Toilet Scribble

I’m a smoker, and just like your first paragraph, i realize it is a disgusting fucking habbit…but having said that, i have the right to do so! just like you said, things like fast food and alcohol are not taxed to death, but if we are using the reasoning for taxing cigarettes, then they should be. i’m not “pro” smoking, nor would i ever want a non smoker to begin smoking. i am however for my rights to do whatever the fuck i choose to do, and not pay the government extra money because it is unhealthy, and pisses a bunch of douchebags off.

Hallelujah Fitz!

I agree, if the government wants to help me stop killing myself and the people around me, they SHOULD make it fucking illegal. Cut me off. Make me stop wasting my money and theirs.

As a smoker, when they made the first big tax hike on cigarettes (2004, if I remember correctly) I thought to myself, “Here we go…government cashing in on us instead of doing the right thing.”
It made me even crazier when they passed all the laws for smoke-free environments. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think anyone should have to breathe in my second-hand smoke. I can agree with ‘protecting’ the general public. But why were they dicking around with that? If it were truly the health of the nation they were concerned about, why not do something serious to wipe it off the face of the US?

You hit the nail right on the head Fitz. It’s too much of a cash cow for them to give up. In reality, I think that makes the government more addicted to smoking than we are.

Grrr. I guess I never got fired up enough about it. Your words make me want to give up smoking simply to deprive the fuckers of my money.

Here Fucking Here!

I ‘quit’ a year ago. I’d been cutting down and cutting down until I was down to one a day. And I stayed that was for like a year and a half. Cutting out that one last cigarette was the hardest thing for me. It was my security blanket. No matter how suck-ass my day was, I could count on that one yummy and relaxing smoke at the end of the day. Of course when I went out (at the time smoking was still legal in bars and restaurants here) I smoked between a half to a whole pack. So I was still buying two or three packs a week. But I just couldn’t afford it! Smokes costs even more here in Chicago (bastages!) And I was blowing so much cash that I really needed for rent. Now I still have the very occasional cigarette when I’m drinking, and I’ve bought all of two packs the entire year.

But even though I guess I’m technically a non-smoker now (at least according to my insurance company!) I’m not a douchy-non-smoker. I really want to sucker punch those people.

A have a brief story that sums up the suckiness of whiny non-smokers. This was about 4 years ago, before Macy’s bought out Marshell Field’s. They were having a “vertical runway show” which involved models walking down the front of the building on zip lines. Anyhow, I’m standing at the corner watching this, when some dick with a kid strapped to his back steps right in front of me. Now first of all, he squeezed into a tiny spot between me and the person in front of me even though no one was standing behind me. Secondly, he was much taller than me. Thirdly, I was already smoking when he squeezed in. And then he has the fucking balls to turn around and VERY rudely TELL me to put my cigarette out. He even pulled the “I’m standing here with a CHILD” line. ASS!

Danielle recently scribbled the following on their toilet (I mean blog)..Prince is pro-modesty, or anti-whore clothes. Either way he continues to be the coolest guy around.

Brian – Exactly! Our rights are being infringed upon. I am going to quit anyway but I’m still pissed.

Charlotte – They are totally addicted to the cash. It’s the same with state run lottery, pure cash cow. The lottery does nothing but prey upon the dreams of the disenfranchised but the government is addicted to the cash flow so it will always be around. Funny thing is that you can gamble with the lottery but betting on sports or playing cards for money is illegal????

Danielle – I hope when I quit I can become like you and enjoy the casual smoke here and there but that’s pretty hard for me. I have one and I am right back in there. As for that tall douche bag with the kid…..I hope that kid grows up, starts smoking, and when confronted by his father as to why he smokes responds “Remember that lady you were so rude to when I was a baby?….I’m doing it to spite you for her”.

Fitz – I couldn’t have even one cigarette for at least five months after I quit, or I knew I’d just start again. It helps though, that over the years I started cutting out things that were contributing to my smoking. I moved into a new apartment and said, “No smoking in the house” and made myself go outside to smoke. When it’s the middle of the winter and you are being pelted by an ice storm, it’s easy to say, “Maybe I’ll pass on the cigarette.” I also stopped smoking in the car. I stopped smoking while at work. Eventually it became easier because it wasn’t a habitual routine anymore.

I’ve got faith in you though. You’re a really intelligent guy, so you’ll be able to come up with a plan that will work for you.

Danielle recently scribbled the following on their toilet (I mean blog)..Less awesome news today

I noticed several things wrong with your argument. First and foremost, you say that fast food and alcohol aren’t taxed but are bad for you which is true. HOWEVER, these things are unhealthy only to the person eating/drinking them whereas cigarettes are unhealthy to everyone around. Second, the reason smoking isn’t illegal is because the cigarette companies pay off senators. If illegal drugs were produced by a big business before they were outlawed, the company would have payed off the officials and the drug wouldn’t have been illegal in the first place.

