Did the Senate go too far in voting to regulate tobacco products and ads?

yes but while at it, they should have put a limitation or a stop to nicotine and other additives added to cigarettes that causes the actual harm. No wonder they didn't get a lot of opposition from the tobacco industry.

Definitely! With the FDA regulating cigarettes, they'll have to reveal ingredients. People don't realize that cigarettes are full of horribly toxic chemicals. About 6000 of them, to be exact. In the long run, this will make them less toxic and perhaps easier to quit, once a smoker decides to kick the habit.

I don't understand why smokers are up in arms about this, though. No one is telling them they cannot smoke. Smoking isn't being banned, thus your personal choice is NOT being infringed upon-- this poll was kind of poorly set up in that regard. No one is trying to ban smoking, they're trying to treat smoking more like a food product that needs to reveal content.

Obviously this is just the next to the last step before prohibition of tobacco and the usual costs and crime associated with unenforceable laws... and may be unconstitutional if you interpret loosely the repeal of prohibition... which may even nullify the marijuana laws. Too bad that we are taking the "kill the spider" approach here because nicotine is the most effective nootropic known to man and an excellent pain reliever that should be available to all who choose to understand and use it wisely. Unfortunately prohibition will make nicotine, which is harmless by itself, unavailable even in a safe delivery system.

Spoken just like unmitigated A$$holes that don't deserve the freedoms (actually LIBERTY) out Constitution VALUES.

It is small minded crap holes like you that spoil all aspects of life for everyone else. Religious belief and politics are ALWAYS bad medicine!

Take care of your own life bonehead; I'll take care of mine.

Where have you gone FREEDOM?

A little too strong but well said.

The less government we have the better off we are.

I would like to know why is it that the smoker is footing the bill for health care.. why not the drinkers too! OH I forgot government officials still like their Brandy, Wine ect. we can't ask them to pay their fair share of health care, even though liver cancer is a clear disease for the obsessive drinker.

This is for the noob that thinks nicotine is safe and an effective product...

nic·o·tine (nĭk'ə-tēn')

n. A colorless, poisonous alkaloid, C₁₀H₁₄N₂, derived from the tobacco plant and used as an insecticide. It is the substance in tobacco to which smokers can become addicted.

[French, from New Latin nicotiāna. See .]

See Big Brother grow stronger and stronger everyday...

Are you serious...did you seriously say "People don't realize that cigarettes are full of horribly toxic chemicals". You just blew my mind. Either the billions of dollars that are put into 'advertising' the harmful effects of smoking are truly wasted. Or you have no idea what you are talking about.

Smokers have been decreasing! This bill will actually hinder people from quitting smoking because of the 'removal' of a lot of Harm Reduction products that are on the market presently. NRT Products are a joke, if you look at the actual success rate...but it's good money for pharamacy.

And don't you think it's funny how for the past 10-20 years similar legislation has attempted to pass and failed. But go figure it passes when 'Philip Morris' assists in WRITING THE BILL! I wonder how many of you actually know that, this isn't a public health bill. This is a bill that protects big tobacco. Burr said it best 'Read the bill.'

So glad this legislation bans 'Smokeless' products that are 99% safer and that smokers were actually using to quit! Like I said above, NRT IS A JOKE!

Ignorance is truly bliss.

The number of US youth who become addicted to cigarettes has declined from
3,000/day during the 1990's to about 1,000/day now (a 67% decline), while
the CBO estimated 11% decline in youth smoking (due to the FDA tobacco
legislation) will reduce the number to about 890/day over the next DECADE,
with just a 2% decline in smoking among adults.   In sum, the new FDA
tobacco law will have less impact on youth or adult smoking than state
cigarette tax increases, state/local smokefree workplace laws, states'
Master Settlement Agreement, state/local tobacco marketing restrictions, or
truthfully informing smokers that smokefree tobacco/nicotine products are
far less hazardous alternatives to cigarettes. 

Will it truly save lives?

This was not a public health bill. Did you know Philiph Morris assisted in coauthoring this bill? And did you also know that this bill removed products that focus on harm reduction and are 99% less harmful than a true cigarette! The sad thing is people were actually using these to get away from smoking. Now these people only have one place to turn...back to cigarettes. Hopefully they're able to quit.

