25 Aug 2009 4:05 PM:
Goodstich44: "I prefer cutting down the risk of cancer as much as possible, not encouraging kids to start a revolting addiction, clean lungs, not risking giving others cancer, and all the other massive health and cost benifits of not smoking. You choose otherwise. I think a big part of addiction though is denial, that's something the addict has to deal with when and if they feel mentally strong enough. Well done to the ex-smokers on here, you have shown you have that strength"
There's an awful lot of generality and supposition in that response, GS. How does my smoking encourage a kid to start? Last time I looked, and contrary to popular belief, I'm not a rock star, a sporting icon or an Oscar winning actor. But, I suppose the air of cool I radiate might have an effect.
Secondly, how many times do I have to point out that the supposed links between secondary smoke and cancer are being debunked almost weekly? Have a look on google. There are very many senior medical professionals and academics who have written papers providing evidence to the contrary of your stated position.
And, as I have stated earlier, I've not had any health issues related to my habit for the 24 years I've been smoking. I know a good many other smokers who are similarly unaffected by their habit. In fact, the only person I have known to have developed cancer, was my grandmother, who was nearly 80 and who never once suggested regretting her decision to smoke.I also had a great uncle who smoke 20+ cigarettes a day, unfiltered and who died age 93. After being knocked off his bicycle on his daily 2 mile ride to his allotment. But, hey, the scare stories about all smokers being riddled with disease are correct.
As to my denial, I'll refer you to what I've just written. It's not denial. It's a case of accepting the evidence of my eyes and my experience. I'm funny like that. The government can tell me something is true, but I'm cynical enough to want to find out for myself rather than just accepting what they say as the gospel.
But hey, I'm not addicted either. If you look below, I describe myself as an occasional smoker. I used to be a 20 a day man, when the government who tell me smoking is bad, used to subsidise my habit. How curious. Back then, because of the job I did for the government, it was cheaper for me to smoke than chew gum. Now, I smoke less than 10 a day. On the days I actually smoke. I can, and indeed do, go several days without a cigarette, without any ill-effects, cravings or mood swings. So, how does that square with the idea of addiction?
It's all very well swallowing all the misguided myths about smoking, but to regurgitate them and apply them to individuals, who could well have a different experience, as well as having done the research necessary to refute such allegations, is little more than provocation.
And I notice no-one is putting up their hand to the evils of the car ownership. Which is just about par for the course with the holier than thou brigade.
Thread:
Smoking ban in Spain
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