Does This Sound Like Prohibition?

TrishaAnn92 · Post by **TrishaAnn92** » 08 Feb 2014, 11:00

Unfortunately in the US, smoking is a very social thing right now my husband will smoke in occassion but never around me or our babies because of the second hand smoke. He was always very adamant about it. Kissing..
. Right after he smoked I couldn't do it.

Loveabull · Post by **Loveabull** » 08 Feb 2014, 19:53

Yeah when you're doing it you don't really smell it. But I have customers come in either right after smoking or even lighting up in the store and if you aren't doing it too...yuuuuuucccck noxious cloud...I didn't mind the smell or the cost so much. It was just I'm more active than the average hamster...when I would climb steps and feel like I was going to cough up a lung, the breathlessness...I switched to the lozenges, hooked on those now. I smell like cherry instead of cigarette. There's a whole lot of people who use the lozenges like methadone. They keep the nicocrazies at bay.

Aussie-reader · Post by **Aussie-reader** » 09 Feb 2014, 06:02

Loveabull wrote:Yeah when you're doing it you don't really smell it. But I have customers come in either right after smoking or even lighting up in the store and if you aren't doing it too...yuuuuuucccck noxious cloud...I didn't mind the smell or the cost so much. It was just I'm more active than the average hamster...when I would climb steps and feel like I was going to cough up a lung, the breathlessness...I switched to the lozenges, hooked on those now. I smell like cherry instead of cigarette. There's a whole lot of people who use the lozenges like methadone. They keep the nicocrazies at bay.

My colour.

This would not happen in Australia either - no stores ( or restaraunts/cafes) would allow you to smoke inside.

Fran · Post by **Fran** » 09 Feb 2014, 06:59

Here in Ireland you cannot smoke in any workplace.
This was agreed after stats were produced for the excessive number of bar staff deaths from smoke related illnesses ... even though many never smoked themselves! Most Irish people find it amazing that a few years ago a diner would not have though twice about lighting up while others were eating - even at the same table! Nobody would dream of doing that now thankfully and it makes pubs and restaurants much pleasanter places to visit for everybody.

Loveabull · Post by **Loveabull** » 10 Feb 2014, 18:29

I work in a way blue collar environment...you know what we call a contractor lunch? A bag of beef jerky and a Coke with a few candy bars for dessert. I think healthy for them is not being drunk enough on the job that you get hurt...I mean not all of the customers are the same...but there's a lot that don't think twice about smoking wherever they are. I can stand cigarettes and pipes...but if somebody has a cigar I'm getting them checked out in a hurry

Aussie-reader · Post by **Aussie-reader** » 10 Feb 2014, 22:23

In Australia it's not about the customers 'not thinking twice about where they are' - if any one lit a cigarette inside a shopping centre, restaruant, cafe, any indoor venue ( and some outdoor venues) they would promptly be told to put it out or leave.

I live in a blue collar area too - but everybody knows this about smoking indoors in public places and private places, most rental properties do not allow smoking inside,no hotels do, and most people, myself included, do not let anyone smoke inside their house - and everybody abides by it.

Loveabull · Post by **Loveabull** » 10 Feb 2014, 22:26

Sounds far more civilized than this area actually. Telling someone to do anything around here can lead to a colorful argument at best...then there are people who have been shot over the stupidest things...I wish I was exaggerating but I'm not.

Ella · Post by **Ella** » 11 Feb 2014, 08:22

Loveabull wrote:Sounds far more civilized than this area actually. Telling someone to do anything around here can lead to a colorful argument at best...then there are people who have been shot over the stupidest things...I wish I was exaggerating but I'm not.

I'm inclined to agree....it seems the slightest bit of criticism sets people off nowadays

Not sure if anyone else has seen this, but the New Haven mayor has proposed increasing the soda tax by another 2%, (along the same lines as Bloomberg banning those big sodas) thinking that it would make people think twice about purchasing soda and therefore promoting better choices, etc. I don't drink soda myself, but if I did, why should I have to pay more for it?? Here is a direct quote...“We discovered in New Haven that there is a certain neighborhood, and it would probably translate across the whole city, 70% of the adults are either overweight or obese, and 50% of the children,” she said.
A certain neighborhood?? Needless to say, she isn't very popular at the moment