Did you know smokers have been decling pretty rapidly over the past decade! Seriously, this is a new generation, we're not like like our parents who thought 'Smoking was cool!' that time has passed. You can walk up to almost any kid on the street and ask them if cigarettes are bad for them, and they will tell you yes.

Why do most kids smoke? You'd be surprised at the answer, it's because their parents smoke. Go figure, it's not the 'tasty' cigarettes that this bill bans. Or the colorful ads, or the cartoon 'figures'. It's because their parents do.

And thanks to banning other alternatives, less people will quit smoking! How is this a public health bill!! It's not! It's hear to protect the same people who have been around for ages, big tobacco.

The number of US youth who become addicted to cigarettes has declined from
3,000/day during the 1990's to about 1,000/day now (a 67% decline), while
the CBO estimated 11% decline in youth smoking (due to the FDA tobacco
legislation) will reduce the number to about 890/day over the next DECADE,
with just a 2% decline in smoking among adults.   In sum, the new FDA
tobacco law will have less impact on youth or adult smoking than state
cigarette tax increases, state/local smokefree workplace laws, states'
Master Settlement Agreement, state/local tobacco marketing restrictions, or
truthfully informing smokers that smokefree tobacco/nicotine products are
far less hazardous alternatives to cigarettes. 

Well said my friend... how to protest this crap... i used to smoke reg cigs now just a light clove and have had no health problems since. Now I can't buy a pack and yet all those more harmful reg cigs I can? Makes no sense. Give me more additives and nicotine. This is a huge joke and you hit it right on the nail.

W O W!!! The 3rd posting on here is about illegals. ???? Funny, I thought this topic was about CIGARETTES? YOU want to talk about illegals, then go find a website that deals exclusively with illegals OR write your congressman or the President. Better yet, GO to EAST LA and tell the Hispanic population there how you are a racist, that you can't tell the difference between a legal hispanic resident/american who was born and raised in this country from the ones who are here illegal since all brown people look the same to you. IDIOT! STICK to the TOPIC and talk about the ill effects of Smoking and how Congresss is infringing on peoples RIGHTS to SMOKE.

Well why not? If the big worry is about healthcare costs the illegals are the biggest drain on them not us smokers who die young.

Education is the key for the young people but why is that the responsibility of the Govt. again where are the parents educating their kids on smoking. Can they not out talk a commercial? SMALL GOVT makes a richer NATION!!!!

Oh and by the way with the FDA regulating tobacco means that the tobacco companies will be in a stronger position to lobby and bribe with pay offs just like all the pharmaceutical companies. Why do you think Phillip Morris went along with it

Funny, I don't see where Helen singled hispanics out when reffering to "illegals"; however, you did Spleefroy. Things that make you go HMMMMMMMMMMM......

None the less, she was addressing the subject by simply stating that there are better things that our gov't could do with thier time & our money than worry about someone who is informed of the dangers and still CHOOSES to stick a smoke straw in thier mouth. Yes, I think it's a disgusting habbit...but it's a personal choice and not the gov'ts business or ours for that matter.

Wow, Helen! Set up straw man arguments much? Do you know the concept "relevance"? We talking about tobacco regulation, stay on topic please.

Back up for a second!

This bill is NOT about personal choice or restricting that. You are asking 'where's the freedom?' but your freedom will not be affected. YES, we will still be able to choose to light up and YES the packaging will still carry a warning, but the gov't is just doing this to discourage the choice. So, in the long run, younger generations aren't going to smoke as much, because of this and just because marijuana is so much more popular, but anyone who chooses to smoke and has always smoked will NOT be limited from that at all. So stop worrying....

Got real dweeb, it's about the money going to Washington, DC that is used to bribe states into violating our Constitutional Rights.

Civil rights are a joke; the court giveth and the court taketh away?

People should be arrested and kept in solitary confinement forever over this!

Atta boy Graham!

