Smoking = R

I do hate cigarettes so I obviously agree with it. They banned smoking here in Mass in the bars and at the time I even thought that was a little rediculous. In fact I wouldn't be surprised if the idea originated in Mass, lol. Of course now I'm glad. Probably for the last year I've developing a weird phobia of cigarettes and their second hand smoke. It supposedly ups your chances of cancer by 20-30% by regular exposure. And as a wannabe-chemist (and I eventually will be) I'm much more alerted to the kinds of shit going into products these days. Most smokers have no idea the number of chemicals in those things, and many of them are added by the tobacco companies (which apparently they don't disclose in full). Well when you burn things you change its chemical structure and it becomes a totally different compound. Try setting your couch on fire- sniff it and see if it smells toxic to you.

Truth be told too many Americans are rediculously unhealthy. This is just medicine they need to swallow. I just hate the smell and the dry stinging sensation I get in my lungs.

I don't mind, maybe they'll keep the boob scenes and such in the film since they're going to get an "R" rating anyway because some guy smokes.

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Originally posted by Xar
I don't mind, maybe they'll keep the boob scenes and such in the film since they're going to get an "R" rating anyway because some guy smokes.

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It also might keep more kids out of movies I want to see. So that is a plus.

The plan is nannyish though, it sounds like something Hillary Clinton thought up along with her violent video game crusade. I still don't understand why smoking is now getting this treatment, when alcohol is just as deserving.

Possibly because cigs can kill you, and everyone nearby. Alcohol, you're really just able to kill yourself (ruling out crimes committed under the influence).

As for lemmings Rosuav...humans as a whole are pack animals, and follow the herd. They even do destructive, and unsafe things, including smoking. Its still destructive, and the people that do it are still fools...and that lemming thing is a myth created by the BBC chasing lemmings for tv.

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Originally posted by kiania

As for lemmings Rosuav...humans as a whole are pack animals, and follow the herd.

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Conformity has an interesting biological and evolutionary justification.

In Michael Crichton's recent book "Prey", I read about a study on the issue of conformity in animals. This group of scientists would put a mark of paint on a single gazelle (or other herd animal), and when the pack got attacked, the predator would go for that animal every single time.

Being distinctive or standing out attracted the attention of the predator every time, resulting in the marked animal's death.

Pretty interesting stuff.

My point about lemmings was simply that if a large number of people do something, that may make it "the done thing", but it can still be destructive. Social or not, inhalation of the fumes of burning tobacco isn't a good thing to do.

Not that I object to people doing it (though I don't much like it when folks puff it in my face), but in answer to the quoted implication that a social activity shouldn't be condemned as destructive.

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Originally posted by Savaric
Truth be told too many Americans are rediculously unhealthy. This is just medicine they need to swallow.

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Typical elitist line. You want to make other people's choices for them. Next up: fried chicken and Dr. Pepper. You have no right to decide what medicine people need to take. If you don't like smoke in a private establishment, leave. Vote with your dollar.

As for my health, it's my business. You don't tell me what to do with it and I won't expect you to pay for any problems I cause to myself because of it. Deal?

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Originally posted by anthson
If you don't like smoke in a private establishment, leave.

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What if you're someone's kid, and you can't leave? Before the Ontario smoking ban was implemented, I would always see smoking parents, sitting in the smoking section, with their kids right with them.

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Originally posted by anthson
As for my health, it's my business.

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It's totally appropriate for the government to regulate minimum health and safety requirements in the workplace. This includes requiring ear plugs to be available to construction workers, etc, etc. The same workplace safety protection should be offered to the staff at a smoke-filled bar or restaurant.

Calgary has banned smoking in pubs and restaurants, and I couldn't be happier.
I have no sympathy for smokers' inconvenience.

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Originally posted by anthson
If you don't like smoke in a private establishment, leave. Vote with your dollar.

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I kinda prefer:

If you want to smoke in a public place, leave. Vote with your dollar.