What is your opinion regarding smoking and the new laws?

[lilshadowdweller]

Where I live, in Ontario, we have some very strict laws implemented when it comes to smoking.

 

For instance, you cannot smoke in any restaurant nor any bar. You can't smoke in public work buildings or at school. You MUST head outside and smoke in designated smoking areas if you are at school or say, a theme park.

 

When it comes to selling cigarettes, you HAVE to be 19 years old. (The legal age here.) If you look under 25, you must be I.D for proof that you are at least 19. Anyone is permitted to sell cigarettes. Also, stores CANNOT openly display the brands. They must be covered up in an effort to deter new smokers. (Since they can't see them or the brands, they are entirely hidden.) When I was 16 years old, I sold cigarettes at a convenience store; but the law I just mentioned is fairly new and wasn't around.

 

All of our cigarette boxes MUST be half covered with an image detailing how bad smoking is. Some of the images are gruesome. They talk about how cigarettes can effect your baby if you are pregnant, they show the lungs of a dead smoker, and they talk about how cigarettes effect your sex organs. (Not displaying the organs).

 

When I was little, like 9, I remember when people still could smoke in public builds BUT they had to divided into two separate smoking sections. I think it may also be against the law to smoke in the car with children.

 

I know a lot of these laws don't apply to America, but I also know that more stricter laws are happening all over. There's been commercials advertising "third-hand" smoke, which is basically smoke that sticks to clothing and carpets. I believe it entirely, as my boyfriend had an old apartment in a basement and the people above us smoked. We smelt like smoke so horridly you'd think we were the smokers! Our air purifer STILL wreaks of smoke till this day!

 

As a non-smoker, I'm entirely biased. I understand how difficult it is to quit smoking and how the habit of smoking can be relaxing. I accept that people have a right to smoke and that it's their bodies.

 

What I don't accept is their smoke getting into my lungs. I'm not too picky. Most of my smoking friends go outside out of decency without even me mentioning it! I find most smokers are good like that. If I'm at their house, I accept their rules -- if they smoke inside their homes, it's their choice.

 

But I hear a lot of comments like; "If they don't like me smoking, they can leave!" But the truth is, in a work place, I would have no choice, would I? I'd have to be close to you. If you come by me and you're smoking you're violating my rights to free air.

 

I know that one smoke isn't going to kill me; but I still don't appreciate it. I don't judge people who smoke but I do wish they'd try to quit.

 

To me it's a useless habit and I'm happy with the laws, EXCEPT for one thing: I worked at a Women's Detox. All of those women smoked and all of them were detoxing from HARD drugs. They weren't permitted to be in the detox house and smoking -- AT ALL. Not even outside! I found this stupid, only because if these women are already fighting other addictions, why force them to fight another one? They DID provide them with free nicotine patches and gum, but of course, it takes a lot more than those to help fight an addiction.

 

I like the laws protecting children. If there's no children in your home, fine. Smoke all you want.

 

I also hate how smokers get breaks at work! It drives me crazy when I have to stand for 9 hours with one hour rest while smokers can go out a few times to smoke. I know they're not doing it on purpose; but I made my supervisor let me go on a "fresh air" break. He couldn't argue with me. I shouldn't have to smoke to get a break. I need to relax myself in my own way.

 

I'm content with our laws. But what about the rest of you? Feel it's violates your rights? I know some of you smokers. :P

[Kaana]

I don't smoke, but both my parents do. So do quite a few people my own age; at least two my friends.

 

When my sister was younger she would go outside to where my mum was smoking and play around her. For a while mum tried to tell her to go away, but she kept on coming back, so mum gave up. She's older now and stays away. I did the same thing.

 

Not too long ago - maybe a month - , mum tried to quit. The change in her was almost immediate - she was so much more short tempered, and she couldn't focus on anything. Now she's on a half-half thing with gum and cigarettes. I'm not sure how that's going for her. She won't do patches because when my uncle - her brother - tried using them he started to go insane. In the literal sense. The family history of mental diseases doesn't help, but as soon as he stopped using them, he went back to normal.

