PanthaGirl said:

Oh, if Bill Hicks said something then it must be true. my appologies.. end of debate. Perhaps if the guy hadn't smoked himself he would still be alive today. His ill informed comparison of smokers to people with disability is self piying, pathetic and badly thought out.

He is comparing choice to non-choice. Smoking isn't a disability or something he has to live with. It is a choice. Non smokers may cough around a smoker - thats because you are filling their clean lungs with poison. How can that be likened to taunting somebody with a disability? A disabled person, hasnt made the choice to be impaired.. nor is their disability a problem or health risk to me. Smokers CHOOSE to damage their health. Furthermore, their actions damage the health of those around them who choose not to smoke. Considering that, I say they are entitled to tell you not to smoke near them.

Lets look at it like this - Bill Hicks feels victimised because somebody coughs around him when he fills the air and lungs of those around him with toxic fumes. However, when a non-smoker complains that passive smoking can actually damage or kill them.. well then we're a bunch of bitching do gooders trying to take away his social liberties. Hmm sound argument there.

Best thing that happened was making it illegal to smoke inside public places. It is a dirty, anti-social habbit. If you enjoy it, thats fine, smoke yourself to death if you so choose. However, have some respect for people who do not. Whatever u think your human rights are - it does not include you damaging another pesons health.

phunkdaddy said:

delicious, soothing, buzzy sticks.

errant said:

I used to hate it when i was a little boy and my uncle would take a
smoke while taking a dump at the same time. You talk about stankarama.

Best thing that happened was making it illegal to smoke inside public places. It is a dirty, anti-social habbit. If you enjoy it, thats fine, smoke yourself to death if you so choose. However, have some respect for people who do not. Whatever u think your human rights are - it does not include you damaging another pesons health.

IstenSzek said:

I hit 5 months smoke-free this past Sunday after smoking half a packet a day for 16 years.

I had to run for the bus this morning and when I got on I was NOT all out of breath. It made me smile when I realized that.

3121 said:

Do you drive Mr. 3121? Do you do anything that could possibly harm another person?

Vendetta1 said:

There is neccessity and none neccessity. Smoking is not a neccessity.. Driving for many is essential. But to answer your question - no i don't drive. What a bizarre comparison. An addict will find any reason to defend their habbit.
[Edited 1/24/09 3:26am]

phunkdaddy said:

My grandfather used to do that.

He doesn't smoke anymore and I'm so happy about that.

There is no way to defend smoking. My only disappointment with President Obama is that he still smokes. I know it's hard to quit, but by not quitting, he is actually creating smokers. How many wanna-be staffers took up or resumed smoking so they could hang with Obama on a smoke break? He needs to quit, forcefully and publically.

If cigarettes did not exist today and someone invented them, and the FDA found out during its due diligence all the death, disease and cost cigarettes cause, there is no chance in hell they'd be legalized.

So, I am glad whenever smoking is outlawed - any time, anywhere. It ought to be totally illegal, IMHO.

Who here smokes?

PanthaGirl said:

Oh, if Bill Hicks said something then it must be true. my appologies.. end of debate. Perhaps if the guy hadn't smoked himself he would still be alive today. His ill informed comparison of smokers to people with disability is self piying, pathetic and badly thought out.

He is comparing choice to non-choice. Smoking isn't a disability or something he has to live with. It is a choice. Non smokers may cough around a smoker - thats because you are filling their clean lungs with poison. How can that be likened to taunting somebody with a disability? A disabled person, hasnt made the choice to be impaired.. nor is their disability a problem or health risk to me. Smokers CHOOSE to damage their health. Furthermore, their actions damage the health of those around them who choose not to smoke. Considering that, I say they are entitled to tell you not to smoke near them.

Lets look at it like this - Bill Hicks feels victimised because somebody coughs around him when he fills the air and lungs of those around him with toxic fumes. However, when a non-smoker complains that passive smoking can actually damage or kill them.. well then we're a bunch of bitching do gooders trying to take away his social liberties. Hmm sound argument there.

Best thing that happened was making it illegal to smoke inside public places. It is a dirty, anti-social habbit. If you enjoy it, thats fine, smoke yourself to death if you so choose. However, have some respect for people who do not. Whatever u think your human rights are - it does not include you damaging another pesons health.

2freaky4church1 said:

I do and amazingly the same brand as the poet. Benson & Hedges (English tobacco of course). I've been at it for the last 26 years and counting. No wheezing, shortness of breath, my dentist takes care of the stains twice a year and since my parents didn't raise a quitter, I'm still at it.
Amazingly, I've never smoked more than a pack a day though and rarely ever that much.

3121 said:

I'm a smoker and I have to say I agree with you 100%.

There is no way to defend smoking. My only disappointment with President Obama is that he still smokes. I know it's hard to quit, but by not quitting, he is actually creating smokers. How many wanna-be staffers took up or resumed smoking so they could hang with Obama on a smoke break? He needs to quit, forcefully and publically.

dseann said:

Thankyou. Thanks for being honest and responsible for your actions.

dseann said:

I smoke too. So far no ill-effects either, good lung capacity, no high blood pressure or cholestrol, i run for excercise, have white teeth too thanks to my dentist.

About 15 a day Marlboro lights (The healthy option! ). I live alone these days, so really the only person i'm harming is me. It's a filthy habit, i know i can stop if i want to, have done numerous times.

I only start again if something tragic or stressful happens, which as you get older happens more often.

I might quit, i hate the alienation standing outside bus shelters, train stations, the pub and my workplace. I'm very conscious how shit it looks.

KidaDynamite said:

Yes my grandfather stopped smoking in 1993 but he recently just picked
up another nasty habit chewing tobacco within the last 2 years. He will
be 88 years old in february and my mom ask him why in the heck he waited until
he got old to start chewing tobacco.