11-23-2005, 09:55 PM | #21 |
An enigma in a conundrum
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A smoke free Thanksgiving to one and all...unless you're smoking the Turkey
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11-23-2005, 11:00 PM | #22 | ||||
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Mmm smoked turkey...
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In BC I believe the first ban was all public buildings except pubs, clubs, and bars. Then later, smoking was banned there as well. I don't know why it has taken this long for a smoking ban. I hope it's not greed or a desire to be mean to smokers. Better now that later though IMO. Quote:
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11-24-2005, 11:42 AM | #23 | |
Elf Lord
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As for costs, here in the UK the government gets about £9bn a year from smokers. The total NHS budget is about £90bn. Over our lives, smokers have paid for our extra health care many times over. Also, we die younger so we don't draw our pensions or spend decades in nursing homes. Finally, the vast majority of health care costs incurred by an individual are in the first six months of life and the last six months, no matter how long you live. So, it is a pretty weak argument that getting rid of smoking would result in lower costs to society. In Europe, the issue is framed in terms of workplace legislation: workers are entitled to work in an environment which doesn't harm them. Therefore, all workplaces should be smoke-free. Seems reasonable. |
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11-24-2005, 01:49 PM | #24 | ||
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People have smoked for centuries now and smoking has been accepted in society. Smoking is kind of a tradition. Therefore it's impossible to abruptly introduce a complete ban on smoking. If smoking was a new phenomenon, no way the health authorities would allow it today. I say it's tradition rather than $$$$$ that is the reason for why they haven't really done anything about it until know. Or it might also be that until now, people didn't have a grasp of how much smoking actually costs society, or they just didn't know exactly how dangerous smoking really is. [edit] Quote:
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11-25-2005, 03:41 AM | #25 |
King of Nargothrond
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Canada is slowly but surely banning public smoking in many major cities. I like it that way.
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11-25-2005, 02:30 PM | #26 | |
Elf Lord
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Here's a news report from 2001 which set the cat amongst the pigeons a bit in this debate: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/1442555.stm So, as for $$$, you are certainly right: it's not about money. And if I launched a product that was highly addictive and had a 50% chance of killing the user, somehow methinks I'd be doing some jail time. I think the major costs are paid by smokers, who die horribly, and their loved ones, who have to watch them die horribly. We should do all we can to help them to stop. And that might mean banning smoking in public places. Last edited by The Gaffer : 11-25-2005 at 02:31 PM. |
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11-25-2005, 02:43 PM | #27 |
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I guess a lot depends on the pension and healthcare systems of the country you live in. I know for sure that in Sweden, pensions and health costs don't benefit from smoking at all. Maybe in a country with a healthcare sytem like the one in the US, smoking doesn't hit economy as hard. However, vasts sums of money are lost in every country due to people calling in sick (because of sicknesses related to smoking) and production losses. Vast sums of money. In Sweden, these costs are like ten times bigger than the costs of giving sick smokers the healthcare they need (which already is expensive).
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11-25-2005, 02:44 PM | #28 |
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(Post to update thread)
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11-25-2005, 04:21 PM | #29 | |
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Reguardless of if you're right about that fact, or if I'm right, the fact that no one can refute is that it makes a place stink after just a few minutes, the smell clings to everyone's clothing, and it can hang around for days and days even if no one else smokes there. So basically I have to smell terrible because someone else was smoking--not good. |
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11-25-2005, 08:40 PM | #30 |
An enigma in a conundrum
Join Date: Oct 1999
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gotta agree about the lingering odor, heavy smokers even if it´s one, can ruin the ambience of a room in no time and so I do support non smoking in restaurants...your taste buds will thank you.
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11-26-2005, 08:05 PM | #31 | |
Advocatus Diaboli
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11-28-2005, 07:21 PM | #32 |
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I'm a light smoker, but I HATE smoking indoors, and I despise the smell of second-hand smoke, and the way it clings to clothes, gets into the PAINT on the walls & ceiling, permeates the furniture and drapes, and stinks up people's hair and fingers and breath. Nowadays, for the most part the habit of smoking is kinda frowned upon here in L.A., what with everyone being so into image and health and everything, but of course people still smoke like crazy in venues like private parties or on the patios of nightclubs & bars, which I don't see a problem with. What I find repulsive is indoor smoking, espECially smoking in restaurants!! BLEH! What a way to ruin a person's eating experience. But the ultimate grossness is CIGARS.
Someday I'd like to quit smoking entirely. I wonder how well the patch works. I read this novel once, and there was a scene in it where this guy got kidnapped by some mafioso-types, and they pasted nicotene patches ALL OVER his body, then forced him to go jogging, and the guy dropped dead from some massive heart attack I think it was. So Steven King, although it wasn't him that was the author. Wish I could remember the title of that book, it was really good. It was all about the dark side of the tobacco industry.
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11-28-2005, 07:36 PM | #33 |
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I also support smoking bans, but I can understand why they would annoy smokers. Of course people will smoke in public anyway-- when do people always obey the law? But at least it will be less socially acceptable, and hopefully this will help break the "glamorous" image that teens get (I never quite understood why they get it, but the statistics stand for themselves). It's such a self-destructive and disgusting habit; we should do anything we can to help people get free of it.
As for Akron, Ohio, the government may or may not have its own agenda. But if the ban goes into place for the whole county, no part should be exempt. |
11-28-2005, 07:56 PM | #34 | ||
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You could talk to your doctor about quitting smoking Lotesse. They could tell you if the patch works well or not. Good luck to you if that's what you decide to do. *cheers*
About breaking the law, people don't smoke in restaurants that have banned smoking. There's probably the odd person that tries to light up, but I don't think it's a big deal. Banning smoking is way easier than you (general you) think it would be. It was practically a sinch for BC!
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11-29-2005, 01:29 AM | #35 | |
Cyber Elf Lord
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That being said, I think the gov't is being hypocritical. Gov't decries smoking as a health hazzard, yet gov't has no problem profiting from this health hazzard (primarily though taxes on tobacco products). (On a cynical note: another side benefit to gov't-- in general many smokers die sooner from smoking related causes -- less burden on social security system -- smokers may cost less to gov't (not sure about complete health costs)) I think that private residences and private establishments should be exempt from this ban. ================================================== == I think that an individuals right to smoke in public ends at another person's nose. If they can find a way to smoke without infringing on anothers right to smoke free air then they can smoke in public, otherwise forget it.
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11-29-2005, 03:02 AM | #36 | |
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An unwritten post is a delightful universe of infinite possibilities. Set down one word, however, and it immediately becomes earthbound. Set down one sentence and it’s halfway to being just like every other bloody entry that’s ever been written. ☻ Last edited by Jonathan : 11-29-2005 at 03:04 AM. |
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11-29-2005, 08:41 AM | #37 |
An enigma in a conundrum
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Well the Indians smoked and look where it's gotten them.
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11-29-2005, 10:08 AM | #38 | |
Advocatus Diaboli
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11-30-2005, 04:41 AM | #39 | |
Elf Lord
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Currently am on about 5 a day and planning to go cold turkey in the not-too-distant. Last edited by The Gaffer : 11-30-2005 at 04:43 AM. |
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11-30-2005, 12:21 PM | #40 |
An enigma in a conundrum
Join Date: Oct 1999
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hmmm, five a day.......goes and looks up stock portfolio, tells broker to increase medical stock share
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