[Cubeoid]

http://www.slate.com/id/2112449/

[veryniceguy2002]

Originally posted by Cubeoid:
http://www.slate.com/id/2112449/

I would love to hear more countries to adopt it, but it's not likely to happen until more Governments to report their Gross National Happiness.

[Psychonaut]

It's one's duty to smoke. Smoking represents man's taming of fire.

[Cubeoid]

haha

[CD Hanks]

I'm going out for a smoke.

[lavar78]

Bravo, Bhutan!

[ManOfSteal]

The MacNN Lounge is a smoke-free environment. Only drugs are allowed.

[CD Hanks]

Take one guess what the first thing the Nazi's took away from Germans during their reign of power?

I'm not saying everyone should light up, but there are other less restrictive ways of dealing with smokers.

[Randman]

I support the action and wish more places enacted that kinda thinking.

[badidea]

Originally posted by CD Hanks:
Take one guess what the first thing the Nazi's took away from Germans during their reign of power?

I'm not saying everyone should light up, but there are other less restrictive ways of dealing with smokers.

I smoke and therefor I am a republican! Now breath my freedom!

[CD Hanks]

Originally posted by badidea:
I smoke and therefor I am a republican! Now breath my freedom!

I'm not a republican, but I'd love to blow some smoke in your face.

(I'm a polite smoker. Someone (politely) asks me to put it out, I do, no problem for me. Someone acts like a dick and demands I put it out, I just blow smoke RIGHT in their face.)

[Xeo]

Without taking this too political, I want to say that banning smoking completely like this would fail in the U.S. and should not be considered. As long as smoking is banned from public buildings, I think we should leave it up to the people to decide to quit. It's already shrinking on its own.

[badidea]

Originally posted by CD Hanks:
I'm not a republican, but I'd love to blow some smoke in your face.

I just tried to follow the logic of the link you posted (Hitler -> ban smoking -> leftist)

(I'm a polite smoker. Someone (politely) asks me to put it out, I do, no problem for me. Someone acts like a dick and demands I put it out, I just blow smoke RIGHT in their face.)

Me too!

[Nivag]

i don't smoke but i still like to take my fresh air breaks™ at work
well, if the smokers can take regular breaks why can't i?

[awcopus]

The B. government knows that people will continue to smoke and that they will be able to make money off of it through fines and tariffs and taxes. This is about filling their coffers more than anything else.

Of course, their taxes and fines are so high that there will be plenty of room for an underground economy to flourish, with all the typical activity that involves; organized crime and turf wars, violence... and all for what?

***

If a person wants to smoke or hasn't faced down their addiction yet, and he or she takes measures to ensure that when smoking nobody else is exposed against their will or without their consent to harmful levels of smoke, then the government really has no reason to get involved.

[awcopus]

Originally posted by Randman:
I support the action and wish more places enacted that kinda thinking.

Randman, I've wondered what your name refers to. I now understand that it has nothing to do with Ayn Rand. Is it just your last name?

[Cody Dawg]

CD Hanks
(I'm a polite smoker. Someone (politely) asks me to put it out, I do, no problem for me. Someone acts like a dick and demands I put it out, I just blow smoke RIGHT in their face.)

That's an *sshole thing to do.

You don't know why someone is unpleasant - could be that they are asthmatic, you know?

Do that to an asthmatic and cause his or her hospitalization or death (I have an uncle who died on our kitchen floor of an asthma attack when I was about 10) and you might find yourself in jail.

Some smokers never stop to actually think that health issues REALLY ARE a matter of concern with non-smokers.

[brapper]

Down w/ Smoking.

[dcmacdaddy]

Originally posted by Cody Dawg:
That's an *sshole thing to do.

You don't know why someone is unpleasant - could be that they are asthmatic, you know?

Do that to an asthmatic and cause his or her hospitalization or death (I have an uncle who died on our kitchen floor of an asthma attack when I was about 10) and you might find yourself in jail.

Some smokers never stop to actually think that health issues REALLY ARE a matter of concern with non-smokers.

Someone else's health problems are NOT an excuse for rude or impolite behavior. They can still *politely* ask someone to stop smoking.

[CD Hanks]

^^^ whoa hay sup

Originally posted by Cody Dawg:
That's an *sshole thing to do.

You don't know why someone is unpleasant - could be that they are asthmatic, you know?

