Thread: Anti Smoking Laws

First of all, let me say that smoking itself is irrational, pointless, and stupid therefore any law limiting it would seem equally irrational, pointless, and stupid to a smoker...


Why do you NEED to smoke so badly anyway? You smoke when under the greatest of stresses, or greatest of boredoms... When you are given extremely happy news, or extremely sad news... two polar opposites... We simply make excuses to smoke, the need for one, however, is non-existant.

What if I were to tell you a little magic secret, Smoking does absolutely nothing to relieve stress or boredom, let alone ease sadness, or couple happiness. I smoked for 6 some odd years (about 30-40 a day) and, then on New Year's Day this year I took a pepsi challenge with a friend and read the book that everyone seems to be reading (international bestseller over 40million copies sold), 'The Easy Way to Stop Smoking', by Alan Carr, and haven't smoked since. Thats 9months of not 1 cigarrete, or 1 withdrawl pang. It's funny how that book breaks down smoking for what it really is... brainwashing. We've been dealing with it since we were young. The book basically uses a hypnotic suggestion way of writing to un-do what the ciggarette industry has been paying billions of dollars a year to do to you your whole life. Essentially pulling you from the trap you are in right now. Thats right... a trap. Hell, I dont mind if you do other drugs (I still do some myself). At least, those other drugs have some sort of effect or change when smoked/injected/ingested.

TAKE THE CHALLENGE!!! GO HERE
http://www.theeasywaytostopsmoking.com/

Cigarettes, on the other hand, have absolutely not a one. Do yourself a favor now and read that book. It takes about 1day, not hard at all. If you don't mind continuing something utterly pointless and meaningless then be my guest, you are only hurting yourself in the end but don't say I didn't give you an easy way out. (Trust me, it's an aptly titled book)

I'll tell you what- If you are still smoking after reading the entire book I'll pay you 100$ and if you quit you dont owe me a damn thing, pretty fair, eh? That was the challenge that got me to read it... and quit. enjoy...

I voted Yes. They should have let us (property owners) regulate our own environment.

I used to smoke. I think the landlord of a pub should be able to say what goes on inside it. If people don't like it, tough, they can go somewhere else. It's his property. What ever happened to an Englishman's home is his castle.

I don't know why government's act like that when they get so much tax from it.

Also, ironically the tax paid on cigarettes in the UK is paying for the National Health Service, haha, so no one quit!

No undecided?

I smoked for 14 years until I had a dream in which I was trying to blow my head off with a shotgun due to lung cancer. I stopped the next day.

I am a very prideful person, and these days it is hard to believe that I was allowing myself to be the victim of yet another corrupt business. In my world, cigarette companies would be destroyed and the only smoking permitted would be the natural, "grow you own" type. People have a right to smoke, however, people do not have the right to infringe on another's right to breathe. The problem is that smoking is many times more addicting than heroin (due to the cig companies) and it is very hard for a person to control when they smoke due to subconscious conditioning. Still, it is like anything in life; judge what you do by it's effect on yourself and others. You can do whatever you want to yourself, but not others. This is why the laws are stupid; they have no middle way.

I hear that! Not only is nicotine more addictive than heroine- if the amount of nicotine found in just ONE ciggarette were injected into your veins you would die instantly. That's because its a poison. I'd like to hear one benefit of smoking because I dont think there is one... hence laws will change not gradually but drastically once the public eye wakes up to the lies spread by the tobacco industry.

This is just the beginning. America is changing toward the liberal side faster than you think. In the next few years we will keep makin pussy laws like this and eventually we'll turn into one giant pussy. All europeans, dont get pissed off at me for saying this. AMERICANS, WE CONNOT BECOME LIKE EUROPE WITH ALL THEIR LAWS. did you know in france if you say the word "nigger" you can be thrown in jail. THe same with England. We are on a slippery slope and we wont be last long. STOP THE DEMOCRATS NOW. OPEN SEASON ON DEMOCRATS!!!!!!

Im just playin. But seriously, dont let these laws get out of hand.

