SMOKING

Don’t tell me what to do and I will not tell you where to go!

As far as I know there are enough facts about tobacco and other herb smoking in history of many countries, even ancient cultures. Unfortunately I am a smoker too and it seems like I will never quit. I really hope that it will never happen because the only reason to make me stop smoking is a serious illness. I perfectly understand all harm of that way of life and always consider as an attempts of suicide. But it is not my goal to talk about tendency to self-destruction not only individuals but also all modern society. At least not now.  I do wish that everyone especially children will be free from this habit. I am sure that all members of society (smokers and non-smokers) have equal rights but it is obvious that very often governments forgot about this when their PR services realize popular anti-smoking campaigns. These programs are invested with enormous amounts of money, also by tobacco magnates as an indulgence for nicotine souls.  There are a lot of people responsible for the control of smoking all over the world. These specialists distribute huge finance which is put from smoker too. At the same time great money from tobacco tax flow to country’s budget.

Why does no one pay tax for cocaine? It is almost the same unacceptable addiction which can be cause of death. But for strange reasons smokers are luckier than drug-dependent persons because they have wonderful opportunity to make profit to their country by their health.  

Of course, it is possible to make smoking illegal but it will not stop smokers and cannot help to reduce their quantity. Some countries have already seen similar examples with alcohol and prostitution. And what about men? They cannot live without whisky, tobacco and women. At least the most part of them. Do not forget about women. I respect their rights too and I love feminism. But I prefer to smoke together with woman after sex rather than listen her annoying sayings about smell of tobacco.

So, what do we have according to worldwide intention to health lifestyle? All of us: smokers and nonsmokers. The first thing is increasing prices for cigarettes because of higher and higher tobacco taxes. Is it normal? If you buy 2 bottles of coke, you are presented 3rd. However everybody knows about harm of this drink for health and do nothing. If someone has problem with overweighting, government and advertisement offer to do exercises, use consultation of nutritionist or other way (for instance, McDonalds ).  Although there are many obese people in USA and Europe, no one protects them by taxes from fast food or cholesterol deadly harm. Why?Is it protection of fast food and spread manufactures? Or discrimination? What is it? It is not my deal. 

Keep talking, let me remind you that you cannot smoke in public places where you can eat hamburger. Do you remember that smokers are the same people as nonsmokers? We are not pets which are prohibited to come into grocery. All people must have equal rights regardless of our way of life. Of course, it is good idea to hide smoking people, but in that case smokers need some places with comfort conditions and good ventilation. How many smoking areas with enough ventilating do you know?  When I say ‘enough’ I mean really good when you can see walls in this room. If you don’t smoke and all this looks like a baby’s tears, just try to wait some time and don’t have a pee. You cannot do this in public places, can you? Have you ever tried to use dirty toilet sized 3*4 meters, where 8 people try to do this ordinary business in one toilet bowl at the same time? 

Let’s have a look at lovely New Zealand. Here you can face with genius idea in the present situation of anti-smoking war – you have no chances to relax with cigarettes even into any bars. Smokers are turn out from institute campuses. To have analogy, they must do the deed outside if they suddenly want. Why was it genius? Now all citizens including children have to see smokers in the streets. Is it good examples for teenagers? What did Ministers think about when enacted this ridiculous law? Maybe it will be better to allow smokers follow their habit safe from prying eyes, won’t it? But do not forget about perfect ventilation – it’s the main point.

Unfortunately, the smokers’ opinion is nobody’s interest. There is no global purpose to ban smoking. And government is very glad to earn a profit on the next ‘death’ taxes. By the way if we look up on formation of tobacco price in most ‘anti-smoking’ countries, we’ll be highly surprised the fact that the most part of   final value of a cigarettes pack is tobacco tax which exceeds the net price of tobacco in it in several times. Why? To break of a bad habit? Not exactly. It seems like to show the moving of money from tobacco king and charity organization to the citizens’ wealth, and at the same time, to keep receiving funds from good smoking members of society. 

Let’s back to overweighting harm comparing with smoking one. According to statistical info about 30-80% of Europeans are obese, but only 5-30% are smoking. I do not pretend to absolute truth. You know that the main goal of statics is to show the right figures to people. Ask any nutritionist or cardiologist how they find the effects of fat food for human heart and blood vessels. I am sure that the information and illustration will be comprehensive. According to social researches number of infarcts was decreased by one third in Europe after smoking ban. However were other results of that reform studied?  How many people suddenly stopped smoking threw themselves on food? The wolf-fish appetite after breaking of smoking is generally known fact.  How many people faced with other chronicle diseases?  In my opinion there are some cynicism and attempting to solve the problem in one way.

Of course, I found the figures given above in the first popular articles by Google search. Do not discuss about honesty those sites and information. But there are similar figures and percentage in all researches. I do not want to stimulate you to start smoking. Quite the opposite, I am for healthy lifestyle.   But I really dream to see faces of anti-tobacco militants when they will find their favorite foods at the 10-fold prices because someone will decide to improve their health.  Or imagine other situation. The statesman goes to supermarket to buy his favorite spread and notices that it costs five times as much; there are signature “cholesterol kills” and photo of arteriosclerosis or awfully fat dead people. Is it fair? 

Nobody justifies people, who drink a lot of coffee, eat fat and fried food, subsist on vegetarian diet (what about animals whose food these people like so much?), enjoy coke and energy drinks, like very spicy food or candies. Abuse of these products affects on health as much as smoking. Is not it? Nobody says that these people propagandize unhealthy way of living. Nobody curtails their freedom and rights by prohibiting drinking   or eating something harmful in public places.

What can we do? We can send petitions to government or participate in demonstrations. I very doubt in results. Bur I am really sure that the only way to make a difference is to change ourselves. Smokers should choose places for smoking away from children. Unfortunately our own children are not protected from our habits, but we can do the best and spare other individuals. Every smoker should respect other people and challenge to respect his rights.

In conclusion, I would remind that every smoker is an individual with his own wishes, rights and obligations. Nobody can restrict his choice of work place, accommodation and so on. Any other actions are considered as discrimination. 

Best regards!

Milbar

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