Smoking Ban

[CycloWizard]

I've thought about this a few times and was wondering what everyone thought. I know that the basic argument against a ban is that it would kill the tobacco farmers. My argument for it is the immense burden smokers put on our healthcare system. My home county is the third leading user of tobacco products in the nation. The local hospital has the second highest death rate in the nation. Doctors that I've talked to suggest that this is hardly a coincidence. I have also heard it suggested that more poor people smoke than wealthy people so they are using government moneys to pay for this healthcare. Even if the government had to subsidize the tobacco farmers, it might save us all money in the long run.

I haven't thought about this one a whole lot, so hopefully some people can give a few good arguments one way or the other. Easier than for me to think for myself.

 

[Sentinel]

I would support one for indoors, like resturants, mainly because i am allergic to the smoke.

 

[rickn]

only in public places(inside restaurants), which is what we got already here where I live. So, I have no problems with smokers anymore. If they wanna kill themselves, that's their business

 

[Harvey]

It's a good long term goal. The biggest problem is, if it were done immediately, there is no practical way to deal with a nation full of jonesing hardcore nicotine addicts.

 

[Kibbo]

Prohibition of a socially accepted drug will never work.

Look at alcohol. Look at Mary Jane.

There is no way in a free society to enforce it properly. Eventually, you'll end up having to throw people in jail for lighting up, while at the same time still have them smoke. Which will do more harm? Do you really need more people in jail for doing something that only hurts themselves?

 

[cKGunslinger]

I assume you mean a ban similar to that on marajuana or other narcotics - illegal to use, posses, or grow? If so, then no. But I think that insurance companies and what not should have every right to gouge the hell out of, or refuse to cover smokers if they want.

 

[Vic]

I imagine that a ban on smoking would be as successful as Prohibition was. Or as the War on Drugs has been. In other words, the cost of enforcement would be more than any health savings. Before you discount that cost, remember that 23% of all adult Americans smoke. That's almost 50 million smokers you'd be trying to force to quit under law. Mark my words, a high percentage of them would smoke anyway. And the very illegality would encourage others to start smoking as the "cool thing to do". It would be a disaster. Better that we just quit this socialized medicine bullsh!t and quit poking our noses into our neighbors' asses (and then complaining about the smell).

 

[loup garou]

Originally posted by: Vic
I imagine that a ban on smoking would be as successful as Prohibition was. Or as the War on Drugs has been. In other words, the cost of enforcement would be more than any health savings. Before you discount that cost, remember that 23% of all adult Americans smoke. That's almost 50 million smokers you'd be trying to force to quit under law. Mark my words, a high percentage of them would smoke anyway. And the very illegality would encourage others to start smoking as the "cool thing to do". It would be a disaster. Better that we just quit this socialized medicine bullsh!t and quit poking our noses into our neighbors' asses (and then complaining about the smell).

:thumbsup:

 

[Infohawk]

Smokers should not smoke in places that could harm others and should eat up all the external costs with taxes on their habit.

 

[Vic]

Originally posted by: Infohawk
Smokers should not smoke in places that could harm others and should eat up all the external costs with taxes on their habit.

See... here's the rub. I have no issue with smokers paying for their own costs, as I think everyone should pay their own way. But what are these places they shouldn't smoke? What if a bar owner wants to allow smoking on his property and puts up a big sign at the entrance informing patrons that smoking is allowed. Why should he not be allowed to allow smoking under those conditions? It's his property, and he warned potential patrons who have every opportunity to go to his competitors if they don't like it...

 

[Zebo]

What ever happend to freedom. Good god this nation is becoming a bunch of babies with " noses into our neighbors' asses (and then complaining about the smell)." Tahnks vic. I just a got a letter because my trees are "overgrown", on my own damn property and behind a 8ft 2.5 acres wall WTF communists.

 

[Ozoned]

<-----------Smoked from 1975 to Jan 31st 2004. If the issue were put on a ballot, I would support the ban.

 

[ntdz]

i dont smoke but i wouldnt support the ban. IMO, people have the right to smoke if they want to.

 

[AFB]

Originally posted by: Ozoned
<-----------Smoked from 1975 to Jan 31st 2004. If the issue were put on a ballot, I would support the ban.

I have absolutly no problem with anyone doing something that only affects themselves. I DO have a problem when it begins to affect other people like in public or when people drink in drive.

 

[AFB]

Originally posted by: Infohawk
Smokers should not smoke in places that could harm others and should eat up all the external costs with taxes on their habit.

Sounds good to me.

 

[Ozoned]

Originally posted by: amdfanboy

Originally posted by: Ozoned
<-----------Smoked from 1975 to Jan 31st 2004. If the issue were put on a ballot, I would support the ban.

I have absolutly no problem with anyone doing something that only affects themselves. I DO have a problem when it begins to affect other people like in public

The discussion is smoking, not masturbation.

 

[AFB]

Originally posted by: Ozoned

Originally posted by: amdfanboy

Originally posted by: Ozoned
<-----------Smoked from 1975 to Jan 31st 2004. If the issue were put on a ballot, I would support the ban.