I smoked for 6 some odd years (about 30-40 a day) and, then on New Year's Day this year I took a pepsi challenge with a friend and read the book that everyone seems to be reading (international bestseller over 40million copies sold), 'The Easy Way to Stop Smoking', by Alan Carr, and haven't smoked since.[/b]

I also suggest anyone that smokes to go to the below site and just read for awhile. It presents real facts on why and how to quit and cuts through all of the drug companies nonsense trying to push more nicotine on you as an "easier way to quit". If nothing else, you will find the material a very interesting read.

Why Quit

I don't think smoking should be allowed very publically at all. Smoking is pretty much just a legal drug, like caffiene, but unlike caffiene it affects more people than just yourself. Not everyone wants to be breathing in carcinogens, tar, whatever the crap is in cigarettes. I would say go ahead and smoke all you want if it wasn't, you know, smoke - smoke settling in carpets, wafting through houses, smoke is notoriously good at getting everywhere. So I'd rather the laws on restricting smoking leaned more on the "too strict" side than the "too loose" side.

When you light up outside, you are helping to speed up someone else's death. When you light up in a more crowded public place, like a bar or restaurant, you are helping to speed up the death of many, many people. As for your own property, though, I don't have a real problem with that. Provided you're not smoking right next to your neighbour's fence or something, there's no problem with that.

If all this is way too inconvinent for you? Then quit smoking.

EDIT: Although what does bug me is when people do consider smokers to be monsters. My grandma has had experience smoking on the street when another woman would just scream bloody murder and tell her to put it out, like she was some kind of lower being. That's not good.

One thing that annoys me here at school is the fact that NO ONE obeys the rule where you're not supposed to smoke within 25 feet of the doors of buildings (or 75 feet from dorms). I really don't enjoy walking out my classes and into a puff of smoke. I'm not going to tell people not to smoke, although I don't find any benefit to it, but I would like people to respect the rights of others to not have to smell them.

Since my eyesight is crap, my nose has decided to make up for it (though why my hearing didn't improve or whatnot is beyond me. Stupid balances). And I just wanted to add that today I actaully was able to stand and admire a small flower garden outside of a building because it was earlier and the smokers had not yet swarmed the area. It was a nice change and there were some beautiful white roses

Originally Posted by icuurd12b42

Smoking at work is banned (Good) Even if you are the owner and you are the only one working there! (Shit)[/b]

I agree that it's stupid for a business owner to be told he/she can't smoke in his/her property when they're the only one there, but I did have a friend who worked at a horse stables where her boss would walk into the office smoking and continue to do so for a long time. It was obviously a problem, but nobody wanted to mess with him because he probably would have fired them. It was not illegal at that time to smoke indoors here.

Smoking in restaurants and bars is banned (Restaurants, good. Bars, not so good)
Restaurants: Event places who invested $$$$ in perfectly shielded environments are forced to tear it down to follow the law
Bars: How about the people who enjoy a few cigs with their beer! Can’t we have at least one bar? Nope.[/b]

I actually LOVE that smokers cannot smoke in bars anymore here. That was the worst place to go as a non-smoker. I enjoy going to bars and clubs, but when the smoke was so thick you couldn't breathe? So you like smoking a cig with your beer? Well, I like being able to breathe when I walk in to hear a band play, dance, have my beer, etc.

Now hospitals and schools have a strict no smoking on property law. [/b]

I can understand that... There are explosives in hospitals, primary schools shouldn't have smoking on the property, IMO. Colleges, on the other hand, should have areas that are okay to smoke in, away from doorways, but obviously sheltered.

I think a lot of the limits put on smokers that you're talking about are ridiculous. Is that really how it is in Canada? Not allow you to have shelter when you're smoking? That's just stupid... unless there are non-smokers also seeking shelter there. Not smoking near doors, okay, but ALL doors? That's stupid.

We have some places here that have weird rules like that, but nothing saying smokers can't have shelter while smoking. In fact, in Boulder, CO, there's a law against smoking outdoors, which the majority of people there are elsewhere think is ridiculous and not at all helpful. The state itself just passed a law saying that smoking in public establishments is illegal, including bars and restaurants, but you can smoke right outside the door if you want to. A lot of restaurants and bars have created heated patios and such for smokers to sit if they want to smoke but still enjoy the restaurant/bar.

