Quote:
Originally Posted by Mean Mr. Mustard
People dying of lung cancer at 60 isn't what I would call dying on your own terms. Also that is why smoking is such an awful thing, because it is a contributing factor in nearly every disease imaginable. Diseases which cost money to treat throughout the lifespan, COPD is a major burden on the health care system that negatively impacts quality of life as well as the quantity of years lived.
Honest question, do you smoke? Do you have children? Do you want your children to smoke... because umm freedom?
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I'll agree, dying of lung cancer isn't going out on your own terms. That point was admittedly more about my own feelings about dealing with mortality as opposed to the smoking issue.
I don't think smoking is a good thing persay, but I also realize that in terms of 'wars on a product' we as a society have beaten smoking. We have all but eradicated it from public places, and brief moments of bad smells seems to be a fair trade off considering they used to be able to smoke EVERYWHERE. Don't be greedy, we aren't banning Diesel engines or farting outdoors, and both of those can be equally as unpleasant to smell as cigarettes, and all three have about the same impact in your overall health for the four microseconds you're exposed to them.
As for your question, I rarely smoke, but I have in the past. In the last four years, I've had maybe 25 cigarettes, and I enjoy a cigar with friends as much as the next man.
I do not have children, but if i did, I would prefer it if they did not smoke. But given that it is a legal activity once they turn 18, I don't see that it's much of my concern. I'm sure they'll be well aware of the dangers by the time they're in that 14-18 wheelhouse. If they choose to indulge in this particular habit, that really is their right as members of a free and democratic society. I really don't want the government or anyone else infringing on a right to do something that harms nobody else. Especially when the taxes on the product pay for the facilities the smoker will inevitably end up using.
And to preemptively address second hand smoke, it's bad for you in an enclosed space with a several hundred packs of cigarettes worth of cancer floating around. Being outside negates almost all the dangers of second hand smoke. And since even my 70 year old grandmother who's smoked for 55 years knows enough to go out on the porch, I'd say we've locked that problem down as well.