 

I can remember most of those measures mentioned in the first post being in effect for at least a year round here, aside from the third-hand smoke thing. Where I work, at least, smokers don't get breaks to smoke. I know where my dad works they get breaks anyway because they spend so much time in front of a computer - some take the breaks and go smoke, but everyone gets the break.

 

I am so acquainted with the idea of smoking I can't honestly say I hate it. However, I know I will never pick one up for myself. That's all I really have to say on the matter.

[Nimphal]

Well, in the UK you are only permitted to smoke outside, basically, no where else. And all of the other restrictions you mentioned apply as well, except the hiding, I think. Which is a dream come true for me, since In Bulgaria restaurants and cafes don't have that restriction yet and it's ridiculously easy to get your hands on a pack even if you are 12. The last person from my family to smoke was one of my grandfathers and he died from a heart attack related to his smoking. He never smoked inside the house, however, my grandmother was very strict about that. None of my friends smoke either - it's not that I choose them on the basis of smoking or not, it's just that I never seem to get close to a smoker.

Personally, I can't stand the smell of smoke - I get nauseous and my eyes get all teary. So I welcome any and all smoking restrictions.

[Nataluna]

enforcing these rules is the hard part. Australia has exceptionally strict smoking laws, in my state it is illegal to smoke in any public area where there are children, this includes beaches, train stations and playgrounds. no advertising is allowed, all ciggarettes must not be displayed for sale, they must be instead behind solid doors. currently packaging must contain 75% image of a gruesome smoking related ailment, with plain packaging laws to come in sometime this year or next year. smoking is strictly not allowed in any public indoor area, and smoking is not allowed near entranceways. however while most people get the no smoking indoors (thats been around for a long time) the new laws are harder to enforce (police can't be everywhere, and i imagine a warning is more likely than a fine of $100)

 

my campus is going smoke free this year, and the major question is enforcement, staff smoke and there are a few well ventilated areas where the majority of smokers go. my campus has a high asia based student quotient, and smoking is rife. there is significant bad feeling regarding student smoking though, since people often do it outside the library. there are no details on what penalties there will be.

 

there is currently a case going before the courts where a man is sueing his neighbours for exposure to second hand smoke which was considered to be the cause of his lung cancer, if he wins its going to send a very interesting precedent, there have been previous cases where workers have sued and won, against workplaces where they were exposed.

 

its not as severe as i think it was Finland? than has made cigarettes perscription only. here there is a step towards encouraging people to quit with the government sponsoring 3 months worth of nicotene replacement therapy for patients.

 

i don't believe in smoking breaks. everyone gets breaks, what you do with them is your business, but getting extra time is rediculous, and not allowed in any workplace i've been in.

 

i've dealt with people trying to quit, it is tough, and i firmly support the managed approach when it is done in conjunction with a health care provider, people need to be well educated on what to expect when they attempt to quit, plan significantly, have support and recieve appropriate information on how to manage their quitting, most people do it over 3 months depending on their presenting level of addiction. and people should be aware of the failure risk. most people will relapse on the first try, the incidence decreases with the level of support (pharmacological, environmental, social).

 

regarding the detox houses and smoking, those people are already undergoing withdrawal, smoking is a potential substitute addiction, in which they can worsen, and since the impact on their health can also be long term, its one reason why its not allowed. also the exposure to the support staff in those circumstances (workplace responsibility). it can also precipitate withdrawal also, as nicotine can induce the metabolism of drug replacement drugs such as methadone (used in the treatment of heroin/opioid patients). not really into drug rehabilitation programmes, but i imagine there are alot of other reasons why they run the program that way.

 

i support an increasing smoking ban. but i find it difficult to decide on how to go about it. the long term health risks are severe and place significant stress on the health care system, but by making drugs like alcohol (yes i consider alcohol a drug) and cigarettes more expensive and inaccessible, it increases the usage of harder non-regulated illegal drugs which create additional problems.

 

with smokers, most want to quit, with the majority saying that they will do it sometime. but the timing isn't right, its expensive to quit and often they have tried and failed. i support helping those who want to change, and not brand them as a sort of social pariah for smoking, as it is becoming with some of these laws.

[Xepha]

I am a non-smoker, and always have been.

