Smoking = Illegal?

[Dude_Doc]

It seems the laws grows hard on tobacco these days. Now, you can't smoke in a New York bar anymore. Will the future forbit smoking at all? Even in your home? Wouldn't that take away our freedom?

What do you think?

[lowzeewee]

Nah I don't think so.If they want to ban tobacco from every single place,then they might as well ban selling tobacco,if not,there will be tobacco trafficking and death sentences will have to be enforced.

[DukeLeto]

No, ufortunately it will never be banned completely. The tobacco companies run the governemnt, seeing as they are the largest contributers to political campaigns.

Limit you freedoms? Well, suicide is illegal, what's the difference? ;)

[IxianMace]

It seems the laws grows hard on tobacco these days. Now, you can't smoke in a New York bar anymore. Will the future forbit smoking at all? Even in your home? Wouldn't that take away our freedom?

What do you think?

I think there will be a time when smoking will be banned in all countries. Personally, I'd love to see the day when that happens, if it does. ::) I think if people want to smoke in the comfort of their own home, fine, let them do so. I think it would be supressing people's freedom if they were forbidden to smoke in their own home. However, I'm very against smoking in itself. Passive smoking is bad enough for me. [Rant mode] I go to TAFE 4 days a week, and the suburb the institution is in, must have the most smokers per square kilometre!! :O I'd love to see the day when I can breathe more easily after the smokers have had their lung rotting, disgusting, disease causing stench of lack of personal hygience banned from the streets!! >:( It'd be doing the environment better, and it would be helping the smokers save money, and their health at the same time.[/Rant mode]

[lowzeewee]

It irritates me like hell when I hear pple having flemy coughs and still continue puffing on their fags,and when I hear *cough atheistmonk cough cough*,I forget what I m currently thinking of and it makes me purposely cough towards them too.

[Anathema]

I'm aware that banning smokes would be impractical because many people use them, but the argument that banning would limit their freedom is hypocritical, not because it's untrue, but because people shouldn't be allowed to dump toxic waste in the middle of a mall either, no matter how much joy it brings them. I tolerate people smoking in my vicinity, but I think smokers should quit polluting the air the moment another person asks him to.

[nampigai]

well I saw an analysis on smoking and the money our state uses for the healthcare on smoking related sickness. Infact we are making more money on the taxes on cigarrettes than we spen on hospital bills. Both my little brothers are smoking, my dad used to my mom smokes sometimes, I've only smoked at parties. But I really don't care if people wanna kill themself with smoking, what I find funny though is that in Denmark the tobacco companies are behind the antismoking plasters and gums, so either way they win.

[Dude_Doc]

But still, it is our freedom. You drink alcohol on bars, which is a poison too, isn't it?

[Acriku]

But, do remember that smoke has to come out, and that is what bothers the public. I hate smoke, it is killing my father and making myself smell like smoke at school, making others ask if I have pot on me, so yes I totally agree - smoking should be banned in all public places, if you want to smoke - set up highly-filtered smoke rooms. Or just kill yourself - cheaper and faster than smoke kills you. The statistics show that over 50,000 died from second-hand smoking last year, and this is disgusting. They haven't been smoking and they die because others are smoking in the public! I will never EVER smoke, and damn proud of it.

[nemafakei]

50,000 worldwide, or in the US?

[Acriku]

US alone.

[TMA_1]

I smoke a pipe and an occasional cigarette. It is each individual's right to smoke. They should not smoke around their kids or loved ones, but smoke away from anybody that could cause second hand smoke. If that is done, then more power to the responsible smokers.

[Nyarlathotep]

Let me put my thoughts in as a smoker (yes, I smoke cigarettes).

1) I wouldn't have any problem with banning smoking in public places, I would even sign a petition if you'd ask me (like in restaurants, bars, whatever).

2) To smoke outside should remain a possibility, although one should be considerate where he/she smokes. I mean if you're walking in a large crowd, you shouldn't smoke. But in large open places, why not ?

When ever I go out with friends, or am in someone's home, I always ask if I am allowed to smoke (even in my own home if I have visitors). In the neighbourhood of small children, I never smoke, unless it's outside in an open space. Due to the fact that I have a daughter, I go outside to smoke my cigarette if she's home.

People should be considerate and respect eachother. Just like we smokers need to respect the non-smokers, the non-smokers should respect the smokers. If you can respect eachother, a solution can be found. There's no need to ban smoking everywhere (disrespectful IMO towards the smokers).

[TMA_1]

exactly nyar.

[Acriku]

Nyar, that may be possible where you live, but in the crowded cities of Orlando, New York City, Miami, etc, there are no open spaces. Outside is with lots of people around you - these areas should be banned from smoking.

[TMA_1]

hmm not in designated smoking areas outside. many of those places are actually on government property. whenever I go to seattle I always see people smoking and relaxing. I dont see a problem with it. Not all places outside are crouded.

[Dude_Doc]

But that's exactly the case! If you smoke in a bar, no one outside would be affected. And there are pretty much bars and pubs around there, isn't it? That's the whole thing. If smoking will be banned in bars, then more people will smoke outside the bar, affecting every other person, including those under 18 of age. So yes, I agree that in crowded cities, smoking should not occur, but indoors instead. If you then live in more open areas, it's okay to smoke outside, instead of indoors.

[slaphapy]

I'm not really sure on this, i feel that the owner of the restaurant or bar or wherever should make the decision, because if you've ever walked into a bar or a restaurant, it's obvious that most of the customers are smokers, so banning smoking will probably diminish the amount of customers the owner has, making his business go down.

