Smoking ban heart gains 'massive'

[Don]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8267523.stm


Bans on smoking in public places have had a bigger impact on preventing heart attacks than ever expected, data shows.

Smoking bans cut the number of heart attacks in Europe and North America by up to a third, two studies report.

This "heart gain" is far greater than both originally anticipated and the 10% figure recently quoted by England's Department of Health.

The studies appear in two leading journals - Circulation and the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

Heart attacks in the UK alone affect an estimated 275,000 people and kill 146,000 each year.

Earlier this month it was announced that heart attack rates fell by about 10% in England in the year after the ban on smoking in public places was introduced in July 2007 - which is more than originally anticipated.

But the latest work, based on the results of numerous different studies collectively involving millions of people, indicated that smoking bans have reduced heart attack rates by as much as 26% per year.

Second-hand smoke is thought to increase the chances of a heart attack by making the blood more prone to clotting, reducing levels of beneficial "good" cholesterol, and raising the risk of dangerous heart rhythms.

Dr James Lightwood, of the University of California at San Francisco, led the Circulation study that pooled together 13 separate analyses.

His team found that heart attack rates across Europe and North America started to drop immediately following implementation of anti-smoking laws, reaching 17% after one year, then continuing to decline over time, with a 36% drop three years after enacting the restrictions.

Dr Lightwood said: "While we obviously won't bring heart attack rates to zero, these findings give us evidence that in the short-to-medium-term, smoking bans will prevent a lot of heart attacks.

"This study adds to the already strong evidence that second-hand smoke causes heart attacks, and that passing 100% smoke-free laws in all workplaces and public places is something we can do to protect the public."

Ellen Mason, of the British Heart Foundation, said: "These studies add to the growing evidence that a ban on smoking in public places seems to have a positive impact on heart attack rates, which is clearly good news for our nation's heart health.

"The statistics also show how quickly the benefits can be felt after a smoking ban is implemented and indicate how dangerous second-hand smoke can be to the heart.

"If you are a smoker, the single biggest thing you can do to avoid a heart attack is to give up, which could also protect the heart health of friends and family."

[steveo777]

umm, thanks. Not yet ready to quit, although I assure myself that if I really wanted to I would. I'm not in denial that I'm addicted to the fuckin cigs though.

[wastingbeerz]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8267523.stm


Bans on smoking in public places have had a bigger impact on preventing heart attacks than ever expected, data shows.

Smoking bans cut the number of heart attacks in Europe and North America by up to a third, two studies report.

This "heart gain" is far greater than both originally anticipated and the 10% figure recently quoted by England's Department of Health.

The studies appear in two leading journals - Circulation and the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

Heart attacks in the UK alone affect an estimated 275,000 people and kill 146,000 each year.

Earlier this month it was announced that heart attack rates fell by about 10% in England in the year after the ban on smoking in public places was introduced in July 2007 - which is more than originally anticipated.

But the latest work, based on the results of numerous different studies collectively involving millions of people, indicated that smoking bans have reduced heart attack rates by as much as 26% per year.

Second-hand smoke is thought to increase the chances of a heart attack by making the blood more prone to clotting, reducing levels of beneficial "good" cholesterol, and raising the risk of dangerous heart rhythms.

Dr James Lightwood, of the University of California at San Francisco, led the Circulation study that pooled together 13 separate analyses.

His team found that heart attack rates across Europe and North America started to drop immediately following implementation of anti-smoking laws, reaching 17% after one year, then continuing to decline over time, with a 36% drop three years after enacting the restrictions.

Dr Lightwood said: "While we obviously won't bring heart attack rates to zero, these findings give us evidence that in the short-to-medium-term, smoking bans will prevent a lot of heart attacks.

"This study adds to the already strong evidence that second-hand smoke causes heart attacks, and that passing 100% smoke-free laws in all workplaces and public places is something we can do to protect the public."

