A Smokers world

[eweissenbach]

There are many many things that have drastically changed in my, and your, lifetime, including electronics, civil rights, air travel, space exprloration, communications, and on and on. However one of the most remarkable things to me is the culture of cigarrette smoking. When I was young in the late 40s and 50s, virtually every adult male I knew smoked, and many, if not most, adult females. I had an aunt and uncle who never smoked and I remember asking my mom (who occasionally smoked) why, thinking there was something wrong with uncle Elmer since he doesn't smoke. Smoking in ones home was virtually understood, and ashtrays were on almost every table. Even my nonsmoking aunt and uncle had ashtrays on their tables because all their family and friends smoked. If you went to a meeting, a sporting event, or any gathering of people, the smoke was heavy in the air. Go to any VFW or Eagles Lodge today and look at pictures on the wall of meetings from that era and half the people or more have a cigarrette in their hand. I remember coaches smoking on the sideline and butchers with a cigarrette in their mouth while cutting meat. I was a manager for New York Life when they came down with an edict that all offices were to be smoke-free beginning in about 1992, and I had several employees who I had to warn to go outside, that they could no longer smoke in their office. Now not only are smokers forced out of their offices, but all the way outside, and sometimes completely off campus or out of town. I know people who still smoke, though in my world it is becoming rarer and rarer, but even those that do don't smoke in their own homes. Today, if I walk into a home or a room that has been smoked in, I can instantly smell it, but never noticed it back then because everyplace apparently smelled like that. I saw Mike Huckabee speak several years ago about the importance of losing weight and getting healthier as a nation, and he said he was confident it could be done because he had seen it done with smoking over the last 60 years or so. It is an interesting phenomenon to me, that our world has changed in that fundamental way so drastically over the years.

[2BNTV]

I totally agree that times have changed and I never smoked. I never really cared for it and I vividly remember my father smoking in the car without a window cracked and him saying, "it's my car and I don't care what you think". Deal with it. It changed at my aunt's house as they never smoked and asked smokers to go outside if they felt the need. I also remember some family members dying out their cigarettes on the dinner dishes, ewwwwwwwww!!!!

One time my cousin and I watched leaves burning and shortly after entering his home, my uncle came running from the other side of the house and asked who was smoking.

I know I will never be able to convince another person not to smoke but several members of the family passed away too early and I think it had to do with smoking. Cousin smoked five packs a day, died at 42. Nuff said........

[graciegirl]

There are many many things that have drastically changed in my, and your, lifetime, including electronics, civil rights, air travel, space exprloration, communications, and on and on. However one of the most remarkable things to me is the culture of cigarrette smoking. When I was young in the late 40s and 50s, virtually every adult male I knew smoked, and many, if not most, adult females. I had an aunt and uncle who never smoked and I remember asking my mom (who occasionally smoked) why, thinking there was something wrong with uncle Elmer since he doesn't smoke. Smoking in ones home was virtually understood, and ashtrays were on almost every table. Even my nonsmoking aunt and uncle had ashtrays on their tables because all their family and friends smoked. If you went to a meeting, a sporting event, or any gathering of people, the smoke was heavy in the air. Go to any VFW or Eagles Lodge today and look at pictures on the wall of meetings from that era and half the people or more have a cigarrette in their hand. I remember coaches smoking on the sideline and butchers with a cigarrette in their mouth while cutting meat. I was a manager for New York Life when they came down with an edict that all offices were to be smoke-free beginning in about 1992, and I had several employees who I had to warn to go outside, that they could no longer smoke in their office. Now not only are smokers forced out of their offices, but all the way outside, and sometimes completely off campus or out of town. I know people who still smoke, though in my world it is becoming rarer and rarer, but even those that do don't smoke in their own homes. Today, if I walk into a home or a room that has been smoked in, I can instantly smell it, but never noticed it back then because everyplace apparently smelled like that. I saw Mike Huckabee speak several years ago about the importance of losing weight and getting healthier as a nation, and he said he was confident it could be done because he had seen it done with smoking over the last 60 years or so. It is an interesting phenomenon to me, that our world has changed in that fundamental way so drastically over the years.

