Non-smokers often complain and feel the need to tell smokers (whether or not they know each them) that cigarettes kill.  Why is that socially acceptable versus telling an fat/obese person ordering/buying unhealthy foods that that will kill them?
124565
Who says that the first is ok? You have to be pretty disconnected these days to NOT already know that smoking is bad for you. Smokers know better than anybody what the disadvantages of smoking are. The preachiness they get handed on a near daily basis seems pretty damn ridiculous to me. \n\nI am not a smoker. I've never smoked a cigarrette and never plan to. Every smoker I know tells me to never pick one up - and you know what? Their arguements against smoking are far more convincing than non-smokers. \n\nFor those people who choose to smoke, as long as they smoke outside to prevent secondhand smoke problems, I've got no problem with their habit. They're adults and they've made an informed choice. It's not the choice many of us (including me) would have made, but they have the right to make it. \n\nSo far, society has not made it acceptable to directly harrass obese people in this way. Overweight and obese people ARE discriminated against and put under considerable emotional strain because of their weight - our society puts too much credence on how people look for it to be otherwise. As the epidemic of obesity continues, it may become more common to verbally harrass people who are overweight and obese.
499254
the most frequent reason is peer and social pressure. another is the effect of cool advertisements showing that smoking is a status symbol giving smokers a cool appeal(which is absolutely false). nicotine in cigarette is highly addictive and it is hard to quit when you have started it already so many smokers who plan to quit need a lot of discipline and sacrifice.
631497
I agree. Along the same lines, people who drink alcohol, or have bad diets should therefore have to pay for their own health care as well. What a load of rubbish. I'm not a smoker but the advertising and all the hype about smoking really ticks me off. There's never been a fatal car accident when a smoker gets behind the wheel and drives after a few too many cigarettes.
424630
Gee, that's like asking which is worse, being stabbed to death or being beaten to death?  The result is still the same.\n\nPeople often think cigars are safer because you don't (at least, you aren't supposed to) inhale the smoke.  But you are still exposing your lungs to the smoke in the room created by the lit cigar.  You are still burning your tastebuds, dulling your sense of smell and contaminating your mouth, lips, gums, teeth and fingers.  \n\nBy comparison, the cigarette is much smaller, lasts far less time and although it is inhaled directly into the lungs, it is still doing the same number on your mouth, lips, gums, teeth, fingers and tongue.  But even though the amount of time it takes to consume a cigarette may seem more appealing, cigarette smokers tend to smoke their cancer sticks much more frequently than when a cigar smoker lights up.  It's almost as if the cigarette smoker is trying to play catchup to the cigar smoker.  Neither is good for you.  Both can cause ulcers of the mouth and tongue - even if you never develop cancer.
279770
Since poor diet causes just as much health problems as smoking does, should we also ban all high fat foods? Why don't we cut road deaths by fitting all cars with a speed limiter to 55mph? Why don't we ban dangerous and extreme sports, after all, they kill off quite a few people? Since violent imagery might set off one or two weirdos, let's ban all films that didn't get a U certificate, and any game with a rating that isn't 3+. \n\nThere, now, that's much safer for everyone, isn't it?
329404
i am, smokers are some of the most selfish people in the world. Its common knowledge that smoking can cause cancer and emphysema yet they still continue to smoke now this is all fine and dandy. if you want to kill yourself slowly who am i to stop you? Its the fact that they smoke around non-smokers and children without taking into consideration that others don't smoke because they want to prolong their lives and stay healthy.\n\nCommon courtesy goes a long way.
578519
I know exactly what you mean.  Sometimes when my friends and I are skiing, we'll tell people to stop smoking when we see them.  They are always like, oh well.    Do they have any respect to the rest of the world?   Even to themselves...\n\nI once saw the 'Body Worlds' exhibit (research it on the internet), and they had....sorry if this sounds gross: They had taken the lungs from a regular person after they died, and a smokers lungs after they died.  It was a sick comparison.  But it was really interesting also.  I would never smoke, and I don't think anyone else should.  But that's just my opinion.\n\nAnyhow, the Body Worlds Exhibit was a REALLY interesting to learn about things like that.