Ellen Mason, of the British Heart Foundation, said: "These studies add to the growing evidence that a ban on smoking in public places seems to have a positive impact on heart attack rates, which is clearly good news for our nation's heart health.

"The statistics also show how quickly the benefits can be felt after a smoking ban is implemented and indicate how dangerous second-hand smoke can be to the heart.

"If you are a smoker, the single biggest thing you can do to avoid a heart attack is to give up, which could also protect the heart health of friends and family."

Yeah, but unfortunately that won't stop smokers from bitching that they're being discriminated against. You know, because you really can't control being born a smoker.

Seriously, though, the smoking ban was the best thing to happen. I still don't understand how people make smoking their lifestyle. I only graduated high school like 10 years ago and already a lot of my classmates are starting to look like paper bags, aging VERY rapidly. I mean seriously, knowing this is the result, what compels people to do it? It's not even a great buzz. No one has ever given me a good argument that they "need' a cigarette, I've only ever heard excuses. I used to smoke, but got tired of feeling like shit every morning so I quit and have felt better ever since.

Smoking is really an epidemic in the world these days.

be even take them further. And if they ever get rid of them, they should make it legal to drink in public too!!!

[Carla777]

Yeah, but unfortunately that won't stop smokers from bitching that they're being discriminated against. You know, because you really can't control being born a smoker.

Seriously, though, the smoking ban was the best thing to happen. I still don't understand how people make smoking their lifestyle. I only graduated high school like 10 years ago and already a lot of my classmates are starting to look like paper bags, aging VERY rapidly. I mean seriously, knowing this is the result, what compels people to do it? It's not even a great buzz. No one has ever given me a good argument that they "need' a cigarette, I've only ever heard excuses. I used to smoke, but got tired of feeling like shit every morning so I quit and have felt better ever since.

I hope they continue the smoking bans, maybe even take them further. And if they ever get rid of them, they should make it legal to drink in public too!!!

Totally agree with you..my mom is addict to cigarette so i smoke anyway even if i never smoke in my life

[stevew2]

Yeah, but unfortunately that won't stop smokers from bitching that they're being discriminated against. You know, because you really can't control being born a smoker.

Seriously, though, the smoking ban was the best thing to happen. I still don't understand how people make smoking their lifestyle. I only graduated high school like 10 years ago and already a lot of my classmates are starting to look like paper bags, aging VERY rapidly. I mean seriously, knowing this is the result, what compels people to do it? It's not even a great buzz. No one has ever given me a good argument that they "need' a cigarette, I've only ever heard excuses. I used to smoke, but got tired of feeling like shit every morning so I quit and have felt better ever since.

I hope they continue the smoking bans, maybe even take them further. And if they ever get rid of them, they should make it legal to drink in public too!!!

Totally agree with you..my mom is addict to cigarette so i smoke anyway even if i never smoke in my life

You are smokin 24/7

[Rhiannon]

Yeah, but unfortunately that won't stop smokers from bitching that they're being discriminated against. You know, because you really can't control being born a smoker.

I'm all for not smoking inside public buildings, offices, restaurants, etc. Whatever. Not all smokers bitch about being discriminated against, but it's when people try to tell us we can't smoke outside, when we're already courteous people who aren't standing in your doorway, have conscientiousness to avoid open windows, children, elderly, and to release our vaporous toxins away from you. It's the one or two jerks with a point to prove about "rights" that make the non-smoking population want to roll their eyes at the rest of us smokers like you just did.

But if I'm on MY property or in MY car, and I want to smoke. Try to stop me. I implore you. If I'm avoiding people who have issues with smoke but they choose to not avoid me and then complain about my smoke, I will be more than happy to shotgun in the general direction of their nostrils. Respect goes a long way in both cases. Some people drink, get drunk, crash their car and kill babies. I'd love to see the government try to tax the shit out of and control alcohol to the extent they have tobacco.

Make no mistakes, these bans were not health fueled. It was all lobbyist agenda. And it worked. And big tobacco's profit is lining Uncle Sambo's pocket something fierce now. The health aspect is merely what garnered the public's support (as it should've).