Fran · Post by **Fran** » 11 Feb 2014, 10:11

Ella wrote:
Loveabull wrote:Sounds far more civilized than this area actually. Telling someone to do anything around here can lead to a colorful argument at best...then there are people who have been shot over the stupidest things...I wish I was exaggerating but I'm not.
I'm inclined to agree....it seems the slightest bit of criticism sets people off nowadays

Not sure if anyone else has seen this, but the New Haven mayor has proposed increasing the soda tax by another 2%, (along the same lines as Bloomberg banning those big sodas) thinking that it would make people think twice about purchasing soda and therefore promoting better choices, etc. I don't drink soda myself, but if I did, why should I have to pay more for it?? Here is a direct quote...“We discovered in New Haven that there is a certain neighborhood, and it would probably translate across the whole city, 70% of the adults are either overweight or obese, and 50% of the children,” she said.
A certain neighborhood?? Needless to say, she isn't very popular at the moment

She might not be popular but she's probably still right.
It is amazing the amount of added sugar & salt we are being fed surreptitiously. What I find amazing is schools permitting vending machines on the school campus - so much for education!
As to why you should have to pay more for your soda - likewise why should I have to pay more in tax for the medical care of people who want to smoke and/or eat themselves to death? Go right ahead but don't expect me to pay for it!
That said I'll still raid The Sugglers chocolate stash

Ella · Post by **Ella** » 11 Feb 2014, 11:21

Actually, a lot of insurance companies are charging a higher premium now for smokers. I think you have to be smoke free for a year or something like that to get the (slightly) lower rate here at my company

Aussie-reader · Post by **Aussie-reader** » 11 Feb 2014, 16:48

I know our health system here in Australia is very different to USA's.

However higher life insurance premiums for smokers is the norm here.

and cigarettes are heavily taxed - one could say that is the additional tax smokers are paying for the health care they are likely to need.

Loveabull · Post by **Loveabull** » 11 Feb 2014, 18:10

Then again how do they prove it with insurance? Because your paper application smells like tobacco? I'm sure a great number of people lie so they don't have to pay higher premiums. I dunno, making people pay more for soda...then how about the candy industry? How about those tasty ramen dishes...add two cups of water and get a years worth of sodium in one bowl? I think it does depend on economic group and neighborhood too certainly.

Around here if you live in the hood, it might be two or three bus rides to a supermarket. The corner stores have junk food, tobacco and liquor. Even the supermarkets that do have produce don't have the most showy quality if it's still edible that is. Then on the other side of town you have crowds at Whole Paycheck buying their organic gluten free toddler hummus ( I made that up but they probably have it) and artisanal chicken cutlets-free range hand crafted chicken parts...

Which side of town is eating healthier? Even educating people isn't going to help ultimately, I mean you can reach some people but there aren't any easy answers

Ella · Post by **Ella** » 11 Feb 2014, 19:46

Well, with the insurance thing the application specifically asks if you smoke now, were ever a smoker, when did you quit, etc. from what I understand if you lie about the smoking and then try to make a claim (ex. lung cancer, copd, etc due to smoking) they can refuse all claims and cancel your policy. I don't have insurance through work, but most of other employees do and a majority of them smoke. Insurance companies put so many restrictions they literally can control your life. My supervisor was diagnosed with cancer, and because the insurance took their sweet a** time to dot their i's and cross their t's that what was a little tumor in her back end has decided to latch onto the inner wall and burrow further that it's become inoperable.

P.s that artisan chicken comment made me laugh so hard I spit my coffee onto my phone.

Aussie-reader · Post by **Aussie-reader** » 11 Feb 2014, 22:08

Loveabull wrote:Then again how do they prove it with insurance? Because your paper application smells like tobacco? I'm sure a great number of people lie so they don't have to pay higher premiums.

Life insurance here generally requires a statement from your doctor, as well as a signed statement from you that all is true and correct.

If you were found to have lied on your application, your insurance would be nullified, you would probably be charged with fraud too.

Loveabull · Post by **Loveabull** » 14 Feb 2014, 20:30

After discussing society in our neck of the woods for a few days I was reminded of a song by an Aussie band. Sometime in the early 70's The Little River Band recorded "Statue of Liberty"...the kicker is the statue sinking at the end of the song...
I've seen recent pics of Glenn Shorrock...the years have not been kind...