This thread is about cigarettes. Bunching a load of other mega problems together and saying…”There look….its just too difficult to sort out…too many problems, so we just gotta live with it.” ….. That’s not the right way to think about problems! Problems are there for solving; adding other problems on top of problems just makes it even more difficult and complicated. (Which is why I didn’t discuss alcohol in my previous post.)

At some point we (as a people) need to take responsibility for our actions. Smoking cigarettes is almost guaranteed to damage a person’s health. Sorry to quote lots of statistics in the previous post, but I was trying to show the seriousness of the problem. Its not small, millions of people are effected worldwide every single day. Every single person in the western world will know close friends affected by tobacco.

I’m not suggesting banned cigarettes overnight…which would obviously cause gigantic upheaval in those countries. There would be rioting in the streets. I’m talking about having a plan of action to stop kids starting smoking and phasing it out. Stop companies from selling and making millions and millions and well billions of dollars by marketing & selling death.

I’m not suggesting it’s easy…its not…..but at some point enough people will sit up and say “No, this is wrong. We as a nation should protect life, not allow death.” When will the “people” collectively sit up and ask this question, in enough numbers, to have an effect, to make a difference? I have no idea…but I know I am asking those questions now. I don’t think there is much I can do, but sticking my head in the sand and saying its not a problem for ME, and “I” want my rights to do whatever “I” want…..i believe is short sighted and morally wrong in today’s world.

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world; indeed it’s the only thing that ever had.” Margaret Mead

“All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third it is accepted as being self-evident.” Arthur Schopenhauer.

I really like that last quote. I guess smoking is at the second stage right now…..its up to us to accept the self-evident truth that smoking kill millions of people needlessly, simply so that a few share holders make some money. How do we protect the people unfortunately enough be to hooked? To my mind…..it can’t be that difficult to it figure out.

– <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />ditto Carla…It’s good to talk…………………even if we don’t see eye to eye.

Took me a while to get what you mean about tracking down my 20pct mates that did not smoke….i thought about it & i get I now……how happy are they now? is there health screwed anyway? Or are they healthy……interesting thought.