Smoking ban?

[threaded]

I think Dundeegeorge is right on this point.

[shaunbhoy]

So in essence what you are suggesting DG, is that in fact smoking is NOT really bad for you (despite a welter of scientific and medical evidence to the contrary), and that in fact if everyone who smokes gave up tomorrow, we would detect no discernible difference in the nation's well-being whatsoever?
Well its a point of view I suppose, but not one that is held in much regard outside of buildings that have rubber walls and encourage inmates to routinely wear restrictive clothing!

[Dundeegeorge]

Now that's much more like it

So in essence what you are suggesting DG, is that in fact smoking is NOT really bad for you (despite a welter of scientific and medical evidence to the contrary), and that in fact if everyone who smokes gave up tomorrow, we would detect no discernible difference in the nation's well-being whatsoever?
Well its a point of view I suppose, but not one that is held in much regard outside of buildings that have rubber walls and encourage inmates to routinely wear restrictive clothing!

Are you a health professional? You certainly could be.
No, if you read my post I agree that smoking damages health and could contribute to one's death, but if you believe that all of the UK's health problems would suddenly diminish in any noticable quantity I would suggest that it's you who should become more familiar with the rubber-walled buildings.
All in my opinion of course. Same as your postings really, except that I only claim opinion and don't pretend that everything I type is absolute truth.

[sasguru]

Are you a health professional? You certainly could be.
No, if you read my post I agree that smoking damages health and could contribute to one's death, but if you believe that all of the UK's health problems would suddenly diminish in any noticable quantity I would suggest that it's you who should become more familiar with the rubber-walled buildings.
All in my opinion of course. Same as your postings really, except that I only claim opinion and don't pretend that everything I type is absolute truth.

Actually I believe the UK's health problems would diminish substantially if everyone was to stop smoking. I base this on the data I saw when I worked in pharma. The list of diseases implicating in smoking runs to the hundreds.

[DodgyAgent]

So in essence what you are suggesting DG, is that in fact smoking is NOT really bad for you (despite a welter of scientific and medical evidence to the contrary), and that in fact if everyone who smokes gave up tomorrow, we would detect no discernible difference in the nation's well-being whatsoever?
Well its a point of view I suppose, but not one that is held in much regard outside of buildings that have rubber walls and encourage inmates to routinely wear restrictive clothing!

If smoking should be banned on health grounds then so should alcohol consumption. Although there is no harm from passive drinking, the effects of anti social behaviour and other social problems associated with alcohol abuse are up there ahead of health problems associated with passive smoking.

Shaunboy sees human weakness in smoking; it makes him feel strong because he has not smoked or has given up. In other words we are pandering to his own prejudices in much the same way that drives this legislation in the first place. Whether you agree with banning smoking or not to allow the government to get away with this(motivated by nothing other than a desire to control us) is very much the thin end of the wedge.

[DodgyAgent]

Actually I believe the UK's health problems would diminish substantially if everyone was to stop smoking. I base this on the data I saw when I worked in pharma. The list of diseases implicating in smoking runs to the hundreds.

Quite right,

So lets allow the government to control other "harmful" pursuits:

1. Ban alcohol
2. Ban contact/dangerous sport
3. Make everyone do exercise
4. Severly restrict the food that we can eat
5. Ban fishing (too many people like it)
6. In fact ban anything that people enjoy
7. Ban contractors from using computers (should be exercising)

I have one idea- Ban government

[Mordac]

True ASB, but you also have to factor in the undoubted savings for the NHS due to the large numbers that will use this watershed to finally kick the habit.

The counter argument of course is that if these people live longer, they will end up with some other disease or ailment (anything from arthritis to alzheimers) and still end up costing the NHS.
You could almost say that smoking is a rather Darwinian way of weeding out the stupid (and therefore unproductive) members of society.

[DodgyAgent]

The counter argument of course is that if these people live longer, they will end up with some other disease or ailment (anything from arthritis to alzheimers) and still end up costing the NHS.
You could almost say that smoking is a rather Darwinian way of weeding out the stupid (and therefore unproductive) members of society.

I dont think they realise that death is a certainty (unless you are an agent of course)

[shaunbhoy]

If smoking should be banned on health grounds then so should alcohol consumption.

Nonsense. Sensibly moderated alcohol intake has many well-defined benefits for health. No amount of smoking can be deemed thus, even leaving aside the problems caused to others by passive smoking.

Although there is no harm from passive drinking,

Correct!

the effects of anti social behaviour and other social problems associated with alcohol abuse are up there ahead of health problems associated with passive smoking.

Very true, although you might care to dwell upon the fact that this "behaviour" and the other social problems already attract legislation that is intended to outlaw them.

Shaunboy sees human weakness in smoking;

Too right I do. The overwhelming majority of smokers start in their teens due to personal insecurity and through bowing to peer pressure. The weak-willed for the most part. You know who you are!

it makes him feel strong because he has not smoked or has given up.

Nonsense. What makes me feel strong is the sure and certain knowledge that I have always had the courage and confidence to make my own decisions in life without feeling the need to simply follow the herd. That and my obvious wit, rugged good looks, and colossal intellect of course.

In other words we are pandering to his own prejudices in much the same way that drives this legislation in the first place. Whether you agree with banning smoking or not to allow the government to get away with this(motivated by nothing other than a desire to control us) is very much the thin end of the wedge.

Humbug. For a Government that has got so many things spectacularly wrong, it was only a matter of time, and the law of averages, before they got something right. Not to worry though, I'm sure many Publicans will erect temporary shelters to save you from the worst of the elements whilst you pander to your cravings.

[Mailman]

If smoking should be banned on health grounds then so should alcohol consumption.

I would hazard a guess that more people suffer from alcohol addiction than they do from addiction to smoking.

Secondly, car accidents caused by drunk driving are a lot lower than deaths caused by smoking related illness.

Third, your approach is idiotic at best. You are advocating that we do nothing about smoking unless we do something about everything else out there that can cause us harm. Unworkable Im afraid me old mucker.

Face it, we have won. From summer next year no longer will us non-smokers have to put up with the stench of smokers

Humbug. For a Government that has got so many things spectacularly wrong, it was only a matter of time, and the law of averages, before they got something right. Not to worry though, I'm sure many Publicans will erect temporary shelters to save you from the worst of the elements whilst you pander to your cravings.

Well even then this government did its best to **** the legislation up big time by watering it down so much as to make the ban pointless. I had given up on you English ever getting anything right but this has reinstalled my faith in your governments ability to at least get 1 thing right!

Mailman