This country was also founded on slavery. Maybe we should bring that back too? Time to end the era of stupidity and death. I'd be happy to let you smoke ...and die in peace as long as you promise me that when you get various health issues from smoking you won't go crying to the Doctor looking for a cure due to your habit. I don't want my health care costs rising because we all have to pitch in to save your life due to your smoking habit. Cigs should be outlawed.

If only your smoking in peace didn't also apply to those around you on whom you force your habit.

That's the difference between smoking and drinking. When you smoke, everyone around you smokes with you, whether or not they are willing participants. Second hand smoke is even more dangerous than is the smoke that you chose to inhale, and what you're actually doing is slowing killing those around you while you kill yourself. What gives yoiu that right?

When someone drinks, they can drink all that they want ant not hurt anyone else, unless they decide to try to drive.

I can only hope they start taxing alcohol as much as cigarettes. In all my 45 years, I've never seen a child or woman beat because of the father having one too many cigarettes.

I haven't seen a fatal car accident because the driver had one to many cigarettes.

I haven't seen a bar fight because someone had one to many cigarettes.

I haven't seen anyone not able to perform their job because they were out late the night before smoking too much.

I know of people that have cancer just due to the fact it's in their genes, they don't smoke and never have.

How many diseases does alcohol contribute to? How many deaths? How many innocent lives are taken due to alcohol (drunk drivers)? How much higher is car insurance due to drunk drivers and their related costs?

Oh yeah, cigarettes are sooooooooooooo evil, get real.

Cigarette smokers are just another tax revenue and when/if people stop smoking and that revenue is gone, where will they get that lost revenue from, alcohol.

All of these taxes and power BS is just that, BS!

Graham Jenkins.....why do people make such outragous claims as "This country was founded on the sale, usage, and export of tobacco products, in which nicotine is a naturally occuring element." Maybe you are smoking more than just tobacco. Pot is a natural occuring substance also but it's regulated. Some how I just don't see the Founding Fathers as sitting around a table saying "man, we gotta throw off our British masters because they just don't understand our tobacco rights". I think they had many more important matters to see to.

But nice try anyhow. You can go back to your Pink Floyd now.

You'll never see a huge tax on alcohol because too many in Congress take part in that.

It was also foun=ded on the backs of slaves. Is that ok?

*****idiot.

Until the day smokers pay for all their tobacco related health care costs and take the burden off my taxes, I am for this law, and even banning smoking altogether.

Where did all the billions go when everyone sued the tobacco companies??? I know in Louisiana straight in the pockets of the cronnies of the state attorney generals buddies pockets ! No hospital wings for cancer patients were built i assure you!!! Its all a smoke screen to dupe the poor hooked smokers to fill the pockets of washington maggots. We pay an extra tax seems like every week. I think smokers are treated like second class citizens, why not make drinkers pay their share of more taxes. Wake up America! Its like the moral police are getting their kicks taking away all our rights one by one. Its time to have a tobacco revolution. LOL

This country was also founded on freedom & personal choice, perhaps we should just go ahead and illegalize everything unhealthy? Ever heard that everything causes cancer...talking on cell phones, eating junk food, being in the sun? How many people die each year riding in a car, skiing, flying in airplanes, exercising, playing sports? How many people had a heart attack for not exercizing? How many people wound up with carple tunnel from sitting in front of a computer typing B.S. like this over the last 10 yrs that added to our insurance costs? Truth is that this is just a witch hunt by people with nothing better to do than complain about other people. Those same people will never be satisfied. Let's just call them the "Gladys Kravitz" ('Bewitched' TV Shows nosy next door neighbor) of the world. Always in other peoples business, always complaining, never satisfied in thier own lives, needing to pass thier discontent onto the rest of the world. Simply put, it's about freedom. If you don't like smoke, then move your ass where there isn't any!!! That's what I do. And yes, it is up to us as individuals...not the gov't. The Constitution was not written to protect us from all the hazards of the world, it was written to protect the rights & freedoms of the people...which by the way includes "unhealthy" choices.