[wastingbeerz]

Yeah, but unfortunately that won't stop smokers from bitching that they're being discriminated against. You know, because you really can't control being born a smoker.

I'm all for not smoking inside public buildings, offices, restaurants, etc. Whatever. Not all smokers bitch about being discriminated against, but it's when people try to tell us we can't smoke outside, when we're already courteous people who aren't standing in your doorway, have conscientiousness to avoid open windows, children, elderly, and to release our vaporous toxins away from you. It's the one or two jerks with a point to prove about "rights" that make the non-smoking population want to roll their eyes at the rest of us smokers like you just did.

But if I'm on MY property or in MY car, and I want to smoke. Try to stop me. I implore you. If I'm avoiding people who have issues with smoke but they choose to not avoid me and then complain about my smoke, I will be more than happy to shotgun in the general direction of their nostrils. Respect goes a long way in both cases. Some people drink, get drunk, crash their car and kill babies. I'd love to see the government try to tax the shit out of and control alcohol to the extent they have tobacco.

Make no mistakes, these bans were not health fueled. It was all lobbyist agenda. And it worked. And big tobacco's profit is lining Uncle Sambo's pocket something fierce now. The health aspect is merely what garnered the public's support (as it should've).

No, I was only speaking of smoking indoors. Smoking indoors pretty much forces everyone there to inhale it, smell like it, etc. Smoking bans in restaurants and concert venues have been great for someone like me, not having to instantly throw ALL my clothes in the hamper as soon as I get home is a great thing. To ban smoking outside is ridiculous, because people have CARS outside which probably expel worse toxins, for one.

I still don't get why people tend to venomously defend smoking. I'm not being a jerk, I just choose not to have to inhale cigarette smoke. It actually makes me pretty sick anymore. I tend to be stupid at concerts on occasion while intoxicated and ask for a cigarette or two from friends because I don't want to pay some ridiculously high price for concert booze. Big mistake for me, instantly means I'll have a severe headache the rest of the night, and probably have the ol' "feel like shit" wakeup that I had given up years ago when I quit. Ugh, there's two sides to everything, and having a differing opinion doesn't make someone a jerk. I just don't understand the need to smoke, and why it seems to be a necessity to so many people. I mean, I drink, but I don't drink a sixpack or two a day. If I even drink once a week I'm lucky. Yes, I know that's different, but when i worked at the gas station years ago I'd see people come back 2 or 3 times a night getting the same cigs, throwing away an empty pack while they were at it. Now that can't be healthy. Also, what someone does on their property is up to them.

Nothing I say should be taken personally, btw. I simply like to add a different perspective on things when I can. I'm also very used to people not appreciating my blatant honesty. But I'm not gonna change, I don't like telling people what they want to hear just for the sake of making them like me. I also admit to talking before I actually fully think about what I'm saying quite often. Anyhow, I still don't think I'm a jerk. But maybe rolling the eyes was a bit much. But I still don't see banning smoking as discrimination, because starting smoking in the first place is something fully under an individual's control. As is drinking, eating too much, doing drugs, etc. That was the general point I was trying to make.

[RedWingFan]

Yeah, but unfortunately that won't stop smokers from bitching that they're being discriminated against. You know, because you really can't control being born a smoker.

I'm all for not smoking inside public buildings, offices, restaurants, etc. Whatever.

I disagree Rhi. I think anyone who wants to open a bar or restauraunt that allows smoking should be able to do so. If smoking and second hand smoke are so dangerous, why don't they ban it? Cuz the government doesn't want to give up the tax dollars.
Neither my wife or I smoke. If the business can be supported by smokers only or non-smokers who'll tolerate it, so be it. It'll only create a market for a similiar "non-smoking" restauraunt to open next door.

P.S. I can't believe you smoke....cigarette smoke stinks!!!

