Eateries say smoking ban hurts

JS Online ^ | March 24, 2001 | DAVID COLE

[Max McGarrity]

His name is Muller.

[Osage Orange]

You wrote:

"Better detection methods of what?"

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Sorry...if I wasn't clear. Better detection methods of diagnosing asthma...was what I meant to communicate.

My point was that....I don't subscribe to those who say asthma is on the increase....The numbers are up...secondary to better detection. And that it's a mis-labeled diagnosis...that's easily remunerated.

[Max McGarrity]

You seem to disagree with most of the "experts" in the field. May I ask on what you base your opinion?

"CASES of asthma, hay fever and wheezing have more than doubled in adults in the past 20 years, researchers say today. ...The study from Dr Mark Upton, a GP and clinical epidemiologist, of Thornaby, Cleveland, was based on a survey of 1,477 adults from Renfrew and Paisley and later of 2,338 of their children. Dr Upton does not believe that the increase can be accounted for by greater awareness of asthma and more people seeking treatment for it."

[Texas Mom]

My wife and I drove on our honeymoon to Austin (Texas' Beijing on the Brazos) only to find this obnoxious policy in force. We left immediately, without eating, and cancelled our hotel reservations. And we've never been back, and won't go back. The smoking Nazis can keep it. And lose the several $K we'd have spent.

Hope you told the hotel manager why you left and also sent a letter to the City Council.

[Great Dane]

The waitstaff said it hadn't hurt business a bit, that even more folks were coming since they didn't have to smell smoke

In that case all they have to do, is stay smoke free, and let everyone make their own choice.

[Great Dane]

The economy has very little to do with it, as most of the bans has been in effect for years,at that time the economy was booming.

But we knew you would all use that excuse..... too funny.

[Great Dane]

Thank you, wish there were more people like you.

[Great Dane]

A lot of the govt regulations ARE ridiculous.

Except for the one Minion likes.

[Osage Orange]

You wrote:

"You seem to disagree with most of the "experts" in the field. May I ask on what you base your opinion?

"CASES of asthma, hay fever and wheezing have more than doubled in adults in the past 20 years, researchers say today. ...( snip..) "Dr Upton does not believe that the increase can be accounted for by greater awareness of asthma and more people seeking treatment for it."

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I'm careful when using the word "expert"....as I believe you trying to be also....ex pert (ek.spurt') a. taught by use, practice, or experience; adroit; dexterous; skillful. n. an authority; a specialist. OR....ex = "a hasbeen" & spurt = ''a little drip of water''...hehehe....Also, I'm careful in using the words..."most", "always", "never"...etc...( grin..) Okay..now that that's out of my system...!! hehehe..

My opinion...is based on professional & anecdotal experiences. Dr. Upton may not believe that better detection methods are the reason asthma rates are ''up''. He's got an opinion. Most people do......hehehe

Let me say this...there are overlaps..but it's helpful to classify asthma into two categories: extrinsic and intrinsic. Extrinsic is characterized by bronchospasm to patients exposed to enviromental irritants. Intrinsic asthma is present when a patient suffers bronchospasm without the evidence of outside irritants. Extrinsic asthma occurs most commonly in childhood. ( We now test....OR detect this type of asthma earlier, and earlier..) Many times extrinsic or childhood asthma is out-grown. Some theories abound that bronchial diameter plays a part in this. In other words, children have smaller airways, and thus are sometimes prone to have bronchospastic episodes when exposed to airway irritants..secondary to their smaller airway structure. We are also much better in detection of Occupational asthma...where in the past, the workers...just put up with the conditions. My guess is..they figured it was part of the job..

I will say again, that asthma is also ''catch-all'' diagnosis..that is easily reimbursed. (Reimbursement is one KEY to this puzzle...) A provider MUST put down a diagnosis..and thus "if it wheezes, it's asthma". Not to mention demands to "do something, & call it something" placed on the provider by the patient.

Hope this helps clarify.....

[Max McGarrity]

Thank you. I do a lot of reading and research, particularly on the illnesses attributed to secondary smoke, have attended many conferences on asthma and allergies, and for the most part I agree with you. Generally, these "experts" begin their talks or papers with the magic words "no one knows what causes..." and then proceed to tell their audience that very thing. Makes me crazy.

I don't believe this was (as) true twenty or thirty years ago. It seems to me science itself has made a 180 and it's not to the betterment of humanity. (Or maybe my memory is simply failing.)