Evil, Evil, Evil, but I might just have one

 

I have been a smoker for a large portion of my life.  I recently quit (again) except for the occasional distraction.

So I am biased, and addicted.

However, even if writing as an ex-smoker (a category often comprising uncompromising expert and health advisors) I think it is time to put an end to the social persecution of smokers.

Smokers would be the first to say that smoking often sucks, especially the unnecessary addiction driven only cigarettes are not fun.  It is harder to run, ski.  We stink, we look bad and we damage our health.

We agree with separate spaces, prohibition in small environments; fines for littering, lack of advertising.  Personally, I particularly agree with tax hikes to increase tax income for Governments.

However.

However.

There is a limit.

To the social persecution.

I can think of many other accepted practices that have a much higher social cost than smoking.  Smoking is fundamentally slow suicide.  But as bad as it is, it is not homicide.

I would maintain that the social cost of alcohol, which is not only accepted, it is celebrated, is much higher than that of smoking.  I will not quote research – there is abundance of that – I will simply ask readers to think of personal examples when alcohol induced violence has touched their lives.  Or the social cost of drink driving.

I would maintain that non illness related obesity has a higher social cost (including aesthetic cost).

Religious fanaticism.  Lack of control on guns.  Lack of compulsory vaccination. Large scale stealing from government officials (in some countries, less in Aussie). All pernicious activities which in my view could then bear the same stigma.

Smoking, let’s be clear, can also be fun.  Relaxing; social; rewarding.  Nicotine is a very addictive drug but its withdrawal symptoms would not push anyone to rob a store or steal.

And some of the anti smoking measures currently adopted worldwide are draconian and often ridiculous.  No Smoking in open air areas, but free roaming of large SUVs in the streets of Mosman.  No smoking in Ginza but allowed in coffee shops.  Miniscule smoking areas outside a company headquarters in Canada without a minimum snow or rain shelter.

Why?

The hypocritical stand of companies like Starwood, clear smoking haters except in Asia.  I guess money can bend principles.  However Starwood hotels also miss out on the opportunity to make some money by giving dedicated rooms to smokers.

Statistics show that there is a clear potential market for services to smokers.

Once the social persecution declines a bit, perhaps some tolerant souls will notice the business of tolerance can also be the business of money.

In conclusion full support for smoke control, taxes and reasonable separation for those who do not like it.  But let’s slow down on the social persecution please.