Smoking tobacco- ex-JW's have a warped view, so what should we do? (page 2)

sir82

I agree completely with the Jw's on this one.

You agree that anyone who smokes should be completely shunned by all family and friends?

OnTheWayOut

I am still totally ignoring certain posters, but wanted to point out....

anyone on this forum in direct violation of WT rules, but fully in agreement with the WT view of tobacco
(It's a violation of the scriptures and smokers should be shunned by their loved ones) is clearly just stating so in the hopes of drawing controversey.

So just ignore Trevor (or Trevor-like or Trevor-ish or Trevor-lite).

How clearly they reveal themselves as total liars.

OnTheWayOut

Just stay on topic about tobacco and not about the troll. Pleeeeezzzzzzeeee.

Olin Moyles Ghost

Smoking cigarettes is idiotic and dangerous. So I choose not to smoke.

But does that mean that God is going to smite you for all eternity if you smoke a cigarette? That's equally idiotic. Assuming the Bible is God's final word to man, if smoking were such a big deal, it seems that he would have mentioned it. It's not like he was trying to save space or be brief.

I guess I have a belief in personal responsibility and that 'you reap what you sow.' If you want to smoke or engage in other risky activities--fine, be my guest--but be prepared to face the health consequences.

But for heaven's sake, don't try to put words in God's mouth. 1 Corinthians 4:6--don't go beyond what is written.

As to public policy, I think the government should do what it's doing now--tax it. Keep it legal, but keep increasing the tax on cigarettes.

Freedom Fighter

In Scotland smoking is banned in public places. The difference when you go to a pub is amazing. Also no smoking in shops, eating places (can't spell restr...you know what I mean) football grounds, public transport.

Hopefully it will become so difficult for people to smoke that the habit will die out.

VoidEater

Can we ban it?

Anything can be banned - and by "banned" I mean "made illegal". But the argument for banning cigarettes would be perhaps even stronger for banning other things, like alcohol. The argument would be perhaps weaker for banning other things, like sugar. Are we talking about banning tobacco for health issues? There's so much more we should be banning then.

Can government ban it?

Of course. Less addicting, less damaging, less offensive things are already banned. Why not tobacco?

Is it right to ban it in OUTDOOR public places?

It's "right" to ban anything in specific places under specific circumstances. Many places, public consumption of alcohol is banned. Other places, public gum chewing is banned.

Is it okay to tax it by a gizzillion percent?

Government has a history of implementing public policy through taxation or inhibiting activities like advertising. This is really a bigger question than just tobacco.

What will the government tax next like they got away with for cigarettes when the smokers die off?

Alcohol. Or other recreational products that can be somewhat demonized but not outright banned.

How could [fractions] be done?

That's easy - New Light. Treat tobacco like alcohol. All things in moderation, like the good book says. Make it another matter of conscience.

undercover

Maybe the WTS should consider reversing this slowly by allowing "fractions." How could that be done?

How 'bout a little pinch between your cheek and gum...

dogisgod

My father occasionally smoked cigars (non JW). My mother (devout JW) battled it until she had to have her carotid reamed out. My father in all his wisdom would say...it's not the tobacco that kills people but the stuff they put into the tobacco. I don't like smell of cigaretts and never picked up the habit but I believe that when you look at the ingrediants minus the tobacco it is as pure poison as meth. I don't know how the tobacco companies get away with this. Everybody jumped on the Chinese for poisoning our pets, babys, and toys but nobody goes after these SBs for what they do to people.

DFing people for smoking is stupid. Show me literally where it says not to smoke in the Bible. What about obesity? If they Dfd all JWs for that there would be no more married sisters. (okay just a joke).

WuzLovesDubs

I say if the JWs ban smoking they should also ban ALCOHOL. You can call smoking pharmacaia or whatever it is they label drug use, but being a DRUNK definitely IS in the Bible and THEY DONT DO A DAMN THING about all the ALCOHOLICS in their midst!

And Ren dont you dare say there arent. It was RAMPANT in all the congregations I was in.

I loved that there were NON SMOKING sections in airplanes too...ummmm ok Im in row 12 and nonsmoking starts in row 13???

nelly136

i smoke, i obviously have my own biases, and this is my foot in mouth biased opinion,

tobacco could be argued to be one of gods creation re the bible......god didnt say dont roll that fag he said...dont touch the fruit!

as a smoker over the years i've paid enough tax on my baccy to donate a cell saver or six, and my government was quite happy to pimp that. so why shouldnt i get some back in healthcare, and lets face it i'll prolly be dead before i cost em too much.

but i'd probably have to get behind someone else with another self inflicted non smokin ailment before i got any treatment anyways. so if we're gonna stop self inflicted smokers getting treatment...then its only fair everyone else is treated the same, so if anyones ate too much, drunk too much, overloaded their sugar diet or broken their leg skiing and every other possible activity that could be classed as a self inflicted health hazzard then they shouldnt get treatment either. the health services could practically pack up altogether. (i am definately not referring to anyone who is victim of circumstance to bad health here)

as a barmaid, i watched non smokers trot outside with the smokers and business go down while the price of petrol and booze went up, seperate pubs for smokers and non smokers would have been fairer then at least pepes have the choice to choose,

pubs will soon be extinct (the conspiracist in me thinks this is just what the government, want kill all the places people meet and gather eventually), just cos i dont drink should i deny someone else that pleasure, personally id rather meet a tobacco smoker on the road than a drunk, drug taker, mobile phone user texter, video watching lorry driver or sat nav no senser. and if you think second hand smokes offensive you should meet some of the drunks i've had the not so pleasure of serving, clearing up their bodily excretions...(never share the complimentary peanuts/snacks in a bowl on a bar, you could get a dose of self inflicted e coli or worse)

on the other hand yup its smelly yup its not good for your health and i will respect non smokers by not lightin up in their house car etc i can live with not being able to smoke inside public buildings or places where food is served. and i'll wear a coat for the hyperthermia.

Smoking tobacco- ex-JW's have a warped view, so what should we do?

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