Should the (US) government ban cigarettes altogether?

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Should the US ban smokes?

  • Yes

  • No

  • I have no opinion


Results are only viewable after voting.

chalmers

Platinum Member
Mar 14, 2008
2,565
0
76
People who have never smoked are clueless, which makes up so much of this board.

I am not even a smoker, I have a cigarette every once in a while. People see me and they're like "you're a smoker, but I've never seen you smoke". Because its not black or white.

Not everyone who smokes is a "smoker". Its not that you're either a "smoker" or you're not any more than you're an "alcoholic" or you're not.

Uh, so you're saying that there are a high percentage of people who smoke 'once in a while'?

I know a whole lot of people, and many who smoke. I know exactly 0 of these people.

Don't use insignificant statistical minorities to help your case.
 

Beev

Diamond Member
Apr 20, 2006
7,775
0
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Anybody who ever drinks alcohol should also have no insurance, or ever smoke weed, or who ever eat McDonalds. Basically by your logic nobody should have insurance.

Maybe I should clarify my statement to only include chain smokers? Because yes, full blown alcoholics don't deserve insurance either. Neither do people that eat fast food literally every day. If they can't make intelligent choices on a day to day basis then they don't deserve help when it finally catches up to them.
 

AMDZen

Lifer
Apr 15, 2004
12,589
0
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Total difference between eating to sustain your life and driving to sustain a job with smoking for pleasure. Shocking that a smoker is the one arguing this. Just face that facts that most people are pointing and laughing at you. Please continue to smoke for my amusement, it's cheaper than going to the circus.

And everyone is going to die anyway is your rationale? Mmmmk!

You don't need McDonalds to sustain your life. You don't need to drink alcohol to sustain your life. These are all things people do for enjoyment, same as cigarettes.

Its called moderation. Someone like myself who enjoys a cigarette every now and again shouldn't be compared to assholes who smoke a pack a day, every day for years and year leading to their death. If you drank a 24 pack of beer a day, every day you would die from that too. We should ban beer along with cigarettes then.

You idiots didn't learn from prohibition at all did you.
 

AMDZen

Lifer
Apr 15, 2004
12,589
0
76
Uh, so you're saying that there are a high percentage of people who smoke 'once in a while'?

I know a whole lot of people, and many who smoke. I know exactly 0 of these people.

Don't use insignificant statistical minorities to help your case.

The people you know are idiots, I know several people like me.
 

bfdd

Lifer
Feb 3, 2007
13,312
1
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Total difference between eating to sustain your life and driving to sustain a job with smoking for pleasure. Shocking that a smoker is the one arguing this. Just face that facts that most people are pointing and laughing at you. Please continue to smoke for my amusement, it's cheaper than going to the circus.

And everyone is going to die anyway is your rationale? Mmmmk!

there is no difference dip shit. who the hell are you to say that the person smoking the cigarette to get some stress relief and clear their mind is any less valuable than some dumbass ordering an extra cheese burger at mcdonalds? please. they have unquestionable amounts of value to those who make those choices.

unless you're talking value to society as a whole and even then you're a dip shit. fuck you for telling people what they can and cannot do with their own bodies. how would a more restrictive and less free society be better for us? almost every problem we have in the USA is because we self-impose stupid shit like the drug war.
 

AMDZen

Lifer
Apr 15, 2004
12,589
0
76
Maybe I should clarify my statement to only include chain smokers? Because yes, full blown alcoholics don't deserve insurance either. Neither do people that eat fast food literally every day. If they can't make intelligent choices on a day to day basis then they don't deserve help when it finally catches up to them.

So let me ask you this, do you believe in government insurance? If so, you're saying the government should be allowed to research every facet of your life to see if you eat fast food a lot? Or how much alcohol you buy? And then where is the line drawn?

You take your buddies out after a raise and buy everyone beers. They assume you spent 200$ on alcohol for yourself which puts you over the limit, you now don't have health insurance.

Where the fuck do you draw the line?

And if you don't believe in government health insurance, you actually believe that companies should be able to do the same thing? Unbelievable.
 

Beev

Diamond Member
Apr 20, 2006
7,775
0
0
So let me ask you this, do you believe in government insurance? If so, you're saying the government should be allowed to research every facet of your life to see if you eat fast food a lot? Or how much alcohol you buy? And then where is the line drawn?

