Because freedom. Sincerely, Not a smoker

My definition of freedom is having good health past middle age... and have enough money to spend. Not wasting a fraction of my income on things that are slowly killing me, and everyone around me.

[quote]My definition of freedom is having good health past middle age... and have enough money to spend.[/quote] Yup. Freedom is also the ability to do the exact opposite of what you just stated. As an adult, you have the freedom to choose not to be around people with lifestyle choices you don't agree with. Children are a different story. [quote]Not wasting a fraction of my income on things that are slowly killing me, and everyone around me.[/quote] Dramatics aside, that's your right to choose.

I think it's interesting that you seem to think I'm trying to make people stop. I simply said I'd never understand *why*, and I don't do it myself. I don't give a damn what other people are doing as long as I don't pay for their extra healthcare costs, and they don't smoke where I am (ie. indoors, next to my balcony, or right by a door that I have to walk through). Freedom means they *can* do what they want, but it still doesn't explain *why*

[quote]I think it's interesting that you seem to think I'm trying to make people stop.[/quote] Not sure where you got that from. [quote] I don't give a damn what other people are doing as long as I don't pay for their extra healthcare costs, and they don't smoke where I am (ie. indoors, next to my balcony, or right by a door that I have to walk through).[/quote] You don't get to control public spaces, so they can do whatever they want until someone capable of making such decisions makes such decisions. As selfish as you might think it is when someone invades your public space with second hand smoke, I can then say that you are being selfish in wanting to squash a small freedom. [quote]Freedom means they *can* do what they want, but it still doesn't explain *why*[/quote] Freedom is the only reason somebody needs when doing something completely legal.

Freedom doesn't explain why they choose to smoke. It explains why it's allowed/POSSIBLE for them to smoke. It's not just a them invading my public space, it's endangering my health. It's the same reason why there's a by-law where I live stating that smokers must be at least 9ft away from doorways.

[quote]Freedom doesn't explain why they choose to smoke. It explains why it's allowed/POSSIBLE for them to smoke.[/quote] Freedom is the only reason we need to do anything legal. I don't smoke. But sometimes when I'm drunk I like to smoke. Why? Because I -blam!-ing can. [quote]It's not just a them invading my public space, it's endangering my health. It's the same reason why there's a by-law where I live stating that smokers must be at least 9ft away from doorways.[/quote] 9ft, yeah that'll do that trick. ::Rolls eyes:: I'm not saying I enjoy second hand smoke. I'm not saying I enjoy smelling like an ashtray. What I am saying is that you have no leg to stand on with your desired oppression of personal liberty. If you want to hinder personal liberty then elect people to do it for you, politicians will do anything for a vote. Otherwise, pick a more important personal crusade.

It doesn't explain the desire to. The reason behind the desire to fill your lungs up with cancer? Does it taste good? Does it smell good? Does it feel good? *sigh* why must everyone force the concept "oppression of liberty/freedom" on everything? I don't have a personal crusade, I just said I don't understand it. (I'm seriously so confused right now why you think I care enough for me to go on a crusade about it.) I honestly don't give a shit what you do in your private space. If you do it in public, I have a right to object... If you blow it in my face, I'd probably deck you. If you can get arrested for running around naked, there could certainly be some regulation regarding where you smoke, it being an actual health hazard (eg not public indoor spaces and not near doorways).