I have absolutly no problem with anyone doing something that only affects themselves. I DO have a problem when it begins to affect other people like in public

The discussion is smoking, not masturbation.

Hahahahaha

Zing :Q


But really, I have no problem with what you in do in private as long as it only affects you.

 

[Isla]

Well, if smoking is (rightly) seen as a sin against your body (which is a temple, right?) then it's our moral duty as United States citizens to stop people from sinning against themselves and tempting others. In fact, the tobacco companies can be seen as recruiting people (children!) to participate in a sinful lifestyle.

The tobacco companies are part of a liberal agenda to bring the morals of our country down.

 

[chess9]

Zebo:

Yes, smoking is nothing compared to the dreaded HOME OWNERS' ASSociation. Betty Lou McFarland thinks your PUCE window curtains are too PRIMITIVE for the architecture so she's asked the ARB (architectural review board) to write you a letter suggesting that you replace them with something in a WILLIAMSBURG BLUE. Of course, the complaint gins up the awesome majesty of about 20 COMMITTEES of WELL INTENTIONED SUBURBANITES, who are loathesome creatures, particularly in PACKS. And then, after you tell them to go shove it where the sun don't shine, you receive a nasty letter from one of America's finer breeds-THE OVERPAID BUSYBODY WITH A JD. Before you know it, you are hunkered down with 10,000 pounds of C2, 4 tons of JET FUEL, and enough fire power to take down Fallujah single-handed, and the Second Marine Division is outside your door making ugly noises.

And they wonder why Americans won't give up their guns....

These things don't happen in Iraq, where a well-timed 50 cal. round will do wonders to clarify the mind regarding the supposed dangers of PUCE.

-Robert

 

[chess9]

Isla:

Yeah, but what about all these guys whacking off? Smokes ain't nothin' compared to 100 million horny Americans jackin' off to a campaign photo of Bush/Cheney. Talk about abuse....

-Robert

 

[Ozoned]

Originally posted by: amdfanboy

Originally posted by: Ozoned

Originally posted by: amdfanboy

Originally posted by: Ozoned
<-----------Smoked from 1975 to Jan 31st 2004. If the issue were put on a ballot, I would support the ban.

I have absolutly no problem with anyone doing something that only affects themselves. I DO have a problem when it begins to affect other people like in public

The discussion is smoking, not masturbation.

Hahahahaha

Zing :Q


But really, I have no problem with what you in do in private as long as it only affects you.

Spin Newtons Newton's Third Law of Motion just a little bit and apply it to what you do in private, and you will find that nothing" only affects you".

 

[Isla]

Originally posted by: chess9
Isla:

Yeah, but what about all these guys whacking off? Smokes ain't nothin' compared to 100 million horny Americans jackin' off to a campaign photo of Bush/Cheney. Talk about abuse....

-Robert

LOL, you've got a point there!

 

[Gravity]

I'm banning all tobacco useage at my workplace. I have about 4 peeps out of 100 that are pissed in a serious way. They are pulling out all the stops in order to stop the implementation of this policy so they can still smoke.

I will persevere!!

 

[Zebo]

Originally posted by: chess9
Zebo:

Yes, smoking is nothing compared to the dreaded HOME OWNERS' ASSociation. Betty Lou McFarland thinks your PUCE window curtains are too PRIMITIVE for the architecture so she's asked the ARB (architectural review board) to write you a letter suggesting that you replace them with something in a WILLIAMSBURG BLUE. Of course, the complaint gins up the awesome majesty of about 20 COMMITTEES of WELL INTENTIONED SUBURBANITES, who are loathesome creatures, particularly in PACKS. And then, after you tell them to go shove it where the sun don't shine, you receive a nasty letter from one of America's finer breeds-THE OVERPAID BUSYBODY WITH A JD. Before you know it, you are hunkered down with 10,000 pounds of C2, 4 tons of JET FUEL, and enough fire power to take down Fallujah single-handed, and the Second Marine Division is outside your door making ugly noises.

And they wonder why Americans won't give up their guns....

These things don't happen in Iraq, where a well-timed 50 cal. round will do wonders to clarify the mind regarding the supposed dangers of PUCE.

-Robert

LOL Hey been there done that. The first and last association I lived in said you could'nt even park your car on the street in front of your own house!!! Natually, like most first time home owners, I was happy just to get a house and did'nt bother reading the 500+pgs of CC&amp;R's I was imprisioned/indebted by.

However today, I don't live in an association. I don't even live in city but county. They said my front door is'nt visable from street and under threat of fines and enventually property seizure the county is forcing me to cut trees on my own property. I have an 8ft block wall around to propery (which was grandfathered in) and the front is 4ft wall with bars up to 8ft limit since I don't like nosey neighbors so I let the palmagranite trees and pine tress grow and grow to cover the bars. Anyway some busy body called and now I'm pissed. Have two weeks to correct problem but I'm going to lawyer first....can't fight county seat I'm sure

 

[chess9]

That sounds unconstitutional to me. Slip me $50,000 and I'll take it to trial for you. Another $250K and we'll go to the state Supremes.

-Robert