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The continued persecution of smokers . . .
CONGRATULATIONS, Mr Welch, on your article on gas masks for anti-smokers - maybe any reader can write and add their opinions on the anti-smoking bans and further restrictions proposed by Government and councils to make smokers feel more and more like outcasts?
Although we supply billions of pounds in tax on cigarettes a year, of which it is estimated £5 billion is given to the NHS, what do anti-smokers subscribe?
Anti-smokers are so concerned in blaming cigarettes for all the diseases in the world they fail to observe the pollution from motor vehicles and industrial waste and everyday things that could even be a bigger contribution to diseases than cigarettes could ever be.
Hope to read many more from smokers or non-smokers on the continued persecution of smokers.
D. Alcott,
Eastcroft Road,
Wallasey
2:18pm Tuesday 25th March 2008
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CommentPosted by: Thom Price, Birkenhead on 2:30pm Tue 25 Mar 08
"Although we supply billions of pounds in tax on cigarettes a year, of which it is estimated £5 billion is given to the NHS"
Hence the free Cancer treatments later in life, off...you guessed it...the NHS!
I by no means am perfect, but this " persecution" rubbish has to stop!
"Although we supply billions of pounds in tax on cigarettes a year, of which it is estimated £5 billion is given to the NHS"
Hence the free Cancer treatments later in life, off...you guessed it...the NHS!
I by no means am perfect, but this " persecution" rubbish has to stop!
Posted by: Steve Mac on 3:56pm Tue 25 Mar 08
It is true that smoking does affect health. It is also true that smokers are persecuted. Many people will willinlgy do this because they like to "gang up" and apportion blame on a target group. Smokers are an obvious group to pick on. Surely the main aim is to discourage people from starting which is going to take a lot more effort than imposing a blanket ban in public spaces like pubs. It's just sabre rattling really-all mouth and no trousers. Whether they smoke or not, all people should be treated with respect and not demonised for their habit. Ok you will always get the inconsiderate types who will smoke anywhere and there are many ways of showing disapproval, as there are many people inconsiderate in other ways. There is no simple answer and while I don't smoke I don't see the use of persecuting people for their habits.
It is true that smoking does affect health. It is also true that smokers are persecuted. Many people will willinlgy do this because they like to "gang up" and apportion blame on a target group. Smokers are an obvious group to pick on. Surely the main aim is to discourage people from starting which is going to take a lot more effort than imposing a blanket ban in public spaces like pubs. It's just sabre rattling really-all mouth and no trousers. Whether they smoke or not, all people should be treated with respect and not demonised for their habit. Ok you will always get the inconsiderate types who will smoke anywhere and there are many ways of showing disapproval, as there are many people inconsiderate in other ways. There is no simple answer and while I don't smoke I don't see the use of persecuting people for their habits.
Posted by: Alan, Wallasey on 9:32pm Tue 25 Mar 08
With respect it is not a "habit" as none smokers prefer to call it but an addiction.
If it was heroin we used we would get all kinds of help and cash benefits..
The only difference is we don't rob people to fund our addiction although the way prices are going that may have to change!
With respect it is not a "habit" as none smokers prefer to call it but an addiction.
If it was heroin we used we would get all kinds of help and cash benefits..
The only difference is we don't rob people to fund our addiction although the way prices are going that may have to change!
Posted by: Steve Mac on 8:51am Wed 26 Mar 08
Fair point Alan. We could say the habit comes from the addiction (or vice-versa?) or whatever. However does one feel a sense of being trapped because of addiction? How much of a choice might someone have if they are addicted-if a button could be pressed to stop smoking without any of the cravings etc, how many people would make the choice? When I packed in 6 years ago it wasn't so much of a choice-more of a case of taking the opportunity to stop, which happened to be the distraction of a new relationship. I'm stuffed now becaused I married her.
Fair point Alan. We could say the habit comes from the addiction (or vice-versa?) or whatever. However does one feel a sense of being trapped because of addiction? How much of a choice might someone have if they are addicted-if a button could be pressed to stop smoking without any of the cravings etc, how many people would make the choice? When I packed in 6 years ago it wasn't so much of a choice-more of a case of taking the opportunity to stop, which happened to be the distraction of a new relationship. I'm stuffed now becaused I married her.
Posted by: Cyril, Wallasey on 4:20pm Wed 26 Mar 08
Why couldnt this fascist Government do the simple democratic thing and let Individual Breweries or Landlords vote as to whether smoking would be allowed in their premises or not.This would be a democratic way of handling the situation but oh no not this Govt who dictate what happens and to hell with choice.They say no smoking and no smoking it is. Whatever happened to this Free Country. This sort of thing happened in far off Banana Republics that we all scoffed at.Why are they so anti choice. This Country is now a laughing stock especially since Blair and Brown made it embarrasing to live here.
I personally now refuse to buy cigarettes from a shop and will only smoke Duty Free which I get from various outlets.
I refuse point blank to give this dictatorial bunch of fascists a penny in tax for my smoking habit
Why couldnt this fascist Government do the simple democratic thing and let Individual Breweries or Landlords vote as to whether smoking would be allowed in their premises or not.This would be a democratic way of handling the situation but oh no not this Govt who dictate what happens and to hell with choice.They say no smoking and no smoking it is. Whatever happened to this Free Country. This sort of thing happened in far off Banana Republics that we all scoffed at.Why are they so anti choice. This Country is now a laughing stock especially since Blair and Brown made it embarrasing to live here.
I personally now refuse to buy cigarettes from a shop and will only smoke Duty Free which I get from various outlets.
I refuse point blank to give this dictatorial bunch of fascists a penny in tax for my smoking habit
Posted by: jezza on 10:59am Sat 29 Mar 08
I've never read so much cr*p in all my life! I don't smoke and LONG for the day cars are no longer. Alan,if you were on heroin you'd be getting ALOT MORE GRIEF. Steve,I havn't got a clue what your opinion is and I don't think you do either,you sound like a "see both sides man".
I've never read so much cr*p in all my life! I don't smoke and LONG for the day cars are no longer. Alan,if you were on heroin you'd be getting ALOT MORE GRIEF. Steve,I havn't got a clue what your opinion is and I don't think you do either,you sound like a "see both sides man".
Posted by: Dave Rimmer, Wallasey on 12:41pm Sun 30 Mar 08
Yes pal, you are quite right. Steve has the foresight to see that every story has two sides which is more than can be said for some people.
Yes pal, you are quite right. Steve has the foresight to see that every story has two sides which is more than can be said for some people.
Posted by: jezza on 6:08pm Sun 30 Mar 08
It's called courage of your convictions,pick a side and argue your case for it. If you're going to see both sides then your going to end up with the LIBERALS!
It's called courage of your convictions,pick a side and argue your case for it. If you're going to see both sides then your going to end up with the LIBERALS!
Posted by: Con-sumer Zombies, Shop on 5:13pm Mon 31 Mar 08
WAR ON DRUGS? yeah, right if you smoke and drink and eat sweets from a hospital vending machine more like, even though the **** they feed you in hospital will kill you anyway WHO CARES!!!!
WAR ON DRUGS? yeah, right if you smoke and drink and eat sweets from a hospital vending machine more like, even though the **** they feed you in hospital will kill you anyway WHO CARES!!!!
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