However, my sister became a smoker when she was in her teens. To this day, she still smokes and so does her boyfriend and most of their friends too. It drives me crazy because if she invites us and some of her friends end up being around, they all smoke in the apartment and I'm suffocating.

 

For New Year, we carpooled and went to see my dad in the north. I was the only non-smoker, so they had to make compromise otherwise I get migraines and feel sick from the smell, etc. So during the 2-3 hour of drive, each of them maybe had 3 smokes and opened the window so it would go out immediately. It was a good compromise...

 

When she comes to our house, we send her outside to smoke. :P It doesn't seem to bother her so much, so that's good.

 

The one thing I don't like is that I feel since she is with someone who is smoking a cigaret pack per day, that's the only thing that keeps her from even thinking to stop smoking. She's not a heavy smoker at all and her job helps in that sense. Since she is soooo busy at work, she can't take break so she can't get outside to smoke. So I'd think she doesn't have more than 5 a day.

 

I really like all the laws they passed here in Québec (similar to what the OP described for Ontario, but the legal age is 18.) I just wish people would respect the distance to smoke from doors. So every time people are smoking JUST at the door of a public place, I am loud about it and remind them that it should be so many meter away.

[Scartic]

In the netherlands you're not allowed to smoke in public buildings, however the smokers always crowd in front of the entrances, so you still have to go through a smoke curtain to get inside. You're also not suppose to have longer breaks, but some take longer breaks anyway, because they need a second sigaret.

I was unofficially allowed to sell sigarets and strong liquor at 15.

You can buy smokes from your 16th.

[Chantie-Z]

I'm also a non-smoker and I agree with most of what has already been said on this thread. I live in the U.S. so our laws here are a lot less strict, I have always appreciated the no smoking indoors and the no smoking in entryways laws that exist here. I do however absolutely hate when I see smokers take 3-5 extra fifteen minute breaks a day, at one job where I worked with a majority of smokers I got so irritated by this I insisted to my manager that if we were going to allow them to do it I needed two additional paid fifteen minute breaks as well in which I could relax too. I just don't see any reason why people should get paid for their addiction just because it's a common one. I'd be less upset if they atleast had to clock out of their shift to take a break so it'd be unpaid.

 

There was also one day when I was in line at the grocery store with a mom and her kid in front of me. They hadn't bought a lot of food, just some canned food, boxed meals and a thing of ground turkery and some frozen chicken. I think their total was like $20 and the little girl just looked rather famished and her clothes were really worn. The mom was really concerned by the total though and started to have the man take some things off, I'd decided that after she checked out I would buy the meat that she put back for her and give it to her quietly on her way out so that she wouldn't be embarressed or able to tell me no since I would have already bought it. But then the women asked to get a full carton of cigarrettes instead of the meat and most of the boxed dinners she'd picked up. I wanted to clock her upside the head.

[Baixinha]

Ugh! Just thinking about the smell of cigarette smoke makes me nauseous. I have to hold my breath every time I see someone smoking. It's just disgusting. As for relatives, neither of my parents do or have in the past, and my grandmother recently quit. I will never, ever smoke. Too much bad experience and besides, who would want to nowadays? The side effects (and the smell) are too terrible to be worth it.

[Jess Is Somewhere Else]

I don't smoke, and I don't intend to, but my stepdad does, and I hate it. I try not to breathe as much whenever he dopes it, because I'm concerned about what breathingit in is doing to me. And my brother and sister have asthma, which makes it worse for them! :angry:

[Zorse]

I honestly don't care if someone wants to smoke 24/7. However I do care where they do it and who they're affecting with it. People have full right to smoke in their homes and cars and such but I feel the laws put in place are great for people who don't wish to sit around smelling the smoke of others.

 

When I was a kid, before the laws here were put in place, you could smoke anywhere, and in restaurants, even though there was a smoking section the whole restaurant smelled like smoke anyway. As a kid I couldn't go anywhere without coming out sick. I have severe chronic migraines- each day I end up with a debilitating migraine, and I'm lucky if I don't wake up with one. On my lucky days, if I smell smoke even for a second, instant migraine. So of course I welcome any law against smoking, and I'm sure other people who feel worse from smelling smoke, for whatever reason, do too. Or those who are concerned for themselves/their kids smelling second hand smoke.