Do that to an asthmatic and cause his or her hospitalization or death (I have an uncle who died on our kitchen floor of an asthma attack when I was about 10) and you might find yourself in jail.

Some smokers never stop to actually think that health issues REALLY ARE a matter of concern with non-smokers.

Well, you are totally right that it is an asshole thing to do (I'm actually very good at being an asshole )

BUT, I do have friends that are asthmatic, and I make a point not to light up around them at all. I don't have a problem accomodating someone like that.

However, 99.9% people that give me **** for smoking are people that just want to bitch and sometimes are just looking to pick a fight. If they're going to introduce themselves as being a prick, I'll just respond with something as equally unpleasant. I mean, truth be told, if someone had a medical problem, you'd think that would be their opening line, right? On top of which, I live in California where it's basically a felony to smoke indoors in anyplace that isn't your home, so if someone did give me some guff and had a medical problem, odds are that I'd be outdoors anyway, so why would they give me any problems when the simple solution is to just get away from me? (See my point about people loving to bitch and complain.)

[euchomai]

Study: Cigarettes cost families, society $41 per pack
DURHAM, N.C. (AP) — Cigarettes may cost smokers more then they believe. A study by a team of health economists finds the combined price paid by their families and society is about $41 per pack of cigarettes.


The figure is based on costs for a 24-year-old smoker over 60 years for cigarettes, taxes, insurance, medical care and lost earnings because of smoking-related disabilities, researchers said.


"It will be necessary for persons aged 24 and younger to face the fact that the decision to smoke is a very costly one — one of the most costly decisions they make," the study's authors concluded.


Smokers pay about $33 of the cost, their families absorb about $7 and others pay a little less than $1.50, according to health economists from Duke University and a professor from the University of South Florida. The study drew on data including Social Security earnings histories dating to 1951.

[Randman]

Originally posted by awcopus:
Randman, I've wondered what your name refers to. I now understand that it has nothing to do with Ayn Rand. Is it just your last name?

First name actually. And because it's short to begin with, some friends back in high school (Top Gun and Rainman) started calling me that.
Plus, I've always been a comics book fan so I thought it made a good Internet nickname.

And as far as smoking, if smokers want to puff up away from me, that's fine and it's their business. But inside, it can be a pain (have asthma and don't like ciggies to begin with).

[mitchell_pgh]

While I support the banning of smoking in public places, I think I should be able to smoke in my own home if I so choose... it's just like drinking, drugs, or any other addition.

[wdlove]

I personally don't smoke. The government doesn't have the right in a free that they can't do something, as long as it doesn't' harm others. They also shouldn't expect me to pay for their health care when they get sick.

[keekeeree]

Originally posted by euchomai:
...researchers said.

...the study's authors concluded.

...according to health economists from Duke University and a professor from the University of South Florida.

Where are the names of these researchers, authors, economists and professors? Sounds like the same old anti-smoking propoganda to me (and yes I do realize that plenty of propoganda comes from the tobacco industry also).

[Cody Dawg]

Thanks for clarifying CD Hanks.

But, you know, a lot of people expect that smokers would make it a point not to smoke near them. You know, the assume that people don't like the smell of cigarettes theme? Why light up near me in the first place? Why should I have to say, "Excuse me, but I don't like that. Could you move away?" You may be very nice about it, but why make people ask you to refrain from smoking near them?

If someone comes over near me and lights up I think that they're an *sshole, plain and simple, and yes, I do get disgusted by it and think it's rude.

Go smoke somewhere where there are no people AT ALL. Like someone else said, your own home.

[lavar78]

Originally posted by mitchell_pgh:
While I support the banning of smoking in public places, I think I should be able to smoke in my own home if I so choose... it's just like drinking, drugs, or any other addition.

I'm a nonsmoker, but I basically agree with you. However, smoking isn't exactly like those other things. It has a much bigger direct effect on others. I can't stand it when I see people puffing away in cars with their kids in the back.

Admittedly, I vehemently hate smoking. It's the biggest turnoff. If you ever want to get rid of me, just light up. Obviously, that doesn't quite work on the internet.