PS...I'm a NON-smoker. Always have been and always will be, on thier side!

common-sense59

If you have NOT seen all those things I guess you live a sheltered life..........Cause just when you think you have seen it all.....................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Cigarettes bother many non-smokers and I've seen many fights, car accidents, fires and jobs lost due to the person's addiction to cigarettes......
Look at JVH's comment below....for a fight

Officer, I did not know that burning cig butt I threw out my car window would start that grass fire.......

Sorry, I didn't see you stopped at the redlight when I was lighting my cigarette.

But sir, I NEED that 10 minute cigarette break every 30 minutes.

"I'll take your money and your cigarettes....or your life" says the robber/mugger...

Anyway drinking and taxes are just as evil...:)

Graham,

Our nation was also founded on the backs of slaves. Do you propose that we revive that old custom too?

There was a point in time when smoking was fashionable. EVERYBODY smoked. They also didn't realize the health risks then. Besides, Graham, what on *earth* makes you think that I, a nonsmoker, wants to sit in a bar--trying to enjoy my drink in peace-- and breath in your smoke? It's one thing for you to smoke and ruin your own health, but it's really asking a lot for you to puff away in an enclosed building, where I have to breath it in too. I choose not to smoke for a reason and that defeats my purpose.

Furthermore, I'm tired to the "you can order a drink in a bar, but not smoke" analogy. It isn't the same. When a cigarette burns the smoke rises and dissapates throughout the room. This means anyone may breathe it in. In contrast, when you have a drink, the alcohol is going into you and you only. It isn't endangering others' health-- unless you get behind the wheel.

BTW, cigarettes smell terrible! Another reason why I don't smoke-- I like my hair to still smell like shampoo at the end of the day, and my clothes to still smell like Tide. Thanks.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Common-sense,

• "I can only hope they start taxing alcohol as much as cigarettes. In all my 45 years, I've never seen a child or woman beat because of the father having one too many cigarettes."

Uh, it IS TAXED-- and heavily. I guess you've never heard of the "sin tax"?

• "I haven't seen a fatal car accident because the driver had one to many cigarettes."

How do you know? You've made a very sweeping and absolute statement. I hope you have the statistics and sources to back that up.

• "I haven't seen a bar fight because someone had one to many cigarettes."

Perhaps no bar brawls, but people in the throes of nicotine fits get mighty testy ;-)

• "I haven't seen anyone not able to perform their job because they were out late the night before smoking too much."

Really? You act like smoking has no health remifications. You've never heard of lung cancer, emphysema, chonic bronchitis, or pneumonia? All of those ailments require sick leave/hospitalization, which= missed work and possibly lost wages if your employer doesn't provide paid sick leave. My father can't do his job like he used to, due to his 3 pack a day habit. He tires so quickly, can't even walk up a flight of stairs without utterly gasping for breath, and has memory problems due to oxygen deprivation (direct result from his smoking-- it reduced his oxygen saturation it his blood). The result? He's on disability. OH! And he also can no longer sleep lying down, as he has pretty severe sleep apnea.

• "I know of people that have cancer just due to the fact it's in their genes, they don't smoke and never have."

According to the American Lung Association, 70% of lung cancer cases are a direct result of cigarette smoking. As for cancer of other organs, well you may have a point.

• "How many diseases does alcohol contribute to?"

Lots! Cirrohsis of the liver, ulcers, memory loss, etc. etc. etc. What's your point? Sure alcohol wreaks havoc on the body-- when on overindulges. However red wine has flavanoids and is known to reduce plaque in ateries. This a paper thin argument used by smokers to justify indulging in their habit with no regard to anyone else's feelings or health.

• "How many deaths? How many innocent lives are taken due to alcohol (drunk drivers)? How much higher is car insurance due to drunk drivers and their related costs?"

Lots. You can find the stats on DOT/DMV websites, AAA, Insurance site, etc. You can also get a DUI if you drive drunk. People that get DUIs are in deep trouble. Thy get their license revoked, pay hefty fines, and sometime spend time in jail for their actions. There is no such legal action for smoking and driving, so again, what is your point? How many innocent deaths from second hand smoke? Hmm?

• "Oh yeah, cigarettes are sooooooooooooo evil, get real."