Nicotine is addictive. Why punish people who are already addicted? It's not fair. They're not monsters. A good number of smokers would probably stop if it wasn't such a habit and so necessary to their functioning.

The answer isn't to punish the smokers, it's to dissuade people from starting. If you don't start, you don't have to worry about being addicted, dying of some gnarly health problems, or hurting anyone else. The people who are already addicted, however, should be given help to quit if they want it, but not punished for some long-past decision that cannot be easily helped now.

-Dryad

For all you people whining about "second hand smoke"
Do you really think breathing in a little tobacco while in a bar is actually gonna hurt you? Think about what you're saying. People smoke two packs a day for years without any REAL, NOTICABLE damage. And if you're in a bar enough to get hurt by second hand smoke, you need to stop drinkin. Show me test results from an average American (someone who didnt grow up in a smoking household) that proves second hand smoke can cause damage. God, this reminds me of the global warming topic i went off on. THERE IS NO PROOF. Thats not to say i dont think it should be banned from certain places. But BARS!!!!!! Now thats just hurting the old American way.

I am a smoker and i HATE having to go out in the cold of winter to smoke my cigaroo.

At least here in Alabama i can smoke at Hooters

Oh yea, one more thing. If nicotine was more addictive than heroin, then people like Never would not be able to stop cold turkey after 14 years. Have you ever seen a heroin addict go cold turkey after 14 years? I'll give you a hint, they dont live long. Plus i dont see anybody suckin willy for smokes

Whan it comes to smoking and being around smokers, I honestly couldn't care less. I don't mind breathing in a bit of second hand smoke, if anything I quite like the smell. I don't smoke because I don't really see much to be got out of it, and I don't really have enough money to spend on stuff like that. I think people should do what they want when it comes to smoking. If someone is around a smoker, and has a problem with breathing in the smoke, then it's their problem, not the smokers imo.

Was that supposed to sarcasm or does smoking rot the brain too?

No, the Antismoking Laws don't go far enough. Especially now that we know just how obnoxious you smokers are. You want to piss off None Smoking Voters? Fine. Get ready for the backlash!

Smoking is a HUGE Social Expense. Smokers get terribly ill and whether there is National Insurance or not, these sick smokers all eventually inveigle themselves into the Health Care System and receive treatment at various levels and intensities. And it is all expensive.

And the last time I checked the same people who bitch about anti-smoking laws are also bitching about high taxation rates. But when they start coughing up chunks of lung, they'll limp their sick asses straight to the County Hospitals, won't they?

Won't you?

So, really, since smokers are intent on killing themselves anyway, I think we should make Smoking a Capital Offense and round up all smokers and summarily execute them. Hang them on the spot. A rope is a lot cheaper than hospital care.


But then, the Politicians are so worried about the Aging Population and the deficiencies in the Retirement Planning. George Will, the conservative columnist, actually suggested that Workers be encouraged to smoke so that they will all die before they have a chance to cash into their Pensions or to collect from the bankrupt System of Social Security.

In that case, they should just begin to hang all the workers on their 60th birthdays. That would solve all of their problems.

And, yes, the air would be clearer.

Hmmmm.

Mr. badassbob. what you just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things i have ever heard. (billy madison)

IMMMM JUST PLAYIN. this isnt the global warming topic.

I have to say that i disagree, at least from the viewpoint of an American.
Here, the person who is instigating the problem must make changes, not the bystander. They have the right to enjoy clear air over my right to smoke. I know, it sucks.

And about smokers being "monsters". ALL WE HEAR ABOUT IN AMERICA IS TOLERANCE!!!!. (i have nothing against these groups, except the 3rd one). "We must tolerate homosexuals" "we must tolerate people of other religions" "we must tolerate NAMBLA" "tolerate the klan" "tolerate minorities". What about tolerating us smokers. ITS THOSE DAMN, INFLAMATORY COMMERCIALS ON TV. Turned everyone against us. If you watch South Park then you know what i am talking about. It is our life choice to smoke, SO TOLERATE IT.

sometimes i wonder if this site is about dreaming

dont smoke (cough, cough, cough) *coughs up tar*

Hey leo, i got a better idea. Why dont we round up all the hippie liberal douchebags like you and hang them. Maybe then we could all act like humans again. And let me guess, [i]its the smokers who are causing global warming, waaaaaaaaa, waaaaaaaaaaa (the sound of a baby crying)

I don't smoke and find smoking pointless as it can damage your health, clog your arteries and make it hard to breathe.
I'm not saying smokers are stupid or anything as some of my friends are smokers. My opinion is if you are going to smoke, go some where away from non smokers so that it doesn't upset anyone and thats really my view. I don't think smokers should be discriminated in any way.

