suffered the consequences, often being ill by the time we got home. A few years ago we went to Las Vegas for the first time. We had a great trip but my wife was sick with a bad sinus infection by the 3rd day due to the heavy smoke exposure both indoors and outdoors. We keep wanting to return to Vegas but have hesitated because of the smoking situation. Its pretty bad when there are whole cities we are excluded from because of smoking.

We've taken 2 cruises, both on Carnival Paradise, which until September was the only 100% smoke-free ship in the world. Unfortunately, Carnival moved it to California and it is no longer smoke-free. We're taking a cruise in March and are extremely anxious about what we will encounter smoke-wise. It was so great not to have to worry about that on our last 2 cruises.

So yes, we've always hated and been sickened by smoke and we've always done our best to avoid it but sometimes it just wasn't possible. We're glad that it has gotten gradually better in most places. Philadelphia just proposed an indoor ban again. God willing it will pass this time. We live just across the bridge from Philly and will very happily travel there much more often to eat out once a ban goes into effect.

Well put. I agree.

 

[Rowena]

I'll admit, I only just looked at the first page of this and didn't feel like wading through the rest of it. So, if I agree with what you said without seeing your reply, my most soncere apologies. This is a LOOONG thread and I can't be arsed right now.
I AM a smoker..hold on, I gotta go light one up for this. Ahhhh.

I've smoked for a long time. Too long. Tried to quit many times. Oh sure, some attmpts it stuck for awhile, but I did get this evil monkey again on my back, I did. Do I think smoking should be banned? Yes, I do. But wait, I also think there should be some sort of grandfather clause stating that any current smokers with no interest in quitting should be allowed to smoke away.
But even now smokers can't smoke wherver they'd like, isn't that a problem? Nope, not at all. I go to the mall, I can't smoke. I go to smoke-free restaurants-oh tangent-in 2000 I moved to the midwest from California. If I couldn't not smoke for 45 minutes, I took it outside. If you can't do that, you shouldn't be in a restaurant as that 3-4 pack a day habit must be expensive.
Honestly, except for one small throwaway line on a recently debuted show, in which a dr. recommended a patient take up smoking maybe 2 cigarettes a day, I have not seen one beneficial thing cigarettes or even cigars do for people. They do far more harm than good. I'd rather they not be available to my kids. Life is hard enough without the small stuff.
I know the arguments.....prohibition. Rights.
I also know how hard it is to shake this disease and do not wish it on anyone. (I already told my kids, if they get the peer pressure line of "Smoking is cool" to tell them his parents smoke(d), how cool is it now???! I'm trying to rebel, man/dude/pal-o-mine/hip phrase o' the future, not repeat the mistakes of the past that I know. )

Yes, I know...rights, failure of prohibition and just say no. My stance on this has changed over the years. Especially knowing how hard it is to kick. Can't we find a way to make it less accessible in the future?

Not sure how I'd implement it though. Maybe tickets with packs purchased up to certain point along with rigorous carding, then a license I guess, off the top of my head.

 

[disneysteve]

I think if consenting adults want to be incredibly stupid and try to kill themselves with drugs, they shouldn't be legally prevented from doing so. (With disclaimers for DUI and such.) Same reason I think mandatory seatbelt laws are assinine.

I'm sure this has already been covered, but I'm also sure some folks are just joining in and won't read the previous 12 pages, so...

If it were true that smoking harmed only the smoker, then I would agree with the above logic. The problem is this isn't the case. Even though I have never smoked a cigarette in my life, smoking affects me a great deal. It affects where I can eat. It affects where I vacation. It affects my enjoyment or even my participation in various activities and events. It affects my health if I'm stuck somewhere where I can't escape the smoke. It affects the rates everyone pays for health and life insurance. It affects absenteeism rates at work which in turn affects productivity and ultimately affects prices for goods and services. It affects my workload as a physician since so much of what I treat each day is smoking-related illness. It affects me on a personal level because I've lost various loved ones prematurely due to smoking-related illness. My daughter will never know one of her grandfathers because he died of lung cancer before she was born. Its OT but since you mentioned seat belt laws, a lot of the same comments apply to that as well.

 

[MHopkins2]

I'm sure this has already been covered, but I'm also sure some folks are just joining in and won't read the previous 12 pages, so...

If it were true that smoking harmed only the smoker, then I would agree with the above logic. The problem is this isn't the case. Even though I have never smoked a cigarette in my life, smoking affects me a great deal. It affects where I can eat. It affects where I vacation. It affects my enjoyment or even my participation in various activities and events. It affects my health if I'm stuck somewhere where I can't escape the smoke. It affects the rates everyone pays for health and life insurance. It affects absenteeism rates at work which in turn affects productivity and ultimately affects prices for goods and services. It affects my workload as a physician since so much of what I treat each day is smoking-related illness. It affects me on a personal level because I've lost various loved ones prematurely due to smoking-related illness. My daughter will never know one of her grandfathers because he died of lung cancer before she was born. Its OT but since you mentioned seat belt laws, a lot of the same comments apply to that as well.

None of which, IMO, are an acceptable reason to make smoking illegal. You could, however, make great cases for other restrictions - like the restaurant laws currently in place in some states - based on some of the above.

 

[totalia]

Actually, I think disneystave gave great reasons to make it illegal.

 

[TheBellhop]

Because people that do smoke kill people that don't smoke via Second Hand Smoke. That's all.