Tyrants in Maryland do it again

[mAlice]

So you are/were allergic to smoke, right?

But not everyone is. Therefore you cannot say that second-hand smoke itself is harmful, any more than you can say peanuts or dandelions or cat dander or any other allergen is harmful across the board.

Your kitty kats are next on the chopping block.

 

[MMDad]

Here's all tha data you could ever want to see:

http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/sgr/sgr_2006/index.htm

 

[PsyOps]

Too late. That is what a smoking ban *is*. And you are arguing in favor of it.

I'm not arguing in favor of the ban Vrai. Please try to pay better attention.

 

[Larry Gude]

Ok...

...let’s not be ridiculous here.

...let's stop right there. What does that mean?

Smoking is severely limited in our society. Why isn't it ridiculous to ban smoking on private property? Where do we draw the line in the sand when the old one, the Constitution, is simply wiped away?

The scenarios I am painting are not only NOT ridiculous, Montgomery county has been arguing for several years now about smoke and other airborne pollutants from one house to another, including grill smoke.

How far should ones right to not be offended extend on private property?

 

[vraiblonde]

My live-in smoker also smokes in "my" car, any room in our home, etc...no consideration for the fact that cigarette smoke bothers me. He also smokes around the children AND grandchildren. Frankly, if he wants to smoke fine..just not around those of us who don't smoke.

And did he smoke when you married him? Or is this something he started afterward?

 

[PsyOps]

I'm looking forward to the day that something psychoops likes is taken away. I'm gonna' dance in the street.

I lived for decades without the right to breathe smoke-free air. How's that. Start your dancing...

 

[aps45819]

Where do you propose they hike the taxes to replace the revenue? Add another $1.00 a gallon tax on gasoline? Up your income tax another 5%?

Smoke up.. keep my taxes lower!!

Since the tax is allegedly for the purpose of off setting the increased health care costs of smokers, don't see where you'd have anything to make up

 

[Larry Gude]

Because...

If smoking is such a health issue, why doesn't the government ban the sale of cigarettes?

...we have inalienable rights persue life, liberty and happiness and no one can actually make the case, so far, that smoking should be lumped with smoking crack.

 

[Bustem' Down]

I lived for decades without the right to breathe smoke-free air. How's that. Start your dancing...

That's always the stupidest argument.

 

[Kyle]

...we have inalienable rights persue life, liberty and happiness and no one can actually make the case, so far, that smoking should be lumped with smoking crack.

That's not it! It's the $$$$$$$$$$$ revenue.

 

[PsyOps]

You use this argument all the time, yet I or any smoker I know is more concious and curteous around non-smokers than you say. I and everyone I know do not smoke around non smokers out of common curtousy, the only exception if a non smoker comes with us when we go smoke. You are the most rude non smoker I have ever met. You brand smokers as being selfish, the same way Klan members brand blacks as being thugs.

Well, then I'm not talking about you. Read back a few pages and you will see I am only posing the argument for argument sake. It doesn't bother me as much as I am putting out. I happen to, from time to time, hang out with our smokers on their smoke breaks; mostly because that's when the best conversation come about.

 

[vraiblonde]

I'm not arguing in favor of the ban Vrai.

I started to go back and quote every post you made in this thread that was supporting the smoking ban, but there were way too many because almost every sentence you've said in here is clearly in favor of having smoking banned anywhere you happen to wander.

I think it's YOU that should consider paying attention.

 

[Kyle]

Well, then I'm not talking about you. Read back a few pages and you will see I am only posing the argument for argument sake. It doesn't bother me as much as I am putting out. I happen to, from time to time, hang out with our smokers on their smoke breaks; mostly because that's when the best conversation come about.

So laid-back smokers are more fun than the Smoke-Nazis?


Say it isn't so.

 

[vraiblonde]

It doesn't bother me as much as I am putting out.

Then why do you keep going on and on and on about it?

 

[cattitude]

And did he smoke when you married him? Or is this something he started afterward?

I should have bet you'd come back with that. Yes, he did smoke when I met him.

Like I said previously, it would be nice if he would at least try not to smoke around me...like he does OTHERS who don't smoke. But it is his home, so I let it go. He did quit for two years right after we were married.

If there were no health issues associated with cigarettes, I could care less. I can avoid the smoke for the most part and I stay in my computer room or watch TV in the kitchen if I don't want to breathe the smoke. I also stay out of bars or other public places if it's crowded and smokey. I do not refuse to go to a place just because of smoke..but will leave if it gets too bad.

 

[itsbob]

So you are/were allergic to smoke, right?

But not everyone is. Therefore you cannot say that second-hand smoke itself is harmful, any more than you can say peanuts or dandelions or cat dander or any other allergen is harmful across the board.

At least when you smoke you get the benefit of a filter, us second handers don't even get that. The least you could do is offer us a reach around.

 

[Larry Gude]

You're godamn right...

And you, kind sir to whom I am responding, know exactly what I'm talking about.

...I do and yet, what to do? I can not support a ban on smoking cigarettes anymore than I can support one on beer, vodka, bbq ribs, obscene sexual practices or not getting enough exercise.

I think smokers have been pushed into a corner. I think they have very little impact compared to 20-30 years ago. I think it is great that restaurants have non smoking areas. I think it is great that they have smoking areas. I think they should choose and then consumers can choose.

 

[cattitude]

...I do and yet, what to do? I can not support a ban on smoking cigarettes anymore than I can support one on beer, vodka, bbq ribs, obscene sexual practices or not getting enough exercise.

I think smokers have been pushed into a corner. I think they have very little impact compared to 20-30 years ago. I think it is great that restaurants have non smoking areas. I think it is great that they have smoking areas. I think they should choose and then consumers can choose.

I concur.

 

[Larry Gude]

Now...

Your kitty kats are next on the chopping block.

...we're getting to the root of all evil.

 

[Mikeinsmd]

I love the smoking ban because I have problems with smoke irritating my eyes, I get bronchitis-like irritation when exposed to too-smokey places. But I live with a smoker...who has health problems that smoking exacerbates. I don't have medical studies to prove our illnesses and symptoms actually come from smoking but it is what our medical professionals have told us. And if I stay away from cigarette smoke, I do not have the symptoms.

My live-in smoker also smokes in "my" car, any room in our home, etc...no consideration for the fact that cigarette smoke bothers me. He also smokes around the children AND grandchildren. Frankly, if he wants to smoke fine..just not around those of us who don't smoke. It is, however, his home, he contributes to the payment of "my" vehicle.

In reality, I can't say that the government should regulate cigarette smoking. For the most part, I think the smoking area/non-smoking works although I usually acquiesce the smoker I love and breathe in the smoke and sit at the bar or in the smoking section.

My anti-smoking opinion is more of a personal issue because I happen to adore my smoker and it kills me to hear him cough every morning and to know that with each cigarette he smokes, he is endangering his health and ultimately his life.

And you, kind sir to whom I am responding, know exactly what I'm talking about.