TPG4 Anti-smoking Zealots are Bullies

There is nothing worse than a fanatic with a cause. I can't remember where I heard this, but it is true in the case of anti-smoking lobbyists. I would never argue that smoking is good for you, but is enjoying tobacco the worst thing in the world? Perhaps to someone who has the time and wherewith all to join a lobby group. What a sense of power, what a rush that must be to actually change the laws of the country, and dictate to others how they must live their lives. Congratulations! You have made my life miserable.


Has anyone really looked at this social movement? I have been bombarded with insulting anti-smoking commercials and questionable propaganda/research. I have been segregated from people as if I were a leper by laws that are humiliating and unfair. If you think past go, you can see this whole movement is social bullying. This whole campaign has become hateful and downright mean. It reminds me very much of getting bullied on the playground as a kid. The strong pick on the weak. That's the law of the animal kingdom.

This could be construed as a class war. The privileged don't want these dirty people messing up their perfect little world. These privileged people feel compelled to minister unto others regarding adult behavior. Fair or unfair they get their point across. They have the power! I would bet that the majority of smokers are the unpowerful - the poor! Anybody check that? I would like to question all this research that says smoking causes everything from cancer to herpes. Smoking or second-hand smoke that's it? Causes everything? Hmmm... Can't prove that can you?

When I see the bars and graphs on the packages of smokes of how "smoking killed a small town last year", I have to wonder...

Most importantly, did they control for socio-economic status?

Who smokes more? Advantaged or relatively disadvantaged? Do you even know?

Did they control for diet, exercise, or stress?
How about genetics? Half my family on both sides have died of cancer. None of them smoked or were near second-hand smoke. Can cancer simply run in the family?
The closest to a comprehensive study on health determinants that I have seen, is a PBS special on determinants of health and longevity. Unnatural Causes: In Sickness and in Wealth was a very interesting program. According to them the biggest health determinant hands-down is socio-economic status. It is stronger than smoking, drinking, drugs etc. Poor nutrition, stress at work, little control over their lives are cited as factors having the biggest influence on physiological and psychological problems in poorer North Americans. http://www.pbs.org/unnaturalcauses/
Even if you are part of the poorer crowd, you still need some kind of relaxation or reward for hard work. Okay, let's go out to a movie. You need transportation, a movie ticket, maybe a drink and some popcorn. Oh yeah, if you have kids, you will also need a babysitter. Minimum $30 per person for a night out - approximately 2 hours of (probably guilt ridden) entertainment, and you are too broke to go for a coffee after. It better be one hell of a movie. When you are living on mac and cheese, this a lot of money! This is not a relaxing night at the symphony or the theatre, dressed to the nines and feasting on some elite chef's $100 pate de foie gras!


I can see why poorer people choose buying a package of smokes that lasts a couple of days, with satiation every couple hours. Hmm... even at $10 per pack, (the heavy price being greatly influenced by the anti-smoking zealots) that sounds like a reasonable option. In other words, stay home, make some popcorn and watch a movie. Or, quit smoking so you can go on one cheap night out per week.

Because smokers are beneath contempt, even a small break like going for walk and stopping for a coffee and smoke is now impossible. The laws have made it quite clear who belongs in this world and who doesn't. Smokers are sentenced to being at home unless you enjoy a smoke standing outside at -30. Nowadays smokers are lucky to even find a place to live. Where did all this hate come from?

The whole movement started as a health concern. Everyone gets emotional over cancer. But it is a complex disease. Unfortunately, it has been reduced to one cause and one villain - smoking and smokers. If this was the case, illegalize smoking and cancer is cured. The methods used to supposedly help people to stop smoking are disgusting and hateful. According to the ads, smokers are unattractive, have filthy teeth, they smell, they are lazy and they are obviously not too bright. If these kinds of things were said about a race or any other minority it would be considered a hate crime.

Imagine what this kind of bullying does to one's self esteem? Now add to this, the humiliation of not being allowed to join the 'others' anywhere! Not being allow to smoke in a bar is ridiculous. Alcohol consumption is cool, we have a seat for you. But smoking? - Go OUTSIDE! Number one, its cold outside and I would like to sit please. The worst thing about standing outside is the social stigma, people glaring and sneering at you as they walk by. Perhaps even a put-down or two to remind you of who you are - less than. Ironically, of the 12 people in the bar, 10 of them probably smoke. There are more people outside the bar than in. This doesn't sound like health concern to me, it reminds me of bullies in the school yard. Rich people telling me how to live my life. All a smoker gets from this social movement are feelings of shame, frustration, depression, anxiety and low self-esteem.

Lets talk about adults making their own decisions. In the good old days, I would walk at least a mile everyday. My reward was reaching a target destination where I could sit down, do some writing while enjoying a coffee and a smoke. The exercise was great, but the simple fact I could participate inside society and be treated as a human being, was good for my physical and my psychological well being. I was Happy!! There is another site I have come across that says being happy can buy you an extra 5 to 10 years. Here is one of numerous sites that talk about the health implications of happiness: http://www.researchmatters.ku.edu/2009/march/happy.shtml


Maybe I am a weakling, I need a reward at the end of the walk. Hmm... do others reward themselves with a treat after a work out? Remember even going out for a cup of coffee is relatively costly. The other reward that seems to satiate is food. Since poor people typically can not afford "good" food, carbohydrates prevail. More than 10 years ago, I made a comment to a table of friends. "Most people gain weight when they quit smoking. These types of zealots have to have somebody's ass to pick, so I bet within the next ten years they will be picking on the fat people!" Sounds prophetic now, but even way back then I had several people agree with me regarding the 'picking-on' part of my statement. There will be bullies always! They don't change a lot when they grow-up, just become a little more sophisticated with their talent to make people feel less than human, even a monster.

Here is where an adult decision comes in...

As a teenager, I weighed 60% more than I should have. It took me 5 years and a lot of discipline, sacrifice, exercise and yes, smoking to attain a BMI of 20. For a lot of people smoking is a very effective appetite suppressant. I looked so forward to my daily walk, it made me fit and happy! I am now confined to my residence.


Let's talk health costs! I have paid huge taxes (100% now) on every package of smokes I have bought during the course of my life. In other words, I have paid for my cancer! I want a private room and a good looking nurse. Hey, within six months, I am gone - no problem. If I quit smoking, no more taxes in the kitty, I quit exercising, gain weight and develop type 2 diabetes. OH MY! Think of the health care costs of that disease? And, it lasts for years...


First I find it hard to believe the research as it has been set out by the anti-smoking zealots. The ban from a social life reduces my physical activity. The vicious ads and social stigmga that has been attached to an otherwise happy and reasonably well-adjusted individual have been brutal to my social self and my self-esteem. Think past go! You took away my happiness and replaced it with the feeling that I am on the playground again, at the mercy (ha ha) of those stronger than myself.

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