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[Malleymal]

Or you could you know, just not go to places where people are allowed to smoke. There are plenty of places like that.

fuck are you talking about? I am talking about when I am just walking outside when I leave my office and someone is smoking outside 15 feet way from the door like they are supposed to and I still have to inhale the shit... I dont care if it is one or two whiffs that is one or two more whifs of smoke that I dont want.. take that disgusting ass habit to a concealed room and mess your own life up.

 

[Asmodai]

oh my gawd ur gonna die you inhaled some second hand smoke.

chill out tuff guy

You aren't going to die from a punch to the face either, does it mean that he should be able to punch you in the face and just laugh at you if you try to complain?

God, so far every defensive smoker in this thread has been a complete moron incapable of any kind of rational argument. Good thing I know intelligent people who are smokers in real life or I'd have to assume it was doing something to their cognitive abilities.

 

[Flo_Evans]

I just don't understand how people can be stupid enough to start smoking in the first place, even when they're well aware of the consequences.

What consequences? Death? Last I checked everyone dies. Not smoking does not grant one imortalitly. You are still going to die. You are still exposed to cancer causing agents on a daily basis. You are going to die. Cancer, car accident, heart attack, murder. Does it really matter how?

 

[water_wendi]

You guys are fucking out there.

Personally, after all the stuff smokers have gone through i have made it my lifes mission to back the restriction or taxation of anything that brings joy to "straight living" people. Whether the subject be candy or fast food or video games or internet or religion or whatever.. it doesnt matter to me, just as long as it doesnt affect me i do not care any more.

 

[Malleymal]

oh my gawd ur gonna die you inhaled some second hand smoke.

chill out tuff guy

really man? my body is a temple bro.. I dont know how you look at yours but if I walk out of my office which i have been doing for 4 years and deal with the same shit it adds up... dont smoke around me and you are fine kastro

 

[WickedAngel]

Personally, after all the stuff smokers have gone through i have made it my lifes mission to back the restriction or taxation of anything that brings joy to "straight living" people. Whether the subject be candy or fast food or video games or internet or religion or whatever.. it doesnt matter to me, just as long as it doesnt affect me i do not care any more.

Have fun with that. Fortunately, the only response you'll ever get is laughter.

 

[water_wendi]

Have fun with that. Fortunately, the only response you'll ever get is laughter.

Oh really? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GALB_fuCsNQ

EDIT: The best thing about taking away people right to do what they wish in the US is that both parties are chomping at the bit to do such things, albeit for different reasons. Bipartisanship at its finest.

 

[Epic Tier 3 Engineer]

I dunno, because it's relaxing and relieves stress? It's enjoyable? It doesn't turn you into a brain-dead asshole like other drugs?

There are too many things to worry about right now. Leave smokers alone, it already costs an arm and a leg. I find it comical how weed is acceptable now but cigarettes are the spawn of Satan. I hate hipsters.

 

[WickedAngel]

Oh really? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GALB_fuCsNQ

EDIT: The best thing about taking away people right to do what they wish in the US is that both parties are chomping at the bit to do such things, albeit for different reasons. Bipartisanship at its finest.

Video game manufacturers will be happy to take them to the Supreme Court over limiting first-amendment rights.

 

[Asmodai]

I dunno, because it's relaxing and relieves stress? It's enjoyable? It doesn't turn you into a brain-dead asshole like other drugs?

There are too many things to worry about right now. Leave smokers alone, it already costs an arm and a leg. I find it comical how weed is acceptable now but cigarettes are the spawn of Satan. I hate hipsters.

Except of course that marijuana has been repeatedly shown to be far less damaging to your health than cigarettes. Sure, you might lose a few brain cells and some cognitive ability with prolonged marijuana use, but it's better than the extremely serious problems cigarette smoking results in.

 

[Xeke]

fuck are you talking about? I am talking about when I am just walking outside when I leave my office and someone is smoking outside 15 feet way from the door like they are supposed to and I still have to inhale the shit... I dont care if it is one or two whiffs that is one or two more whifs of smoke that I dont want.. take that disgusting ass habit to a concealed room and mess your own life up.

You wont ever inhale any damaging amount of second hand smoke outside unless you're standing right in front of the cigarette.