Tim,

You make a logical argument but it has holes in it. If I am a smoker and I smoke at home alone every night I am affecting nobody but myself. I should not be taxed for enjoying a legal product in the comfort of my own home. I am not going to argue that second hand smoke is not dangerous because I think if you are exposed to it often enough it is.
But taxing cigarettes is not helping people avoid second hand smoke regardless. It is only helping the state government collect $2.75 per pack .
Laws are used to change behavior, not taxes. taxing people on something they are addicted to (and I mean ADDICTED) is despicable. They know people can’t quit and will pay regardless.

I agree with you on the scumbag tobacco industry paying off our senators to pass legislation though. We need to wipe our country clean of politicians and start over again because we have become such a caricature of the nation that was founded 200 years ago.

Don’t get me started on the lottery. For many years I worked in a place where we sold tickets. I can’t even tell you how sick I was on the 1st and/or the 15th of every month – the days when people received their Social Security/state benefit checks. The old, the infirm, the disabled, the out-of-work. They’d cash their checks and immediately spend most of it on lottery tickets. Sometimes I used to tell them the machine was down so they couldn’t buy any. Little good it did, I’m sure they just hobbled down the road to get them somewhere else. =(

WAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!

You want it you pay for it, its that simple.
The reason you’re getting taxed is because your costing the insurance companies big time. The reason its not illegal is because of Robert Morris, their lobbyists, and the fact that there is still a whole lot of tobacco farmers in this country.

It is one of the stupidest things our government does:
1) Subsidize the farmers who just happen to grow tobacco, helping the farmers.
2)Tax the living shit out of the people who buy tobacco, hurting the farmers.

The problem is they are trying to keep their hands in everyone’s pie and not piss off any of their interests.

Why don’t they tax donuts? Cause you would be hurting the local bakery as well as Krispy Kreme and Dunkin’ Donuts. Also, cigarettes cause cancer, case closed. I’m can eat the donut, go to the gym and work it off or eat nothing but salad the rest of the day. Don’t matter if you go to gym and smoke, the big “C” is coming your way, or emphazema, pick your poison.

So stop crying, you know what you were getting into and no one forced you to do it. Bitches.

JF

One more thing…NY state sponsors quitting hot lines and will give you, GIVE YOU patches, gum or lozenges to get you started.

So at least they can cover their asses and say they are using the money to help people quit.

BTW, if you’re interested: http://www.nysmokefree.com

Later
JF

Man, you’re a whiner. I used to smoke and I quit because I had a kid and because I felt like shit every time I smoked.
If you’re doing something that effects the health of everyone around you and have the attitude that everyone around you should accommodate you in your pleasure of toxicity, then that is pure selfishness. It’s like a parent that still smokes around their children. They are so full of their own BS that they go ahead and affect their children for their entire lives over some stupid addictive stick. Whats worth more? The addiction? Or your money and respect?

I think JF and NW are missing the point. If they are looking towards the government to dictate how their life is lived then they already have choices in the world; Saudi Arabia, China, Cuba, any authoritarian regime you can think off. There are bad things in the world, but governments role in protecting you should only be in areas where you are unable. An attack by another nation being a good example. But a bar that allows smoking, that is your choice to enter, you knew what you were getting into and no one forced you to do it.

“But a bar that allows smoking, that is your choice to enter, you knew what you were getting into and no one forced you to do it.”

They ALL allowed, and would continue to allow smoking if given the chance. Why would they cut off a whole segment of the public? They wouldn’t. So, now, what choice do I the non-smoker have? Why is YOUR right to kill yourself, YOUR CHOICE to kill yourself greater then my rights.

I’m not looking for government to protect me. I’m trying to explain why smokers are targeted. Shit, smoke to your hearts content, I don’t give a shit. Thin the fucking herd! But don’t bitch about having to pay. You want to smoke, there’s a price you have to pay, you don’t want to pay it, quit. No one’s forcing you either way.

JF

“but governments role in protecting you should only be in areas where you are unable. ”

Your opinion obviously.

I quote:
“We the people, in order to form a more perfect union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, protect the GENERAL WELFARE” etc. etc. etc.

I would think that protecting people from lung cancer would be protecting the general welfare. Of course, that’s my opinion.

JF

Actually out here in Washington the vast majority of bars and restaurants were non smoking before the ban went into effect. No one was stopping you from opening a bar and banning smoking, in fact it would have made great sense because it would have served an unrepresented population.
The, “GENERAL WELFARE” is one of those ambiguous statements that anyone can use to justify the curtailing of freedom. Adult entertainment restrictions, mandatory seatbelt use, smoking bans, all have used the general welfare belief that government knows what you need better than you do.
It is easy to say who cares if the above mentioned items don’t impact you. But, that is the problem, one day down the road something will be enacted that will impact you, but people have become so use to the nanny state that they just accept it.

My friend, there was a time when every bar, hotel, restaurant, etc. had spittoons in them. Why are they no longer there? Because it is a disgusting habit that shouldn’t be fostered onto other people. Consider smoking this century chewing tobacco.

