[wagglebee]

To combat the freedom-of-choice argument for smokers, the anti-smoking fascists would have us believe that smoking harms not only the smoker but also everybody within range of the tobacco smoke. This is junk science at its worst. It has been repeatedly shown that the alleged health dangers of so-called second-hand smoke are a fiction.

The problem is the left continues to say things which their allies in the leftist media report as gospel and the result is the public begins to believe a lie.

[ScottFromSpokane]

[Tamar1973]

It wasn't easy to stop; habits are hard to break and there were a bunch of false starts. But like millions of my fellow Americans, I did it.

That's what I did. I just quit my pack a day habit. Period. No false starts, cold turkey, haven't had one since. Once in a while, when I walk by a smoker, I inhale a little bit and get nostalgic (because I am one of those folks who like the smell of tobacco the way some people like aromatherapy) but I have never smoked again. Emphysema killed both of my maternal grandparents. Not worth the risk.

[Publius6961]

If you watch any of the old war movies, there is invariably a scene where a dying G.I. or Marine is comforted by his concerned buddies, who put a cigarette in his lips, light it, and see a spark of gratitude in his eyes as he departs this world, thankfully sent on his way to eternity relaxed by soothing tobacco.

These are almost the identical words written by Florence King in a column, or in a special essay in a magazine.
I have been trying forever to find it. I even have got to buying collections of her syndicated columns, but they all have been edited in such a way it appears that all her smoking related columns have been excised.
PC at its worst.

If anyone else can recall that King column, I would be eternally grateful for any additional hints that might help me locate a copy.
It had to have been written between 1980 and 2000.

[AFreeBird]

B4L8r

[Publius6961]

We just saw an example of that. Johnny Carson was known to be a man who for years smoked to excess. He died of emphysema.

It is noteworthy that in an essay, written osensibly to illustrate the excesses of the moral Taliban, PC rears its ugly head either subconsciously or not.

Mr. Carson, having died at age 80, could be said to have died of old age, or hardening of the arteries, or heart problem complications, or even my favorite, "old age".
But no; the link to tobacco needs to be emphasised.

It is impossible to prove a negative. Still, it is worth speculating how many people may have been spared an earlier death from obesity, heart problems and strokes, by means of the soothing and stress-reducing benefits of tobacco.

[muir_redwoods]

"Tobacco is a habit, period. You can break a habit with great effort. Breaking addictions requires superhuman efforts few find possible."

In 1940, Malcolm X was arrested for drug dealing. At the time of his arrest, he was addicted to heroin, cocaine, barbiturates, amphetamines, tobacco and a user of marijuana. He was thrown into a cell to detox cold turkey. After a week all he wanted was a cigarette. He said that the other drugs were difficult to do without but tobacco was a consuming need. Nicotine is one of the most addicting substances known and inhaling it is one of the most addicting venues for any drug use.

[wolfpat]

Smokers get no sympathy from me. I knew as soon as I took that first drag on a cigarette, and promptly coughed my lungs out, that smoking wasn't for me.

[ccmay]

Take a look at those addicted to hard drugs such as cocaine or heroin. Those are real addictions, and the record of cures for those addictions is dismal. Most addicts die as addicts. Tobacco is a habit, period. You can break a habit with great effort. Breaking addictions requires superhuman efforts few find possible.

Total horse manure. Nicotine is one of the most addictive substances known.

Only 8% of cocaine users become dependent. For alcohol, it's about 15%. For tobacco, addiction is seen in greater than 90% of users.

Think about it. Of all the smokers you know, how many are casual users who smoke one cigarrette or fewer per day?

-ccm

[teenyelliott]

I have smoked on and off for fifteen years. I always quit when I was pregnant, I never smoke in my house, cars, or around my children, and I do not smoke around people I know who don't like it. Anyone who thinks smoking isn't bad for you is in denial. But it is legal. So leave me alone. People who want to outlaw smoking in public places are going to have a serious fight if they come to my town. Given the fact that up until about 1980 most people smoked, if second hand smoke was such a danger we would all have cancer. And if I own a restaurant, and the government tells me that THEY are not going to allow a legal activity on MY property, buddy we are going to have a problem. Personal choice and private property rights have been attacked for years by liberal do-gooders.