[Suzanne]

I just wish my chain smoking boyfriend would stop smoking in my car. I'm allergic to cigarette smoke It bothers me and I think it stinks. We have a colossal arguement everytime I give him the eye when he lights up. He doesn't go for 15-20 minutes between cigs which pisses me off when we get in the car for a 15 minute car ride and he chooses right when we leave to smoke. Nothing against smokers, I understand it is an addiction and it isn't easy to quit. I just had to vent. Thanks.

[Ehwmatt]

I do think restaurants should be able to choose whether or not to allow smoking from a libertarian standpoint. I hate paternalistic shit like this. But, I have to admit, now that the ban is in place here for the last couple years, it sure is nice being able to go out for a beer or some pub food and not having to wash the stench of smoke out of my jeans.

I smoke a cigar a year probably (maybe not even), and I've never once even taken a drag off of a cig. That shit is gross and seeing my grandfather go through lung cancer when I was about 12 was all I needed to see not to ever get myself into it. It's gross as fuck anyway. I dated a girl once who smoked a bit, not even that much, and whenever she had just had one I wouldn't even let her near me. I really can't stand the smell!

I understand it's extremely addictive once you start. What I don't understand is how someone starts in the first place in this day and age with everything we know about it. Smoking's one of the few things that is said to be "bad for you" (you can find a study saying anything's bad for you if you look hard enough) that seems to be substantiated by overwhelming evidence. Given that, plus the addictiveness, why start if you're "in the know?"

[Rockindeano]

I just wish my chain smoking boyfriend would stop smoking in my car. I'm allergic to cigarette smoke It bothers me and I think it stinks. We have a colossal arguement everytime I give him the eye when he lights up. He doesn't go for 15-20 minutes between cigs which pisses me off when we get in the car for a 15 minute car ride and he chooses right when we leave to smoke. Nothing against smokers, I understand it is an addiction and it isn't easy to quit. I just had to vent. Thanks.

Let me get this straight- you have a chain smoking boyfriend, yet you are allergic to smoke? LOL, he must have a fucking huge tool for the ages, for you to stay and not walk away.

[Rhiannon]

But I still don't see banning smoking as discrimination, because starting smoking in the first place is something fully under an individual's control. As is drinking, eating too much, doing drugs, etc. That was the general point I was trying to make.

No, it's not discrimination in the normal sense. I agree somewhat, but if the government's going to step in and try to control people's exposure to hazardous health conditions inflicted from others then it's only a matter of time before you'll see weird legislation on alcohol, fast food, hell... some jackass speeding in a snowstorm is hazardous to my health if he slams his Denali into my side panels... when is my ban on douchebag drivers gonna pass?

@RedWing... I agree with all you said, and if I'm not mistaken, many states with the ban offer a "smoking" license that would allow the indoor smoking but it seems it's too expensive to attain and pay for the higher insurance premiums so most don't. And yes, it does stink. But it's ohhhh soooo delicious.

[Suzanne]

I just wish my chain smoking boyfriend would stop smoking in my car. I'm allergic to cigarette smoke It bothers me and I think it stinks. We have a colossal arguement everytime I give him the eye when he lights up. He doesn't go for 15-20 minutes between cigs which pisses me off when we get in the car for a 15 minute car ride and he chooses right when we leave to smoke. Nothing against smokers, I understand it is an addiction and it isn't easy to quit. I just had to vent. Thanks.

Let me get this straight- you have a chain smoking boyfriend, yet you are allergic to smoke? LOL, he must have a fucking huge tool for the ages, for you to stay and not walk away.

Well now that you mention it...

He keeps the smoking away from me until we go somewhere in my car which is only sometimes on weekends. But for the maybe once a weekend while I'm driving, I can't breathe easily. (I'm okay until it's blowing in my face) That's why I'm thinking unless we go for a longer than 30 minute drive, he could wait. When I first bought my car he didn't smoke in it all but he couldn't stand it for long. He always smokes outside or if it's Winter, in his bathroom with the fan on.