Neavo, you are a very reasonable person

I was never saying that what I said was the best way to look at smoking, ot that my opinion is the right one. I was just saying that smoking never has bothered me personally. Hence the "imo" at the end. Just my personal view on it that's all.

Originally Posted by Hominus

For all you people whining about "second hand smoke"
Do you really think breathing in a little tobacco while in a bar is actually gonna hurt you? Think about what you're saying. People smoke two packs a day for years without any REAL, NOTICABLE damage. And if you're in a bar enough to get hurt by second hand smoke, you need to stop drinkin. Show me test results from an average American (someone who didnt grow up in a smoking household) that proves second hand smoke can cause damage. God, this reminds me of the global warming topic i went off on. THERE IS NO PROOF. Thats not to say i dont think it should be banned from certain places. But BARS!!!!!! Now thats just hurting the old American way.
[/b]

How about you go do the research yourself instead of popping off like you KNOW what second hand smoke in bars does and does not do to people. You're being illogical. If smoking can hurt the smoker, there's absolutely no logical reason to think it can't hurt bystanders, especially in smoke-filled, small spaces like bars. You think that a career waitress who does not smoke but is required to work in the smoking section will have NO damage at all because of the smoke she is forced to endure for her living? Your arguments make no sense, let alone the fact that they're based on your own ideas about your habits, which aren't true. Smoking hurts people, smokers and non-smokers who are forced, yes FORCED, to be in their smoke.

Think about it... you and others think non-smokers should just get lost or not hang around you when you're smoking? What about that waitress? What about non-smokers' choice to be where they want to be? Why do you think you have the right to harm other people? Do the research. Don't just spout out ridiculous arguments about how smoking doesn't hurt others when it so obviously does.

You also think there's no proof of global warming? You obviously don't read news or scientific studies, do you? Smoking doesn't harm those around you... global warming doesn't exist... next you're going to tell us that the sun doesn't cause sunburns... that carcinogens don't cause cancer... that tsunamis don't kill people. Your arguments are empty. Go read some scholarly articles and studies on the things you pretend to know about.

Oh dreammask do i got some stuff for you

I thought you were my homie!!!

Read my earlier posts. I do believe that smoking should be banned in restaurants, businesses, and other places. But not bars. Maybe YOU should do some reading. It is prolonged smoke inhalation that hurts you. Not a little bit.

There is no evidence of global warming. NONE. Just because the earth is heating up doesnt mean its because of cars and other stuff. For all we know it could just be the earth following its normal cycle of heating up and cooling down. What do you think melted the ice of the latest ice age. I base my logic on geological functions that are proven, not by what Al Gore (hippie liberal douchebag) says.

Do you honestly believe everything you hear on the news.

George Bush says there were nukes in Iraq ON THE NEWS. False

Bill Clinton--"I did not have sexual relations with that woman". False

HAVE YOU EVER SEEN THE NEWS. It is full of lies, misconceptions, and anything that is popular at the time and not on credibility.

I never said i know what second hand smoke can do, and neither do you



About tsunamis, carcinogens, and the sun. Kiss my ass. I simply cover both sides of an argument that cannot be proven by either side, including global warming. You'd probably tell me that UFO's do exist and they put probes in peoples asses.

Do you really think breathing in a little tobacco while in a bar is actually gonna hurt you? [/b]

Yes. Apparently I'm not alone in that 'belief', either, because pretty much any scientist worth their salt will tell you the same thing. Sorry if the truth doesn't fit into your political agenda nicely, but that's the way it is.

