Assignment America: Smoke screens/One of the best articles I have read!

United Press International ^ | 22 August 2002 | John Bloom

[Great Dane]

Cooking causes a whole lot MORE fires, but people are generally awake and alert and get out before they perish.

You said it, years ago we had a neighbor causing a fire, had it not been for us breaking down the door, he would have died, a pot of potato's were on fire as was the stove itself, he was drunk as a skunk, never woke up until we woke him.......... he was not a smoker.

[SheLion]

 Like I said, I think all the smoke has gone to some of your brains.

Just like I think your weren't wearing your face mask and oxygen pack on the Cairns 660 Metro. You must have been breathing in all those chemicals.

[SheLion]

 How is it possible that of the ten documented longest-lived people, nine smoked past age 100 (both male and female)?

Exactly.  And when they cure death, I might consider not smoking. heh!

[pittsburgh gop guy]

yes, and you smoke to be like them. Right.

Still waiting for your Special Theory of Relativity.

Smart people can smoke, but those that are concerned about their health and the health of those around them do not.

[Great Dane]

But that whole issue is a red herring in this case because we are discussing smoking and how wonderful it is for your health.

Going over the edge.... are we.

As I have said before, I won a City wide squash tournament at the age of 40, beat a 26 year old non-smoker, stick that in your pipe and SMOKE it.

[Jaidyn]

I was just reading the editorial page and thought you might like what this gentleman from Sidney, Ohio wrote:
Trickle down economics: If you're struggling with the big increase in the cigarette tax, make up the increase this way. If you smoke one pack per day, multiplying 35 cents by 365 days equals $127.75 per year.
Cut back on all donations to politicians
Cut back on charity donations
Cut back on religious donations
Form a group and take turns buying out of state.
Cut back on trips to Wal-Mart and your favorite grocery store.
Vote in the primaries and kick the tax-happy politicians our of office.
I guess he doesn't know he can really save off the internet. His address wasn't included or I would help him out.

[SheLion]

 LOL! I'm an anti-smoker male & if my wife starts smoking I will divorce her for it. Nothing! turns me off like the retching odor of a smoking woman.

LOL! And nothing turns me off more then a beer guzzling stinky man with beer breath. And my bubba drinks beer, and I never divorced HIM! 

And NOTHING TURNS ME OFF LIKE THE RETCHING ODOR OF A BEER DRINKER.

[SheLion]

Maybe they ought to look to other sources like taxing people who harass smokers.

Stick around. It gets worse. I started a list awhile back about the anti-smokers in here. I am up to 35. Pity.

[SheLion]

As I have said before, I won a City wide squash tournament at the age of 40, beat a 26 year old non-smoker, stick that in your pipe and SMOKE it.

Ahhhhhhh Great Dane! Here you are!

[SheLion]

I guess he doesn't know he can really save off the internet. His address wasn't included or I would help him out.

DARN it! Wish you did have his email. And also, by rolling your own, you can produce a beautiful CARTON for under $8 dollars! It's the best! And by not paying into the state coffers anymore, makes it all that much sweeter.

[pittsburgh gop guy]

Please add me to your list.

:)

[SheLion]

Please add me to your list.

Oh I will add you to my list. I got you on my list. LOL!

You just want to come in and flame us. But that's ok, we can handle it! :)

[Jaidyn]

I am now off to babysit for my grandkids in their non-smoking house. They do let me smoke on the porch providing I don't burn it down but they never said anything about the cigarette burning it to ashes. They have Roadrunner so I'll be back!! It's been interesting, to say the least, and I like you SheLion! You have it together and are inspiring me to take my gripes to the streets!! Thanks!

[SheLion]

You have it together and are inspiring me to take my gripes to the streets!! Thanks!

I like you too! Nice meeting you. Want me to add you to my Puff_List? Then you can join in all the lively discussions on smoking!

[tomkat]

nice necktie ...

[SheLion]

nice necktie ...

Hey! Thanks! :)

[Steve Eisenberg]

The decline in smoking has saved millions of lives. But subsequent efforts to find other ways people could get healthier by changing their behavior have largely failed.

Although probably true, the subject is second hand smoke.

Avoidance of second hand smoke is an example of a behavior change to get healthier which does not work. This was the point.

And on the related topic, if genetically I am not predisposed to lung cancer what entitles you (or anyone else) to meddle in my private affairs?

Don't jump to conclusions about either genes and cancer, or about my opinions. I'm also in favor of personal freedom. Or do you consider someone else having a contrary opinion to yours to be "meddling" in your private affairs? This sounds like the people who say you can't oppose affirmative action on a college campus since it might hurt black students' feelings. I, a total stranger whom you will never meet, advise you not to smoke. How does that meddle with your freedom to smoke?

Actually, even if I were predisposed the same question is appropriate; Are you ready to outlaw all high risk recreation and life choices because you are neurotic or have a need to control others?

My wife and I teach our children that they should not smoke but should not be rude to those who do. If you feel that I am violating my own teachings by being rude to you here, I am sorry, but by posting on a subject one opens oneself up to hear contrary opinions on related topics. Unlike being an illegal drug user, being a smoker is fully consistent with being a responsible, law-abiding, contributing, decent member of society. My post was not intended to insult smokers, but it is impossible to fairly discuss second hand smoking without acknowledging that, unlike real smoking, second hand smoking is close to harmless. On the other hand, lifestyle choices of all kinds could save many more lives.

Evidence? My answer to this claim is: Maybe, but far fewer than is supposed.

[pittsburgh gop guy]

"Just like I think your weren't wearing your face mask and oxygen pack on the Cairns 660 Metro."

I wore a Cairns Phoenix helmet. Would have liked to have worn a New Yorker but could not afford one. And I don't know anyone that wore "oxygen packs" - we preferred air packs. Oxygen would be a little dangerous. And I always wore it when the situation warranted it.

[Burlem]

What Bloomberg wants to do in NY, California already does. There is a moronic bill before the state to increase the age of cigarettes to 21!!!, they can't stop underage smoking now, or drinking and illegal drugs but man-o-man they want to stop the Marlboros.

Furthrmore they want to increase the tax $3.00 a pack.(have to help the deficit you know), with the logic of the libs, we stop kids from smoking, we raise the taxes per pack so that we can put that money in the general fund then we can have more programs, gee, wonder what would happen if the cigarettes sales took a downward trend, wonder what they would tax next?, don't say booze they decided against that.

[headsonpikes]

"Smart people can smoke, but those that are concerned about their health and the health of those around them do not."

How well your lessons are learned! You accept unquestionably the cooked reports of gubmint-funded 'researchers', and you internalize the totalist social doctrines of the American Left.
You know, 'all our actions impact on everyone, so lets have socialism'.

That one. The soccer-moms' goodthinking standard. You meet it.