 

I absolutely hate when people smoke right outside of entrances while it's supposed to be against the law, and I feel that smoking-only breaks most definitely aren't right.

[Spritzie]

My situation sounds a lot like Xepha's.

 

I'm a non-smoker and always have been. (No one in my family has ever smoked, nor have I had any friends that smoke. The closest I had was my friend's boyfriend in HS) My husband had smoked for a long time (his whole family smokes, parents and sister.) but he quit shortly before we got married. Then he started again.

 

He understands that 1. I hate the smell 2. It messes with my asthma and gives me migraines and 3. I don't want to be breathing it. He always smokes outside, and if we're going somewhere together and he needs to smoke, he either goes a distance away until he's done, or makes sure the wind is blowing the smoke and smell away from me.

 

The smoking laws in Colorado sound pretty much the same as a lot here have said. There's no smoking indoors in public. So that includes places that always were smoking before, like restaurants, casinos, bars, bowling alleys, pool halls, etc. And outside, you have to be around 10-15 feet away from any public entrance.

 

I think that's definitely awesome for non-smokers. Before the law change, I remember coming home from restaurants, or going bowling, and having all of our clothes smell like smoke, because the ventilation was horrible and if you were anywhere near the smoking section, but still in the non-smoking section, you got tons of smoke.

 

But I also see it from the smoker's side, now. Though I still think non-smoking restaurants is the way it should be, I think there should be some exceptions to the bars, casinos and such. I know a lot of casinos and bars here tried fighting the laws like crazy, because it affected their business (I guess a lot of people stopped going, if they couldn't smoke) and that's a big thing at a lot of those places. I don't know, logistically, how well it would work, but I think it would be nice to have a few bars, pool halls, casinos, etc, that are allowed to have smoking. That way, the smokers can go there, and if there are non-smokers there, they're there by choice, because there's other smoke-free ones. (I don't even want to think about how it would be decided who would get to have smoking, since I'm sure many of the places would want it for more business.)

 

I dislike smoking, but I respect the decision of those who smoke. Just because I don't smoke and don't like it, doesn't mean I have any right to tell them they can't. It'd just be nice for smoking to not be forced on non-smokers, and the smokers wouldn't be put in a position where they have nowhere to smoke but in their own homes and cars.

[Jess Is Somewhere Else]

My Dad will sometimes complain about me smelling of smoke even though it's not my fault... so I will often spray my chlothes just to get rid of it. I'll be glad when I leave home, maybe my lings will recover and I'll never get what I shouldn't get cause I don't smoke.

[lilshadowdweller]

I've never really had any trouble with any of my smoking friends. They've been really understanding. I think most of them are like that, mainly because they know of the health risks associated with it. I've had one girl at work get really hostile with me when I asked why smokers got so many breaks and I didn't. She flew off of the handle on me. But she ended up quitting. She had major anxiety issues and we clashed horridly.

 

Australia has exceptionally strict smoking laws, in my state it is illegal to smoke in any public area where there are children, this includes beaches, train stations and playgrounds.

 

Wow! And he I mistakenly thought Ontario had the strictest laws!

 

there is currently a case going before the courts where a man is sueing his neighbours for exposure to second hand smoke which was considered to be the cause of his lung cancer, if he wins its going to send a very interesting precedent, there have been previous cases where workers have sued and won, against workplaces where they were exposed.

 

Is it possible to get cancer from being a neighbour? I mean, I know it's not safe, but do little exposures like that warrant concern? o_O Well, that case would be highly interesting! The second part which you had mentioned happened here, too. One lady worked somewhere where "the smoke was blue". But she never smoked in her life. The poor spokesperson against smoking died a few years ago from her cancer. It's cases like hers where you find these justified -- she died because OTHERS chose to smoke and she had no choice!

 

regarding the detox houses and smoking, those people are already undergoing withdrawal, smoking is a potential substitute addiction, in which they can worsen, and since the impact on their health can also be long term, its one reason why its not allowed. also the exposure to the support staff in those circumstances (workplace responsibility).