You take your buddies out after a raise and buy everyone beers. They assume you spent 200$ on alcohol for yourself which puts you over the limit, you now don't have health insurance.

Where the fuck do you draw the line?

And if you don't believe in government health insurance, you actually believe that companies should be able to do the same thing? Unbelievable.

/shrug

I'm for the government having more control as long as it's in an intelligent manner, which obviously wouldn't ever be the case so it's moot.

They don't have to track your money. It could be via other means. This isn't something I ever seriously see happening, so it isn't something I put serious thought into. I just stated my feelings.
 

chalmers

Platinum Member
Mar 14, 2008
2,565
0
76
there is no difference dip shit. who the hell are you to say that the person smoking the cigarette to get some stress relief and clear their mind is any less valuable than some dumbass ordering an extra cheese burger at mcdonalds? please. they have unquestionable amounts of value to those who make those choices.

unless you're talking value to society as a whole and even then you're a dip shit. fuck you for telling people what they can and cannot do with their own bodies. how would a more restrictive and less free society be better for us? almost every problem we have in the USA is because we self-impose stupid shit like the drug war.

So you're basically saying that it's ok because the person doing it enjoys it? LOL

Take 2 people, let one eat from McDonalds and the other smoke and not eat anything. Who lives? One can sustain life, one is delayed suicide. Like I care though, you're all side shows to me anyway. Continue to defend tarring your lungs though, I need a break today.
 

AMDZen

Lifer
Apr 15, 2004
12,589
0
76
/shrug

I'm for the government having more control as long as it's in an intelligent manner, which obviously wouldn't ever be the case so it's moot.

They don't have to track your money. It could be via other means. This isn't something I ever seriously see happening, so it isn't something I put serious thought into. I just stated my feelings.

The problem is, this shit is happening because people like you think its "OK for the government to have more control". Even though you add "as long as it's in an intelligent manner, which obviously wouldn't ever be the case so it's moot."

Which leads me to believe that you don't think the government is capable of such, which means you're not as stupid as you're letting on - but still a danger to our country. Too bad you're not the minority.
 

Beev

Diamond Member
Apr 20, 2006
7,775
0
0
The problem is, this shit is happening because people like you think its "OK for the government to have more control". Even though you add "as long as it's in an intelligent manner, which obviously wouldn't ever be the case so it's moot."

Which leads me to believe that you don't think the government is capable of such, which means you're not as stupid as you're letting on - but still a danger to our country. Too bad you're not the minority.

If it helps I don't vote :awe:
 

bfdd

Lifer
Feb 3, 2007
13,312
1
0
So you're basically saying that it's ok because the person doing it enjoys it? LOL

Take 2 people, let one eat from McDonalds and the other smoke and not eat anything. Who lives? One can sustain life, one is delayed suicide. Like I care though, you're all side shows to me anyway. Continue to defend tarring your lungs though, I need a break today.

what i'm saying is, what the fuck is the difference? who cares if they die? it's just their physical form, they were using the cigs to sustain their mind. a happy dying person is better than a shitty living person.
 

moshquerade

No Lifer
Nov 1, 2001
61,504
12
56
higher rates are different than being banned from being a part of it. i have no problem with people who live riskier lives paying more than those living less risky lives. but to straight deny/ban it from people would be absolutely retarded as is making second hand smoke assault. fucking retarded.
he was being extreme. i was just pointing out that those who take care of themselves should be get a discount and those who don't charge them more. this shouldn't be a new thing, but it's finally caught on.
 

ch33zw1z

Lifer
Nov 4, 2004
38,156
18,647
146
Fast food, although terrible for you, is at least food. Cigarettes offer zero health benefits in any way to their consumers, as well as spreading unwanted fumes and odors to unwilling bystanders, which can lead to health problems. Does your fast food do any of that?

I don't typically eat fast food, but yea it does actually. It offers almost NO health benefits, you're better off eating bark. And when I eat it, I often release fumes that have a negative impact on those around me :)
 

airdata

Diamond Member
Jul 11, 2010
4,987
0
0
lol, so you don't think anyone should be allowed coverage if they do something to risk their own health? well i guess if you're not eating a proper diet, fuck your insurance as well. you don't exercise enough? fuck your insurance. you ride a motorcycle? fuck your insurance. you have a sports car? fuck your insurance. the list can go on and on and on and on and on.

bfdd is obviously a smoker.
 