[strangegrey]

I used to smoke. Quite well over 15 years ago....last pack of cigarettes I bought was under $2!! Try buying a pack in NY for less than $7 now!
For that reason alone, I am thankful I'm not addicted to something that would've cost me $40-$50 a week now.


I actually am torn on this issue. Here in NY, there was a smoking ban back around 2001-2002. No smoking in a bar, a restaurant, public building, workplace, whatever...at the time, I was in a working cover band and our business dried up like the face of the crypt keeper. It was fucking awful. We couldn't get hired worth a damn, because people stopped going to bars. Literally. What used to be a packed bar in 2000, was a ghost town. Bars with outdoor patios were the only ones doing business...and only the top tier bands (we were not top tier) were getting those bars. So to that end, I was pissed that the ban happened.

But when the business started slowly picking up, I was very grateful that my guitars were no longer coming home smelling like ashtrays.

Personally, I'm all for a ban. Smoking is clearly responsible for a whole wealth of health nightmares....it's not like drinking where a few glasses of wine, beer or whiskey per week can be directly attributed to cancer, like cigarettes.

I actually hate having to walk through DSAs...and Rhianon, not to burst your bubble, but I fucking hate driving behind smokers. I still have to breathe your smoke....you could be driving 65 mph on the highway, and if I were driving behind you, I could smell every one of your puffs. I used to live in an apartment in Jersey...where every cigarette my neighbor smoked came seeping through the walls. So smoking at home sucks for neighbors too!


I'm not so sure I agree with the whole right wing/republican view on this...where as it's some freedom being infringed upon. There's a double standard with this whole 'tax revenue' thing. The government stands to lose a massive income stream in cig tax if it banned smoking. It's not a freedom...it's protecting an income stream.

I would rather Obama tax the fucking hell out of smokers and make anyone dumb enough to put one of those fucking things in their mouths pay for this health care crissis. Make a pack of cigs $3 more expensive...and take that extra 3 bucks/pack and pay for healthcare.....or better yet....cut out some fat from the gov...and apply all state and fed cig taxes to healthcare.

Granted, this was what Obama claimed to do with Healthcare originally (pay for it from cut inefficiency/fraud) but that was Obama's BIGGEST lie during his address...so I'm not holding my non-smoke-filled breath.

[Angel]

There's new research out now, also about third hand smoke. There are toxins and carcinogens that are left on the clothes, skin, hair of smokers that are just as dangerous as blowing smoke right into someone's face. So, parents that smoke that think they are protecting their children by only smoking outside are mistaken. While they lessen the risk a little by smoking outside, unless they come in and shower and wash their hair and change into clothes they haven't smoked in before they hold, hug, cuddle or play with their kids-they are still putting them at risk. The same is true for any contact that a smoker has with anyone-not just children.

Something else to think about...........

[Ehwmatt]

There's new research out now, also about third hand smoke. There are toxins and carcinogens that are left on the clothes, skin, hair of smokers that are just as dangerous as blowing smoke right into someone's face. So, parents that smoke that think they are protecting their children by only smoking outside are mistaken. While they lessen the risk a little by smoking outside, unless they come in and shower and wash their hair and change into clothes they haven't smoked in before they hold, hug, cuddle or play with their kids-they are still putting them at risk. The same is true for any contact that a smoker has with anyone-not just children.

Something else to think about...........

That sounds feasible but also a liiiiitttle bit overboard to me. I do believe second hand smoke is harmful though... my throat always feels terrible after sitting in a smokey bar all night.

[Angel]

There's new research out now, also about third hand smoke. There are toxins and carcinogens that are left on the clothes, skin, hair of smokers that are just as dangerous as blowing smoke right into someone's face. So, parents that smoke that think they are protecting their children by only smoking outside are mistaken. While they lessen the risk a little by smoking outside, unless they come in and shower and wash their hair and change into clothes they haven't smoked in before they hold, hug, cuddle or play with their kids-they are still putting them at risk. The same is true for any contact that a smoker has with anyone-not just children.

Something else to think about...........

