In my hometown newspaper’s online edition opinions page, there are any number of topics of interest to a small town. One that has showed up a few times in recent weeks is about attempts to ban smoking in bars and restaurants in Wisconsin. I can’t seem to find any actual proposed legislation, though.
There are a few tired arguments that always, always, always rear their ugly heads. 1. The guv’mint can’t tell us what to do on our private property. 2. We have a “right to smoke”. 3. If you don’t like the smoke, don’t go to bars.
I wonder if I’m wrong, but here are my answers to those three arguments.
1. Of course the guv’mint can, and does, tell you what you can and can’t do on your own private property. Try building without a permit, or not following building codes. See how far you get draining wetlands on your own property. The list goes on and on…
2. I don’t think so. This seems to be in the same boat as alcohol or heroin for that matter. Do you have a “right” to use cocaine? Maybe, maybe not. I think probably not.
3. Since when do these tiny minded smokers seem to think they get to name the genre of establishments they choose to infest to make this argument? What’s to stop the smokers from deciding to hang out in bowling alleys instead of bars, then tell the rest of us “If you don’t like the smoke, don’t go bowling!” Bullshit.
I read one of the best defenses for smoking I’ve heard so far recently. One of the local dumbasses actually said he used to smoke because of his “persuit of happiness”. What a load of shit. What better way to show your agreement and support of the Declaration of Independence than to take up smoking?
I quit smoking ten years ago. I started by experimenting with it with friends, then in the usual VERY short amount of time, was addicted. I quit seriously three times. The first two times, I “un”quit by just having one here and there after not touching one for over a year. It takes even less time to become addicted again at that point. No, I am quite certain the only way to stay smoke free is to really not have one again. Ever.
Pity. I sure enjoyed a good cigar. And in Europe, I can get the good ones. But, they’re more expensive than drugs.
Anyone else fool around with tobacco and finally quit? How many times did you try?
One more question. Can anyone think of a single socially beneficial thing to come from tobacco and its use?
7 comments ↓
I too have quit a couple of times, once when you and I were in Korea and the upstairs lady, said… “ack, thats nasty” as my ash tray was quite full. It made me realize that it was indeed nasty. I just put them down.
10 years later, I was hanging out with this chick at a bar. She was smoking “American Spirit” organic, no additives. I smoked these for about a year, then again realized how nasty they were, because I was doing a pack a day, instead of 1 or 2. You are right very addicting. Once again, I put them down.
Know how to quit? Stop lighting them!
However, I have never seen an old indian with lung cancer, and almost the entire population of Korea and Japan, smoke like fiends. Thier incidence of cancer or any tobbaco related illnes is like 90% less than the United States.
All because they eat tons of seaweed, the best plant on Earth!
Younga is making Seaweed Soup with tofu and soybean paste, right now!
I have heard, but don’t remember where, that a little tobbaco is good for the blood, maybe we need to ingest a small amount, without letting the smoke kill our lung tissues. All things in moderation.
How many old Indians who smoke have you seen, Mark?
I’m skeptical about the rate of tobacco related illnesses in Korea and Japan, though. Will check into it and report back.
And as we both know, they eat tons of all kinds of stuff we westerners don’t eat, not just seaweed. I have to say, I miss that soup, too.
Are you pulling my chain? Good for the blood? What does that mean? You’re freaking me out.
i smoke a pack of newports a day since 2007. i’ll quit later. and by later, i mean never. /crossfingers, we better have a cure for lung cancer by the time i get it.
Mathew, you do NOT want to die this way, man.
Good uses for tobacco:
Natural poison to kill bugs!
http://ezinearticles.com/?Seven-Good-Uses-for-Tobacco&id=1107087
More beneficial uses!
http://www.allsands.com/history/objects/tobaccoplantb_dh_gn.htm
I’m still looking for the good for your blood reference.
Mathew! quit smoking that crap!
The issue with smoking isn’t primarily a concern with individual smoking rights. I’ve seen that states and municipalities have been fairly consistent in their intent to protect non-smokers. This is not the same as a persecution of the smoker.
For me, the issue is primarily about the work force in these public businesses, and secondarily about the non-smoking clientele that would choose to frequent the businesses. How can a business owner knowingly allow workers and patrons to be exposed to carcinogens without taking reasonable precautions to protect them? I don’t believe they can, at least not much longer.
Even if the law allows smoking in public businesses, lawsuits from affected parties ought to be curbing business smoking policies. Lawsuits drive change. Business owners will change their own policies, despite the law, when economic conditions put their businesses at risk.
A few high-penalty lawsuits ought to do the trick. However, this requires that there be evidence of a negative affect from their smoking policies. If people are being harmed, and I believe some are, those affected negatively ought to be seeking restitution. The source of the problem, if there is a problem, would quickly dry up. If there’s harm being caused, we should prove this by focusing on a suitable penalty to offset the harm, and then change the law.
JJL
Hi Jeff,
That’s an interesting angle you bring. It would certainly serve to wake up the businesses that don’t take measures. There is still always the issue of the employees, though. It shouldn’t be a risk of lung cancer to choose to be a bartender, for example. That bartender should have the same health and safety rights on the job as an employee anywhere else.
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