I just don't understand how people can be stupid enough to start smoking in the first place, even when they're well aware of the consequences.

What consequences? I think there is probably a higher statistical chance of you dying from being in a car than smoking and low to moderate amount.

 

[Koodo]

What consequences? Death? Last I checked everyone dies. Not smoking does not grant one imortalitly. You are still going to die. You are still exposed to cancer causing agents on a daily basis. You are going to die. Cancer, car accident, heart attack, murder. Does it really matter how?

What a silly argument. Then everyone should just lock themselves up in a closed garage and die of carbon monoxide poisoning. After all, it's a relatively uneventful way to go, and hey, we're all going to die at some point, right?

Every rational person's objective is to live the best life. Cancer is certainly not a checkmark on that list.

 

[water_wendi]

Video game manufacturers will be happy to take them to the Supreme Court over limiting first-amendment rights.

What about taxes on movies and theater? Is that a first amendment issue that has been overturned?

 

[Xeke]

What a silly argument. Then everyone should just lock themselves up in a closed garage and die of carbon monoxide poisoning. After all, it's a relatively uneventful way to go, and hey, we're all going to die at some point, right?

Every rational person's objective is to live the best life. Cancer is certainly not a checkmark on that list.

"The best life" is totally subjective. My ideal life doesn't have me living until I'm 85, I hate to say, there are much worse ways to die than cancer.

In fact I think I'll go smoke a cigarette right now.

 

[water_wendi]

What a silly argument. Then everyone should just lock themselves up in a closed garage and die of carbon monoxide poisoning. After all, it's a relatively uneventful way to go, and hey, we're all going to die at some point, right?

Every rational person's objective is to live the best life. Cancer is certainly not a checkmark on that list.

No thats a valid argument. Why should other people live like you wish to live?

 

[WickedAngel]

"The best life" is totally subjective. My ideal life doesn't have me living until I'm 85, I hate to say, there are much worse ways to die than cancer.

In fact I think I'll go smoke a cigarette right now.

You do that.

 

[Koodo]

"The best life" is totally subjective. My ideal life doesn't have me living until I'm 85, I hate to say, there are much worse ways to die than cancer.

Totally.

But there being worst ways to die doesn't validate it. It certainly isn't the best way to die, and I would assume everyone strives to die in the best way possible.

Spoiler

If that makes sense

 

[Xeke]

Totally.

But there being worst ways to die doesn't validate it. It certainly isn't the best way to die, and I would assume everyone strives to die in the best way possible.

Spoiler

If that makes sense

Why do I need to validate it? Who do I need to validate my life to? People haven't needed to validate smoking shit for thousands of years until people started caring so much.

I don't see why you hold such a candle for how I experience my life.

 

[Flo_Evans]

What a silly argument. Then everyone should just lock themselves up in a closed garage and die of carbon monoxide poisoning. After all, it's a relatively uneventful way to go, and hey, we're all going to die at some point, right?

Every rational person's objective is to live the best life. Cancer is certainly not a checkmark on that list.

You do know you can get cancer from other things besides cigarettes right?

The argument is not "we should all just kill ourselves now!" the argument is that no-one knows when they are going to die.

Did you know the longest living person ever was a smoker? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeanne_Calment 122 years! :lol

 

[Epic Tier 3 Engineer]

Except of course that marijuana has been repeatedly shown to be far less damaging to your health than cigarettes. Sure, you might lose a few brain cells and some cognitive ability with prolonged marijuana use, but it's better than the extremely serious problems cigarette smoking results in.

Eating fast food will fuck you up pretty fast, too.

Don't try the "EXTREMELY SERIOUS PROBLEMS" argument with me. I know you've been around friends who were stoned out of their minds. The stupidity that emerges from that is ten times worse than taking a five minute smoke break. It's bad for the individual, but it doesn't make you an invalid every time you do it.

 

[DY_nasty]

You wont ever inhale any damaging amount of second hand smoke outside unless you're standing right in front of the cigarette.

If you can smell it, doesn't it mean that you're inhaling it?

 

[Xeke]

You do know you can get cancer from other things besides cigarettes right?

The argument is not "we should all just kill ourselves now!" the argument is that no-one knows when they are going to die.