[billybob128]

im sorry but there is the debate of banning smoking here in britain n public places such as pubs.

there is the idea that if you dont want to be around smokers then dont go to a smoking area. why should smokers have to go out of thier way because of what they do.

everyone should have equal choice. e.g:
joe bloggs wishes to smoke in a pub. but he cant he has to stay at home and be restricted because john smith doesnt want to breath his smoke. but john could stay at home and drink for cheaper with more ease or go to a non smoking area.

and the arguement said earlier about the ashmatic is just ridiculous:

if you have a problem such as ashma and know that you are pron to attacks form things such as smoking then you deffinatly should not go where there are smokers. if you go to a pub where there are bound to be smokers and still prone to an attack because of it then you have accepted that risk as you dont have to go to that pub. but by entering you have accepted the riskes as you know what they are. therefore if that ashmatic enteres it is his choice and as he knows the risks then it is his problem if he has an attack as he has accepted the area. he cannot then blame people for smoking around him as he knew before or upon entry to that place that there were smokers in there and the related risks

Someone tonight was in the pub that is not keen on people smoking around her so the smokers that are curteous ask her if it is a problem and if it is move for her.

sorry if there are spelling errors but in not the best speller in the world.

[Mafia]

i smoke. but i still think it should be banned in restaurants and public buildings. but banning it outside in the open is retarded, plenty of fresh air for everyone. Banning it in bars is also stupid. ^^

[C.A.T.S. CEO]

my mom smokes, but shes tring to stop

[mitchell_pgh]

Originally posted by Mafia:
i smoke. but i still think it should be banned in restaurants and public buildings. but banning it outside in the open is retarded, plenty of fresh air for everyone. Banning it in bars is also stupid. ^^

Nonsmokers that have been to a few Delaware bars will attest to how nice it is that there is no smoking. They only have it in "confined spaces" so they can have a smoking patio.

[d4nth3m4n]

i'm with mafia on this one.

i smoke. like a lot (carton a week easy). after making it through my first winter of going outside to smoke in NY i can surely do it again. it's worth it to me to not reek like smoke when i get home after going out.

that said, if i am outside in a smoking area (like on a patio in the summer) and if someone gives my guff i make no apologies and tell them that this is the only place i CAN smoke. i get enough flack for smoking. i don't need random people getting on my case about it

one time i was standing outside this bar and this guy walked past mumbling all this BS about polluting the air and everything, and wanted to start something. i then noticed that this dumbass was parked in a handicapped spot and all of a sudden all the smokers were on my side. glass houses people.

and the fresh air break is a great idea. if i had never worked in a restaurant i don't think i would have ever started smoking. seems it's the only way to get a break if you're in that line of work. (can't have the staff ornery, you know.)

cliffs-

• going outside (even when it's 4 degrees outside) isn't that bad. keeps you from getting too drunk too. (have to stand up)
• don't hassle me about my smoking when i'm within what remains of my rights.
• don't talk sh*t unless you're totally untouchable.
• take fresh air breaks instead of smoking if you work in a restaurant.
• i wish i didn't smoke but i do. my life is too hectic to commit to quitting. (flame me not)

[Mafia]

Originally posted by mitchell_pgh:
Nonsmokers that have been to a few Delaware bars will attest to how nice it is that there is no smoking. They only have it in "confined spaces" so they can have a smoking patio.

i don't mind a designated smoking area in a bar. i'm just saying i don't like the smell of vodka but i don't get pissed when someone next to me orders a shot and i catch a whiff of it. but i like the designated areas thing.

[nredman]

banning smoking...i dont think so. smoke free buildings and such are good. the smell of smoke makes me sick and my wife is allergic to it. our neighbors smoke (apartment) and i can smell it thru the walls and in the hallway...that really sucks. cant wait to get a house

[Cody Dawg]

Why does anyone start smoking anyway?

It smells worse than crap - literally.

It kills you.

It makes people not want to have anything to do with you.

Seriously, why smoke with all of that negative feedback?

Also, here where I live they say that laser treatments cure smoking addictions.

Here's a site for laser treatment.

[d4nth3m4n]

Originally posted by Cody Dawg:
Why does anyone start smoking anyway?

It smells worse than crap - literally.

It kills you.

It makes people not want to have anything to do with you.

Seriously, why smoke with all of that negative feedback?

Also, here where I live they say that laser treatments cure smoking addictions.

Here's a site for laser treatment.

didn't read my post did you? i started because it was the only way to get a break from the stressful kitchen position i had a few years back. i don't think i'm alone on this one.

