Talks on Capitol Hill to Regulate Tobacco Industry Break Down

Smoke Club Newsletter ^ | 10-2-03 | By Kelley Beaucar Vlahos.

[Judith Anne]

Who funded the studies that linked cigarette smoking to lung cancer? People who have an agenda against cigarettes, that's who. Why were the links between lung cancer and radon not reported AT THE SAME TIME? Why aren't links between cigarette smoking and beta brain waves discussed more frequently? Why aren't the desensitizing effects of tobacco on reactive airways noted as beneficial? Why are the long-term results of a huge study of second hand smoke NOT reported? Why are smokenazis out to scrub the atmosphere of private businesses free of every molecule of cigarette smoke?

Why is the hereditary link to COPD ignored, and nearly all COPD blamed on smoking? Why is there no money from the tobacco settlements for new treatments for lung cancer and COPD? After all, that's the argument...why is the Framingham horizontal study of heart disease and high cholesterol not getting more attention (and BTW, high cholesterol is hereditary too...)? Why INSTEAD, are heart disease, lung cancer and COPD blamed on smoking? My father had COPD from his work in the Navy during the second world war, and exposure to toxins there--at the age of 21! He continued to smoke until his early 50s, and was no worse off then than when he left the service.

Who was the president's wife who banned smoking in the White House? Hillary Clinton. Who was the dictator who predated your prejudice against cigarette smoke by 50 years? Hitler.

You don't like the smell of smoke. I do. You don't like yourself smoking. I do. You don't want to consider any but your point of view--the point of view of Hillary Clinton and Adolf Hitler. I do. You ignore any "research" that doesn't support your position. I don't.

[Judith Anne]

Eeeuww ....

Real mature. Great reasoning. Really smart post.

NOT!

[Gabz]

but IMO dependence is what most people have in mind when they talk about "addiction,"

I don't give a "hoot" what most people have in mind, because "most people" have been programmed to believe that all the words mean the same - therefore the "belief" is worthless.

and I'm not at all sure why someone who recognizes the similarity between the War On Tobacco and the War On Drugs is bringing it up.

I only mentioned it because of your chart on "dependence." If a comparison of "drugs" is going to be made, then associated consequences also need to be compared. whether it be nicotine, alcohol or cocaine.

[Gabz]

But trying to convince the non-smokers out there that smoking isn't such a bad thing isn't going to win you any points.

You have obviously not read many of my posts, because I have never done any such thing.

You aren't suggesting that cigarettes aren't physically addictive are you? If they are only "habituating" then how do you explain the strong physical withdrawal symptoms I have personally experienced?

You apparently have a different bodily chemistry than I do, I have never had any physical withdrawal symptoms whengoing without smoking. In fact I find it more difficult to go without my moring coffee than going without a cigarette.

It seems that cigarettes were addictive to you, but are not to me. Isn't it amazing what propaganda can do to one's thought processes????

Do you work in or somehow profit from the tobacco industry or are you just trying to justify your own bad habit?

Not that it is any of your business, but the answer to your inquiry to my financial stake is a resounding NO. But it is nice to see that you acknowlege that smoking is just a "bad habit."

My arguement against the 450,000 number has nothing to do with whether smoking is a good thing or a bad thing - my arguement is that I have a problem with the government, that I am paying for, is lying in order to promote and justify behavior modification of law abiding adults. If you think the government (in whatever form) is justified in lying about smoking, I have to assume you will go along with any other lies the government promotes in its effort to control behavior. But I so do despise making assumptions.

[Gabz]

Unlike MrLeroy, I oppose the legalization of crack, cocaine, heroin and other hard drugs.

But you do support and endorse the government forbidding private business owners to permit the use of tobacco products in their establishments because you don't like it.

[Gabz]

Then you have no problem restricting smoking on public roads and sidewalks?

Isn't it enough most of think you are a jackazz, do you need to repeatedly prove us correct?????

I'll make you a deal - the day you start working to repeal current and oppose proposed indoor smoking bans in private establishments, I will stop fighting any and all outdoor smoking bans.

Based on your track record around here, I don't see myself stopping my fighting anytime soon.

[Gabz]

Eeeuww ....

And your problem is, what????????

That I smoke or that I am not your particular poster child of a drug-crazed-nicotine-addict that has to have it's fix every 2 minutes?????

[MrLeRoy]

the "belief" is worthless.

Not sure what that means---but I'm pretty sure it's irrelevant to my point that "cigarettes are more addictive than cocaine or heroin" is not misleading to the general public given their understanding of the term.

[cinFLA]

Just noting your hypocracy.

[cinFLA]

It must be nice to be paid to post your propaganda.

[MrLeRoy]

It must be nice to be paid to post your propaganda.

I wouldn't know, since I'm not paid to post.

[cinFLA]

I wouldn't know, since I'm not paid to post.

Really! Are you saying you are NOT paid while posting? Are you retreating from your privious post?

[MrLeRoy]

I wouldn't know, since I'm not paid to post.

Are you saying you are NOT paid while posting?

I am paid while posting but NOT paid TO post.

[xrp]

Yeah, what was that you were saying about Soros sending YOU a check?