On Sat, 06 Mar 2010 11:05:35 -0500, "
wrote:

dpb wrote:
The Daring Dufas wrote:
...

The nice people who smoke are respectful and understand but
there are those afflicted with that "**** you" attitude who
have caused the rash of laws to be passed affecting the right
of all adults to damage their bodies any way they choose.
There is such a thing as personal responsibility, you will
suffer the consequences for bad behavior, not just your own
bad behavior but the bad behavior of like minded people.
People who smoke who feel their rights are being violated
should be mad at the asshole smokers who have brought about
the crackdown. It's such a simple concept to understand.

I don't think the reason behind present spate of smoking bans is much at
all related to attitudes/behavior of smokers rather it is the
nanny-state mentality the do-gooders have engendered. I don't think the
folks passing these laws give a flip about attitudes one way or t'other;
they're all for we know better.

--
It has a lot to do with money, as well...cost to employers and M'caid in
covering health issues. Of course, we will all die someday, so the "end
of life" rise in health costs eventually tolls. Personally, those with
bad habits save the gov't. money (SS benefits) by dying sooner ) OTOH,
not justifying smoking but I'm wondering when the huge increase in
obesity (many non-smokers and quitters) will overcome the savings in
illness and/or dollars brought about by smoking cessation. Smoking (and
some other really bad habits) came about, in part, to decrease appetite.

You're close; think TAXES.

The US has lots of insane practices that cost us dearly, like "sex
sells"...sexually explicit ads geared to teens, crap food ads geared to
toddlers, and pharmaceuticals that nobody in their right mind would use.

Of course, three of the four major resources that built this country are
outlawed or unpopular....sugar, tobacco, slavery and cotton.