Tasmania takes the lead - smoking

[krisandkev]

The arguments remind me of a theory I read many years ago. The theory is that governments do not really want fatal diseases, including cancers, stopped.  It went on giving reasons such as, controlling population increases and although diseases cost the community billions, they also support a massive industry employing millions etc.  The theory also mentioned the taxes raised by governments on cigarettes and alcohol.  And if any one does not think alcohol causes huge problems in the community and is a burden on the health system, then just talk to a doctor or nurse who works in an emergency department or a Police Officer.  (I love the occasional drink, but it does not worry me when taxes are increased as it is my choice if I have a drink.) 
Anyway, interesting theory......   And how far would a community allow a government to legislate to control our lives?
Kevin

[stepheng]

I am a smoker and have tried to stop many times, it is a habit I enjoy but know it is bad for me. I pay my taxes, have a full time job and am a good parent...i dont drink much, mainly socially (and can get a bit plastered every now and then). I dont download kiddie porn and I try to be a good person to people I meet. Yes I am very often victimised by people who I dont know becuase I choose to take a legal drug, which is expensive. The taxes I pay on cig's (over $10 a packet)compensate the Government for the treatment I will need in the future.

I dont have any issues about restricting smoking in hotels, resterauants, bars and public places (although I do feel for my kids, as they will never experience the pleasure of being at a live music venue, with sticky floors and the air choking with smoke - fantastic)When I was younger, I did drink and sometimes too much but there was nothing better then hanging out in the city, drinking coffee and  smoking til late into the night. I am not that concerend about plain packaging, it is a habit and I will feed it regardless of what it comes in. I know I have to give up and am about to try again....when I am ostracised, criticised and told it is bad, it actually makes me want to smoke more.

It is a world wide trend to" white wash" everything...dont eat that, dont drink, dont have a different religion, hell you have a mental illenss take a pill that will make you better, stay at home, consumre these products and you will be fine....The world, do gooders and then Governments want to turn everyone into the same and only then will you be truely happy according to them. Sound familiar???Aryian race??

I dont want to live in a world were everything is the same, it is boring. Once the rights of smokers are done, it will move to something else..alcohol has been targetted for a while but this will increase. I do work in the health arena and I know that the effects of pills, powders and alcohol are worse....Each weekend most emergency rooms are filled with people high who have had accidents, been in brawls and/or are dead....

Once peoples rights are taken, even for their own good it is a slippery slope.

[_Gecko_]

It is going over the top now.
From drinking bans to smoking bans to taking a 4WD off the black top to what ever the penic pushing do gooders think is the right thing for people to damn magnets
http://www.news.com.au/national/nsw-state-government-has-placed-a-ban-on-magnetic-products-such-as-buckyballs-neocubes-neodymium-sphere-magnets/story-fndo4bst-1226456843257
It will never stop and they will never be happy till 1984 takes hold.
Enough is really enough.
As said above i pay my tax, i work full time, i am a smoker and a drinker but i pay for what MAY happen to me on the tax i pay for these items.
I was angry when clubs and pubs stopped smokers, now it is going over board with no smoking out doors and in parks.
Is it not enough that they made us go outside to enjoy our habbit but now they want to sit outside and are banning us further.
You were happy during winter making us go out, now it warms up wait till you hear what they say about cafes with outdoor seats and smokers.
I feel a huge rant coming on so i will end it here and just say what a nanny state this country is becoming.
Gecko

[dazzler]

I reckon its a bit over the top. 

I am happy for anyone to smoke as long as the taxes on them are enough to cover their hospital bills.  Who am I to stop someone screwing up their lungs, drying their skin to parchment and dying early. Nothing to do with me at all.

Just dont let me or my kids smell the toxic filth cloud that they leave behind and we're sweet as.

You know the sad thing is that our kids dont have any grandparents due to smoking and drinking.  Gran one died at 57 of a brain tumor directly attributed to smoking.  Grandad One died at 65 of lung cancer.  Grandad Two died at 68 of emphasmer (sic) and Granma two died at 65 of cancer from Grandad Twos smoking next to her for 50 yrs.  Death certificates stated so.

 

[fishfinder]

I have lowered the stats - totally drug free for over a week now - no booze, no coffee and no somkes

[kylarama]

Considering most smokers take up the habit before the legal age anyway.  If minors are still getting smokes now, how will they stop an 18 year old?

Speaking of taxes.  Imagine this.  Everyone stops drinking, smoking, gambling and driving for a week.  The govenment has no tax money coming in from Alcohol, Tobacco, Pokies/betting, fuel and traffic infringments.
Everything that lobby groups want banned, but would probably kill our country financially.

[DannyG]

I have lowered the stats - totally drug free for over a week now - no booze, no coffee and no somkes

Need to keep something in your life mate......as you know, booze is our drug of choice....oh and my morning coffee

[xcvator]

I have lowered the stats - totally drug free for over a week now - no booze, no coffee and no somkes

You won't live any longer, just seem like it 

[Barry G]

Me and the squeeze have been off the fags since last March.
Others who don't want to give up can do as they like.
However, those born after 2000 getting smokes illegally if it were banned for them you'll only last so long... in the same way that those over 18 can only fake still being kids for so long to get into sports events on cheap tickets.
By the way, the taxes on ciggies DON'T cover the cost of diseases arising from smoking.
Society as a whole does that through our taxes, while those of us with medical insurance also pay higher premiums than would otherwise be the case to meet higher private health costs as well.

[fishfinder]

Need to keep something in your life mate......as you know, booze is our drug of choice....oh and my morning coffee

the booze and the coffee is just for a short while as every time I drink alcohol I light a smoke, but who am I kidding the outlaws are over in a fortnight for about 2 - 3 weeks so no doubt I will take up all three as well as cocaine just to control the urge of using the three iron as a scalping tool.

[fishfinder]

ok it has got worst the spender of my money just came back with a pouch of tobacco - what is she thinking !!! now i mite have to go to the bottle shop