 

Yes, but in this case, the population of women who would go into the Detox decreased dramatically. They refused to seek help mainly because of the lack of smoking. I know how bad smoking is, but I'd rather focus on those other drugs first, I'd also rather those women be in a safe place.

 

 

I really like all the laws they passed here in Québec (similar to what the OP described for Ontario, but the legal age is 18.) I just wish people would respect the distance to smoke from doors. So every time people are smoking JUST at the door of a public place, I am loud about it and remind them that it should be so many meter away.

 

Yeah. Most people want to be close to the doors to be chatty or whatever but it's annoying. I think smoking is most annoying for those (like some of our members) who have asthma. With my new allergy, and the difficulty it causes with my breathing, I empathize...entirely.

[xSummer]

I do not smoke and there's something about cigarette smoke in my face in restaurants. I don't like it. Second hand smoke kills and I have nothing against people who smoke but I don't want the smoke in my face while I am trying to enjoy my meal. I will always believe it is not good for you but people will do what they want to do at home and on their own but as in restaurants and bars, save it for outside.

[lilshadowdweller]

Speaking of which, I just seen a commercial advertising those electronic cigarettes. I guess they just have new e-cigarrette which dispenses the nicotine to a user through a mist without all of that tar and chemical stuff. It's still being tested though to see if it's actually safer or not. It's not for new users, I think. Just a supposedly "healthier" alternative. I'm not sure how true that is but I can see how better it could be since you're not inhaling or exhaling/sharing it (as far as I know.)

 

Still, I'd rather we be rid of the cigarettes entirely.

[leedom111]

I personally think smoking is pretty gross and don't like to be around it. I grew up in California, which is pretty strict concerning smoking, with restaurants being non smoking, and mostly non smoking hotels and such. It was really shocking going to other places and seeing smoking sections in restaurants!

 

I think it's good to have designated areas for smoking, so those who are bothered (like me) can be free of smoke. Yeah, it's an inconvenience to smokers, but I think smoking is generally just bad and no one should do it. Anything that addictive seems bad to me.

[Nataluna]

Is it possible to get cancer from being a neighbour? I mean, I know it's not safe, but do little exposures like that warrant concern? o_O Well, that case would be highly interesting! The second part which you had mentioned happened here, too. One lady worked somewhere where "the smoke was blue". But she never smoked in her life. The poor spokesperson against smoking died a few years ago from her cancer. It's cases like hers where you find these justified -- she died because OTHERS chose to smoke and she had no choice!

 

that particular case was townhouses or apartments which were close together and shared some ventilation, anyway the resident had previously complained to the resident board. the medical opinion is that the cancer was due to smoke exposure, so it will be interesting how that case turns out. i'm predicting that laws will be changed soon (they are getting stricter all the time) to reduce the freedom of smokers to smoke in their own house if it can affect surrounding people.

 

currently the unwritten law is if the smoking does irritate you, to make complaints through boards if its close quarter housing. there is a certain level of non-infringement of other resident's generally expected, but the laws often vary between states, and of course buildings can have their own rules as well.

 

that beach/train/playground thing is hard to enforce. although smoking is less socially acceptable than it used to be..

 

i don't know much about how halfway houses work but i can really sympathise, i've worked with a methadone based program previously, and we didn't enforce a no-smoking rule but patients were counselled not to smoke right before/after a dose. there are a variety of programs available all with different (but universally very strict) rules. workplace safety is a HUGE thing here, the workplace ombudsman can shut down any workplace considered unsafe. drug addiction is something that is a difficult problem to deal with and is a multifaceted issue. the metabolism thing is probably one reason, but i don't think its the sole one, its more of the social policy aspect of public care, and i'm involved in medical, so really couldn't give you much of a good reason why they have that rule in alot of them. sometimes i think those policies are written to punish people for being addicts, not help them.

 

regarding those e-cigarettes, although they are available through the internet, the are not considered legal for sale in Australia, in fact a bulletin from the TGA (our version of the FDA) considers them just as harmful as actual cigarettes. nicotine has significant health impact, and is a dangerous drug on its own. there is a nictone replacement inhaler available which works on a step down approach and is supposed to be used for heavy smokers with bad habits in conjunction with patches/gum (but mostly patients are advised not to really use them..). the concern with the e-cigarettes is that people take up smoking with them believing its healthier.