I have never had a problem before with smokers in restaurants, at least the ones i have been in because they all have smoking section, and non-smoking section, usually separated by a nice, thick wall ;)

and I don't drink (too young, plus alcohol smells awfull enough to me) so I don't go into bars, but I do have problems when people smoke in an area such as a movie theatre, or a museum or something like that.

If there was some way to make some "smoking only areas" or something like that, I would be all for it, but I think that's a little bit unrealistic.

[SurlyPIG]

Killing (be it unintentional, neglegent, manslaughter etc) and suicide is illegal in many countries. Given what we know about cigarrette smoke, perhaps it will be illegal one day.

Many people are respectful and responsible like Nyar but there's too many who aren't for me to stomach. IE I'm sitting in a bus shelter in January; it's blowing 70 clicks outside, snow everywhere and the air is already frigid. There's huge, red no-smoking signs on each wall. The shelter absolutely reeks of cigarette smoke. Several people come in and start smoking. I ask them not to smoke inside the shelter while pointing to the sign, all of them ignore me. So I think, "I'll tough it out, I'm Canadian," pull my toque over my face, zip my coat all the way up, pull up my goves and stand outside in -35 degree weather for like 20 minutes for a bus that's late because of the snow. Now that's not healthy, but I much prefer it to the smoke. At least the cold won't kill me.

[ordos45]

Killing (be it unintentional, neglegent, manslaughter etc) and suicide is illegal in many countries.

I can think of one person I know online in another state who proves that point. Her father-in-law raped her while she slept. He gave her HIV, and there is no cure for it. When he was arrested and taken to court, he was charged with voluntary manslaughter.

So yes, killing, even if unintentional, neglegent, or manslaughter is illegal.

[lost_child]

In my city it is illegal to smoke in any public place. No bars, no restaraunts no building in general. You get fined if you do.

[slaphapy]

I also heard somewhere, probably the radio or something, that they are starting to fine people for talking on their cell phone (sp?) in public places, such as museums, movie theatres, restaurants, bars, etc.

[lost_child]

Sorry about going off topic but speaking of cell phones I heard today that's its illegal to drive while talking on a cell phone in newfoundland.

[Seal89999]

I am totally for banning smoking. My mom smokes and all its doing for her is killing her. I dont want to lose my mom to a fucking cigarette! Tobacco does no good for you at all. All it does is get you addicted and kill you, all so the manufactures can get rich. All there doing is taking advantage of you. I know other people that smoke and it changes my view on them alot, i am still there friend but it shows that they have poor judgement. Its a terriable habbit and I truly think it should be put to a stop. Millions of people die each year. Its really sad and I dont think it does anything but bad.

[lowzeewee]

Do Cigars Cause Cancer?

Cigar smoking increases the risk of death from several cancers, including cancer of the lung, oral cavity (lip, tongue, mouth, throat), esophagus (the tube connecting the mouth to the stomach), and larynx (voice box). Smoking more cigars each day or inhaling cigar smoke leads to more exposure and higher risks. For those who inhale, cigar smoking appears to be linked to cancer of the pancreas and bladder as well.

Most large scale studies have looked at the number of deaths from cancer in cigar smokers, not the number of cancer cases. While this might lead to an underestimation of the number of cancer cases caused by cigar smoking, the figures are still alarming.

If you smoke cigars, your risk of death from lung, oral cavity, larynx and esophagus cancer is 2 to 10 time higher compared to non-smokers.

Studies have shown your risk of death is even higher if you smoke 3 or more cigars a day. However, your risk of death from these types of cancer is lower if you smoke 2 or fewer cigars a day.

The health risk associated with occasional cigar smoking (less than daily) is not known.

Does Inhaling Affect the Risk of Cancer?

While almost all cigarette smokers inhale, most cigar smokers do not. This may be because cigar smoke is generally more irritating. For those who do not inhale, tobacco smoke does not reach the lungs in the same quantity as it does in cigarette smokers. Therefore, the risk of death from lung cancer is not as high as it is for cigarette smokers, but is still three times higher than the risk for nonsmokers. Cigar smokers with a history of cigarette smoking, however, are more likely to inhale. Those who inhale have an increased risk of death from lung cancer eleven times greater than that of nonsmokers.

The risks for those who inhale are also increased in other types of cancer. Compared to nonsmokers, cigar smokers who inhale deeply are six times more likely to die from oral cancer, twice as likely to die from esophageal cancer, and 39 times more likely to die from cancer of the larynx. They also face more than twice the risk of death from pancreatic cancer and more than three times the risk of death from bladder cancer compared to nonsmokers.

Do Cigars Cause Other Health Problems?

Cigarette smoking is known to increase the risk of respiratory diseases such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Cigarette smokers have twice the risk of dying of heart attacks as do non-smokers. And smoking is a major risk factor for peripheral vascular disease, a narrowing of the blood vessels that carry blood to the leg and arm muscles.

While the association is not as strong as with cigarette smoking, cigar smoking (especially for people who inhale) appears to increase the risk of heart and respiratory diseases. At this time there are no studies that conclusively show a link between cigar smoking and either peripheral vascular disease or stroke. However, a recent study found cigar smoking, as well as cigarette smoking, is linked to erectile dysfunction in men (the inability to achieve erection).

http://health.yahoo.com/health/centers/smoke_free/104.html