Is it wrong to condemn those who smoke so harshly?

United States
May 9, 2007 1:38pm CST
As someone who once indulged in the habit, I have to ask why people so unkind about those that smoke? Smokers are often treated like leppers. The hypocracy of some people makes me sick. I have often seen people who are several pounds over weight and who do no exercise condemning smokers as they pile a second burger into their mouths. Governments in the West seem to be coming down excessively hard on smokers. Don't get me wrong, there can be no doubt that smoking damages the health. However, is it better to live a long life with out indulging in any vices, to live until you are ninety with out too much pleasure because many things that we enjoy like fatty foods, alcohol and cigarettes, are also damaging to the heath? Or is it preferable to live a shorter but more enjoyable life? Furthermore, what has it got to do with the government what people do with their own lives as long as they only do harm to themselves? Governments don't seem to mind using youths as fodder to fight their economic wars when it suits them. Nor do they seem too concerned about those who live below the poverty line and struggle to survive, so they can't really claim they care about the lives of individuals. Ok, it is wrong to force other people to breathe your smoke, but if you only smoke while alone? What about those who are obese? Is it really anybody else's business how many pies any of us eat? The way I see it the government uses issues like obesity, alcoholism and nicotene addiction to make money from those that indulge these habits. Insurance companies use them as an excuse not to pay out. And as for those who hate smokers, can they honestly look in the mirror and say they are with out any bad habit or vice?
3 people like this
4 responses
@prasanta (1948)
• India
9 May 07
You are very much to the point. Everybody should be at liberty to enjoy life, government should not interfere.
• United States
9 May 07
I am still wating for somebody to tell me the opinion I posted is wrong. lol.
1 person likes this
@prasanta (1948)
• India
20 May 07
If there is a justified argument, why do you expect someone to oppose that? I could not folow.
• Philippines
9 May 07
oh my god! you are so r freaking right! i myself am still in the habit of smooking, i know it is really not doing any wonders for my own health but then...why live life without indulging a little bit? i can now see the injustice of it all...just by putting one cig in your mouth, some people actually do get out of your way...gosh...it's so unfair!they treat us like we're any different, or should i dare say lower than them, when in all actuality, they practically have the same number of vices that we do! heck, even when i do smoke alone, the cig smoke sticks to every inch of my skin meaning i bring the stench with me wherever i go which makes people aware of what i've done resulting in them looking at me like i've just done something really wrong! oh wen will the prejudice end?
1 person likes this
@Sir_bobby88 (8231)
• Singapore
3 Jun 07
Well it is actually for their own good yea ... if everyone non smokers condemn them , then they will try to quit smoking yea as everyone don't like it yea ... Give them some peer pressure to quit it yea ... it is for their own good
• United States
10 May 07
I think you are right. It is no one's business if someone smokes and doesn't blow it in your face. I believe the non-smoking section in restaurants is necessary. Smoke in confined places can be very irritating and damaging to those suffering from lung problems and small children. Patio smoking should be fine, as mother nature takes care of smoke from smokers, perhaps with the aid of a light fan. I will not share a tiny room with a smoker because I've a lung condition, but some of these laws are just out of hand. What we got is a group of control freaks trying to control the lives of others. I fear that it will eventually go much, much farther. From smokers, to fat folk...to who? The mentally ill? The ugly?
• United States
22 May 07
I know smokers, and I try to see things from other's point of view.
• United States
10 May 07
I appreciate your balanced perspective on the issue.
1 person likes this