[April]

I can not stand people who smoke around others. My own family does it. I don't even get why people smoke when they know how addictive and terrible it is. I guess they think they can all control it.

 

Sorry, it makes me angry. I have extremely bad asthma and there have been countless times I've had to go to the hospital because of asthma attacks around smoke. If you're going to smoke, don't do it around others. It's a disgusting, repulsing habit.

[Trig]

I also don't smoke and I don't intend to ever start smoking...of any sort. I know a decent amount of people that smoke cigarettes and other things, none of which I'm interested in trying for some of the reasons mentioned above 1. I hate the smell and 2. I'm not sure how it would mess with my asthma/lungs. My parents used to smoke but they quit probably more than 20 years ago and I have a few aunts and uncles who smoke but I try and vacate the vincinity if they are smoking. I like the laws they have implemented against smoking because I think it's important to protect children and those who choose not to. I understand it is a very hard habit to quit, but I also wish more people were able to quit.

[billpika_x8]

Smoking. It's really quite stupid, because addicts are literally burning away their money. The health risks are abundant, and tobacco products usually contain cyanide. The government should do everything within their means to regulate tobacco heavily, without making it illegal, despite being an addictive drug. Tobacco should be heavily taxed too. Use should be heavily restricted, especially with the brand new evidence of "3rd hand smoke". Not bad for a seemingly ignorant kid. I hate tobacco and cigarettes. They smell strangely alluring, yet make my heart skip and make me cough and choke a lot. I wouldn't be surprised if I die from 9999th hand smoke. :sick01: :sick02: :skull:

[lilshadowdweller]

Smoking. It's really quite stupid, because addicts are literally burning away their money. The health risks are abundant, and tobacco products usually contain cyanide. The government should do everything within their means to regulate tobacco heavily, without making it illegal, despite being an addictive drug. Tobacco should be heavily taxed too. Use should be heavily restricted, especially with the brand new evidence of "3rd hand smoke". Not bad for a seemingly ignorant kid. I hate tobacco and cigarettes. They smell strangely alluring, yet make my heart skip and make me cough and choke a lot. I wouldn't be surprised if I die from 9999th hand smoke. :sick01: :sick02: :skull:

 

I guess as a none smoker I think of it as burning money. I literally see it burn as they smoke. Some smokers tell people to worry more about obese people...but there actions don't go into anyone's body. Although I waste A LOT of money on food myself. MMm.

 

Sometimes I like the smell of cigarettes, only because my parents used to smoke them outside for a bit when I was little. So I guess I find it comforting. But the cheap ones or really strong ones make it difficult for me to breathe and give me a huge headache. It can really hurt. One time, at work (our work is outdoors), someone was smoking a cigar and I got the sharp pain right above my nose from my sinus. I asked some of my staffmates who were around me if they could find out who was smoking. (It doesn't matter if you're outside or not, you can legally be around people who are working.) Anyway, the humane resource girl kind of scoffed at me and was like; "We're outside!" It DOESN'T matter if we're outside, I can STILL smell it and it's not like I can help the sharp pain. Some things like that urk me. But in my work, I understand that a lot of these people come from different countries with different laws and they don't know what they are doing is wrong. I try to be polite and often I don't point it out at all.

[GlitteryCupcake]

I like the laws protecting children. If there's no children in your home, fine. Smoke all you want.

 

I also hate how smokers get breaks at work! It drives me crazy when I have to stand for 9 hours with one hour rest while smokers can go out a few times to smoke. I know they're not doing it on purpose; but I made my supervisor let me go on a "fresh air" break. He couldn't argue with me. I shouldn't have to smoke to get a break. I need to relax myself in my own way.

 

These are two things that really irritate me about smoking. Actually, adults smoking around children infuriates me. It's just absolutely never okay. I get so upset anytime I see a parent smoking out their car window when I can see a kid in the backseat.

 

Also, good for you for insisting on a fresh air break! It's not fair that being a smoker means 5-10 minute breaks every hour! If they're allowed to step outside for a smoke, non-smokers deserve to be able to step outside for a break as well.