This issue is the farthest thing from a personal freedom issue. No one is stopping you from smoking. You want to smoke in a restaurant, fine, just don’t do it where the rest of the people, who don’t want to smoke have to smell it. That simple. If I want to watch porn, I do it at home. I know that some people would look unkindly upon it if I do in the park, so, since I have some consideration for my fellow man, I don’t do it there. Does this mean I can’t look at it? No, just have to do it where I’m not hurting others.
I love smokers who feel like there cause is some civil liberties issue. Its not. You want to stop feeling like a second class citizen? Stop smoking. Don’t care? Don’t stop. Not that hard.

But to make this some “personal freedom” cause is ridiculous.

JF

John – Actually, you “watching porn in a park” IS technically illegal.

§ 2C:34-4. Public communication of obscenity
a. “Publicly communicate” means to display, post, exhibit, give away or vocalize material in such a way that its character and content may be readily and distinctly perceived by the public by normal unaided vision or hearing when viewing or hearing it in, on or from a public street, road, thoroughfare, recreation or shopping center or area, public transportation facility or vehicle used for public transportation.
b. A person who knowingly publicly communicates obscene material, as defined in section 2C:34-3 or causes or permits it to be publicly communicated on property he owns or leases or operates is guilty of a crime of the fourth degree.
c. Public communication of obscene material shall constitute presumptive evidence that the defendant made the communication or caused or permitted it to be made knowingly.
(The New Jersey Criminal Code of Justice )

Good thing you “have some consideration for my fellow man”.

Oh, and me smoking in that same park still ISN’T illegal.
How about you quit your bitching.

Technically illegal. I’m sure I could still watch a DVD on a portable or read Playboy without anyone knowing. Still wouldn’t do it because I have “consideration for my fellow man”.

Once again, be my guest, smoke, but don’t equate it to a “personal freedom” issue, its not. No one is impinging on your RIGHT to smoke, only where you can.

Now I know why you all smoke, you’re all SO uptight.
JF

Fitz – Do you really only smoke at home, alone, at night? Are the windows up so your neighbors can’t smell the smoke? You never smoke anywhere else? If yes to all that, then maybe you are right that you are not really directly affecting anyone but yourself. The problem with smoking is not what it does to the smoker. They make their own bad choices. The problem with smoking is that there is not a smoker in the world that gets why most non-smokers are so hostile to smokers. If your smoking really never gets any where within a zip code of a non-smoker, then you are correct. Otherwise, you are wrong.

The taxes are another thing altogether. I don’t think you have to be a smoker to see the lunacy and unfairness there.

John –
Please read caption again and then go back to your porn.

What caption?

Wow! What a fucking brewhaha this turned into. I love it! I would love to respond to each comment but that would take weeks so let me sum up.

1. It doesn’t matter if smoking is harmful to non-smokers. That is not the point here. The point is the government is taxing a legal activity in an effort to curtail that activity (and make some cash). That is pure bullshit and I think it does infringe on the rights of smokers.

2. Smoking is a disgusting habit and should be avoided. However, that does not mean point #1 is any less valid.

3. Secondhand smoke is gross but unless you are constantly around it (ie; you live with a smoker or work in a smoke filled establishment) you are not going to encounter health risks. If you breath in a mouthful of smoke while walking into your office every morning you are not going to get cancer. It’s like a fart…..it’s gross but it’s not going to kill you.

4. As liberal as I am becoming I will never like the idea of big government. The government should not be dictating how we live our lives via taxes. If you let them trample on smoker’s rights it won’t be long until they are trampling on your rights.

5. I love you all for your comments.

fuck anti-smokers. i enjoy smoking

fuck anti-smokers. i enjoy smoking

Think of the extra tax as an asshole tax. Your an asshole for smoking. Fuck you. The tax got you to quit. You should thank the government for taxing it because now you'll live longer. Jesus Christ stop being a stupid prick.

do me a favour, find the tallest building you can, go to the roof and jump, the world will thank-you for it.

anti smokers actually do enjoy smoking…..dick that is

You go girl! I love the comment about the government loving money more then peoples lives (regarding banning smokes.) It’s so true man, our government doesn’t give a rats ass about any of us! Make no mistake about it.

Also why not legalize all the illegal drugs as well? I mean they all kill too, so why make them illegal? Let’s bring all the shit out and make it all legal, since people have the right to kill themselves smoking, then they should have the right to kill themselves doing the other drugs that are illegal!

Stupid fucking country we live in!

And for those anti-smokers don’t go off on some self-righteous tangent and keep bringing up how smoking-related diseases that cause thousands of deaths a

Lighting up: Smokers are looking for cheaper tobacco products. Picture: Nicole Cleary Source: Herald Sun SMOKERS are turning to the black market to fuel their habit, draining convenience stores of up to 10 per cent of their business. …

Do the fumes from that hamburger adversely effect the people around you? Does your stench after an unhealthy donut nauseate others? Does that alcohol let off a toxic smoke for others to breathe?

I’m totally behind any measures that make your smoking as unpleasant for you as it is for the rest of us.

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