Letter to editor on smoking

[Henrietta23]

Jumping back to this post because I thought this was more along the lines of what was asked for. I have to agree with Chicken Lady that the letter could use a little clarification to make its point better. Are you trying to convince the government that the law should be changed so that business owners regain their right to choose whether they allow smoking? Or are you simply stating your point of view? Nothing wrong with doing either one. I guess what I'm thinking is that you need a somewhat clearer opening. But I'm no expert on writing persuasive letters. I'm just a mom and substitute teacher!
Quote:

 

[birdnutz]

There's no law in place at the moment. I guess I'm just stating my opinion. I have no problems with a business owner banning smoking. But he is the owner, not the goverment.
Horsejody does make some valid points. But as Lilralphieroosmama(boy that ones big) stated, if the bar closes it's doors because of lack of business, does that help the workers?

 

[Beekissed]

Eating fattening foods is a completely different situation than smoking. By choosing to eat unhealthily, a person is not in any way affecting anyone else other than themselves. No one else will stay skinny or get fat based on someone else's food choices. There really is no reason for the government to intervene here."

It really isnt that different.
Being overweight because you eat a lot of poop foods DOES affect other people. It raises health costs. Heavier people tend to be unhealthier with higher BP, diabetes, circulation and breathing problems. In an emergency they cant move as fast as a person that is thinner. More sick days are taken by people that eat unhealthy foods in abundance.

I just think it stinks that because of the obesity problem everyone is going to be forced to eat foods that really do not taste all that great compared to how they tasted before.​

I would have to agree with the original post above about obesity not being inflicted on those around you.

I would also have to question how the "obesity problem" is forcing anyone else to eat "foods that really do not taste all that great"? Was there some law passed of which I am unaware, that forces the general population to eat lowfat foods because America has an obesity problem? That's a new one on me!

As for heavy people not being able to "move as fast in an emergency"....how in the heck could that have any bearing on the general health of the surrounding populace? And a smoker can move "fast in an emergency"?

That dog just won't hunt!​

 

[sweetshoplady]

I have a chocolate shop. I do not wear any perfume or lotion that is perfumed as the chocolate will pick up the odor of it and taste like it.
Even scented candles across the room from the cases will tarnish the chocolate.

I do smoke, I am considerate of others who do not.

My shop reeks of perfume when someone who bathed themselves in a bottle of it comes in to make a purchase. I am not rude enough to say anything to them.

Yes, the politically correct anti-smoking has made it acceptable to be rude and hostile to smokers. We even have ads that if you see someone throw out a cigarette butt out of their car that you may report them. They say nothing if someone throws out bottles, MacDonald's trash, or other such items. Evidently that is ok.

Bottom line, we live in a weird world. You see we always need someone to pick on, since it can't be anyone who is a different color, has difference sexual preferences, or any other thing like that, we now target smokers.

We are a bunch of Sneetches! I'm a smoker so I guess that means I have no star on my belly.

 

[English Chick]

As a smoker myself, I welcomed the fact that we have banned smoking in public places, I have never smoked in restaurants or around anyone eating or drinking. That has always been my personal choice for many years. I think as smokers people need to be considerate of non-smokers, as the smell is offensive to them. I smoke in my car when I am alone with the windows open. They have brought a new law in here in Cheshire whereby the police can now fine you if found smoking whilst driving, as they believe it stops you concentrating on the matter in hand.....(don't like that law though and am careful!!) At home I smoke outside when the weather permits, BUT I will smoke in one room with the window open and no-one in the vacinity if it is raining. I have tried to stop smoking many times, my problem is that I do enjoy it! But I would hopefully consider myself a considerate to non smokers person.........

 

[leslie]

As a smoker since birth and before, my lifestyle has been changed by the new laws and the absence of smoking in public places. I just stay home now and the ones who come to my house well they dont have to come. I told a salesman once if he objected to my smoking he could leave. that simple. Im old now and established in my life style and as comfortable as I can be with all these years locked into my addiction. I surely dont want to harm anyone.
But there is one thing on this no smoking thing I do object to and strongly.
When you go to the doctor, no matter what your problem might be. A broken toe or a headache or baldness or athletes foot, the first question he ask is "do you smoke", "how much". Cigarettes are blamed with any problem you have.
I've wondered what can the doctors blame your bad health on if you dont smoke?
and too, do you realize what would happen to the economy (if we still have an economy) if everyone quit smoking? Hospitals would have to close their doors. There would be no more use for doctors, they would have to raise chickens to feed their families. Small markets will close up, they can just sell so much beer and who would want a beer with out a cigarette?
Distilleries would go out of business again see last sentence.