You would be amazed at how many people still smoke in Europe.

[OldDave]

Ed, an interesting post. (and I have greatly enjoyed and appreciated a number of comments you've made in several threads the past few days.) You are correct we've gone from a smoking world with a few non smokers to a non smoking world with a few smokers. And while in the 80s smokers were militant about their rights to smoke anywhere they wanted, the ones I know now generally wish they could stop but a really addicted. But they never try to force themselves on anyone. As you said many will not even smoke in their own home. When we were at TV in June we rented a house with a pool. Every time we were in the pool we would see the neighboors next door come out and smoke on their lanai.

I am really intrigued by your thought that we could stop obesity like we stopped smoking. I had never thought of that. I certainly think it is our biggest (no pun intended) health problem. You know New York has outlawed larger drinks and a few things like that but mostly get made fun of on Letterman. I have seen that McDonalds and other fast food places had to back off of the super sizing of everything, although they didn't back off far. All drinks are still a dollar at McDonalds, which implies "go ahead and get the huge one its the same price." By the way McDonalds sell senior drinks. Here it is 40 cents for a senior Coke, which is the "small" size, which is by no means small. As we found on our drive down and back prices vary around the country.

I think it really would take something global to stop this. Close drive throughs. Stop allowing schools to serve burgers, fried, pizza, etc. Ban any form of all your can eat restaurant. I cannot imagine how this could happen, but we are killing ourselves in this country at a faster rate than any other country, it seems.

[manaboutown]

You would be amazed at how many people still smoke in Europe.

Actually I am not since I am over there several times a year. Even France is taking steps to cut back on smoking because they are facing the greatly increased health costs resulting from it.

Check out most of Asia. Phew!

BTW, tobacco stocks have been a killer investment for many, many years.

[ugotme]

I understand where you are coming from AND going to.

But, sorry, I DO NOT want any government telling me WHAT I can eat, drink etc.

Call these people stupid or ignorant - it doesn't matter. I have said it before I have never, nor do I expect to ever see anyone walk into McDonald's for a Big Mac, look at the nutrition chart and change their order to a salad.

Yes, to a degree it is a problem but I don't want any government running my life for me.

Mayor Bloomberg is, in my opinion, an idiot! And yes - I am a New Yorker !

[Lark7]

Being smoke free for about 14 years, I can say that quitting, although very difficult, is attainable. Obesity, and it accompanying medical issues, represents a tremendous burden on our medical resources. Never-the-less, curtailing obesity is equally difficult but equally attainble. While some have medical issues surrounding obesity, for others, it is simply a matter of personal responsbility. Sometimes, we need to look within and not to others for the solution.

[eweissenbach]

Actually I am not since I am over there several times a year. Even France is taking steps to cut back on smoking because they are facing the greatly increased health costs resulting from it.

Check out most of Asia. Phew!

BTW, tobacco stocks have been a killer investment for many, many years.

"killer investment" Interesting choice of words! :$:

[eweissenbach]

I understand where you are coming from AND going to.

But, sorry, I DO NOT want any government telling me WHAT I can eat, drink etc.

Call these people stupid or ignorant - it doesn't matter. I have said it before I have never, nor do I expect to ever see anyone walk into McDonald's for a Big Mac, look at the nutrition chart and change their order to a salad.

Yes, to a degree it is a problem but I don't want any government running my life for me.

Mayor Bloomberg is, in my opinion, an idiot! And yes - I am a New Yorker !

I don't know if you were refering to me, but I was not GOING anywhere with my post. I would generally agree about government interference, but I see it coming.

[ugotme]

I don't know if you were refering to me, but I was not GOING anywhere with my post. I would generally agree about government interference, but I see it coming.

No Sir - that was more concerning OldDave's closing of drive throughs etc.

