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Why do we still permit tobacco use? (2015)
11–20 of 250 posts
Re: Why do we still permit tobacco use? (2015)
#12Smoking is bad but prohibition is worse. Being subjected to the carcercal system is worse for your health than smoking.
Does this apply to other drugs as well?
Re: Why do we still permit tobacco use? (2015)
#13Because some people enjoy it, and it's a free country. Why is this even a question?
> Why is this even a question?
Again, the article explains:
"I can vividly recall in the first couple of weeks into my first clinical rotation watching an elderly man with end-stage emphysema literally suffocate and die on my shift wearing just a venti mask. It was a clarion moment for me as a young health care professional even though I never smoked."
Re: Why do we still permit tobacco use? (2015)
#14> Tobacco smoking has no health benefits. None. It can be argued that nicotine, one of the thousands of compounds in tobacco smoke, can have positive effects on some cognitive functions and may even confer some neuroprotection (1), but getting nicotine from tobacco products may be likened to sucking on a tail pipe to get oxygen – it’s there but it’s not going to do you any good.
I'm sorry for their personal experience but leading with "there are zero health benefits", immediately following up with "there might be benefits" and then continuing completely disregarding that point is irresponsible.
Without interjecting my own opinion, two points I feel are underdiscussed regarding this issue:
- as the author mentions there are studies on the cognitive benefits, many mental health patients self-medicate with tobacco including 80% of those diagnosed with schizophrenia
- overshadowed cultural aspects. Millennia of pre-20th century tobacco use, its role and impact (positive and negative) in societies, religion, and spirituality is much different than we've experienced over the last hundred years
Re: Why do we still permit tobacco use? (2015)
#15Because some people enjoy it, and it's a free country. Why is this even a question?
> Why is this even a question? Again, the article explains: "I can vividly recall in the first couple of weeks into my first clinical rotation watching an elderly man with end-stage emphysema literally suffocate and die on my shift wearing just a venti mask. It was a clarion moment for me as a young health care professional even though I never smoked."
again, suck a dick
Re: Why do we still permit tobacco use? (2015)
#16Because some people enjoy it, and it's a free country. Why is this even a question?
> Why is this even a question? Again, the article explains: "I can vividly recall in the first couple of weeks into my first clinical rotation watching an elderly man with end-stage emphysema literally suffocate and die on my shift wearing just a venti mask. It was a clarion moment for me as a young health care professional even though I never smoked."
You have to die of something eventually. We are not immortal.
Re: Why do we still permit tobacco use? (2015)
#17Re: Why do we still permit tobacco use? (2015)
#18Quoted post unavailable.
Because we need oxygen to live. A less absurd question might be "why do we still permit gambling and alcohol", which the article addresses: > One of the main arguments for the continuance of tobacco sales is that the government should not dictate what vices the public engages in. This is a valid point. Alcohol and gambling are restricted but not prohibited; fast food is unrestricted (although New York City [USA] atte…
> These other ‘sins’, however, have at least some benefit.
Yes, that is a distinction that is true, but that is not why alcohol and gambling are permitted. It seems to me like the author is trying to brush this question aside rather than really engaging with it.
(Agreed that the oxygen comment isn't very helpful, and just responding to the part you quoted.)
Re: Why do we still permit tobacco use? (2015)
#19Because some people enjoy it, and it's a free country. Why is this even a question?
The article is specifically speaking about Canada. I suppose Canada is a free country too, though.
Re: Why do we still permit tobacco use? (2015)
#20Smoking is bad but prohibition is worse. Being subjected to the carcercal system is worse for your health than smoking.
Being subjected to the carceral system is indeed bad for your health, but there's a gap here: you haven't explained why banning smoking means we have to put people in prison.
I would have thought to just fine them, or tax purchases out of existence. No need for shackles.