I dont drink liquor or beer but its (was) America and we could choose for ourself at one time. I dont think anyone should smoke around children and if a business allows smoking its a simple thing for the adults to stay away and keep their children away.
I hear that it will someday be against the law to even smoke in your home. Anywhere.. America?
I laugh... I remember the spittons that used to sit on the floor in our court house.. I remember when they were removed and signs everywhere threatened those that would spit on the floor.. it was nt THAT long ago. Now that was a problem. haha
I wish I had never smelled one of these dastard cigarettes. I wish they had been banned back before the Indians gave them to us. I see it as a way they get us back for stealing their land and destroying their way of life.
it worked.. took a while.
I stopped smoking once.. well a katrillion times and once I walked upon a man with a cigar going full blast. OH it was awful. totally unable to stand it, I had to leave the area. I did not yell at him or curse him or degrade him. I did not start protesting and throwing my weight around. I had the right to walk away. Im glad of that. And I used that right.
Smokers are dying off I predict that very soon there will be no smokers, not in my lifetime. Until then I think they (we) should be pitied and not be made to feel unworthy of a life. YES smokers should stay away from as much as possible from non smokers. but to sit in the park and enjoy a cigarette should be my right. To smoke in my car and my home is a right that many people dont agree with. And until the end of smoking I think there should be a place for us to hide out and use the drug that rules our lives.
I would not like to be on a bus driven by a person who is needing his cigarettes. I would not want to be on a plane with a pilot who is needing his fix.. I would not want to be responsible for anything essential while my need for a cigarette took over my mind. Find a cure for us other than the obvious.
in the big bail out last week 18 million dollars was given to study goats. Now that is something we need.

 

[joebryant]

Edited by staff. Even if meant as sarcasm, it is still unacceptable to flame an entire group of people based on their physical appearance.

 

[SewingDiva]

Quote:
Well, I wouldn’t say doctors blame bad health on solely smoking, but it is a significant risk factor that has been supported by numerous studies over the years.

Maybe I can offer a perspective from my experience: last Friday I spent the night in the hospital as a cardiac patient. I was admitted from the emergency room and after lots and lots of tests I was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation. This is a pretty common heart condition, but in my case it’s kind of usual because it usually shows up in people who have other serious health problems and risk factors such smoking, obesity, hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes, family history etc.

I don’t have any of those health related risk factors and I’m also young to have this problem (I'm 50 and it usually turns up in people over 60.) However, I do have the family history risk factor; my father had similar condtion, and atrial fibrillation has been connected to a higher risk of stroke. My father had a mild stroke in his 60’s.

If I did have health risk factors in addition to family history you can bet good money I'd be treated more aggressively with drugs like a beta blockers, but given that I have none of those I may end up just need to take a baby aspirin every day even with my family history.
~Phyllis

 

[Rhett&SarahsMom]

Quote:
It really isnt that different.
Being overweight because you eat a lot of poop foods DOES affect other people. It raises health costs. Heavier people tend to be unhealthier with higher BP, diabetes, circulation and breathing problems. In an emergency they cant move as fast as a person that is thinner. More sick days are taken by people that eat unhealthy foods in abundance.

I just think it stinks that because of the obesity problem everyone is going to be forced to eat foods that really do not taste all that great compared to how they tasted before.

I would have to agree with the original post above about obesity not being inflicted on those around you.

I would also have to question how the "obesity problem" is forcing anyone else to eat "foods that really do not taste all that great"? Was there some law passed of which I am unaware, that forces the general population to eat lowfat foods because America has an obesity problem? That's a new one on me!

As for heavy people not being able to "move as fast in an emergency"....how in the heck could that have any bearing on the general health of the surrounding populace? And a smoker can move "fast in an emergency"?

That dog just won't hunt!

If you are in a crowded theater/club/ building that catches fire. I am sorry, but I know,, as a heavy person myself that I CAN NOT move as fast as my neighbor who is not heavy. I will then, be in the way of those that can MOVE FASTER than me.

In Boston they recently passed a law making all bakeries use healthier oils etc for baking. This does affect how they will make breads, cakes etc. And it will affect the TASTE of those breads, cakes etc.
Many of the bigger bakeries in Boston are ticked about this. That they have to re do recipes that have been passed down through generations of their families. Just because some of the American populace cant stop eating. So there fore those people(the ones with no clue about how to eat in moderation) have now affected those that can and do exercise moderation. And those of us that at least bother trying. Heavier people are NOT as healthy as those that eat in smaller portions. Again. I KNOW THIS because I am HEAVIER than I should be. But I am on a weight loss and exercise plan, given to me by my cardiologist after I had a heart attack last Feb. I have not only lost weight, but my blood pressure has gone down. As has my cholesterol level. As has my chance of having another heart attack,, or a stroke. Which I could have had when I was driving my truck on a busy highway. Which could have caused an accident. Which could have injured or killed people and there fore affected them and their families.

It IS all connected. It's just that "we" as Americans are selfish and do not think beyond our own own doors etc.

Yes, we here at th BYC have chickens. We are "trying" to better ourselves, our lives. But there are still other areas of our own lives that "we" can be less selfish and better to ourselves and the other people around us. From making sure we keep our coops clean, not have roosters where they do not belong, our chickens and pets healthy and right to our OWN physical health.

I am so tired of the selfishness that seems to be rampant in this country. I think it is sad that the government feels that they NEED to step in and MAKE us eat healthy and not do things that are un healthy. But ya know what? I can see where they are coming from as well. But at the same time. You can smoke. I dont really care if you burn. Just dont do it in my house or in a place the government has deemed it "illegal" to do so. Like school campuses(at least here in MA) I dont care if you stuff your mouth with McDonalds etc. Or Ring Dings etc. But dont complain when you have HBP or a heart attack. Or your kids gets diagnosed with juvenile diabetes. Or you get diagnosed with something. Or your health care costs go up higher. Because it's all related. All connected. Everything is

 

[DuckLady]

Since this thread has turned judgmental, I am going to close it.

Thank you for your participation.