Comments on: Smokers May Pay For Kids' Health Insurance

U.S. Tobacco Taxes Viewed As A Likely Source Of Children's Health Funding

[wilmer425]

After reading all the comments, heres my thoughts:
1) Smoking is a *risky* behavior, not deadly. I've seen plenty of folks die at 90 from being too old and smoked two packs a day since they were 12. On the same token, I've seen people die at 40 from "smoking related illness". It depends on your overall health and your genetic makeup I'd venture a guess.

2) There are taxes on practically everything. We are taxed on gas to pave the roads, We're taxed on alcohol because you can very easily kill yourself with it behind the wheel of a car or simple overuse. Tobacco could cause you some health problems, so it's taxed. However, what money is generated should go to people who do get sick from smoking. It would be rather unfair to target a group of people for exploitation.

3) I agree that there should be designated smoking areas so the smokers can be away from those are scared of smoke. Now, can we move the bicycle riders away from the people who drive big SUVs and make the air all smoggy?

4) Not all smokers are bad people. I have several friends who smoke that do not smoke in their house or around their children. They will also ask those around them for permission to light up if in "mixed company" with non-smokers. Remember that stereotyping a group of people is generally wrong, and even if the generalization is mostly true, its unfair to the exceptions.

So, get along with your fellow human beings. God or Allah or whoever you may believe in would more than likely want it that way.

[tuckerndfw]

"(Cancers) may be due to the effects of carcinogens, such as tobacco smoke, radiation, chemicals, or infectious agents."

. . .

"Electromagnetic radiation is classified into types according to the frequency of the wave: these types include, in order of increasing frequency, radio waves, microwaves, terahertz radiation, infrared radiation, visible light, ultraviolet radiation, X-rays and gamma rays."

Source: wikipedia - cancer, radiation

We are continually exposed to radiation (electricity) from before we are actually born until long after we are dead.

Radio waves are far more pervasive and invasive than anything else on earth. They are literally everywhere 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

But, I won't hold my breath waiting for the government to establish programs to wean people from their addiction to electricity (tv, radio, computers, etc.), or to tax consumers of radio waves based on their usage of radio waves.

Radio waves don't just alter our brain chemistries, they alter our entire bodies. Many cell phone users are killing themselves (brain cancer).

But, as Brian correctly stated in this comment: Posted by brianbwb at 06:44 AM : Jul 08, 2007, one must be born with the predisposition to develop cancers before he will do so.

Tobacco usage, in and of itself, does not cause cancer. There must be some other factor(s) involved.

But, y'all keep dunking those witches in the pond if that's what makes you feel all warm and fuzzy.

[seven-pesos]

the south has a long and sordid history of war, hate, slavery, arrogance, belligerence, insurrection, lynching, death and destruction...

bush is just the latest snake to come out of that dark, malicious region of america.

the south never does good for america.

always war, hate, ignorance, death, bigotry, extremism, arrogance, evil christians and republican snakes.

america would be much better off if we could be rid of those southern states.

i say: " let the mexicans have them! "

free of charge!

ha,ha,ha.

war, hate, arrogance, phony dixie christians...

nothing good comes out of the south!

[iron9107]

I agree about not paying heed to all the experts and their advice on what is and isn't good for you, however I find in very important to listen to your body. And what did your body say to you when you took a drag off that very first cigarette? That cough and slight dizziness was your body telling you this *** is poison...

[roynadeau]

Here we go again. Now the feds want to use tax money from an addictive substance to fund medical care for children. What would happen if all smokers quit? Tax on cigarettes should be used to help addicts stop smoking not encourage smoking. Get real.

Do you think the governments federal and state really want smokers to quit? How droll is that if you think so. Where would their funding come from for various state programs and now this federal joke.

All taxes on cigarettes should be used for programs to help people get off this insidious addiction. It should be used for research into the cause and cure for addiction to cigarettes. This addiction starts with brain chemistry, changing the function of processes in the brain. A drug that kills or modifies craving would help smokers quit.

Most smokers want to quit but can't. I know the story of people going cold turkey and quitting and such but most people who are heavily addicted can't stop. They need help.

[brianbwb-2009]

How mane have discovered this little stat, pipe and cigar smokers don't get cancer at anywhere near the rate of cigarette smokers? Or this one, the Native Americans, who introduced the Europeans to tobacco also didn't get cancer?

If you are cancer prone you can get it while praying, if not, then you most probably won't.

I enjoy smoking pipes and cigars, happily, unrepentant, proudly, and would smoke marijuana if some idiot hadn't decided to make the police enforce unconstitutional laws regarding what I can or cannot eat, drink, or smoke.

Interfering with my enjoying my right to smoke, (regardless of someones' earlier post denying I have it) can be hazardous to your health...

[grammawhamma]

night

[tuckerndfw]

Wake up and smell the coffee folks....you will not live forever. Oh, I forgot, that caffine is bad for you...ummm no...new study says caffine is good for you...or was that last's weeks study?? Good/bad what's the difference...if you like coffee...go have a cup regardless what the study of the week says!!

Posted by GrammaWhamma at 03:16 AM : Jul 08, 2007

*ROFL*

Once last comment and I'm really out of here.

You're probably old enough to remember the countless times "experts" have claimed one week a product will kill you, then the next week they claim it will give you eternal life.

Which is one major reason I tend to ignore "experts" and rely primarily on my own experience and observations.

"Experts" will claim whatever they are paid to claim. Same with the anti-smoking "experts" whose findings do not seem to comport with the facts. Or at least anything I have observed.

If smoking causes cancer, most of my family, other relatives, and friends should have died of cancer. Odd how none of them died of cancer given all that smoking and exposure to cigarette smoke.

G'nite.

[michellem99-2009]

Tucker you made a good point. Really. There are fat people who have health issues due to stuffing their face and their children's faces. It is awful. I know my wt. went up when the periods stopped. I wish I was I was 120 but I am 52. It went on belly and thins and legs. And that is bad for me as I have problems walking due to C/P.I hate it but it won't come off no matter what I DO.
Gramma, I am not pointing you out as your a nurse and if you wish to smoke in your house and at yer home computer that is your business as you paid for that legal cig.
The story is about smokers may have to pay for there kids health coverage. Some states make smokers pay a co pay if they smoke.

[grammawhamma]

Wake up and smell the coffee folks....you will not live forever. Oh, I forgot, that caffine is bad for you...ummm no...new study says caffine is good for you...or was that last's weeks study?? Good/bad what's the difference...if you like coffee...go have a cup regardless what the study of the week says!!