Originally Posted by Hominus

Neavo, you are a very reasonable person
[/b]

I know and very modest as well.

smoking has nothing to do with politics.

we all know prolonged exposure to second hand smoke can hurt. I KNOW THAT!!!!!!!!!& #33;!!!!!!!!!& #33;!!!!!!!!!& #33;!!!!!!!!!& #33;!!!!!!!!!& #33;!!!!!!!!!& #33;!!!!!!!!!& #33;!!!!!!!
im talking about occasional exposure during an hour long visit to a bar. IT WILL NOT EVEN AFFECT YOUR BREATHING. stop being ignorant (you're gonna say im ignorant, i know). You know a little is not going to kill you.
My uncle smokes 2 1/2 packs a day, and has done so for over 30 years. He doesnt even have emphazema or cancer. if he could last that long i think you can last an hour in diluded smoke filled air.

[font=System]For the last time, i do not advocate smoking in public places. But the truth is it is NOT GOING TO CAUSE YOU HEALTH PROBLEMS (unless it is prolonged). Show me one person who has a disease from second hand smoke from restaurants and bars and i will bend over, stick my head between my legs, and kiss my own ass, hole and all.

You know what, im sick of this shit. Somebody give me a website that DIRECTLY says that occassional second hand smoke can kill you. Somebody. Come on.

And by the way, exposing a lab rat to cigarette smoke for a month, then finding out it has cancer is not proof.

Lets go to a personal level. Who here has actually gotten emphazema or cancer from occassional second hand smoke. Any takers. I predict NONE!!

It is you who bases your "knowledge" on nothing.

Im waiting for that website

smoking has nothing to do with politics.[/b]

You were the first to use such absolutely non politically related phrases such as "changing toward the liberal side", in case you forgot. Either way, this involves influential companies and affects pretty much everyone in the country, being a tradeoff between freedom and "benefit of the masses". Good candidate for politics if you ask me.

im talking about occasional exposure during an hour long visit to a bar. IT WILL NOT EVEN AFFECT YOUR BREATHING. You know a little is not going to kill you.[/b]

Nope, it isn't going to kill you. You could be in a worse situation, but then again it could be easily better if you didn't light up in the first place. As for it "not affecting your breathing", that is just wrong. Once again, there's fact, there's fiction, and then there's just plain making things up.

My uncle smokes 2 1/2 packs a day, and has done so for over 30 years. He doesnt even have emphazema or cancer. if he could last that long i think you can last an hour in diluded smoke filled air.[/b]

I've heard this one before. Your uncle might be most resilent than others, or maybe just plain lucky. Either way, he is just one case - there are many others who have not been so lucky.

But the truth is it is NOT GOING TO CAUSE YOU HEALTH PROBLEMS (unless it is prolonged). Show me one person who has a disease from second hand smoke from restaurants and bars and i will bend over, stick my head between my legs, and kiss my own ass, hole and all.[/b]

The Centre for Disease Control has done a study (article about it here), and I quote:

According to the report, the government's most detailed statement ever on secondhand smoke, exposure to smoke at home or work increases the nonsmokers' risk of developing heart disease by 25 to 30 percent and lung cancer by 20 to 30 percent. It is especially dangerous for children living with smokers and is known to cause sudden infant death syndrome, respiratory problems, ear infections and asthma attacks in infants and children.[/b]

That doesn't specifically say restaurants and bars (it says at home). But I think this puts things in a nice perspective for you. Do I want to expose myself to crap like that, even for an hour? No. If you do, great, but you can go do it way away from me. Smoke is not a pleasant thing, ever. It can do you no good, even if you're exposed "just for an hour".

That's an hour more than necessary, and if it can be prevented (bearing in mind that 'just an hour' can soon add up to 'several days&#39, why shouldn't we try to stamp it out?

Well Kaniaz, thank you for being reasonable.

Thats all i wanted to hear and thanks for the link.

(Suprisingly) I think that Leo brings up a very good point about paying for treatment with tax-payers' dollars. And it's not only with health care, but all of the money that has been wasted on law suits along with time and manpower that could be put to better use.

I've already stated that I don't enjoy the smell of cigarette smoke, nor do I enjoy cigar smoke and I don't think I should have to breathe it. But that's simply my opinion.