quote:

Originally posted by Jennifer_4

My point for those who didn’t get it is this.. if the left (who smokes) successfully demonizes smoking they will start on other things next.. which they have.. look at how the nutrition nazis are now everywhere… they will never actually ban smoking or fast food because prohibition was a disaster…so they use propaganda to make everyone hate what they hate.. and of course it’s working.. it’s called social engineering folks and it’s here to stay as long as people behave like sheep.

Perhaps this could be called Social Engineering, but I am curious as to whether Jennifer 4 believes that smoking and poor nutrition are beneficial to peoples’ health. If they are not beneficial, then what is wrong with trying to steer people away from these practices?

I know that some people would like to claim that smoking, as well as eating habits, are personal choices, and thus, are not to be meddled with. However, since everyone’s health care costs are impacted by the costs of caring for smokers and for those who suffer poor health from poor eating habits, it is actually in everyone’s best interests for the government to encourage better habits in the populace.

I do not advocate the prohibition of tobacco, nor do I think that fast food restaurants should be shut down. If people wish to make bad choices, then they should be allowed to do so. However, since I am paying for the care of the Emphysema/Lung Cancer/Heart Disease/Morbidly Obese/Diabetic patients who "acquired" their illnesses due to bad choices, I am interested in being sure that people have enough information before they make decisions that affect their health.

Even if you are not directly concerned with the health of those in your community, since you are are also paying for the medical care of these people (through increased premiums for your own Medical Insurance, and through tax increases to support higher Medicaid costs for the indigent), you should also have a goal of promoting better health habits for the general public.

Personal choice and personal liberty are important. However, the majority of people do not smoke, and do not wish to breathe the second-hand smoke of others. And, since we all share the costs of everyone’s medical care, healthy life styles should be a goal that is welcomed by all.

Unless you are a hermit who does not go to public places, does not seek medical care, does not pay for Medical Insurance, and who does not pay taxes, smoking is most definitely an issue that impacts you.