Quit nagging the smokers, will ya?

PhillyBurbs.com ^ | 11-18-04 | J.D. Mullane

[SheLion]

Today is the day we set aside each year to badger, harass and pester that marginalized subculture of Americans, the Doorway People.

You know the Doorway People. They stand in doorways at work or at the mall smoking cigarettes because lighting up in mixed company has become as distasteful as nose-picking.

Yes, today marks the 27th anniversary of the Great American Smokeout, sponsored by the American Cancer Society, where modern incarnates of pinch-mouthed prohibitionists attempt to further ghettoize smokers.

Now, it's not that I think smoking is good. I have friends who smoke. I wish they didn't. On average, they will trade 10 years of their lives to enjoy their habit. But we're all grownups. Smoking is their demon and I have enough of my own demons to wrestle with.

But, unlike anti-smoking zealots, I sympathize with smokers.

That's because I was a smoker. When I quit for good in 1996, I was burning through 2 1/2 packs a day. I ditched the habit because each time I coughed, my lungs rattled as if someone had backed into metal trash cans.

Still, I loved every puff. I still miss it. In fact, I still have nicotine cravings.

So I'm sympathetic to smokers and believe they should be free to enjoy their addiction, which, last I checked, remains legal. Which is why I dislike the anti-smoking scolds. They are trying to criminalize smoking.

From New York City to Dallas, from Toledo, Ohio, to Eugene, Ore., anti-smoking zealots have racked up successful campaigns to ban smoking in bars and restaurants, the last bastion of peace and acceptance for smokers.

Eventually, the anti-smoking "movement" will have won enough smoking bans in enough cities in enough states to introduce national no-smoking legislation, said Zoe Mitchell, co-founder of Ban the Ban, which recently defeated efforts to enact similar no-smoking legislation in Washington, D.C.

"Ultimately, their goal is to make it a national issue based on their success at the local level," she said.

Anti-smokers say they're acting in the best interest of public health.

They say all those smokers burden the healthcare system with their cigarette-related maladies. It costs all of us more in healthcare premiums, they say.

Nonsense. Smokers die sooner than most of us nonsmokers, never collecting a cent from Social Security, which they've paid for decades.

Also, smokers pay outrageous cigarette taxes on each pack of smokes, which pours billions of dollars annually into government coffers.

At best, the money argument is a wash.

When an anti-smoking nut steps into a place like the Puss N' Boots Tavern in Fairless Hills, all they see is the blue-gray cloud of smoke hovering over the patrons crowded around the bar.

When I walk into the Boot, I see it differently.

I see a local cop who's seen more than his fair share of tragedy.

Or an emergency room nurse who was up to her elbows in blood just a few hours before.

Or a construction guy who's sacrificed years of Saturdays to work overtime so he could save for his kid's college tuition.

Or a middle-aged father worried about his son, who's fighting the war.

These are the good people the anti-smoking zealots want to stigmatize as public health leeches.

And if they accomplish their goal, they won't go away.

They will persecute the overweight, stigmatize SUV drivers and haul into court those who don't recycle.

They've got the money and the time and the lawyers.

[Dawgreg]

Exacly SheLion..........and they'll only go as far as we allow them to. RED STATES RISE AGAIN! HeeHeHee......

[SheLion]

You have the right to smoke, but no right to have people wish you didn't.

Oh don't worry about me. I have had my trials and tribulations to get through in this life. I'm a survivor. :)

I love to smoke. When the day comes when I hate it, then and only then will I quit.

Thanks for your concern, though.

[Terpesman]

I was quite a drinker when I was younger, never could get into beer though. Give me a nice single malt and I'm golden.

[Terpesman]

Good on you. Personally, I would not want one of these places to be built near my home just because it lowers the property values.

[Protagoras]

Where on earth did you ever get the idea that any of this is any of your business?

From the title of the thread.

And anything I decide to comment on , on a comment board, is my business.

I have a perfect right to comment or suggest anything I wish to anyone I wish. They are under no obligation to pay any attention whatsoever to it.

For instance, I suggest you shut the hell up and mind your own business about what is my business and what isn't. LOL

Where on earth did you ever get the idea that any of this is any of your business? :^}

[k2blader]

I'd happily patronize a restaurant that didn't allow smoking and avoid those that did.

[SheLion]

What do you think they used in the old 60's - 70's maybe even into the 80's hairdryers that they said caused cancer?

Asbestos!

A report came out about 10 years that saccharin caused stomach cancer.  That is all I use in my coffee.  I was scared to death.  But.........I kept using it.  And I am still using it.  I have no stomach problems.

[armydoc]

"If you smoke in your house and people don't like it, they don't have to stop by"

The same applies to a private business.


"Drinking is also legal. How can the people who run football stadiums stop you from buying alcohol at the end of the 3rd quarter?"

This a rule implemented and enforced by the STADIUM OWNERS, not the government. I have no problem with resturaunt/bar owners implementing a no-smoking policy; I do have a problem with the government mandating it.

"Why can't you have an open container in your car (in most states)? Driving is legal but why can't I drive 125 mph down the highway? (please don't point out that it is legal in some areas that are barren wastelands... I'm aware of that)"

While your car itself may be private property, it is traversing public property and therefore (reasonably, IMO), the government has an interest in how you behave in it. You CAN have an open container in your car if your car is parked in your garage.

"Owning guns is legal but I can't keep one in my car unless it's unloaded and separated from the ammo (unless I have a CCW)."