Uh, yeah, they are. They are not only composed of just tobacco, but 6000 other toxic chemicals, as well as tar. You know, Philip-Morris would love you! I'd apply for a job as a lobbyist there :)

• Cigarette smokers are just another tax revenue and when/if people stop smoking and that revenue is gone, where will they get that lost revenue from, alcohol. All of these taxes and power BS is just that, BS!

Well, we'll never lack for smokers, now will we? I hope you have good health insurance, because you're gonna need it in the future. If not, think of it this way: all those taxes you're paying on your cancer sticks will go towards the national health plan. I'd like that, personally as it would be a way for YOU to pay for your own medical care and oxygen. Cheers.

Give Adolf & Friends a millimeter and they will take all our MONEY! The whole tobacco thing is just about getting money into the hands of government; they don't give a rats A$$ about anyone outside their own friends and family. Look what happened to Europe after the smoking Nazi's took over. Is that what you dumbA$$es really want Here?

I guess I'm a dumbA$$ that really wants the government to take a responsible part in determining what's really in cigarettes. As far as taking away smokers rights... what about the poisoning of non-smokers? What about the poisoning of children in the home or anywhere near smoking? What about the affect to the unborn?

This is the next logical step to eliminating smoking because of all the "side-effects". We want to get serious about healthcare reduction? This is a good first step.

This goes out to all who complain about second-hand smoke: I am sick and tired of your disgusting second-hand car exhaust. I demand that all of you quit driving so you are not poisoning me and my kids. Oh, and quit buying all those plastics you're so fond of, don't you know you're polluting my planet?? Anyone can make an argument work to their viewpoint. When everyone finds a cure for diarrhea of the mouth (or keyboard), maybe things will start getting done and we won't keep getting bombarded with more government junk.

A Tacky Malefactor;

Brilliantly said. These myopic puritans cannot see beyond their own noses. Just think of the re-action if just Baptists and just Jews were taxed for ANY PURPOSE!

Attainder's of Pains and Penalties; are PROHIBITED under the LAW; does that stop the people in the Supreme court from MAKING LAW (abortion; it's the law). Would love to have a nickle for every time I heard that jewel! That is what this is all about, group punishment, group taxing, group shunning. The Mormons, Jews, Catholic Church, Protestant Churches, etc have been doing this crap forever and getting away with it.

This is the reason it was INDICTED directly IN the Constitution!
ChristianDUMB has struck again!

I'm so tired of intolerant anti-smoking fanatics. Stress is the greatest killer of all. If it's longevity you seek, you need to stop stressing about the stench of tobacco smoke and worry more about odorless carbon monoxide.

Tax the obese! I'm all for taxing the truly obese for every pound of their disgusting and gross obesity. I'm not talking about the guy who's a little overweight, but the guy who's a hundred pounds over what should be a legal limit. How about that Michele? How much do you weigh? Ever thought about the healthcare costs of treating heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes . . . . caused by overeating?

How about the costs to society caused by alcohol? Not just healthcare costs - think about divorce, or abusive spouses and parents who let loose on loved ones after a few drinks, or drinking and driving, or assault and murder in drunken rages . . . For my money, those all far outweigh the costs of smoking. A parent high on nicotine won't neglect or abuse a child because of the nicotine, but a parent high on alcohol most certainly will. A driver high on nitocine won't cause a fatal car crash compared to a driver high on alcohol - or to a self-righteous anti-smoking driver talking on a cell phone.

I don't mind being prohibited from smoking in restaurants and other public places, but I do mind that no public smoking facilities of any kind are permitted. In this high-tech day and age of air conditioning/air filtration/air purification, it would be easy to build segregated smoking lounges in public establishments.

It's the simple-minded, puritanical, judgmental, authoritarian position that's hypocritical and obnoxious.

I agree totally with you - it's fine to have an opinion, but when your opinion steps on other peoples freedom of choice that's where I have an issue - I agree with not smoking in restaurants or other public places, but whats next - you can't where perfume/cologne in public because to many people choose to bathe in and there are people that are allergic to it - crying obnoxious children in public - there goes everyone's stress level (here comes the heart attack) what other things are you willing to give up because their bad for you.

oh look, the toughest guy on the net. go try and punch the president in the face.

