Oneundergod, I'm sorry, but you are in denial.

Check out this info from the Australian Medical Association - who have nothing personal to gain at all by promoting a smoke-free environment.

" Tobacco smoking is the largest single preventable cause of death and disease in Australia. Smoking contributes to more deaths and hospitalisations than alcohol and illicit drug use combined. It is a major risk factor for coronary heart disease, stroke, peripheral vascular disease, cancer and a variety of other diseases and conditions.
Smoking rates have been in decline over the past few decades, but it is still responsible for the greatest burden on the health of all Australians, with an estimated 18 000 people dying each year as a result of tobacco smoking. Smoking needs to be universally recognised as one of Australia's major drug problems, as it accounts for 80 per cent of all drug-related deaths."
http://ama.com.au/node/2241

They could be wrong of course. But what could they possibly gain from lying?
They get a lot of their revenue from patients who smoke!
Could it be that, as doctors, they actually CARE about people's health?
The medical profession have to watch the suffering.

Believe it.
Give it up.

Ban tobacco. We have to start somewhere!

Well put Suzeonline, I find the reasons not to ban more interesting, in the denial.
We saw attempts to ban alcohol fail, and it always will, but is it a danger TO EVERY ONE who uses it?
I do not think so.
The costs in health care may even exceed Tobaccos, but not even close on a per user basis.
I heard a debate about the coming legal battle by Tobacco giants against our government leading the way, in plain packs for all products.
It was said if we do the world will follow and the strength of the coming fight to continue adds on packs is being watched world wide.
We may get a visit from a lobbyist here.
Any close look will see massive investment by the industry in selling its goods in the 3rd world, adds aimed at teenagers.
Tax it out of existance as it seems we may not have the drive to Ban it.

suzie..you are being taken in by trickey words

QUOTE.."..estimated 18 000 people dying"
think about this..this is docters..ESTIMATING

where is the science FACT?

look suzie...this is the same docters..that persribe you drugs
that the rep gives them gifts to perscribe...get it yet..these docters put you on brandname meds..just to get a free trip..

read up on adverse reactions to perscribed drugs
one in 100 hospitalisations are ADVERSE-reaction to legal drugs
perscribed by a docter..[1 in ten of those RESULT in death..

now why needs docters GUESTIMATE
ie estimate..because we dont do autopsies..to find out what killed 'the patient'..if he dies under a docters care

ALL THEY NEED DO IS FILL IN THEIR OPINION..
of what was the cause of death..IN THEIR OPINION

these are the same mob ..getting gifts from big pharma
who dont want govt intefering with their govt gifts..
and subsidised legal drugs...that help pay for their FREE trips

no docter is going to say my treatment
or my ignorance killed that smoker

THINK ABOUT IT..!

thus we get estimates
in lue of facts

[they cant even get their own numbers spin right..!]

thing is we are being conned
when they baned booze..the drinkers said we wont be the last
when they banned dope..they said we wont be the last

when they ban smoking
WE WONT BE THE LAST...!

think about it
after we ban smoking
its back to drink

that is the underlying REAL cause of death
for 4 of the 5 highest causes of death

go ahead
you lot are drunk on your own spin
seeing the sin in others
but not in yourselves

AT LEAST BE HONEST

…One under god: You are such a “classic”. I just love your passion: Especially on the subject of smoking I have noticed: But you “slid“ a quip past all here. I have heard it said many times in the past, a smoke is quite often referred to as a “friend” by a smoker. Smoking is a pacifying habit of addition and I conclude from that oft supported premise that the smoker actually experiences a transference of affection of a kind, from themselves towards the cigarette, thus making realistic conclusions on the evils of smoking difficult for them.

…I have some sympathy with the oft proffered argument from smokers that its not necessarily a smoking related illness that will ultimately “get you in the end”. I remember a documentary recently ( that I can no longer refer to, since the circumstances have slipped my mind), but the show went on to substitute the theory of premature death from smoking to relating death to a genetic predisposition: In a more colloquial sense, “If the skeeters don’t get ya’ the Gators will”.

…Now, I am not in denial since I no longer smoke, but I feel inclined to fall in behind “Fester” above. If his figures can be believed, then the actual number of smokers has been drastically reduced in the post war period, to a point of almost insignificance.

…Public health campaigns appear to work, but better is the current trend in partial prohibition policy, which makes the smoking of cigarettes in high profile public areas illegal and punishable with fines.

…So my conclusion is that Governments have got this one right. The chip, chip, chip, approach is far superior and potentially more successful than prohibiting the consumption of the product.

…Next; Alcohol…He, He, He…

Yul Brynner quote,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNjunlWUJJI

I would hate to see any of us inflicted by any of the dreadful diseases associated with smoking, various cancers are just some of the awful possibilities.

Actually oneundergod, I didn't have to agree with any of the doctor's 'spin' at all. I made up my own mind with the evidence I saw with my own eyes, during 30 years of nursing.
Sorry, they tell the truth!

These days there are new laws regarding 'presents' for Doctors from drug companies. Look it up if you don't believe me.

Don't you dare tell me I am 'sinning' because I don't believe the 'denial' rubbish you spout about smoking.
You are mixing up two passionate beliefs of yours there.

If I had a dollar for the number of people who have bemoaned the fact they ever took up smoking, I would be a very rich nurse indeed.

Why not wander into a respiratory or cardiac ward in any hospital, and ask how many of the patients sucking on oxygen tubes have ever smoked?

Or are you too afraid of the inevitable answers?