Do smokers tax the economy more than meat eaters?

[Cetacea]

Is smoking a National Security Problem? (no)

Is Climate change? (yes, according to at least one Pentagon study)

Does deforestation for the sake of raising cattle contribute to Global Warming? (Yes)

Does red meat contribute to cancer and heart disease? (Yes)

Do neo-cons eat more red meat than liberals and is there a cover-up concerning mad-cow disease? (I say yes, they are quite mad)

If you were offended by someone's perfume or underarm spray in a restaurant, would you ask them to go wash it off? (probably not)

Is this whole debate a huge distraction? (I think so)

[bryant69]

1. Boy there's nothing better than talking about smoking

I love it. I mean it certainly accomplishes a lot.

Actually so long as I don't have to be around smoking, I don't care. Smoking is stupid, but it's a self punishing behavior. So who cares?

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[madinmaryland]

3. Well, we probably should care.

It does affect the health of millions, and causes billions a year to be spent on health care, which ALL of us end up paying.

[Toots]

2. Has there been a huge amount of stupid questions asked here lately?

Yes....Smoking in public is indefensible no matter how many straw men you set up and knock down..

[Cetacea]

4. Has there been a huge amount of stupid answers asked here lately?

[Clark2008]

18. I'll smoke in public if I want to.

When I can smoke again, that is.

Indefensible my ass. Stop speeding and driving cars if you want to reduce health risks and pollution.

Geesch.

[Bandit]

21. Yes I demand the right to kill people because others do it

:shrug: How very Republican your attitude is. It is okay to pollute because others pollute worse or the same. :shrug: Such a very Republican argument.

[seabeyond]

5. it is the hate. i am so tired of a people of hate. we hate for so many

different reasons. i think about my children growing up in a world full of hate. it is the hate of a smoker. taking away all the person is..... and hating, because of one very small part of the person, that they smoke. that is what makes me sad in this whole conversation. and people are teaching their children to hate, without even realizing it. they think they are teaching them to hate the cig, but they are not, they are teaching to hate. conditioning children how it is done. and they are proud of it.

the same with gays. they say they are teaching the act is bad. but they have created the person as bad. teaching hate.

i teach my boys, i smoke, .... can you love me anyway. my christian school the boys went to, i would ask, i am democrat, can you love me anyway. i am a calif, can you love me anyway. most my family are repug,..... can we love them anyway.

how many people on this board will look at a smoker,..... see a cig hang from their mouth, and be able to look beyond at the person

[Cetacea]

8. I agree.

I detest the murder of innocent animals and the raping of our forests for the sake of our food addictions.
I don't eat meat. But I do not hate people who eat meat.

[RB TexLa]

6. This makes a broad assumption that everyone seeks medical treatment

when they are sick.

[Nye Bevan]

7. I have heard that they actually *save* taxpayers money

Apparently the savings to Social Security due to smokers dying young more than makes up for the extra health care costs of treating their emphysema, bronchitis, lung cancer, etc.

Needless to say, it does not necessarily follow that smoking is a good thing.

[RebelOne]

9. I am a smoker and I won't be dying young.

I am 67 and have been smoking since I was 16 and I'm alive and kicking.

[Cetacea]

10. what about meat eaters? nt

[ProfessorGAC]

14. I Peer Reviewed A Paper, . . .

. . .that proved that thesis. The biggest factor, however, is that the rate of rise in health care costs far exceeds that of productivity or GDP gains, or inflation, so the sooner one dies, the better! That's harsher than the thesis, i'm just capsulizing!

And, i agree that it doesn't mean everyone should start smoking.
The Professor

[Cetacea]

15. your views would be appreciated

Is smoking a National Security Problem? (no)

Is Climate change? (yes, according to at least one Pentagon study)

Does deforestation for the sake of raising cattle contribute to Global Warming? (Yes)

Does red meat contribute to cancer and heart disease? (Yes)

Do neo-cons eat more red meat than liberals and is there a cover-up concerning mad-cow disease? (I say yes, they are quite mad)

If you were offended by someone's perfume or underarm spray in a restaurant, would you ask them to go wash it off? (probably not)

Is this whole debate a huge distraction? (I think so)

[ProfessorGAC]

16. OK By Me

Look, i'll readily admit that i simply don't care a whole lot for either side of the debate. There is gross hyperbole on both sides. Making the ability to smoke in a confined area some sort of "right" seems greatly exaggerated. But, at the same time, attributing so much death and suffering to second hand smoke, when the data and chemical theory do not support such contentions, is equally so.