That sounds feasible but also a liiiiitttle bit overboard to me. I do believe second hand smoke is harmful though... my throat always feels terrible after sitting in a smokey bar all night.

Well, you do have to be exposed to third hand smoke more than second hand smoke for it to cause harm, but the effects are the same.

[Rhiannon]

Rhianon, not to burst your bubble, but I fucking hate driving behind smokers. I still have to breathe your smoke....you could be driving 65 mph on the highway, and if I were driving behind you, I could smell every one of your puffs.

Seriously? Dang... I'm totally oblivious to it. Not just because I'm a smoker, but because I grew up around a family of smokers, too. I'll keep that in mind if I'm ever driving through Jersey. And for the record, I don't smoke indoors anywhere... about your neighbor statement. I do know what you mean there and yes it is gross.

I would rather Obama tax the fucking hell out of smokers and make anyone dumb enough to put one of those fucking things in their mouths pay for this health care crissis. Make a pack of cigs $3 more expensive...and take that extra 3 bucks/pack and pay for healthcare.....or better yet....cut out some fat from the gov...and apply all state and fed cig taxes to healthcare.

Errrmmm... you got your wish. Happened back in the spring. Where I used to buy smokes in an outlying county up here (where they were cheaper) in February/March they were $35/carton. Now they're $51 per. And that's exactly why the price went up. I think it was for Medicaid or whichever program is the one that helps children (maybe it's a new program entirely, I'm unsure).

Thing is though, they can't tax much more than the threshold they're at now. Especially in this economy. Granted, people like me who have good-paying salaries and can can afford ridiculous tax hikes on products will continue to buy them. (Or stock up on cartons with each trip back home to Virginia where they're still around $32 per, up from $24.) But the majority of smokers aren't going to keep paying out the nose and will eventually quit. So yay healthy non-stinky people! But bye-bye MASSIVE source of profit for one of the biggest industries in the nation.

Of course, it could always be like gas, and even at $4.50/gallon people were still driving. Not as much, but people will usually find a way to buy what they're looking for. Regardless of income.

And while smokers may smoke everyday and other people's health can be more directly affected by it, my point is that if the government is going to be prodding around in something like this, it's only a matter of time before they legislate and over-control unhealthy food, booze, pop, etc... if they can still get away with campaigning under a flag of "making America healthier/saving in healthcare costs", especially if this Universal Healthcare thing passes.

[Ehwmatt]

Thing is though, they can't tax much more than the threshold they're at now. Especially in this economy. Granted, people like me who have good-paying salaries and can can afford ridiculous tax hikes on products will continue to buy them. (Or stock up on cartons with each trip back home to Virginia where they're still around $32 per, up from $24.) But the majority of smokers aren't going to keep paying out the nose and will eventually quit. So yay healthy non-stinky people! But bye-bye MASSIVE source of profit for one of the biggest industries in the nation.

Of course, it could always be like gas, and even at $4.50/gallon people were still driving. Not as much, but people will usually find a way to buy what they're looking for. Regardless of income.

And while smokers may smoke everyday and other people's health can be more directly affected by it, my point is that if the government is going to be prodding around in something like this, it's only a matter of time before they legislate and over-control unhealthy food, booze, pop, etc... if they can still get away with campaigning under a flag of "making America healthier/saving in healthcare costs", especially if this Universal Healthcare thing passes.

Unfortunately, people will continue to buy them rather than quit. Than they will bitch when they wonder where hundreds/thousands of dollars of their money a year is going

How many people bitching about not being able to afford things in life that blow thousands a year on booze/cigs/pills and lotto tickets... geez.

Govt. tax hikes won't stop it, it will only make their plight worse, because sadly, most people like that don't ever figure it out or worse yet, can't control themselves.

[Rhiannon]

Govt. tax hikes won't stop it, it will only make their plight worse, because sadly, most people like that don't ever figure it out or worse yet, can't control themselves.

Which was kind of my point in the "or on the other hand" scenario. People will always find the money to pay for their vices before their bills if that's how they're wired.