[Mafia]

Originally posted by d4nth3m4n:
didn't read my post did you? i started because it was the only way to get a break from the stressful kitchen position i had a few years back. i don't think i'm alone on this one.

ya kind of the same thing. its not that i want to smoke, its just i don't want to quit

[CD Hanks]

Originally posted by Cody Dawg:
Why does anyone start smoking anyway?

It smells worse than crap - literally.

It kills you.

It makes people not want to have anything to do with you.

Seriously, why smoke with all of that negative feedback?

Also, here where I live they say that laser treatments cure smoking addictions.

Here's a site for laser treatment.

Again, you're mostly right. But they're a drug, and we're addicted. It relieves axiety and depression. Helps knock down appetite. Gives a great buzz. Can be a good converstaion starter.

I really wouldn't stand on the podium and cry out about all the downfalls of a drug that most people already know about fairly well.

But because I'm going for 24hrs without sleep and I'm feeling masochistic:

You get used to the smell. Depends a lot on the cigarettes you smoke too.

Yeah, what doesn't these days?

Not really. I'll leave it at that. It's the uptight ones that feel an incessant need to make stands on mundane subjects that feel any pressing need to get face to face with a smoker and cause problems.

Because we can. And because bud isn't legal.

[Xeo]

Originally posted by billybob128:
if you have a problem such as ashma and know that you are pron to attacks form things such as smoking then you deffinatly should not go where there are smokers.

<snipped for brevity>

So you disagree with banning from other public places or just pubs? 'Cause in the US several decades ago, smoking was allowed everywhere, and what's an asthma sufferer supposed to do then? Just stay home? And in Japan, smoking is still allowed in so many places compared to the U.S, although it's being banned in more and more indoor locations.

I don't go to bars mostly because they are so smoky. So your argument makes sense, those of us that don't like it can stay home. Any private establishment should be allowed to make their own rules for it just like people's homes. But still, if bars weren't smoky like that, I might go to them more. We're just still at a stage where people expect and even choose to smoke when at bars, even if they don't otherwise smoke. It's just part of the setting.

I wouldn't support the government banning smoking in private establishments though.

[Cody Dawg]

We don't have smoking at bars here in Florida and you know what? That's awesome.

You know what I love?

No smoking odors tainting my meal while I'm dining at a restaurant.

[olePigeon]

Originally posted by d4nth3m4n:
didn't read my post did you? i started because it was the only way to get a break from the stressful kitchen position i had a few years back. i don't think i'm alone on this one.

I hate you smokers even more for that!!!

Christ, every 15 minutes "Smoke break" and half the office leaves.

So one time I left too (I don't smoke), grabbed a candy bar, hung out with my friends. Boss comes out, "What the hell are you doing out here?"

"Uhhh... candy bar break?"

"You don't smoke, you don't get smoke breaks. Get back inside."

[nforcer]

Originally posted by Cody Dawg:
Why does anyone start smoking anyway?

It smells worse than crap - literally.

It kills you.

It makes people not want to have anything to do with you.

Seriously, why smoke with all of that negative feedback?

Exactly. It's completely stupid and wasteful.

[nforcer]

Originally posted by Xeo:
I wouldn't support the government banning smoking in private establishments though.

I would. But I don't think that would be sufficient.

The problem with smoking is that people view banning it as a locational thing. You cannot exactly do that, because smokers do not prevent their shitty air from drifting onto innocents. While people have banned smoking indoors, smoketards do it outside 2 feet from the door, and it screws up the inside as if they were there. I have never seen any of those "no smoking 15 feet from any building" laws enforced. And even if they were, it would not be enough because their crap smelling health hurting air can drift even farther than that. And even if the range was increased to 50 feet or something, that still would not be enough as when the tards are finished tarding up the air around them outside, they like to come inside and tard it up for people they sit next to (because the tard smell sticks to them).

I think a more effective solution would be banning the sale of all things tobacco-related. Move tobacco-related items into the same group as other illegal drugs. They really are just as bad.

"But that would create an underground for it!"

Yeah, but what doesn't have an "underground"? In the long-term, it would result in fewer smokers, which means the nation would have fewer deaths, better overall health, and it would save everyone money.

[iMOTOR]

Smoking is like masturbating.... I could care less if you do it in private, but for sh*ts sake don't shoot all your splouge on my food while I am trying to eat. You should have better manners than that.

And it's not always ok to smoke outdoors, especially at costco's food court, where the only place to eat is outdoors.