[Saxen]

I've been smoking since I was 12 (8 years D: gawwdd!) and I'm currently trying to quit, it's proving to be pretty difficult. I honestly wish I'd never started :/

The laws are pretty much the same over here as in Canada it seems, though I think we should also enforce hiding the brands - such a good idea!

[Wolf Child]

Speaking of which, I just seen a commercial advertising those electronic cigarettes. I guess they just have new e-cigarrette which dispenses the nicotine to a user through a mist without all of that tar and chemical stuff. It's still being tested though to see if it's actually safer or not. It's not for new users, I think. Just a supposedly "healthier" alternative. I'm not sure how true that is but I can see how better it could be since you're not inhaling or exhaling/sharing it (as far as I know.)

 

Still, I'd rather we be rid of the cigarettes entirely.

 

The electronic cigarettes are kind of like handheld bongs. My mom has one - she's been a heavy smoker since before I was born - and it seems to really be helping her. She can breathe better, and it's given her more control over the dose of nicotine she consumes. She's slowly cutting back on her doses to try and quit. I think whoever invented the things should recieve a bajillion internets.

Though... everything is kind of infused with the vanilla flavor she's using XD' and it still gives me headaches if she's been puffing for a long time and I've been in the same enclosed space - but it's not nearly as bad as when she smoked actual cigarettes.

What gets me is that laws surrounding these are actually harsher than actual cigarettes - want to take a guess as to why? ^_~ Political entities get a lot of money from the companies who produce cigarettes. Though cigarettes themselves have fallen out of favor and they aren't selling near as many as they used to, the companies now get subsidised for what they grow/don't grow like many farmers who get paid to /not/ grow things. It's pretty insane. Unless someone with a lot of power/money strong arms the government I think we're stuck with them. :/

The laws don't punish the producers of cigarettes, they punish the addicted users, which seems wrong to me. "IF I ISOLATE AND DEMONIZE THIS GROUP OF PEOPLE I WILL DISCOURAGE THIS GROUP OF PEOPLE FROM DOING/BEING WHAT THEY ARE, hurhur," we already know that doesn't work. Take an obese individual for example. You punish them for being obese, you shame them, you make them feel bad about themselves - what happens? Low and behold, they gain even more weight! Why? They feel depressed and eat more to make themselves feel better ((It's backwards, but you'll notice a very high percentage of obese folks are depressed/isolated/alone/etc, and food makes them feel better. It's just as much an addiction as smoking is.)). So then they are even more shamed and more isolated and more- you get my point, yes? ;)

Making these laws only treats the symptom, not the root illness.

[lilshadowdweller]

The electronic cigarettes are kind of like handheld bongs. My mom has one - she's been a heavy smoker since before I was born - and it seems to really be helping her. She can breathe better, and it's given her more control over the dose of nicotine she consumes. She's slowly cutting back on her doses to try and quit. I think whoever invented the things should recieve a bajillion internets.

 

I'd like to hear about it before I make an opinion, but they seem to becoming increasingly popular. One lady was smoking it in a resturant we had went to today! I get that she's trying to make it safe and everything, but can she wait until all of the facts come out? Until then, I sort of take it like she's smoking near me. Because of this, I guarantee soon there's going to be laws directed to those cigarettes, if more and more people start using them inside...

 

I mean, I bet they are better. I'd rather someone smoke something a bit healthier/safer, despite it still containing that darn addicting drug...

 

he laws don't punish the producers of cigarettes, they punish the addicted users, which seems wrong to me. "IF I ISOLATE AND DEMONIZE THIS GROUP OF PEOPLE I WILL DISCOURAGE THIS GROUP OF PEOPLE FROM DOING/BEING WHAT THEY ARE, hurhur,"

 

As for your perspective, I agree that it's unfair to punish obese people and smokers in such a manner. Why? Because WE KNOW that the government isn't doing it to protect anyone. It's all about money. If the government cared, part of the profits wouldn't be going back to them. They could place far more effort into eradicting cigarettes already. All they do is make poor addicted people even poorer, and poorer obese people too. It doesn't change anything for anyone except the people who pocket the extra cash.

 

But, beyond the tax thing, I feel the laws protecting others from smoking are totally appropriate.