[skyguy79]

I've never considered myself a smokeaholic because I only smoked about a pack a day up until I quit. I'm now smoke free and have been for more than 33 years!
Oh, if only food were as easy for me to deal with as cigarettes were! http://www.sherv.net/cm/emo/smoke/getting-stoned.gif

[Cantwaittoarrive]

I remember visiting my Mother in law in the hospital in the late 70's (she was my girlfriends mother at the time) and she was sitting in her hospital bed smoking and her visitors would come in and smoke with her while visiting. The only rooms that didn't allow smoking were the ones with oxygen being used

[buggyone]

I remember visiting my Mother in law in the hospital in the late 70's (she was my girlfriends mother at the time) and she was sitting in her hospital bed smoking and her visitors would come in and smoke with her while visiting. The only rooms that didn't allow smoking were the ones with oxygen being used

When I first began working at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Gainesville (1973), the patients were allowed to smoke in their beds on the wards. In fact, volunteers from the Canteen (gift store) wheeled carts to the wards so patients could buy cigarettes for $2.50 a carton (totally tax free). The VA employees could not buy cigarettes from the Canteen - just the patients. Makes a lot of sense, doesn't it?

[LynnDeb]

:22yikes:Speaking about smoking.....remember when we went into the beauty parlor (they called in the day) and whoever was doing your hair with hairspray had a "cig" hanging from their mouth w the long ash???? And the person in the chair was smoking as well.....

[capecodbob]

Been off the "butts" for almost 20 years now. Most difficult for me to quit. I was an addict. Mentally and physically addicted to those dam thing. Finally beat it after years of trying. But that was a decision I made, not the government.
On the obesity story, that is a personal decision too. If we can't stop eating the wrong foods, we own what happens as a result. And I surely don't want the government telling me what I should and shouldn't eat. Tell me what's good and bad for me, otherwise "butt out". (pun intended)
But then I watch the news and some states are legalizing recreational pot smoking. This seems nuts.
Not only are you modifying your thinking, but we've got people smoking too. Not just puffing but DEEP inhaliation of the smoke. Should we non-participants have to pay for the poor health decisions of others?
Should those making poor health decisions pay higher health insurance premiums?
If you have a bad driving record you automobile insurance goes up!
Hmmmm.... just wonder'in!!
Bob

[Vinny]

I quit 10 years ago but remember smoking in a crowded elevator and my doctor offering me a cigarette during each visit.

[Cantwaittoarrive]

Been off the "butts" for almost 20 years now. Most difficult for me to quit. I was an addict. Mentally and physically addicted to those dam thing. Finally beat it after years of trying. But that was a decision I made, not the government.
On the obesity story, that is a personal decision too. If we can't stop eating the wrong foods, we own what happens as a result. And I surely don't want the government telling me what I should and shouldn't eat. Tell me what's good and bad for me, otherwise "butt out". (pun intended)
But then I watch the news and some states are legalizing recreational pot smoking. This seems nuts.
Not only are you modifying your thinking, but we've got people smoking too. Not just puffing but DEEP inhaliation of the smoke. Should we non-participants have to pay for the poor health decisions of others?
Should those making poor health decisions pay higher health insurance premiums?
If you have a bad driving record you automobile insurance goes up!
Hmmmm.... just wonder'in!!
Bob
Unfortunately this is life, we have always paid for bad decisions made by others no way totally around it. For example our taxes are higher because some people can't obey the law and we have to support a prision system. Who is to say? Recreational pot smoking in a few states (2) is now legal at the state level. If you do something that is legal should you have to pay a higher health insurance premium? In your statement about car insurance a bad record implies either you have been breaking the law (speeding, running stop signs and e.t.c.) or reckless (causing accidents). At this point it's not illegal to over eat or to make some other poor health decisions (might be reckless). Now that the government is even more involved in health insurance do we really want a government monitor in our home regulating how much we eat or drink or exercise or even sleep?

[Cantwaittoarrive]

I quit 10 years ago but remember smoking in a crowded elevator and my doctor offering me a cigarette during each visit.

I guess that was a good way for the doctor to keep business steady, make sure your clients are doing an activity that hurts their health and keeps them coming back

[2BNTV]

Not to highjack this thread but diabetes is an epidemic in this country. Everyone must take reponsibility for their own health.

I am amazed how much a pack of cigarettes cost these days. One could go on a great vacation with the money saved from buying cigarettes. I know it is addictive but one owes it to themselves and love ones to stop this habit.

