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I’m a non-smoker Michael, never was a smoker, but I’m hardly a zealot, although I suspect many of the anti-smoking lobby may well be. I’m not a joiner of causes!
I don’t particularly care about those that choose to smoke, as long as my wish that they don’t do it near me is given equal respect. I also most certainly wouldn’t allow anyone to smoke in my home or my car, but as I’ve already mentioned I don’t know anyone who smokes, so neither situation is likely to arise.
I’m perfectly rational about smoking, but wouldn’t stay near to anyone person or a group that was smoking, because I just don’t like it. I only ever went out with one female that smoked, and she was on the back-burner from the second we met, and there’s a joke in there somewhere!
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Quoting: Steven Collins
I refer the gentleman to my previous answer - nice try again, though. You’re getting a dab hand at following me around - you’re not a stalker are you?
Nah...I think you might be confusing me with someone who actually cares Steven.
Evelyn Waugh once made an observation which could well apply to you : "He’s beginning to sound like a German opera; too loud and too long".
I’m not really bothered about what you are, but until you clarify that status you claim to have then my integrity is intact and you....well you have yet to establish any!
Quoting: Owen Hunter Some folks start smoking at a very young age and live well into their 90’s plus without getting cancer. My great granda smoked all his life from a very young age, he was 96 years old when he died.
That’s the lottery of life Owen. Similar to asbestos workers - some croak within a few years, others live long lives with no apparent effects.
I stopped smoking 25 years ago on the advice of my doc, wheezing and sometimes difficulty in breathing, he told me that I was on the verge of emphysima (not sure of spelling). Put on lots of weight at first, my appetite went phenominal, instead of a fag after a meal I’d have a pie or cake etc. Eventually, to lose the newly aquired weight I took up running and cycling and haven’t looked back. Have since traded running for swimming (kinder on the leg joints) and apology for blowing trumpet but I’m much fitter near 60 than in my teens, 20s, 30s. I regret ever taking up smoking.
Look at any film up to 20 or so years ago and smoking looked very sophisticated and grown up to an impressionable young lad. History is repeating, Hollywood bimbos are sometimes seen with a smoke, obviously paid sponsorship from the baccy companies as the packet is held in such a way that the brand name can be seen.
My smoking increased heavily when I joined the RN and got into the duty free. Buying by the half pound instead of half ounce. It would feel as if missing out otherwise.
1st July 11 smoking was banned in all NZ prisons, there are designated areas for staff but staffing levels are the barest minimum so no one can leave the wings for a puff. The more enterprising of the ’clientele’ have been caught brewing tea leaves with nicotine patches to smoke the nicotine enriched tea.
To get right back to the topic, I used to smoke in the car and it’s not until I stopped that I realised how unpleasant it was for non smokers. Education rather than legislation, but if someone is determined to carry on smoking in vehicles then so be it.
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Hhmmm!!!!
Time to stop faffing around here, gentlemen.
Steven Collins. I accuse you of lying, regarding your service background. I doubt that you came anywhere near W.O. Anyone else, so challenged (as it will be recalled, the challenge was made by myself, originally, in regard to your trade, at least) would have taken such umbrage as to show as much evidence as was necessary to quieten the doubters. You however have simply blown smoke and wasted everyone’s time with snide remarks, unworthy of a five year old. There may be others here who for security purposes would be unwise in disclosing their trade. I am one. However, if I was asked privately I would be happy to do so. You, though, instead of claiming any such thing, choose to attempt the adoption of some air of mystique it would appear.
The impression that you are giving is one of a sad case who is, piecemeal, attempting to challenge other members who you see as assumed betters (not in our opinion, mark you) and failing spectacularly.
If you can furnish me (either in post or privately) with definitive proof of your ’rank’ and trade then you will have an apology from me by return and I will not pick up this subject again. No! of course you do not have to do that and it is rather churlish of me to make that challenge. Unfortunately, in the oft heard words........’you brought this on yourself, matey’........
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I used to smoke, I stopped many years ago, mainly because I realised that I did it out of habit, not because I enjoyed it, secondly its not fair to annoy those around you who don’t smoke.
As to the argument that there is no proof that smoking is harmful to health, this to me seems that they are in denial, it’s the argument "I’ve smoked all my life and it’s never done me any harm". I remember that argument as we watched my wifes’ uncle in hospital on oxygen fighting for breath for two weeks until he succumbed to emphysema.
These are but a few of the 4000 chemicals found in cigarette smoke,
Chemicals In Cigarettes Chemical Description Benzene (petrol additive)
A colourless cyclic hydrocarbon obtained from coal and petroleum, used as a solvent in fuel and in chemical manufacture - and contained in cigarette smoke. A It known carcinogen associated with leukaemia.
Formaldehyde (embalming fluid)
A colourless liquid, highly poisonous, used to preserve dead bodies - also found in cigarette smoke. Known to cause cancer, respiratory, skin and gastrointestinal problems.
Ammonia (toilet cleaner)
Used as a flavouring, frees nicotine from tobacco turning it into a gas Often found in dry cleaning fluids.
Acetone (nail polish remover)
Fragrant volatile liquid ketone, used as a solvent, for example, nail polish remover Found in cigarette smoke.
Tar
Particulate matter drawn into lungs when you inhale on a lighted cigarette. Once inhaled, smoke condenses and about 70 per cent of the tar in the smoke is deposited in the smoker’s lungs.
Nicotine (insecticide/addictive drug)
One of the most addictive substances known to man, a powerful and fast-acting medical and non-medical poison. This is the chemical which causes addiction.
Carbon Monoxide (CO) (car exhaust fumes)
An odourless, tasteless and poisonous gas, rapidly fatal in large amounts The same gas that comes out of car exhausts The main gas in cigarette smoke, formed when the cigarette is lit
Table 1 - Source: Health Education Authority (UK) - Lifesaver
This is not an exhaustive list of chemicals contained in a cigarette but it gives examples that many people will be able to recognise and relate to the harmful health effects of smoking cigarettes.
Having read through the list above, do you know what poisons are in cigarettes?
So to those in denial take your head out of the sand.
When I smoked (foolishly) I knew the risks, It was probably peer pressure that got me started. But you do silly things as a teenager.
THE PROOF OF THE RISK TO HEALTH HAS BEEN KNOWN SINCE THE EARLY SIXTIES, THE CANCER CONNECTION SHORTLY AFTER.