If people don't like smoke around them, fine. That's understandable. Just seems we make too much of this, whichever side one takes.

Does that make it a distraction? I don't know. I'm not distracted by it. I'm writing on this thread, but it's not distracting me from any other knowledge or concerns. How it affects others is up to them.
The Professor

[Nye Bevan]

20. Here are my answers to your questions

Is smoking a National Security Problem?
No.

Is Climate change? (yes, according to at least one Pentagon study)
Climate change is a very important issue. If the Pentagon said it could be a national security issue then I believe them.

Does deforestation for the sake of raising cattle contribute to Global Warming? (Yes)
I would assume so since forests consume carbon dioxide.

Does red meat contribute to cancer and heart disease? (Yes)
Yes. But there's nothing like a nice juicy porterhouse once in a while. Everything in moderation.

Do neo-cons eat more red meat than liberals and is there a cover-up concerning mad-cow disease? (I say yes, they are quite mad)
1. I would guess yes because of the high steak consumption in Texas. 2. I think Mad Cow is now pretty much under control since the new regulations regarding what cattle can be fed kicked in.

If you were offended by someone's perfume or underarm spray in a restaurant, would you ask them to go wash it off? (probably not)
No. But if it was really bothering me or I was getting an allergic reaction I would discreetly explain the situation to the waiter and ask to be moved to a different table.

Is this whole debate a huge distraction? (I think so)
I actually find it quite interesting. A deal with the devil between states and tobacco co.s where the states get billions of dollars in taxes; helplessly addicted smokers get horrible illnesses; they die sooner, saving the Federal Government mullions in social security payments. It is a huge public health and fiscal issue and I am not surprised that academics write papers on the subject.

[Cetacea]

25. Thank you, Sir!

I appreciate your taking out the time to respond.
And I agree with you on all points, although I think the Meat Industry is very powerful (remember what they did to Oprah Winfrey) which presents a problem regarding study bias and so forth.
Thanks again.

[WoodrowFan]

11. what about meat eaters who smoke! NT

[Nye Bevan]

12. If smoking is so bad for you.....

.... how come it cures bacon? :7

[ProfessorGAC]

17. Good One! (eom)

The Professor

[Cetacea]

24. I have to say it. That was a good one! eom

[WoodrowFan]

28. thank you, thank you

he'll be here all week folks! Enjoy the buffet and don't forget to tip your waitress!! :)

[Jed Dilligan]

13. People have died on airplanes

from their seatmates' perfume.

Hideous, nasty stuff. If anything is to be banned, I vote for all body scents.

[Clark2008]

19. LOL!

When I was pregnant the last time, I couldn't stand Liz Claiborne perfume and threw up just looking at the bottle. I could, however, be around smoke without vomiting my guts out. I quit then, but my ex-husband smoked, just as I've quit with this current pregnancy and just as my current husband smokes.

Funny thing - I threw up the other day at the smell of my husband's meat pizza, but never at either the smell of his cigarette or our wood-burning fireplace.

:7

[darkism]

22. I'd respond, but I have to go start defrosting a steak for tonight. n/t

[calico1]

23. You are right.

As long as there are other things just as bad as smoking, then smoking is good.

:eyes:

[Cetacea]

27. I do not think that smoking is good..

Although it is now believed that nicotine can prevent Alzheimer's and has anti-depressant/anti-anxiety properties. This might explain why so many low income and depressed people smoke. It's the demonetization that I detest.

[Swede]

26. Smoking sections in public is like having peeing sections in swimmingpools

Smoking is a nasty addiction,eating meat is natural.