And you're right. I can't tell you how many people I know from home are broke to the bone, can hardly pay rent, clothe and feed their kids properly, and get this, afford healthcare... but they'll still spend $50-100/week on cigarettes and beer. Correct me if I'm wrong, but wouldn't that extra $200-400/month buy some semi-decent health insurance? ...Nope, can't do without those Camels and 40's of Beast.

[Ehwmatt]

Govt. tax hikes won't stop it, it will only make their plight worse, because sadly, most people like that don't ever figure it out or worse yet, can't control themselves.

Which was kind of my point in the "or on the other hand" scenario. People will always find the money to pay for their vices before their bills if that's how they're wired.

And you're right. I can't tell you how many people I know from home are broke to the bone, can hardly pay rent, clothe and feed their kids properly, and get this, afford healthcare... but they'll still spend $50-100/week on cigarettes and beer. Correct me if I'm wrong, but wouldn't that extra $200-400/month buy some semi-decent health insurance? ...Nope, can't do without those Camels and 40's of Beast. :roll:

Hey, don't speak logically please!

Paychecks are meant to be deposited in the bank, not with the bartender.

[Arkansas]

I think politicians are funny when they pass new programs and use a cig tax increase as financial justification. Their numbers are totally bogus. They preach about how much income the new tax will generate. What they don't talk about is pricing themselves out of the program. As cig prices increase, more will quit. When more quit, tax revenue shrinks. Without the tax revenue, the program will die or there'll be some other new tax to support it.

Who all will still smoke when cigs are $10 or $20 a pack?
(Can you say black market?)


later~

[Rhiannon]

Hey, don't speak logically please!

Paychecks are meant to be deposited in the bank, not with the bartender.

Oops, my bad! I'll leave out drug habits of people on welfare then, too.

[strangegrey]

Rhianon, not to burst your bubble, but I fucking hate driving behind smokers. I still have to breathe your smoke....you could be driving 65 mph on the highway, and if I were driving behind you, I could smell every one of your puffs.

Seriously? Dang... I'm totally oblivious to it. Not just because I'm a smoker, but because I grew up around a family of smokers, too. I'll keep that in mind if I'm ever driving through Jersey. And for the record, I don't smoke indoors anywhere... about your neighbor statement. I do know what you mean there and yes it is gross.

Yeah, and I'm not saying it to be a dick to you about it! lol...

But I can smell a driver smoking in front of me. If you ever quit, you'll share a strange mixture of smoker tolerance and intolerance. There'll be places where you can't stand someone else smoking and places where you can deal with it.

For example, when I ultimately quit, I realized that i did the vast majority of my smoking in the car. So I reduced my driving for a while, while I quit. I gave myself less of an opportunity to want to light up. Unfortunately, 15 years after the fact, I can literally smell someone elses cigarette at a stop light 2-3 cars ahead of me...or directly in front of me, at any speed. It's infuriating....and not because I want one...but because I can smell it at all.

and for the record, I haven't been a NJ resident since the World Trade Center was still standing. Moved back out to Long Island in August of 2001. Thankfully, I might add, my bedroom view in New Jersey was this:

[Hollywood]

Yeah, but unfortunately that won't stop smokers from bitching that they're being discriminated against. You know, because you really can't control being born a smoker.

I'm all for not smoking inside public buildings, offices, restaurants, etc. Whatever. Not all smokers bitch about being discriminated against, but it's when people try to tell us we can't smoke outside, when we're already courteous people who aren't standing in your doorway, have conscientiousness to avoid open windows, children, elderly, and to release our vaporous toxins away from you. It's the one or two jerks with a point to prove about "rights" that make the non-smoking population want to roll their eyes at the rest of us smokers like you just did.

But if I'm on MY property or in MY car, and I want to smoke. Try to stop me. I implore you. If I'm avoiding people who have issues with smoke but they choose to not avoid me and then complain about my smoke, I will be more than happy to shotgun in the general direction of their nostrils. Respect goes a long way in both cases. Some people drink, get drunk, crash their car and kill babies. I'd love to see the government try to tax the shit out of and control alcohol to the extent they have tobacco.

