AAARG! Surveys!

[aztecan]

OK, they're at it again. The pollsters, I mean.

I don't like surveys. I think they are misleading because whether 1,000 or 100,000 people are surveyed, how can then give a clear picture of what "the majority" of people think. Especially in a nation of 300 million people (a milestone we in the U.S. passed a few weeks back.)

Now, there was a survey that said 45 percent of Americans favor making smoking illegal. OK, PROVE IT!

I want every American polled. All of them. Each and every one. If not, then don't bother me.

Even if 45 percent did favor such a law, who cares. All it would do is create another Prohibition Era. Don't these dolts know all you need to do is ban something to make it more alluring?

I could see the headlines now:  Jails packed with tobacco scofflaws

Reminds me of the war in drugs. That sure has been a success.

I know smoking isn't healthy. I know I should quit. But that's my choice, not some policy maker in a think tank who is living on Twinkies and Big Macs, has a butt the size of the Hindenburg and enough cholesterol in his blood to clog my kitchen drain.

Smoking bans are popular now. I wonder how popular fat bans will be. New York has already crossed that barrier, whose next?

No smoking for me? No more fries, burgers, shakes, ribs, pasta, etc. for the obese. Tit for tat, I say.

I am really tired of people trying to govern my life.

Sorry for the rant, but this just struck the wrong way this morning.

HUGS,

Mark

[Jerry71]

I hear you on that Mark. Seems like the south at onetime was popular for growing tobacco. Now everywhere in the south it is NO SMOKING. All I can say is that why not put us smokers in a different part of the restaurants put up a wall and let us enjoy a smoke now and then. Next ban will be smoking in public outside areas. I mean really come on we are outside and the world is wide open. ooooooooooooo a little smoke might get on me grow up and deal with it.

[Ann]

I'm in total agreement with you here Mark. Everytime I read the published reports of one of these polls, I always think, well, they never asked me! Informal polls of friends reveal they've never been asked either.

It's like that old phrase, "they say....". Who the hell are they and why should I care what they say?

I bet at least 45% of people on these forums agree too. Shall we take a survey?

Ann

[Andy Velez]

I only rarely have a cigarette. I mean like maybe a couple of times a year if that. But I never mind smoking around me (except on an airplane when that was allowed). Depending on what brand it is I actually enjoy the smell sometimes.

What I find ironic is all the fuss about smoking and how little is done in a serious way about the quality of air in all of our major cities. So what all kinds of limits are being set for smokers there's all this auto exhaust, manufacturing and other stuff spewing out everywhere with almost no effective restrictions in place.

And anti-smokers get so humorlessly controlling and self-righteous.  Feh.

[Jody]

My mommy still doesn't let me smoke !!! 

Jody

[MSPspud]

I don't think smoking should be outlawed by any means, but I have no problem with it being banned in closed public spaces.  Going out is so much nicer!  I used to think the market should dictate smoking or nonsmoking but since the ban went through in Minneapolis I haven't seen any hardships.  Many smokers even seem to prefer it now.  It's led to some great outdoor areas at bars and innovative ways to enjoy being outside when it's below zero.

[Gary85741]

In Arizona, we have two anti-smoking ballot measures this year.  So either way, right there, I know (as a smoker) I'm going to lose more ground.  One bans it everywhere in public buildings, restaurants, bars, etc. (with a few exceptions like casinos on our Indian reservations,) and the other would permit smoking in bars if the owner wishes to do so, and the area is segregated with separate ventilation.  Oh then there's another ballot measure to increase cigarette tax by eighty cents a pack to fund "childhood education" (guess they pick that to increase its chances of passing I suppose.)

There seems to be little or no 'live and let live' philosophy anymore.  I realize and respect there are those who have trouble being around smokers due to asthma or other physical, tangible health issues.  However, there are a lot of rabid anti-smokers who simply seek an exalted idea of their own importance by demeaning and judging others.  With all due respect, to hell with those.

People jumping on the bandwagon to condemn smokers better be careful!  That just might open the door next to further regulation or taxation of alcohol (which just happens at present to be culturally acceptable) as well as even everyone's beloved caffeine.

Through the 1970s before all this started, smoking didn't seem to bother that many non-smokers...interesting huh?  And another thing, which I have asked some physicians over the years, and to which I've never received a cogent answer:  If smoking, and second-hand smoke, is so acutely dangerous as claimed, why weren't people dropping like flies when the majority of Americans smoked?  I realize it's not good for one, but this has gone to the point of absurdity. 

One so-called study even claims a correlation between a mother's smoking while pregnant, and the child having criminal tendencies.  Gimme a break!

Gary

[Robert]

well I don't know if this thread is about smoking or polls so I'll say a little something about each.

Jerry;  In SF of course you can't smoke inside anymore. But now even outside, in front of the building, or even something like within 50 yards you can't smoke either.  Which means if you're downtown, you're screwed.

Also, there is a proposition on the ballot to increase the cigarette tax by $2.60!  That's a heavy increase.

I'm like Andy.  I think I have successfully stopped smoking (although I dreamed about it last night) but the smoke doesn't bother me.

Now, about the polls.  What boggles my mind is that, according to the polls, over 50%  of the  population still believe in WMD and that Bush was right in going into IRAQ to get rid of them.  Even Bush, the asshole, has admitted they're not there but Rove is no dummy.  He lies through his teeth.  It doesn't matter because people will believe whatever you tell them, even something as nefarious sounding as a "Homosexual Agenda". (You're going to see that a lot in the next few days.  The election is next Tuesday.  Apparently the Republicans have some catching up to do.)

robert

robert