Did you know the longest living person ever was a smoker? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeanne_Calment 122 years! :lol

By the same logic it should be illegal to go outside on a sunny day without sun block because I'm sure sunburn causes more skin cancer than cigarettes cause lung cancer.

If you can smell it, doesn't it mean that you're inhaling it?

It dissipates to a degree outside where it wont increase the pain to your lungs from all the car pollution you're sucking down to any noticeable level.

 

[Kipz]

Except of course that marijuana has been repeatedly shown to be far less damaging to your health than cigarettes. Sure, you might lose a few brain cells and some cognitive ability with prolonged marijuana use, but it's better than the extremely serious problems cigarette smoking results in.

nonononononononononono. Wrong!

 

[Asmodai]

nonononononononononono. Wrong!

I've read studies to that effect, and my anecdotal experiences of friends on pot definitely shows a distinct drop off in cognitive ability.

Surely you aren't one of those types who practically thinks being a pothead is good for you, right? :lol

Don't try the "EXTREMELY SERIOUS PROBLEMS" argument with me.

Yeah, cancer and premature death aren't really serious problems when I think about it. My bad.

 

[Koodo]

You do know you can get cancer from other things besides cigarettes right?

The argument is not "we should all just kill ourselves now!" the argument is that no-one knows when they are going to die.

Did you know the longest living person ever was a smoker? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeanne_Calment 122 years! :lol

I never understood the logic in that argument. Yes, there are other things. That doesn't mean that adding one more carcinogenic risk is fine, especially one that is not inherently necessary (unlike, say, walking outside to get from one place to the other).

Why do I need to validate it? Who do I need to validate my life to? People haven't needed to validate smoking shit for thousands of years until people started caring so much.

I don't see why you hold such a candle for how I experience my life.

The "it" was referring to cancer. I'm not telling you how to live your life. I just came into this thread to respond to Flo_Evans' argument, which I found odd as it seemed (in my opinion) to paint the risk of cancer with a cold indifference.

 

[KevinCow]

What consequences? Death? Last I checked everyone dies. Not smoking does not grant one imortalitly. You are still going to die. You are still exposed to cancer causing agents on a daily basis. You are going to die. Cancer, car accident, heart attack, murder. Does it really matter how?

Cigarette apologists, lol. You guys come up with the stupidest arguments for why smoking really isn't that bad. "But you'll die anyway!"

Anyway, there's no use arguing the point. Any rational person realizes that cigarettes are horrible for you.

 

[Xeke]

Cigarette apologists, lol. You guys come up with the stupidest arguments for why smoking really isn't that bad. "But you'll die anyway!"

Anyway, there's no use arguing the point. Any rational person realizes that cigarettes are horrible for you.

Find somebody in this thread saying that cigarettes aren't bad for you.

 

[atkbob]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nd5P2p0xjGg

 

[water_wendi]

Cigarette apologists, lol. You guys come up with the stupidest arguments for why smoking really isn't that bad. "But you'll die anyway!"

Anyway, there's no use arguing the point. Any rational person realizes that cigarettes are horrible for you.

i havent seen any person argue that cigarettes are healthy in this thread. Their point was that any kind of living leads to death.. that includes the healthiest of living. Anti-smokers seem disingenuous since they tend to skip their "health crusade" when it comes to things that affect how they live. Its like religious people cherry picking the parts from their holy books that they dont want to stop doing. It is not about health.. it is about power, plain and simple.

 

[Malleymal]

It dissipates to a degree outside where it wont increase the pain to your lungs from all the car pollution you're sucking down to any noticeable level.

The smoker is the person that is the reason I am inhaling whatever the fuck it is that I am taking in. What cant you process in that think skull of yours? If wanted that shit in my system I would go buy a cigarette... thats the difference. That persons weakness is forced up me no matter how little it is.

 

[Xeke]

The smoker is the person that is the reason I am inhaling whatever the fuck it is that I am taking in. What cant you process in that think skull of yours? If wanted that shit in my system I would go buy a cigarette... thats the difference. That persons weakness is forced up me no matter how little it is.

I hope your position extends to any sort of pollution. Campfires, cars, planes, candles...

