Posted on 11/23/2010 9:40:53 AM PST by therightliveswithus
Do you believe that the government is already intruding too much into your life? Well, 17% of Americans believe it is not enough. According to a new poll, 17 out of every 100 Americans believe that the government should outlaw smoking all together.
While the 17% is down from a poll taken in late 2008, which showed that 22% were in favor of a ban, the amount of people who want smoking banned is still astounding. If 17% of Americans truly want smoking to be banned, based on the U.S. population, that would mean that over 50 Million people are in favor of such government action.
Despite this number, however, the vast majority of Americans do not want smoking to be banned. 72% believe that the government should not make smoking illegal, while another 11% are not sure.
The article goes deeper, stating:
"Nineteen percent (19%) of non-smokers like the idea of a tobacco ban, compared to just 11% of those who say they currently smoke."
(Excerpt) Read more at punditpress.blogspot.com ...
Maybe or maybe not. I notice they didn’t tell us the exact question that was asked. Data is meaningless without that.
Right, because that worked so well with alcohol.
...and the same 17% undoubtedly want marijuana legalized. It is the classic 60’s generation mentality - tobacco bad, marijuana good...so when we get in power that’s how we’ll make it.
If it were 50% this would be news. At 17% we just have the number of busybodies who want to control everything.
17% of Americans are the loud, obnoxious kinds of idiots that 83% of the country would like to see jump in a lake.
Sadly you’ll likely find some FReepers among this group.
I wouldn’t be surprised, if Michael Bloomberg’s total voter support, in a possible run for ‘12 POTUS, probably, comes to 17%.
HAHHA...NO WAY the Gov’t kills that cash cow.
Don’t count out that 17% so easily.
2% want gay marriage and the end of DADT and they might get it.
100% - 17% = 83% want he gov’t to stay the hell out of their personal life.
Many leftists want to ban smoking, while, also, allowing for the recreational use of illegal drugs. I don’t get it.
18% of Americans self identify as liberals.
Coincidence to 17% of Americans wants to outlaw
smoking, I think not.
I will bet the other percent wants our fraudulent government outlawed.
My guess is their next step (they are “progressives”, right?) will be that they go after smoking while driving - demonizing smoking to be just as distractive as texting.
I’d love to hear what the State coffers have to say about that! What the h@ll are they going to tax instead?
While 17% want smoking outlawed
83% evidently don’t want smoking outlawed
... just sayin
In my experience, the most offensive people I have to suffer are smokers. They litter, they spit, they smoke at entrances, and if you say anything, they curse you and make rude gestures, or at best give you a really insincere “oh, I’m sorry! (I didn’t know there was smoke coming out of this funny stick!)”
Even panhandlers and “youths” are easier to live with.
When I am in NYC, I would prefer to walk, but I must take a cab or the subway to avoid the rampant smoking on the streets. I have had holes burnt in my clothing by careless smokers!
Sure, most smokers are very nice people who would never consciously harm others, and smoke well away from non-smokers, but they almost universally will allow their fellow smokers to behave abusively.
I therefore feel no sorrow for any smoker’s predicament. They’re reaping what they have sown.
If smokers want to retain their collective freedom, they must police their own ranks.
Bring on the bans.
17% of anything is not News. You have that many people who think Elvis is still alive.
I will admit, I’m glad smoking has been banned in bars/nightclubs in our state. It is so nice to go in now and not be in an enclosed area choking on second-hand smoke, which, by the way, increases even non smokers’ risk for lung cancer. I definitely feel it should be banned on airflights and any enclosed areas. Smoking CAUSES cancer. It’s not just an association ...it’s a cause.
As a nurse, I see everyday what smoking does to people — and many of those people are hospitalized on your and MY dime for the sequelae of heavy lifetime smoking. It’s really not a healthy habit. I’m for freedom — but your rights end where mine begin kind of thing. I prefer not to succumb to lung cancer and/or COPD if I don’t have to. I’ve already got bad lungs just from growing up around my Dad who smoked like a fiend and died at 63 due to small cell lung cancer — a cancer heavily associated with cigarette smoking.
This is the one issue I’m with liberals on. The ONLY one.
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