OK, we know second-hand smoke and the occasional piece of fried chicken are not a major health threat. Cigarette smoking itself, on the other hand, is a major health threat to the smoker himself. What the government can or should do to discourage smoking itself, I don't know, but a product when used as intended takes 14 years off of the life its average user, perhaps the government should try to discourage smoking. That to me is the only possible reason to ban smoking in public, not because the smoke actually hurts non-smokers (the evidence is that it does but the danger is slight), but simply to discourage smoking.
But I understand the principle that a government that has the power to ban something like smoking in taverns is a government with too much reach into people's personal business.
I have little problem wiht government banning smoking tobacco in public places, my problem is the government seeking to ban smoking tobacco i private places.
I'd rather the government stay out of it. They've gotten billions from the tobacco companies, and instead of using it to 'discourage' smoking, they spend it on other stuff.
When enough people quit smoking to make a dent in the taxes they pay on cigarettes, the government, who is addicted to tax dollars, has to find another way to get their fix. In the end, the smoking nazis (not saying you are one) will be paying taxes on something else to make up for the 'success' of their efforts to stop smoking.
Why?
The 14 years come off the end of the smokers life. That's 14 years of social security and medicare that are paid for by the smoker while he/she is working, but never collected by the smoker since he/she dies early.
From a purely economic stand-point, it is in the government's best interest to PROMOTE smoking. It may be the only way to keep those two programs solvent for a few more years.
"What the government can or should do to discourage smoking itself, I don't know, but a product when used as intended takes 14 years off of the life its average user, perhaps the government should try to discourage smoking. That to me is the only possible reason to ban smoking in public, not because the smoke actually hurts non-smokers (the evidence is that it does but the danger is slight), but simply to discourage smoking."
The government should protect us from our enemies; Not protect from ourselves. The 14 yrs are mine to do with as I please; you can spend your time hoping the government will save/discourage/manage or whatever else you'd like. I plan to enjoy mine time.
perhaps the government should try to discourage smoking. That to me is the only possible reason to ban smoking in public, not because the smoke actually hurts non-smokers (the evidence is that it does but the danger is slight), but simply to discourage smoking.
________________________________________________________
I give you credit for at least knowing what this is all about. Social engineering. Lies. Propaganda.
This has no place in a free, open society. Cut the crap and ban tobacco if it's as harmful as Sarin Gas.
This not so subtle nonsense called Tobacco Control that is going on now is a pimple on the ass of freedom.