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MistressLorelei -> RE: Second hand smoke (8/5/2006 3:00:15 PM)
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This thread has gone nowhere, so I will just sit here and be happy that my state (Florida) has banned indoor smoking, whether the smokers like it or not... there are other states, countries or islands smokers can move to if they don't like it. Isn't that the smoker mentality 'you don't like it, go somewhere else'?
And to mistoferin,
A quick rehash of sorts....
quote:
ORIGINAL: mistoferin
You can call straw man all you like Chaingang. You chose to take one paragraph out of the context of an entire conversation and you're wondering why it seems absurd to you? The "conversation" between MistressLorelei and myself went like this....and I think that she understood where I was coming from just fine. Also, just for the record here...I have not once voiced an opinion on second hand smoke in this thread....nor have I even mentioned if I am a smoker or not...I was simply pointing out a possible repercussion that I see as a result of the direction the anti-smoking movement is going.
You can certainly disagree with me if you like, it's not going to change my mind. Howard Weyers of Weyco Insurance is a man that has been a business associate of mine. His first target was smoking...and he has been successful in his campaign against it in the workplace. So now you may be fully qualified for a postion with all the proper degrees and experience but turned away based simply on the fact that you are a smoker. You may be a faithful, long term employee who has devoted many years to your employer...and now your job is at jeopardy based on your smoking status. As I said, I know the man personally and I can tell you that his real pet peeve is obesity. He challenged smoking first because he felt it would get more support. He fully intends on tackling weight next. So the examples I used aren't so far fetched.
Yes. Obesity, smoking, not wearing helmets and seatbelts, not getting proper medical attention, and having a poor diet can all cause health insurance premiums to be raised for even the most health/safety aware person. All of these things are probably not healthy for the individual whose lifestyle includes such things, but people have the right to care for their bodies as they wish, and should be afforded equal rights. If we end up with higher health premiums, that's not great, and awareness (not discrimination or outlaw) should be raised, but at least people are not being physically harmed against their wills by others who are aware they are causing this harm..
However, having equal rights doesn't mean that your right can harm someone else. Smoking is the only thing on that list that directly transfers the physical health risk from one person to another. If you (theoretical you) overeat, never wear a seatbelt (or helmet), eat tons of fatty, sugary foods, and avoid critical medical care forever.... your fellow man does not physically suffer because of you. You would be the only one who physically is harmed. Smoking transfers the complications that it causes the smoker to the non-smokers, the children, etc. If a nearby diner at a restaurant transferred their health risks to you, and you shared in their weight gain and heart disease as they indulged in a huge artery clogging meal.... everyone would be within their rights to complain. I bet quite a few smokers would even have a big problem with that.
I don't think it's okay to outlaw cigarettes altogether to protect the health of smokers... not that I personally would mind, but I would find that to be the same comparison you are making regarding obesity. Both can cause potentially dangerous conditions, but a person should have the right to do with his or her body as he or she pleases, so long as no harm comes to others while he does as he pleases.
Be well.
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