 

[surrogate]

I have 3 & 1/2 packs of smokes left and am hoping to be able to quit once they're finished. It is getting too damn expensive thanks to what seems like constant tax increases and it really is sort of useless and not all that enjoyable. With that being said, there is no justification for making them illegal. There's a myriad of other substances and activities that present health risks and dangers to yourself and others, but if we start banning all of them, there isn't going to be a whole lot left to do.

If it wasn't for smoking and other things killing a shitload of people for all these years, the planet would be even more overpopulated than it is now. It should be taxed at the same rate as any other non-essential commodity. To make up for lost revenue, I propose ten cent per post tax on all internet forums/msg boards.

 

[KevinCow]

Hey, I'm nowhere near the healthiest person in the world. I just don't understand why anybody would go out of their way to start doing something that they've been repeatedly told is horrible for them, that will get them addicted and sap their money away, will make them smell like shit, and has absolutely no redeeming factors.


In the end, though, I honestly don't give a shit about you smokers. I don't care if you get cancer and die, my point is that I just don't understand why you'd start doing something that essentially says right on the box, "THIS SHIT WILL FUCKING KILL YOU." No, my main issue with smokers stems from the fact that simply being near somebody who has smoked in the past half hour or so will give me a headache and make my eyes itch. Not to mention stuff like nausea, dizziness, and itchiness all over my body should I have to actually walk through a cloud of the shit (which happens more often that I'd like, thanks to smokers deeming it perfectly acceptable to smoke right outside the entrance to stores).

 

[nyong]

Their point was that any kind of living leads to death.. that includes the healthiest of living. Anti-smokers seem disingenuous since they tend to skip their "health crusade" when it comes to things that affect how they live. Its like religious people cherry picking the parts from their holy books that they dont want to stop doing. It is not about health.. it is about power, plain and simple.

Quitting smoking greatly increases an individual's statistical life expectancy. Just smoking, without anything else factored in. But yes, if you're cigarette-free yet weigh 300 pounds you're not doing yourself any favors.

The one-two punch from smoking and obesity is the single biggest reason our population is so damn unhealthy compared to most of the Western world.

EDIT: And what the fuck at "alcohol doesn't have a physical addiction"....

 

[jakncoke]

Yes, but we take away licenses of drunk drivers and put them in jail.

Other drugs, like Methamphetamine, can turn even the most honorable, well intentioned people into dangerous people. Even with the strongest willpower possible, it's physical addictive that it's unlikely to break the addiction without medical help. Alcohol really doesn't have a physical addiction.

barely. We need that DA that was on 60 minutes today controlling all the DUI related incidents

 

[Koodo]

I hope your position extends to any sort of pollution. Campfires, cars, planes, candles...

Let's not be absurd now. Quite a few people care about pollution, and equating cigarettes with a campfire or a car is erroneous. A car or plane permit me to reach a destination that would not be possible by walking. A campfire gives warmth in a frigid evening. These have indisputable benefits (and consequences as well, of course). Smoking does not have a clear-cut benefit.

The logical fallacies that are being thrown here from both sides are horrendous.

 

[water_wendi]

Let's not be absurd now. Quite a few people care about pollution, and equating cigarettes with a campfire or a car is erroneous. A car or plane permit me to reach a destination that would not be possible by walking.

Do you really need to go to those places?

These have indisputable benefits (and consequences as well, of course). Smoking does not have a clear-cut benefit.

Lots of things people do have no clear-cut benefit.

 

[Koodo]

Do you really need to go to those places?

Yes, why not? Just pointing out a glaring error in the logic there. Equating both when they're not equatable at all is absurd.

Lots of things people do have no clear-cut benefit.

And that's totally fine. But don't go running off pretending they're the same. I can waste my time playing videogames for example, which has no clear-cut benefit. But it doesn't have an immense and lethal consequence like smoking does.

Also, I'd like to say that, before anyone does so, don't pigeon hole me into the "should be illegal" camp, which I absolutely disagree with since that won't solve anything.

 

[StormyTheRabbit]

They should be legal. Just like weed. And every other drug.

So long as you aren't causing harm to anybody else, you should have the right to do whatever the fuck you want with you're own body. No matter if its right or wrong, thats another argument.

You should have the right to do whatever you want to your own body.

