Law, Crime & Justice

» poohbear2700 - Criminalizing smoking & smokers

I know i'm coming in way late on this, but I just have to put in my 2 cents on this. I think the article made so many relevant points - and everyone's input in the discussisons were equally valid. It does not seem unreasonable at all to draw a parallel to Prohibition times - and, forgive me for not remembering who said this, but I agree that there is a serious imbalance between the "drink responsibly" campaign and the attitude placed toward smokers. Very good point about INTENT - re: second hand smoke and bus fumes - if we're splitting moral hairs, let's bring it back around to the legal aspect for sure. Skipping around here alot, but it seems almost offensive to represent all smokers anecdotally as people who would be as rude and crass as to blow smoke in someone's face. That is not the norm, just as most people don't respond in other inappropriate ways. I find the erosion of the ozone layer and the consequential effects on the environment and my health just as offensive, especially when the existence of these problems is being denied by the leaders of major governments. Now THAT should be criminalized - sacrificing the good of all for the deep pockets of big business. When I smoke alone in my own car, it's my lungs. When more money is spent trying to keep the air filled with pollution than on alternative energy sources and those who know about it and can do something sit back and breathe their canned air...(probably smoking cigars)...it's the whole world, forever.
Sorry about the rant...got a little carried away, I know, but sometimes it seems like while we're divided against each other over who's smoking and who's not (or who's drinking and who's not, who's communist and who's not, etc) we lose sight of all the bigger issues that we have in COMMON.

-- posted by poohbear2700