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Less smoking is very good for the population health. While population increases are not good by themselves, all reduction in mortality is very good for everyon
by _ph_ 10y ago
Less smoking is very good for the population health.
While population increases are not good by themselves, all reduction in mortality is very good for everyone who has not to die. Interestingly this seems to have the consequence that the birth rates decline strongly as observed in many places.
Drilling is not bad because of "evil corporations", but because it regularly is accompanied by harming the environment, be it through the drilling, building roads through natural forests or oil spills.
- entropyneur 10y ago> Less smoking is very good for the population health. But what is population health good for if not enjoying life? Including (for some people) things like smoking a cigarette.
- exedore6 10y agoIsn't a big part of the enjoyment satiating the addiction? With fewer people smoking (and non-smoke methods of getting a nicotine fix), I still see this as a great thing.
- entropyneur 10y agoAs a former nicotine addict, that's the only part. But what difference does it make? The pleasure is as real as any other. Of course fewer people smoking is a great thing. It's just not great enough to justify taking away somebody's freedom to choose for themselves.
- _ph_ 10y agoAn interesting question. With many things we have to balance the fun of the moment with the long term consequences, even with plain food. But with smoking, especially cigarettes, this is a quite one-sided balance. Even without the risk of cancer, every single cigarette will do considerable, irrevocable harm to your lungs. And I know few people wo smoke lightly, Nikotin is extremely addictive. Finally, there is the impact on other people, if one smokes in their presence.
- entropyneur 10y agoI guess I shortened my point too much to make it sound pretty. The real fun being taken away here is of course not smoking, but making your own choices. I myself kicked a very bad smoking habit for the exact reasons you mention.
- noobermin 10y agoYou assume the majority of smokers are either a) not new smokers and b) aren't actively trying to quit.
- jsz0 10y ago> Less smoking is very good for the population health. No doubt but when smoking bans start to overreach to include things like outdoor places it's getting dangerously close to a form of discrimination. What's next? Banning overweight people from ordering certain items at restaurants?