Debate #1: Smoking law!

[Phoenix in the Ashes]

I smoke... And I realise how bad it is for me... But I won't stop... It is more of a masochist thing... Don't we have the right to hurt ourselves if we choose to?

Sure, go for it. Just don't kill me.

That's the problem. It's not the rights of the individul I'm quesitoning here. It's the rights of the many. How is it going to affect the families of the smokers, the friends?

As for the whole "I'll smoke if I want to" thing... Well i guess I just won't get that.
How does killing yourself make you feel bigger?

[Asphodel]

I don't get it. Maybe that is because I'm not a smoker, maybe it's because I am insensitive, but I don't see any reason to kill yourself and those around you.

[SunsetG|rl]

As for the whole "I'll smoke if I want to" thing... Well i guess I just won't get that.
How does killing yourself make you feel bigger?

It doesn't make me feel bigger... It's hard to explain... It's sort of a calming thing... Like medicamentation for stress and heart break... And now I'm addicted.. I've come to enjoy the taste, and miss it sometimes... It's weierd... But I never have obligated anyone to stand by me when I smoke. I don't smoke in the house and usualy when I smoke with my friends I keep away from the non-smokers... Though, when in a bar they can't get away from it... Then... most of them are smokers...

I don't see any reason to kill yourself and those around you.

How many people who have comited suicide had a real reason? Most of them are just in some way chickens when it comes to faceing life... I guess I've never been to brave my self...

[Asphodel]

Well, I mean in bars it's okay, because people are acknowledging that they are going to a place with smokers. The big problem, is when smokers smoke in children's birthday partys and the such. Even if you don't see a no smoking sign you should use your own judgement. Most smokers, don't smoke in places like that, but some do. My mom smokes, but she never does inside of the house, and she tells me to be in front of her when she's smoking so the smoke doesn't blow in my face. Whenever we go to a restaurant we go to the non-smoking area, same with hotels.

[Dacre]

I am a smoker
I wish I'd never started, if I could wave a magic wand and not want to, I wouldn't.
It's hard to explain the feeling to a non-smoker of wanting a cigaretter. The worst thing is smokers who've quit are terrible to talk to about it as well, as usaully totally anti.
All I can say is after drinking 6+ cups of coffee a day for 5 years, I quit cold turkey when I tried, and never looked back. Have an occasional one now, but it was easy, didn't have one for 6months w/o any real effort. However, cigarettes, quit for 3 weeks, and was ready to kill people who even slightly annoyed me as so stressed.
I hate smoking if it annoys some-one, often end up if with a group of friends who don't smoke going outside / away as it annoys them.
Oh, on passive smoking, did you know wandering round London for half an hour is the equivalent to smoking a cigarette in many respects of damage to your lungs? So, if outisde the whole day, that's practically a pack of 20.

[SunsetG|rl]

But anyway a big city has more than cigar smoke... Smoke from cars, from industrial process...and so on...
And yes, you are so right...it's kinda pointless to try to explain to those who don't smoke what smoking it's all about... That's why they never understand and always buzz me about it...on how I should quit and stuff... I just can't...

[Asphodel]

I'm not trying to convince anyone to quit, I'm trying to convince smokers who have disrespect for the "rules" to oblidge by them. I.e., don't smoke near children, don't smoke in a no-smoking area...

[Broccoli]

Some time ago we had a relative visiting. Despite the fact that she was pregnant, everyone smoked in her presence and it didn't seem to bother her or anyone else. It's just strange that some people are so used to smoking that they find it normal even in situations like this one.

[Asphodel]

My mom totally gave up when she was pregnant, but then started again when she gave birth. I know it's one of those things where your always addicted no matter how long your away from it, but that was probably a good time to not start again.

[Broccoli]

hey, my mother did that too!

[SunsetG|rl]

Smoking when pregnent can be very dangerous for the baby... I think pregnant women should be more responsable... And people generally should be more carefull like not to smoke in front of children or pregnant women for that matter...

[Asphodel]

True, people always have signs that say "drink responsibly" but never "smoke responsibly. Though I think drinking is more dangerous, because if you go driving you not only endanger yourself, you endanger those around you.

[selene]

lucky for me, when we go out we always have a bob (someone who doesn't drink) or we use public transportation

and i smoke, not as much as i us too (i've never been a big smoker), but still, i never smoke in a restoraunt, train, in front of pregnant woman

i hate it if someone smokes while i'm eating, so ...

[Asphodel]

Yeah, you can't just chug Cubans down all day long. Especially if your often around children or pregnant women.

[*Riley*]

Can we start this thread again ?

Make new teams because most of the people who oiginally debated on this are now inactive.