Harawira takes on smoking giant due to Maori deaths

**Big Col** · 13th March 2010, 09:39

Damn was that me sugar coating things again.

**CookMySock** · 13th March 2010, 10:04

I think sale of tobacco should be discontinued. It's a horrible drug that affects everyone.

If people want it, they should grow it themselves.

Steve

**Dave Lobster** · 13th March 2010, 10:06

Originally Posted by DangerousBastard

I think sale of tobacco should be discontinued. It's a horrible drug that affects everyone.

Apart from contributing taxes so that I don't have to, how does it affect me?

**Beemer** · 13th March 2010, 10:18

Both of my parents smoked from a young age - probably about 10 or so - and both died from cancer. Even when she was dying in hospital, my mother asked the doctor if she could have a smoke "because I'm going to die anyway". I was horrified. I've never smoked and am the only one in my family who doesn't, and I'd begged my parents to stop smoking since I could remember. My mother gave up briefly after a close friend's mother died of lung cancer, but it didn't last long. Her attitude was "you've got to die of something". Me, I'd rather die of something that wasn't preventable and wasn't caused by my own actions.

I'm rapt that smoking is banned in workplaces and bars/restaurants. I used to loathe going to a restaurant and having people (usually family) smoke all through the meal. I'd be thrilled if they banned it completely as it's not like it does anything at all for your health. I enjoy a drink and I know alcohol causes huge problems for some people so I realise that may make me hypocritical, but there is a difference. You can drink a glass of wine a night and not damage your health, whereas EVERY cigarette you smoke is damaging your health.

The only problem I can see with Hone and his ilk is that it doesn't kill his sort quickly enough for my liking.

**KiWiP** · 13th March 2010, 10:51

Originally Posted by Mully

And why did you start smoking, for that matter.

My first taste of a cigarette was from a friend who nicked a couple from his mother. We coughed our guts up and felt dizzy. It gives a really good hit. Originally I would smoke one or two a weekend, then I went out with a woman who smoked rollies and I would make little ones for myself. And so it goes on from there. At my height I was smoking 40 a day. To a smoker it's not about health, money, taste or style it's about getting that hit. I haven't smoked for 8 years but I still get the occasional craving when I smell tobacco smoke. I am an addict because I enjoyed that hit. To the average teenager (which is the time when most long term smokers start) next week is another century away and how can one little cigarette harm them? They are not unaware as all the education is given in school, but it starts with one cigarette and then Big Arsehole Tobacco (BAT) has them for life.

I propose that the legal smoking age is raised every year until it is 25. Who is going to start at 25? Who needs to smoke when they are younger?

**wbks** · 13th March 2010, 10:57

Poor people being had by the big bad tobacco company. It's not like they have the brains or foresight to steer clear of it...

**KiWiP** · 13th March 2010, 11:15

Originally Posted by wbks

Poor people being had by the big bad tobacco company. It's not like they have the brains or foresight to steer clear of it...

You're missing the point. You are looking at adult smokers as starter smokers. Very, very few people start smoking in adult hood. By far the majority are teenagers. Teenagers do not have a conscious choice. They are led through life by peer pressure, what's 'cool' and how they can keep the population up. There is no conscious connection between a cigarette which their mates smoke, is cool and has an image that might get them laid.

Once they are addicted it is very, very hard to quit. Yes some people do quit cold turkey. This is rare and usually provoked by a traumatic event (mine was meeting a guy who had just had a lung removed) and the average attempts to stop successfully is 5. Note I say stop not give up. Once you are addicted you can never give up the addiction it is always there. A bit of a sobering thought for anyone thinking of starting.

If you want to know what it's like to know what it's like to be addicted. Think of your favourite thing (sex or riding probably :-) ) then deny it to yourself for ever.

Not a comfortable thought. Could you do it?

**bogan** · 13th March 2010, 11:35