AMDZen

Lifer
Apr 15, 2004
12,589
0
76
Take 2 people, let one eat from McDonalds and the other smoke and not eat anything. Who lives? One can sustain life, one is delayed suicide. Like I care though, you're all side shows to me anyway. Continue to defend tarring your lungs though, I need a break today.

You're logic is so astute. Clearly we need to ban cigarettes.

Take 2 people, let one drink beer and the other smoke, neither eat anything. Who lives?

Ban beer.

Take 2 people, let one ride a crotch rocket and the other smoke, neither eat anything. Who lives? Who lives?

Ban crotch rockets.

Take 2 people, let one drive a ferrari and the other smoke, neither eat anything.

Ban Ferrari's!!!!!

Ban anything that you can do which provides enjoyment and cannot sustain life!!!!

Ever see the movie 'Equilibrium'? Thats what this shit reminds me of. We need to ban anything that causes human emotion and repress it to eliminate war and killing.

This is the same shit. There is no use for art either, no use for movies, music, any of it. It cannot sustain us but it does cause chaos and emotion which leads to killing and death. Ban it all!!

Its sad reading you idiots who's thoughts could make things like this real.
 

torpid

Lifer
Sep 14, 2003
11,631
11
76
(Un?)related anecdote... at my workplace, there used to be one designated area for smoking outside. It was one of the four patios. We have four patios that are fairly large that front the building and abut the sidewalk. This meant that people who were averse to smoke could avoid that one designated area and still enter through 3/4 or more of the building. Recently, they enacted a full no-smoking workplace, and now disallow smoking on any of the patios and entrances.

However, it really has had a negative impact overall because now smokers congregate on the public sidewalk in front of our building about 4 feet further. The problem is, the building is surrounded on 4 sides by sidewalk and the smokers don't all congregate at a single spot. So now ALL entrances have smokers smoking around them; on the up side, if for some reason you want to hang out on the patio, they are smoke free as long as you don't get too close to the sidewalk.

In summary, sometimes smoking policies actually make matters worse.
 

Kirby

Lifer
Apr 10, 2006
12,028
2
0
In honor of this thread, I shall be buying a pack of cigarettes that I no doubt will enjoy.
 

airdata

Diamond Member
Jul 11, 2010
4,987
0
0
very much so. i smoke about 4 - 5 cigs a day, i consume about 1 - 2 grams of marijuana a day.
You can be our control subject. Cold turkey on both and we'll see which you are jonesin for first :)
 

yhelothar

Lifer
Dec 11, 2002
18,407
39
91
Chronic usage? So we should base our laws around a few people who don't understand moderation? You know chronic usage of alcohol is far more dangerous than weed right?

Hey if you read my first reply in this thread, I said I think pot should be legalized.
But I'm just arguing that pot isn't this totally safe harmless drug like a lot of people would have you believe.
 
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mmntech

Lifer
Sep 20, 2007
17,501
12
0
If the product is as dangerous as they say it is, then yes, tobacco should be banned. Actually doing so is a different story. Enforcing it would be difficult. Governments have also painted themselves into a corner with their own bureaucracy. It's a major industry that employs thousands, and it's a huge tax generator. The latter is why it will never be banned.

As long as it's a legal product, I think anti-smoking laws should be relaxed a bit. Keep it out of enclosed work places and public areas like malls, but bars would be fine with me. It's a two way street. Just as long as smokers are courteous about it. Like drinking, there is a time and a place for smoking.

Marijuana is a whole different ball game. It's a bit hypocritical to be in favour of it, and against cigarettes. A lot of people are. Joints are just cigarettes that get you drunk. Is it worse for you? Probably not, but it's certainly not better. Both will make you sick eventually.

Alcohol does have health benefits in low doses.
 

bobdole369

Diamond Member
Dec 15, 2004
4,504
2
0
People who have never smoked are clueless, which makes up so much of this board.

I am not even a smoker, I have a cigarette every once in a while. People see me and they're like "you're a smoker, but I've never seen you smoke". Because its not black or white.

Not everyone who smokes is a "smoker". Its not that you're either a "smoker" or you're not any more than you're an "alcoholic" or you're not.

It is a serious minority - that of people who have a cigarette - from time to time. A large majority of people who smoke - do so a pack a day or more.

It really IS that you are or aren't a smoker. A small number of people can seriously handle it (good god why you would WANT to smoke is beyond me but it DOES happen), most cannot. Keep it up and I guarantee before too long you'll be in the pack a day group.