If someone smokes, is it ok to call them a slave of the Tobacco Industry?

[UpsideDownFlag]

i've been thinking about this. Tobacco companies are, i think most people would agree, one of those most corrupt and all around yucky forces in america, and in politics particularly. So should dems smoke, if their money goes to supporting big tobacco?

[johnnie]

1. I voted for the offensive one...

I'm really not too offended, but I consider myself a slave to my addictive personality more than the industry.

[Ladyhawk]

2. Even smoke residue makes me feel ill.

However, calling someone a "slave" is a bit much. If it were an easy habit to kick, there wouldn't be so many smokers.

Walk a mile in their moccasins...yadda yadda yadda

[Swede]

3. Nicotine is one of the most addicting drug out there.

Until they are really ready to quit,leave them alone. They see all the bad stuff,they know.

[benito]

4. I smoked

for half my life, from age 15 - 30. I quit almost 3 years ago. No one forced me to start and no one forced me to quit. Maybe slave isn't the proper word in this case, but you sure are stuck with them. I offer a LOT of support to people who are trying to stop, because it is needed. If someone lights up around me, I just move.
I didn't like people telling me what to do, so I don't do it to others.

[gospelized]

5. i smoke

clove cigarettes ordered from indonesia.

so i really have nothing to do with american tobacco companies.

[Inland]

6. No, but you say addicted to tobacco, and they'll bring up your vices

Most of us would be unwilling to start that conversation.

[Mizmoon]

7. I've been working on quitting, but this shit don't help

I started smoking when I was 15 years old to be rebellious. My mother did not want me to, so it was imperative that I did so.

I'm well aware that this is exactly the way Big Tobacco wants this to happen, all the way til I'm 50 and get some terrible disease.

Most people know that 75% of nictine addiction is psychological, so this is really a war against myself.

When people give me a hard time in this manner - implying I'm a slave, stupid, or whatever, it actually makes my psychological battle a little harder. You inflame my rebellious nature and dredges up my teenage frame of mind.

It really, really doesn't help.

What does help is someone who I love telling me that they love me and my future illness or death would break their heart. That makes it easier.

When has anyone ever been helped by being mocked and called names?

[benito]

9. Good luck.

chamilto, I wish you luck in your attempts to kick the habit. I used patches as well as pills to quit!

[Mizmoon]

12. I quit for 2 weeks a few months ago

I could kick myself for going back, but I understand why I did. I'm ready to take the next try. My quit date is Oct. 11. Thanks for the luck!

[NC_Nurse]

8. I think people choose to smoke,

at least at first. I think the tobacco industry did their best to hide the facts in the past but if you don't know it's probably gonna kill ya now - you've been hiding under a rock for some time now.

I see people and kids every day who are adversely affected by secondhand smoke and I think that people who smoke need to realize that it's not just themselves they are hurting. But the same could be said for heavy drinkers, drug addicts, polluters, etc.

I know it's tough to kick and I give major support and accolades to all my patients who have quit. I hope they will not become my next radical neck dissection patient.

[tech3149]

10. I'm a non-repentant smoker

Does it do me harm? sure
Is it offensive? of Couuurse!
Am I killing myself? do I have another option than death?
I'm not planning on a long illustrious life and the only people depending on me are well into their 80's.
I'm not expecting some revelational rebirth so I'll enjoy what I've got.
If you can't enjoy life, what's the point of living.


In retrospect, I would have probably been happier and richer if I had not started. I do concede that those who knew were willing to profit at the cost of others. Was Enron any different?

[Shoeempress]

11. I'm a un-repentant smoker and I'd say mind your own business.

[Johnny 99]

13. Should we call cocaine users

slaves to Columbian drug cartels?

Should we call people who drive slaves to the oil companies?

Et cetera

[UpsideDownFlag]

14. yep. i think it would be a little naive to say that america isn't a slave

to oil, etc.