The good Senator may find this one rebounding on him. The public have the image of cigar-chomping Parliamentarians and 'that' photo of senior government ministers enjoying a cigar while the public were being exhorted to tighten their belts as part of a tough federal Budget.

Cigars are no good for health,
https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/tobacco/cigars-fact-sheet

However, even if cigars were far less harmful than the Cancer Council says they are, any concessions would see creative efforts from tobacco companies to disguise other products as 'cigars' to increase sales.

Senator, there is a host of initiatives that are needed to improve the lot of older Australians which will could result in improved quality of life and savings too. Such as ensuring that they remain independent for as long as possible in the home in which they raised their family and are familiar with their environment.

However ageism is rife and correcting the misunderstanding resulting from wrong negative stereotyping of older people is only paid lip service to by the usually politically interfering Human Rights Commission.

However,

- '77% of older adults report experiencing some form of everyday ageism (Palmore, 2001). The impact of ageism on social inequalities in the workforce, in medical care, and in social settings has been well-established.'

- In medical situations, older adults are less likely to be given the same treatment as younger adults, even when it would likely be effective (Foster, 2012).

- Older adults are more likely to be excluded in social situations (Palmore, 2001).
They also have poorer employment prospects than their younger counterparts (Russell & Fahey, 2004)'

Others are very much into initiatives in this area, for example Ireland. Go to it!

I used to enjoy puffing away on a good cigar, with one of my favorites, corps diplomatic, nearly knocking the head off they were so strong! Even though they were puffed not inhaled! Yet still contain and produce carcinogenic tars and nicotine! Just not as much as chemical loaded cigarettes?

And can still lead to cancers of the throat and mouth, even when not inhaled? And inhaling only contemplated if the thought of being racked by uncontrollable, spasmodic, coughing for the rest of the following week, wasn't too much of a put off!

As a regular pre stroke, cigar and or pipe smoker, I'd take my filthy disgusting habit outside, and downwind, given in the case of cigars, they're not feeding the horses the way they used to!

Most stroke victims are former or current smokers, with an addiction so strong in some cases, the thought of a smoke free life leads one (the poor misunderstood victim) to lose all enthusiasm for life?

[let me go, let me go lover. I don't want to kiss an (yuk spit) ashtray and stop pushing that foul tasting tongue so far down my throat, you can tell what I had for breakfast!]

And like any addictive habit, we will always find ways to diminish the harm we do to ourselves and others, or the increasingly prohibitive cost, with our hedonistic addiction!

That said, I have discovered safe smoking, and that is where one leaves the weed/horse manure unlit and the wrapper on, whether plain or fancy! [Look mum, safe smoking.]

As I used to tell the kids regarding safe sex, if it's not on it's not on!

Only extraordinarily selfish and self centred hedonists, would think or want it otherwise!?
Alan B.

Smoking is an unnatural practice!!

I always enjoy Leyonhjelm's articles. Right or wrong, he's a spirited and independent thinker.

Ah David welcome to the utopia of the non violent society. The society where the self inviting busybody never fears a black eye.

It's unacceptable in this day and age that cigar chain-smokers in their late 80s are prejudicially and summarily excluded from first grade football teams . Gays and Mussies are welcomed with group hugs and hair-rubs, stiff elbows and slams but what do A Grade arthritics get ?