[CD Hanks]

Originally posted by Cody Dawg:
We don't have smoking at bars here in Florida and you know what? That's awesome.

You know what I love?

No smoking odors tainting my meal while I'm dining at a restaurant.

Originally posted by iMOTOR:
Smoking is like masturbating.... I could care less if you do it in private, but for sh*ts sake don't shoot all your splouge on my food while I am trying to eat. You should have better manners than that.

And it's not always ok to smoke outdoors, especially at costco's food court, where the only place to eat is outdoors.

Well, I think what you two (and most everyone else in this thread aren’t quite realizing) is that it should be entirely up to the discretion of the business owners whether or not they want to allow people to smoke in the establishment. This way bars can still allow people to smoke (at least some of them), and restaurants can do the same, etc. I would personally imagine a LOT of establishments would voluntarily say “Hey, we don’t want you smoking here”, while others can actually specifically cater to the smoking crowd (and you can clearly avoid such places!) Everyone wins here in my opinion.

But of course, this has not been instituted. Instead, the people who love to bitch set down these absolutely idiotic blanket laws down to basically make me and a lot of other fairly decent people seem like lepers to the rest of you.

[Cody Dawg]

Well, you kind of are like lepers, aren't you? You're doing something that causes cancer, not only to yourselves, but also to others with secondhand smoke. It also causes hypertension and gives asthmatics breathing problems. It stinks.

You yourself said that you have no problem plopping down right in front of a bunch of non-smokers and lighting up and if, and only if, they politely ask you to put it out, will you move or put the cigarette out.

With your posts and explanations of your behavior you just confirm that smokers are inconsiderate and selfish and expect the rest of the world to put up with their filthy little cancer-causing, smelly, vile habit.

[Cody Dawg]

BUT, I wanted to add that my sentiments do not mean that smokers can be nice people and good people.

I think that some smokers let their addiction lead their lives, that's all, and blast everyone and everything else. It ruins it for other people who do it in moderation.

[CD Hanks]

Originally posted by Cody Dawg:
You yourself said that you have no problem plopping down right in front of a bunch of non-smokers and lighting up and if, and only if, they politely ask you to put it out, will you move or put the cigarette out.

You got that half right. The first half about me having no problem lighting up in front of nonsmokers (that is to say, I'd be in a group), you assumed. I never said that. Sorry.

Originally posted by Cody Dawg:
With your posts and explanations of your behavior you just confirm that smokers are inconsiderate and selfish and expect the rest of the world to put up with their filthy little cancer-causing, smelly, vile habit.

Well, believe what you want to, but I already outright stated that I do put it out in front of people I know are asthmatic, or anyone who just simply asks me with no sense of superiority or hate. Just be polite and I'll reciprocate in full.

Now, speaking of second hand smoke...

If second hand smoke is killing that many people, and nicotine is the most addictive substance on the planet, then why is NO ONE addicted to second hand smoke? Do you know any second hand smokers? Know anyone that gets laid or gets in a stressful situation and has to run out to a bingo hall or an AA meeting and breath deeply? No, you don't. I mean, if it's killing you, you should have been addicted a long time ago.

Originally posted by Cody Dawg:
BUT, I wanted to add that my sentiments do not mean that smokers can be nice people and good people.

I think that some smokers let their addiction lead their lives, that's all, and blast everyone and everything else. It ruins it for other people who do it in moderation.

I'll presume on my own behalf that you were talking about ******** smokers above, and me in the second post. Deal?

[Cubeoid]

Oh Gomez it! I didn't mean to start this large debate!

[torsoboy]

Originally posted by dcmacdaddy:
Someone else's health problems are NOT an excuse for rude or impolite behavior. They can still *politely* ask someone to stop smoking.

Someone else's addiction is not an excuse to be rude. Many many many people feel that someone smoking in their proximity is a very rude thing to do. Therefore the excuse of "if their rude to me, i'll be rude to them" doesn't work for a smoker because in all actuality the smoker is the one who was rude in the first place. Also being outdoors does not seem to help that much... if someone light up, you can smell the thing almost instantly up to about 50 feet away.

And the thing about the business owner having the right to choose smoking or not... that's BS, why should one person get to choose to effect the health (negativly) of so many people?

So to all you smokers out there... stop smoking. If you are already trying to stop, good for you; if you wont try to stop because of the "no-one can tell me what to do" attitude, get over it and stop smoking.