569738
Why are cigarettes and alcohol on the market if they are so bad for your health? It all comes down to you: you are the one that chooses which products to buy (and possibly harm yourself). If smoking makes you feel better, even though it is killing you, then you will purchase it. If douching makes you feel better, then you will buy a douche.
426410
NO. \n\n1. Secondhand smoke is DANGEROUS and the SMOKE does not know to stay out of the "non-smoking" section.\n\n2. An addictive narcotic is not added to fast food.\n\n3. Smoking does more damage than poor eating habits.\n\n4. The fast food makers did not LIE about what is in their products.
467529
I'm a non-smoker, and I believe that I shouldn't have to be exposed to second-hand smoke that might harm me.  However, it's getting kind of ridiculous when it's being banned in bars.  Drunk people can be hazardous to the health of those around them too - shall we ban drinking in bars next?  I think reasonable people can agree that smoking in a bar is acceptable behavior.  There's nothing wrong with someone opening his own bar and saying "you can't smoke in my bar," but to make it an across-the-board law seems extreme and unnecessary.\n\nIt's also too extreme to ban smoking outdoors.  There have been no studies or data suggesting that being exposed to second-hand smoke in an outdoor, well-ventilated area is hazardous to one's health.  So I don't think smoking should be banned at bus stops, parks, etc., like some cities are doing.
423165
I am a nonsmoker but I support smoking. Medical tests have shown an increase and that people are more likely but it has not been straight proven. As for the rest it is because we, as Americans, are too concerned with what is trendy. Right now it is trendy not to smoke and to jump on the "let's blame the smokers bandwagon". It's easy.
644024
That is true but some people don't have the will power to do that. There are also mental issues that can affect people's eating habits.
182031
given that obesity is at record levels in America & that obesity-related deaths are second only to smoking-related deaths in America...it makes sense that people finally want to see their toes again.\n\nhowever, the LAST thing they want to hear is that they actually have to DO something about it. Everyone wants that magic pill so that the next morning they wake up as a waifish supermodel or something like that. Everyone KNOWS that proper diet & an active lifestyle is the ONLY way to achieve safe, effective, long-term weight loss (and a multitude of health benefits as well!), but nobody wants to put down the ho-hos and get their fat butts off the sofa.
578371
you sound bitter and upset at fat people. Why? PEople are people. Dont get mad at them, if you dont like them, dont be aorund them. And its the same reason when you might tell a friend that BC makes your mustache grow, or you ate some beans, and thats why you have gas. People do things when they dont want to be looked at like a bacterium in a petrie dish. Its not that big of a deal. Peronsally, I say- I wouldnt be fat if I didnt love food. I'm a size 14 AND PROUD OF IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!
9857
I am a non-smoking, smoker. figure that one out! \n\nSmokers are a complete contributor to the health service. \n\nThe NHS could not survive without such a donation as tobacco sales, and cigarette merchandise. Society has made the media give mixed messages on this time after time. They invent treatments, they come up with causes, they say it's highly unethical and unhealthy to smoke, yet they advertize it all at the same time. Why is this such a conflict? I'll tell you why. \n\nA) They advertize this because they know that smokers are one of the biggest donators to the treasury, over 10,000.00 is spent on tobbacco daily. They fear getting sued, so the media makes up for the advertisements, by smashing down smoking economy, and making smoking legal only for people of the ages, 18 and up.. I'm sure though that if 16 year olds could legally start a career at that age, they would lower the smoking age. \n  \nThink about it, 18 and up. Adulthood, where choices can be made, career choices open, college dues must be payed, so on, so forth. \n\nThey just fear getting sued. Honestly, as much as the Health administration would like, NOT to admit it. They would crumble without the daily tobbacco sales.
621423
I think everybody has missed the point here; smoking causes lung cancer, and oh-yeah, kills people.\n\nYou do what you feel comfortable doing but get this kid to stop.  As a smoker for 20 years, and spending 150 bucks a month on it-I can tell you, I wished somebody had intervened in my life.\n\nHe may pissed now but when he's older, has a family, and not smoking around them, or having them worry about his health, he'll look back and thank you
175263
Let's straiten this out.  Second hand smoke is only harmful to people who for a lifetime are stuck in a home with a smoker.  You getting a whiff of somebody else's smoke from the sidewalk is not going to kill you.  Exhaust from all the cars we drive and radon and CO2 will kill you way before cigarette smoke will.