With their fanatical zeal, you have to wonder how far busybodies will go

Sun.Com ^ | 4 August 2002 | PAUL JACKSON

[HELLRAISER II]

I don't have any problem with smoking, as a matter of fact I really enjoy a good cigar.

[Dr. Luv]

"Well, Mr Hellraiser, smoking is no more dangerous then eating a Big Mac or french fries."

EVERY SINGLE DAY, I have smokers and their families sitting in my office crying when I tell them that an early death is likely. When I tell them that there's nothing more I can do. When they realize that "their habit" has caused the horrific pain that is cancer

Many of them were as smug as you...

[SheLion]

I don't have any problem with smoking, as a matter of fact I really enjoy a good cigar. OH! Thank God. I thought you were an anti! ~whew!

Now we can be friends!

[xJones]

...but it's worth remembering that Groucho and Churchill were prosperous enough to get the very best medical attention to prevent or cure some of their symptoms, the sort of attention that most of us couldn't afford.

For the sake of discussion, I would point out after Stalin had his fatal stoke, his doctors applied leeches to his neck veins trying to help. He did not exactly have expert medical care, but came of Georgian stock, which are known for their longevity. The value of healthy genes cannot be overestimated.

That said, SheLion, my grandfather smoked cigars and died at 90 of diabetes complications. Both my father and father-in-law died at 83, due to lung cancer. I smoke, but keep trying to quit, after going through their deaths. Both my father and father-in-law were on morphine in only the last week of their respective lives, both died at home on hospice care.

[realpatriot71]

Good genetics can take you quite far it seems. While one is not gauranteed to die a horrible death because they smoke, you're healthier not smoking . . . AHEM . . . What I find disturbing is this growing trend that the government should be able to tell private property owners wether they can have smoking on their own property. No one even seems to care about this out in California anymore. Maybe because it's usually nice outside, so "no biggie". I wish people would be less apathetic about what I see as a disturbing trend, but until the "masses" become concerned what recourse do people who love property rights (and those who love smoking) take.

[HELLRAISER II]

In post #9 which is the one that you replied to I was just stating something that my father told me about the doctors of the time and I was simply telling Don Q that the doctors of the time actually prescribed cigarettes to clear the lungs and while I don't think that cigarettes are good for you I don't have anything against someone who want's to smoke. Give me a good Partagas or Cohiba and I will be perfectly happy puffing my own smoke.

[SheLion]

EVERY SINGLE DAY, I have smokers and their families sitting in my office crying when I tell them that an early death is likely. When I tell them that there's nothing more I can do. When they realize that "their habit" has caused the horrific pain that is cancer. Many of them were as smug as you...

Oh boy, are you in for it!

Ok DOKTOR! Were your smoking patients obese? Did they exercise? How old were they? 60? 70? Did they have a generic heredity that made them prone to cancer?

Your not getting off THAT easy! Oh yes……..since obesity causes more health problems and cost more in health care then smoking, are you now advising your “patients” to go on a DIET??? Inquiring minds need to know. Heh!

[Dr. Luv]

"Oh boy, are you in for it!"

Am I? As an oncologist, I see a daily parade of death of both the young and old caused by smoking. I am not interested, nor do I have time to engage in debate with the self-righteous smoker - I see enough of them when they have to visit me. Of course by the time they have to visit my office, they're much more contrite...

[Great Dane]

Second, yes, you can find smokers and drinkers who lived to a ripe old age, and health fanatics who died young, but it's worth remembering that Groucho and Churchill were prosperous enough to get the very best medical attention to prevent or cure some of their symptoms, the sort of attention that most of us couldn't afford.

Except in those days, people didn't run to the doctor for every little sneeze and sniffle, even if you could afford it, you see the population had yet to be trained in hypochondia.

[SheLion]

oh kiss my patoot.

Go to another thread where you can make more sense.

And what would you say to my 86 year old grandmother who smokes three packs of Camels a day, eh?

Bye, CYA!

[Dr. Luv]

"And what would you say to my 86 year old grandmother who smokes three packs of Camels a day"

You're lucky...

[Great Dane]

Another thing to remember is, that when these folks died at a great old age, the average lifespan was a lot shorter, so they lived to a GREAT GREAT old age. :-}

[SheLion]

Another thing to remember is, that when these folks died at a great old age, the average lifespan was a lot shorter, so they lived to a GREAT GREAT old age. :-}

Tell that to Doktor Luuuuuuuuuuuv. But you can't talk any sense to him. He is an Anti of the WORST kind, Great Dane.......

I bet he wears a brown jacket and jack boots when he is at the hospital. ack! Just another one that want it his way or no way!

[Dr. Luv]

"He is an Anti of the WORST kind"

Perhaps that's because every day I come face-to-face with the needless suffering brought on by the consumption of tobacco "products".

[SamAdams76]

I never saw George Burns without a cigar in his mouth and he lived to be 100. Bob Hope is no vegetarian and he is probably been overweight all his life and he's up in his 90s too. My grandmother turns 90 this month down in Alabama and every morning for at least 60 years she fried up bacon, eggs and biscuits, using grease from dinner the night before. She also chewed snuff and downs a shot of white lightning before going to to bed every night. They make them tough down in Dixie.

Fact is, we are all going to die of something. Might as well enjoy the things like to do in life.

[SheLion]

Fact is, we are all going to die of something. Might as well enjoy the things like to do in life.

AMEN! None of us are going to get out of here alive! That's for sure!

Thanks Sam!

[SheLion]

Has anyone conducted a real study of the effects of the smoking ban in CA bars and restaurants? Is the patronage really down all that much?

YESSSSSSSS

SMOKING BAN IMPACT ON CALIFORNIA RESTAURANTS

[SheLion]

Obesity was recognized as _a national epidemic, the costs in health care dollars and just plain health were staggering.

In four states so far, lawsuits have been filed against the fast-food industry on behalf of plaintiffs claiming themselves victims of a burger and fries conspiracy.

Recent federal reports put the national increase in obesity during the last decade at 60 percent with the greatest percentage increase among kids and at a health care cost in 2000 _of $117 billion.

NOURISHING CAMPAIGNS

So THERE!

[metesky]

So, sure as an oncologist all you see is tumors, not all of them, in fact the majority of them, not brought on by tobacco.

In fact, all you can say about tobacco is that it "appears" to be one of the causes of lung cancer.

And as for being contrite about having lived life making free choices, all I can tell you is that there is no sympathy in my mind for those who wimp out and cry at the end.