In article ,
Steve Walker wrote:
The difference is that smoking is highly addictive (any regular smoker
that stops will experience cravings/withdrawal symptoms); serves no
useful purpose and is afflicted on averyone around.

The same can be thought of alcohol if you co to many town centres of an
evening.

Except that in moderation, no-one around is affected, unlike smoking.

most of the complaints about smoking here refer to the past, and to people
smoking outdoors at the entrance to buildings. The last part would be
easily addressed by having smoking rooms. With proper filtration.

Drinking is far less addictive (those who succumb generally have
addictive personalities anyway and can become addicted to a whole
range of things - even exercise - the rest suffer no effects on doing
without);

Hmm. Interesting the way you bend addiction to rule out a drug you use and
turn it to others.

It's simple fact, most people can drink all their lives without ever
devloping an addiction (defined as producing withdrawal symptoms when
they don't drink), most smokers who try to give up struggle and do
suffer physical withdrawal symptoms.

Have you seen the figures for those treated for alcohol addiction? And the
numbers who drink every day is vast. Smokers can and do go for long
periods in a day without smoking too - just like many social drinkers.

in small quantities it can have health benefits and certainly
does no harm;

You'll find plenty of 'authorities' who disagree with this statement:
likely just as many as on passive smoking.

There are frequent scientific reports of health benefits of small
quantities of alcohol,

Yes - by those who use it or sell it. Plenty of doctors specialising in
such things is the only safe consumption is zero.

whereas the reports on cigarette smoke show harm
beginning at even the lowest levels.

It can be a useful drug for those who might otherwise need a different
medication. Of course it has well known downsides. But so do other forms
of medication. Especially with long term use.

it's only afflicted on those around by those who
overindulge - which we do have laws against, but somehow fail to enforce.

Indeed. The snag with the smoking laws is most reasonable people think
them unfair as well as not actually doing what was wanted.

Oh, I think that the smoking laws are unfair to an extent - smoking in
company vehicles, etc. but I can't see any way to allow smoking in pubs,
restaurants, etc. without affecting either other customers or staff.

Given it's possible to provide a safe working environment for those
handling much more dangerous gases etc than smoke, it doesn't take too
much thought to realise you could make filtered smoking areas.

--
*Certain frogs can be frozen solid, then thawed, and survive *

Dave Plowman London SW
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