Date: 2008-11-02 11:52:02 Created: null
Yeah, I know it's addictive. Still, I can't help be amazed at smokers actually keeping to it. Standing around, outside smoking of course, talking about how their grandfather died of old age but their grandmother died of passive smoking because said grandfather smoked the pipe all his life. Feeling the scent of smoke through the balcony window and hearing someone coughing unstoppably below. Is denial and addiction a strong force or what?
Sometimes when I work I'm gripped by a strong desire to nag anyone who buys a pack of cigarrettes or any kind of tobacco. I wonder how people would react to someone suddenly doing that. I can't really imagine it hurting anyone, that's for sure. Unless they get mad and beat me up of course :-) ...
I'm know there are very powerful forces working against it (so many people making so much money from it), but nevertheless I can't quite see what the really bad bit about outlawing cigarrettes would be. I can't see it hurting anyone more than the current state of affairs does ...
Oh, the US could take the guns away at the same time, but them suddenly turning sensible is the last thing I'll expect ...
Addition May 19th, 2003
I read a horribly self-justifying column a while ago in one of those newspapers I'd never consider paying for. Basically, the writer was a smoker and he puked all over the opinions of the people he called "anti-smokers" (in difference to just non-smokers that he, naturally, found much better people). Basically anyone who can't keep their opinion about smoking to themselves are single-minded, militant, self-justifying idiots who can't see anyone else's point of view. Oh, and don't mind writing back, because I know exactly what you're all thinking to write too. Isn't it nice when someone does all the moves that could start a real debate, only to throw in statements that totally disallow any kind of criticism? I guess it's one of those pieces that one side finds really nice and the other totally meaningless and stupid. It sure didn't make me any more interested in being a quiet non-smoker ... After all, why be anti-smoking if you don't want smokers to react and think a bit?
Addition December 16th, 2003
Wohoo, smoking is going to get prohibited in clubs and places! No crying from me on this one. And I bet in a few years time nobody will even understand how we could have it allowed all over the place.