Just sayin.... because I fully expect that smokers will continue to smoke if that is what they want.

[Ecuadog]

In general, I don't like the government trying to run my life. They should be protecting us from each other, not from ourselves.

[jblum315]

In general, I don't like the government trying to run my life. They should be protecting us from each other, not from ourselves.

I think that's what the no-smoking thing is about. Protecting non smokers from smoke fumes.

[ijusluvit]

When I first began working at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Gainesville (1973), the patients were allowed to smoke in their beds on the wards. In fact, volunteers from the Canteen (gift store) wheeled carts to the wards so patients could buy cigarettes for $2.50 a carton (totally tax free). The VA employees could not buy cigarettes from the Canteen - just the patients. Makes a lot of sense, doesn't it?

That was then, and we've sure come a long way.

But one thing I can't understand, or accept, is the VA at their recently opened clinic in Mulberry spending thousands of taxpayer dollars on that lovely gazebo out in the parking lot. Apparently it for the sole purpose of providing a comfy place for clients and visitors to smoke.

[ijusluvit]

Been off the "butts" for almost 20 years now. Most difficult for me to quit. I was an addict. Mentally and physically addicted to those dam thing. Finally beat it after years of trying. But that was a decision I made, not the government.
On the obesity story, that is a personal decision too. If we can't stop eating the wrong foods, we own what happens as a result. And I surely don't want the government telling me what I should and shouldn't eat. Tell me what's good and bad for me, otherwise "butt out". (pun intended)
But then I watch the news and some states are legalizing recreational pot smoking. This seems nuts.
Not only are you modifying your thinking, but we've got people smoking too. Not just puffing but DEEP inhaliation of the smoke. Should we non-participants have to pay for the poor health decisions of others?
Should those making poor health decisions pay higher health insurance premiums?
If you have a bad driving record you automobile insurance goes up!
Hmmmm.... just wonder'in!!
Bob

You raise a couple of good points here. First, might you have been assisted in your efforts to quit smoking because government taxes caused cigarette prices to skyrocket; because government supported studies and media advertising portrayed the addiction as so dangerous; because local, state and federal laws have made it increasingly inconvenient, unconventional and finally almost socially unacceptable to smoke; and because government subsidies of quit smoking programs have made them available and affordable to millions? I know a number of people who point to one or more of these things which provided the motivation to beat their addiction.

I think it's fair that there are extra costs levied on those who consciously are risk takers. Try getting a life insurance or long term health care insurance policy if you are a smoker. And you can't lie about it because a blood test is now a standard part of the application process. Risk takers have paid higher automobile insurance premiums for decades. Now there is pending legislation that all cars sold in the US must have a 'black box' which records speed, braking, turning, etc. in the moment before an auto accident. Most cars have these devices now, and law enforcement officers can access the information in them. This is how it was discovered that NJ Gov. Corzine's driver was going 91 mph at the time of his accident last year. I see nothing wrong with having access to the real truth about tragic events, so that responsibility can be properly assigned.

This, my friends, is government in action. I have a hard time opposing it.

The "don't meddle", and "leave me alone" objections surrounding the obesity and diabetes debates sound the same but are nowhere as vehement as the public outcry attacking the Surgeon General's 1964 report about smoking. So, it seems to me there is hope for a cultural shift toward healthy eating habits. But it will not come without government influence gradually moving the mountain of ignorance, force of habit, and just plain stubbornness. There are many "sensible" actions already taken in school cafeterias, with general education about and media attention to nutrition. And there is the governmental arm-twisting of the fast food giants, which has already had some positive results.

And I don't think Mayor Bloomberg is nuts - at least with respect to his position about huge soft drinks.

[Cantwaittoarrive]

In general, I don't like the government trying to run my life. They should be protecting us from each other, not from ourselves.

:agree::agree::agree:

[Ecuadog]

In general, I don't like the government trying to run my life. They should be protecting us from each other, not from ourselves.
I think that's what the no-smoking thing is about. Protecting non smokers from smoke fumes.
You have it half right. They can stop the smoker from blowing smoke in my face, but they shouldn't try to tell him that he can't go off and fill his own face with smoke.