Boy I would love to punch anyone infringing on my personal rights to do any thing I pay for (you don't pay for me I pay for myself)

Show me even one "indication" the any level of American government has any say, any so much as a thought about "addiction." Power over even what we eat, drink, or smoke could only come out of RELIGIOUS TOTALITARIANISM.

HELLO America; are YOU this DUMB?

Oh, hey there. You seem to be the smartest person posting in this thread. Can you tell me how to respond to a reply?

All those taxes don't even cover the cost of medicare and medicaid costs for smoking related health care. There is no tax surplus from cigarettes. I say smoke all you want in the privacy of your own home and kill your family with second hand smoke if that is what you want. The govt. can collect all the taxes from cigarettes and put it into a fund for smokers health benefits and if it goes broke then increase the taxes accordingly. Simply make smokers totally responsible for their actions by isolating them from everyone else as far as medical costs and insurance is concerned. If you choose to kill yourself, fine, just don't make me breath your second hand smoke and not have to pay more for health care because of your habit.

Bo, You're talking and like many non smokers lack infornmation.

Smokers pay throught he nose, for insurance.

The movie Demolition Man comes to mind. Have a joy joy day. Be well.

Funny movie! Schwartznegger had been a president. No smoking, drinking, no salt, sex, physical touching, foul language, can not eat meat, etc. Did anyone ever figure out the sea shells in the bathroom?

Sounds like a joy joy life to me (sarcasm)

To: morons-797473;

Let me get this straight and please correct me IF I am wrong, but you are BLAMING OBAMA for the ill effects of Cigarette Smoking? ROFLMAO!!! You sure you don't mean BLAMING THE anti-cigarette smokers who WROTE their Congressman to CHANGE the RULES (they are Government of The PEOPLE, FOR THE PEOPLE and it is THE PEOPLE who spoke)??? What is it with you Obama haters? The MAN has only been in OFFICE for six (6) MONTHS! Jeez, give the guy a break! IF YOU can run this country any better or have a better SOLUTION to ALL this country problems, then please step up to the plate and run this country or at least share your wisdom with the rest of us on how to cure all our problems....

No you are wrong;

"Government by the LAWYERS, from the LAWYERS; and for the LAWYERS."

That's what we've now!

I wonder if Odumbo's second hand smoke ever made anyone ill. Nah- his smoke doesn't stink. Not. What a hypocrite.

Robert -403050

I understand your frustration in this matter and have seen what you described first hand myself.

However, my boyfriend, a smoker, commented that after that tirade, you probably need to light up a cigarette. LOL Ah, irony. Enjoy that smokie while you can.

Smoking to junkfood is a rediculous comparison. First of all, they can tax fast food and some places do.  Where I live there's a huge tax on fast food (separate from the sales tax). Number 2, eating is not as black and white.  All smoking is bad- no exceptions, no judgement call, no portion control, just don't do it. Smoking could be totally banned and people would only get healthier. Eating, on the otherhand, is something everyone has to do. Its unfortunate that people make bad decisions about what to eat or how much, but since they must eat something, it's impossible to draw up legislation that could make nutritional decisions for them.

RichieP- Why is it impossible?

I stop at the grocerie store every day on my way to the office and you're right it happens all the time. People on food stamps never have real food at the register and many times I have had to wait while a couple pools their money to buy beer and cigarettes at the same time... money they would not have if not for the stamps... socialism sucketh.

Robert,

No one is saying you are not allowed to smoke. They are merely regulating it like they regulate Rx drugs and booze. Liquor is controlled by the state (in PA they control wine and beer too). Do you complain about taxes on those too?

As for your comment about fat people costing the system more that smokers: as I said to someone else on here, How do you know? What sources, stats, etc. have you researched to draw up such a conclusion? When one makes such strong proclimations, I expect an explaination. I don't doubt that obesity is a HUGE problem (hehe, pun intended) but do they really cost the health care system more? Maybe they cost the same-- or may be cheaper. We don't know without proper sources and reliable stats.