[quote]The reason behind the desire to fill your lungs up with cancer?[/quote] You realize that not everyone who smokes gets cancer, right? So filling "your lungs with cancer" is just hysterics on your part. [quote]why must everyone force the concept "oppression of liberty/freedom" on everything?[/quote] Because we live in this beautiful country with a fantastic Constitution that emphasizes individual liberty. You wanting people to NOT do something because it bothers you is the exact opposite of that. Liberty means being able to do things for no reason other than you can and it's legal. [quote] honestly don't give a shit what you do in your private space. If you do it in public, I have a right to object... If you blow it in my face, I'd probably deck you. [/quote] Yes, you have a right to object. I also have a right to ignore your objection. You should punch anyone who purposely blows smoke in your face. [quote] If you can get arrested for running around naked, there could certainly be some regulation regarding where you smoke[/quote] I'm going to pretend you didn't just compare public indecency to smoking, because that comparison makes no sense and is completely absurd. [quote]it being an actual health hazard (eg not public indoor spaces and not near doorways).[/quote] I'm not a doctor, but I'm going to go out on a limb and say that walking through a cloud of smoke isn't hazardous to the health of a healthy person. That's a fraction of a second you had to inhale and then exhale the second hand smoke. For someone who claims to not be on a personal crusade you sure have very specific guidelines about where people should be allowed to smoke, not to mention your irrational fear of spending mere moments walking through a cloud of smoke. Maybe just wrap yourself up in bubble wrap and strap on an oxygen tank the next time you leave the house. Life is dangerous, man. Maybe you should turn your home into a hermetically sealed environment.

[quote]You realize that not everyone who smokes gets cancer, right? So filling "your lungs with cancer" is just hysterics on your part.[/quote] I was just being dramatic. [quote]Because we live in this beautiful country with a fantastic Constitution that emphasizes individual liberty. You wanting people to NOT do something because it bothers you is the exact opposite of that. Liberty means being able to do things for no reason other than you can and it's legal.[/quote] I never said I didn't want people to do it. I keep saying, I don't care if they do it or not. I just don't want to be near them when they are. [quote]I'm going to pretend you didn't just compare public indecency to smoking, because that comparison makes no sense and is completely absurd.[/quote] Well, what is it about public indecency that makes it wrong and smoking not? [quote]I'm not a doctor, but I'm going to go out on a limb and say that walking through a cloud of smoke isn't hazardous to the health of a healthy person. That's a fraction of a second you had to inhale and then exhale the second hand smoke. For someone who claims to not be on a personal crusade you sure have very specific guidelines about where people should be allowed to smoke, not to mention your irrational fear of spending mere moments walking through a cloud of smoke. Maybe just wrap yourself up in bubble wrap and strap on an oxygen tank the next time you leave the house. Life is dangerous, man. Maybe you should turn your home into a hermetically sealed environment.[/quote] I didn't make up any guidelines, they are preferences, plus what laws are already in place. Sure, life is dangerous, and for some things it's worth the indulgence, but I consider this an unnecessary risk (I don't imagine it actually pleasurable unless you're already addicted). Those fractions of a second adds up man... if every door you walk through has people standing around smoking. It also makes me cough like a mofo.

It's because you don't smoke that you don't understand. I was the same way until I tried it myself. Marijuana that is, I don't mess with cigarettes, I despise them more than anything in the world

Doesn't weed mess up your body too?

Nope, not at all. The only detrimental effects weed can have is if you smoke before your brain is full developed (so before 19-21 years of age, around there), in which case it can cause your brain to develop slower. Most people start smoking around 16 or so, and you'll notice those are the ones that usually adhere to the stereotypes (lazy, unmotivated, etc) as opposed to someone who started smoking towards adulthood who usually operate perfectly, whether sober or otherwise. But of course there's exceptions to everything. In reality though, the plain facts are Marijuana is one of the most beneficial substances available, and can act as a medication for almost anything. That's why I get really, really mad when people try taking shit based off of what they hear rather than doing the research themselves

What I learned at school: Drugz r bad. They hurt u. Don't do dem. I won't but it's funny how little of an impact I feel is being made. Oh well no research in this statement so it's probably wrong.

Yeah that about sums up what school teaches you about drugs. But it makes sense to try and keep kids away from them, it's not really a choice you should make until your old enough to understand what kind of effects they can have on you. Me personally, I hated weed for the longest time. I believed everything I was told as a kid, that you become addicted to it, it ruins your life, it makes you stupid, etc. Etc. But then when I tried it myself, I found none of that was true. I've been smoking for 3 years (which is essentially nothing) and I live a happy, productive life, I'm far from stupid, and it hasn't interfered with my personal life whatsoever. But in the end it just comes down to the person. Some people can handle it well, some can't. Simple as that

Marijuana is not an addictive substance. I really wish the media would stop perpetuating that lie.