Aside from the car-as-not-quite-private-property issue I noted above, you DO have the right to carry it in most states with the proper permit (as you noted). We have a legitimate 2nd amendment argument with any states that don't allow CC

[SheLion]

Remember the Alar/Apple scare based on a flawed study a few years ago that had all the stars up in arms, testifying before Congress? :)

Oh yes. More waste of taxpayer's money.

[Terpesman]

Great comeback. You threw out the Constitutional Republic bit. Now, I can read the Constitution to you line by line and I am 100% sure we won't come across any mention of smoking.

Oh, are you talking about the "life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness" rights? If you are, then let me get out my copy of the Declaration of Independence so we can go over that document also.

[SheLion]

RED STATES RISE AGAIN! HeeHeHee......

Halleluiah!

[SheLion]

I'd happily patronize a restaurant that didn't allow smoking and avoid those that did.

And that would be A-Ok, IF the business owner and his patrons decided that this would be the best option for the business.

[Protagoras]

Oh don't worry about me.

I'm sorry to report that that is not an option for me. I'm just hard wired to worry about people I like. I can't help it.

I have had my trials and tribulations to get through in this life. I'm a survivor. :)

In the end, none of us is a survivor in this phase of our lives. And smoking in this one probably will not matter in the next.

I love to smoke. When the day comes when I hate it, then and only then will I quit.

Unfortunately, most people who are hooked on it will never reach that stage until they are terminal from it or the quality of their lives is so poor that smoking becomes secondary to drawing the next breath. But I agree with you on one thing, you will never quit because someone else wants you to.

Thanks for your concern, though.

You are welcome, but like I said, I can't help myself. Maybe I'll pray for you to quit, unless that would piss you off. LOL

[Freedom Dignity n Honor]

I never use any of the artificial sweetners because some of them make allergies worse and I believe one is made from bananas which I am allergic to. Can't use corn syrup because my allery to corn is my worst and deadliest.

I use sugar! :)

I always tell people that I'm going to die the old fashioned way...I'm going to earn it! Give me my cigs, dr pepper, steak, baked potato and cheesecake. :)

[armydoc]

"If smoking and second hand is the big killer the highly paid professional anti-smoking zealots say it is, don't you think they would have issued an all out ban and just pulled tobacco products off of the market?"

Tobacco products would never be approved for sale if developed today (probably not alcohol either). The reason they continue to be legal is mostly about money- its a huge business, and it rakes in huge taxes for the government. Also, our government (rightly) recognizes our right to make poor health choices. As a vascular surgeon, I see the effects of smoking every day. I have seldom met a patient that doesn't acknowledge the health effects of smoking. But, you won't find a more ardent opponent of government imposed smoking bans than me.

[SheLion]

You are welcome, but like I said, I can't help myself. Maybe I'll pray for you to quit, unless that would piss you off. LOL

Wouldn't piss me off at all. But the good Lord knows me, and I, too, have prayed for a sign to help me stop. But.........He never sent one.

I went to a Priest once, and ask him about this issue. He told me "God doesn't worry about what goes into our bodies, but what comes out." I have been at peace with this issue every since.

[Just another Joe]

You know, Terpesman, no one really has any 'rights' in this argument. But, if anyone did, the people smoking outside the door ARE repecting your right. They are not smoking inside the establishment. Why wouldn't you respect their right? The right to smoke where it is allowed.
They may be inconsiderate, smoking right next to the entrance, but they are respecting your right.
If no smoking was allowed on the GROUNDS of the establishment, then you have a legitimate beef.

I don't think you're an anti-smoker, but I don't think you have an idea of what smokers put up with anymore just to consume a still legal product.

You don't like the smell. That is the ONLY reason many would vote to strip a property owner of their rights. You personally might not vote that way, I don't know. But, would you actively work against such a ban because it DOES strip away a property owner's right? Or would you say, "I wouldn't vote for it but I'd sure enjoy the results."
Just like the question you asked of smokers about 2nd amendment rights. How many 2nd amendment backers are worried about the rights of a property owner being taken away over the smell of smoke?

I've fought the smoking ban battle, AND the 2nd amendment battle and luckily I've won both in my state - so far.

[Terpesman]

Well that's nice, let me try this "personal attack thing."

I have come to the conclusion, after reading all of your posts, both to me and to others, that you are immature and bitter. It probably has something to do with your feelings of inadequacy and/or your inability to function during lovemaking. Therefore, I have decided that it would be best if you would just STFD, STFU, and go back to watching Jerry Springer. Oh, it probably wouldn't kill you to pick up a book once in a while, maybe even one with words to go along with all the pictures. In any event, it has been nice talking with you, even though I had to type real slow and use small words so you could keep up.

There, see how that works? Wouldn't it be nice to be able to have a nice conversation with someone without having to slip into the gutter?

Or are anonymous personal attacks the only way you can convince yourself that you are a "Farce...I mean...Forceofone?"

[No Blue States]

I propose a day set aside for all non smokers to be able to smoke.

[SheLion]

But, you won't find a more ardent opponent of government imposed smoking bans than me.

Well, that's good. The government needs to butt out of restricting a legal commodity.

But, most of us realize that they want to control, restrict and ban the smokers, but God forbid should the state lose that tax money on cigarettes. Double standard. They say they want to cut down on smokers in the state, yet they can't balance their stupid budgets with OUT us.

They talk out of both sides of their mouths.