Make no mistakes, these bans were not health fueled. It was all lobbyist agenda. And it worked. And big tobacco's profit is lining Uncle Sambo's pocket something fierce now. The health aspect is merely what garnered the public's support (as it should've).

They already do tax the shit out of alcohol. It really depends on where you live as far as taxes go. I don't smoke, but some of the alcohol taxes are out of this world. You mentioned Virginia's tobacco prices being lower. It is because they only charge $0.30 per pack tax where Nevada, where I live, it is $0.80 per pack. However the alcohol taxes are $19.00 per gallon in VA and only $3.80 per gallon in Nevada.

[wastingbeerz]

when is my ban on douchebag drivers gonna pass?

Best thing I've read all day. Hopefully you're including ALL douchebags that don't stop at stop signs and don't use turnsignals, EVER. And need we forget those who are on your ass constantly even when you're doing, say, 45 mph in a 25 mph zone already. Seriously, there needs to be some sort of crackdown of a-hole drivers like NOW.

[ProgRocker53]

It's so frustrating to see my parents continue to smoke despite me begging them to stop.

They're 45 and have been smoking for a solid 27 years. My dad has even been warned that he's showing beginning symptoms of COPD yet he still smokes away.

I'm so afraid that neither of them will make it to see their grandchildren or my wedding day, or even my younger sisters' graduations.

Every day, all day, they smoke like freight trains.. and it worries me so.

[bluejeangirl76]

when is my ban on douchebag drivers gonna pass?

Best thing I've read all day. Hopefully you're including ALL douchebags that don't stop at stop signs and don't use turnsignals, EVER. And need we forget those who are on your ass constantly even when you're doing, say, 45 mph in a 25 mph zone already. Seriously, there needs to be some sort of crackdown of a-hole drivers like NOW.

Nevermind just drivers, when is my ban on all douchebags gonna pass?

I've had it! I pick the lone quiet table at, say Starbucks, or where ever, nowhere near other patrons, so that I might sit and quietly have a conversation, and lo and be-god-damned-hold, EVERY time, within 60 seconds, a minimum of 3 douchebags show up, sit as close as they can to my table and act like loud fools.

[strangegrey]

I've had it! I pick the lone quiet table at, say Starbucks, or where ever, nowhere near other patrons, so that I might sit and quietly have a conversation, and lo and be-god-damned-hold, EVERY time, within 60 seconds, a minimum of 3 douchebags show up, sit as close as they can to my table and act like loud fools.

Oh, that was you?

[Jana]

It's so frustrating to see my parents continue to smoke despite me begging them to stop.

They're 45 and have been smoking for a solid 27 years. My dad has even been warned that he's showing beginning symptoms of COPD yet he still smokes away.

I'm so afraid that neither of them will make it to see their grandchildren or my wedding day, or even my younger sisters' graduations.

Every day, all day, they smoke like freight trains.. and it worries me so.

My mother only smoked a little bit when she was young and yet she's the ten percent that get lung cancer they consider unrelated to smoking, which is usually women, or possibly second-hand smoke when she was younger from her parents and maybe she was susceptible. Her lung cancer was brutal and had spread into her brain, and it was horrific to witness and care for her and so sad to see her go through the pain and stroke-like symptoms she had. I can't imagine smoking when your chances are so high for lung cancer and that it's an aggressive and terminal disease unless caught very early. I guess I'm sensitive to the subject b/c I learned so much about lung cancer trying to save her or extend her life, and to know smoking is the major cause of most lung cancers I just don't get people not stopping. Plus all the emphysema problems. My aunt had to have oxygen in her sixties b/c of heavy smoking. COPD, you name it, she had it, and eventually died of lung cancer. A model Christy Turlington came out and said after smoking for years she showed signs already of emphysema by the age of 30.