Quote:
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Originally Posted by SlackDad
I think this post nicely encapulates the way that as a society we are becoming obessed with risk assessing every aspect of our lives. In the mean time, of course, life is passing us by. I'm frankly starting to wonder that if people are that concerned with smoking in pubs etc. then maybe they haven't really got that much to worry about at all.
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So the tactics of the smoking lobby can be summed up something like this:
1. Attempt to deflect the debate onto other health concerns (e.g. alcohol), as if it's impossible to do anything about smoking unless we also do something, simultaneously, about a thousand and one other things.
2. Attempt to characterise the ban itself as an assault on public health because of the possibility of depression in some people who quit. At the same time, conveniently forget that smoking kills far more people than giving up does.
3. Attempt to portray the ban as an assault on freedom. Never mind the fact that non-smokers are in the majority and do not currently have the freedom to go to a pub and not inhale smoky air, because the smokers, who are in the minority, insist on the absolute freedom to indulge in their habit regardless of the fact that it compels others to share it.
and finally, the opus, the masterpiece itself:
4. Attempt to ridicule the arguments in favour of a ban as a hobby of those with nothing better to do with their time. Happily ignore the fact that smoking, and passive smoking, is a killer that many people quite justifiably wish to see taken out of their way.
I have an idea - smokers, if you want to indulge in a potentially fatal habit that gives you a buzz, why not take up base jumping? Then you can take your life into your hands as often as you like without affecting anyone else at the same time.