Another flaw in your statement: food stamps. Actually, food stamps ARE regulated and are restricted to use for only certain things. In PA, you cannot buy hot prepared foods. Buying food at places like McDonalds is considered a luxury. You can't buy fast food with food stamps. Also, you are assuming all obese people are on food stamps. This is not true in the least, AND fast food IS TAXED-- PA charges sales tax + luxury tax for restaurants. In DC/VA area, where I live ALL food is taxed.

So, you really have no argument.

Regulate = "infringe"

Enough is enough!

Obesity cost the country 75 billion in 2003 and taxpayers paid 39 billion of it.  Smoking costs taxpayers 10 billion (an estimate in 2007 on how much would be saved in Medicaid costs). That is after all where it hits you, the taxpayer, the people on Medicaid.  I would say obesity wins.

References:

OK let's get this straight;

The average age of those dying from "tobacco related" illness is 65.4 years, do you all get that? The only difference in LIFE EXPECTANCY today and 20 years ago is MODERN Medicine. Smoking does NOT cause cancer. Heart decease, diabetes, etc are all inherited!!!!!

Neither you, me or any other person on the planet can PROVE they would have lived even one millisecond longer if they'd just quit smoking. NOT EVEN ONE. Welcome to reality religious freaks!

Neurofuzzy,

Sounds like your father is probably overweight with the sleep apnea. If so, at least some of his health problems could be caused by a poor diet. You really think it's better to have your hair smell like shampoo and your clothes smell like Tide? With your love of statistics and reliable sources, did you know that fragrance in shampoo and soap is toxic? Bet you use antibacterial products to the hilt too, so did you know they too contain toxic chemicals? Seems you think you've got it all figured out, but I'll bet you don't think very much about how you infringe on others' rights. Wait til they start prohibiting something you think you have a right to do.

Because second-hand smoke is more dangerous that is the substance that smokers chose to inhale.

Well you want to save for retirment to live in a nursing home and I do not.

LOL! Perfect answer

Did you know that Univ. of Penn. is conducting research into why cancer does NOT happen to all smokers? On 10% of lung cancers related to smoking (and that is doubtful). The W.H.O. and C.D.C release a white paper that shows there is NO relationship between one and the other; period!

Common NAZIs do a Google and it's right there. NAZI's of Washington. DC!
The new victim is Islam. "An I for I." Yah I'd say so.

Sweet, get ready for that one, it's coming, it's just a matter of time, the caffine tax. A senator in Utah, I believe, is trying to get that one going.

Obama is preparing a soda tax for your soft drinks, a sugar tax for other sweetner containing foods. His speech today on health care mentioned a lot of this stuff.

It's your fault if you happen to get sick !! our fearless leader says so.

My Doctor told me several years ago after I quit smoking, "there was NO advantage in quiting" If smoking has not killed you by the age of 60, It won't matter at all in you don't smoke. Now there are several findings that have come out of anti smoking research that show there is something in cigarette smoke that helps Alzheimer's and smoking has some benefit in controlling weight. (smoething we all knew for years)

So called sin taxes have been here for eternity But now comes the real danger.

The person that shows up and says "Hello, I'm from the Government and I'm here to help you out""

Never forget these same people (out of the same mold) MURDERED 58,000 American citizens in order to STOP them from Drinking ALCOHOL during PROHIBITION!

The turned their sadistic minds to drugs next as they use the LAW to MURDER people that disagree with them. In America?

Go figure.

The creepy thing about your question is this;

The average "death" from tobacco "related" illness happens around 65.4 years of age.

Because the Government says we have a life time guarantee of 74.5 years (it may be higher because I haven't checked lately) they THINK no BELIEVE you lost 9.1 years of your life somehow.

That's BULL$HIT and everybody knows it.

Man, I wish I wasn't stuck voting for the lesser of TWO evils. The british get what, like FIVE choices of flavor for their ****?

When faced with a choice between 2 evils. I always prefer to pick the evil I haven't tried yet.

Exactly!

Amen brother;

this Congress and Supreme court intend to "kill the goose that laid the golden eggs - completely." They never get tired of cutting off the noses of every citizen to spite our own faces.

The PURGE of Washington, DC must begin today. Vote Independent!