Basic human right.

 

[Malleymal]

I hope your position extends to any sort of pollution. Campfires, cars, planes, candles...

my man... I dont care that you want to pollute your body with the stuff... all I am saying is do it in a confined area, not around me... Im done with this conversation, its like talking to a wall with you.. enjoy your shitty breath, nasty teeth and polluted insides while dealing with your expensive addiction...

easy

 

[water_wendi]

Yes, why not?

Says you. Other people might object though.

And that's totally fine. But don't go running off pretending they're the same. I can waste my time playing videogames for example, which has no clear-cut benefit. But it doesn't have an immense and lethal consequence like smoking does.

So indulging in a practice that leads to a life of sedentary behavior is okay? Behind smoking, obesity and sedentary lifestyle is the highest cause of death in the United States. Even if you are responsible with it, lots of people are not so why should an exception be made for you?

Also, I'd like to say that, before anyone does so, don't pigeon hole me into the "should be illegal" camp, which I absolutely disagree with since that won't solve anything.

And im not saying fast food, video games or automobiles should be banned.. just taxed heavily to discourage their use due to their negative effects on the health of the nation.

 

[Drkirby]

Why would they be illegal? Sure, there are many reasons to hate them, but this is America! Land of the Free, where you have the RIGHT to kill your self with tobacco based products. Its freedom of expression.

 

[Koodo]

Says you. Other people might object though.

How so?

So indulging in a practice that leads to a life of sedentary behavior is okay? Behind smoking, obesity and sedentary lifestyle is the highest cause of death in the United States. Even if you are responsible with it, lots of people are not so why should an exception for you be made?

You're stretching it too much, however. There are various points that need to be checked off before videogaming reaches the point of unhealthy sedentary behaviour. Smoking is much more direct.

Just because someone does activity 'X' is not a valid argument to show that activity 'Y' is acceptable too, as they're not the same.

 

[water_wendi]

How so?

Just because you think its necessary to drive around in a toxin belching machine to visit your family, commute to work at a job which you could find closer to where you live, or go shopping more often than you should, does not make it so.

You're stretching it too much, however. There are various points that need to be checked off before videogaming reaches the point of unhealthy sedentary behaviour. Smoking is much more direct.

Unfortunately for gamers that is not the accepted viewpoint in America today. They also have the distinction of being non-essential unlike other computing related software.

Just because someone does activity 'X' is not a valid argument to show that activity 'Y' is acceptable too, as they're not the same.

Well there are studies that show video games are linked to childhood obesity. That sounds like all the proof people needed since talk about taxing video games has grown louder in the last few years. This is not even taking into account the violence aspect at all.

 

[Dresden]

While you are at it, why not ban junk food, driving, cell phones, dogs, cats, toilets, plungers, and MMORPG's?

 

[Kastro]

You aren't going to die from a punch to the face either, does it mean that he should be able to punch you in the face and just laugh at you if you try to complain?

God, so far every defensive smoker in this thread has been a complete moron incapable of any kind of rational argument. Good thing I know intelligent people who are smokers in real life or I'd have to assume it was doing something to their cognitive abilities.

so second hand smoke is equivalent to physical pain now?

Yeah, that's a real rational argument.

I like how you anti-smokers judge all smokers as "morons" and "idiots" regardless of what type of people they might be.

 

[Tathanen]

People making the "if you are against smoking for health reasons you'd better not put anything else unhealthy in your body" argument need to be a little less retarded. The damage done by unhealthy foods can be mitigated by plenty of things, such as an active lifestyle, or ingestion in moderation. Even alcohol, in moderation, can be beneficial for a person. It's not the same as ingesting poison that does permanent and irreversible damage.

Now if you want to exchange years of your life for the joys of cigarettes, fine. But don't hide behind bullshit arguments that attempt to justify your choices by painting everyone else as sharing your vices.

 

[JaseMath]

Cigarettes are delicious treats. If someone wants to smoke, then let them.

 

[Acid08]

ANOTHER ONE OF THESE FUCKING THREADS?

Goddamn, I light up a Newport, get on Gaf, and see more of this shit?

 

[permutated]

Tobacco should be illegal. Plain and simple.

It's fucking gross.